The school played Farnborough at home on Thursday, but lost by three goals to nil. It is nearing the end of term, with only four more weeks. The election here [the vote during the General Election for the Basingstoke constituency] is on Friday; supposes the other elections will be this and next week. Is getting near the end of the Odyssey now. The school did not go to church today as it was raining. Robert wrote to Browning ma[jor] today.
The 'elections must be getting exciting now, for they are so near'. Sorry to hear 'Uncle Harry' [Holland] is ill, and hopes he recovers soon. The Eton match is tomorrow. Robert is doing the same Greek and Latin work as before. [Sackville?] West beat Robert in Greek, but Robert beat him in Latin and thinks he can do so in Greek next half term if he tries hard. Thinks he gets on worst with his Greek Prose [composition], and does not always find Latin Prose easy though he 'like[s] it on the whole'. Sends thanks to his mother for her letter. Hopes it will be a 'hard winter', as he wants to learn how to skate properly. Finds the translation of the Odyssey which Mr A[rnold] lent him 'very interesting'; has read four books, and would have read more but does not have much time. G[eorgie] is 'getting on very well', and seems to have done well last half term.
[On headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, SW]. Is glad the elections are now going better. Asks whether 'Uncle Harry' [Holland] and Mr Cussins [John James Cousins?] ' have got in. The candidates here [in Wixenford's Basingstoke constituency] were Mr Sclater-Booth and Mr Eve: Sclater-Booth 'the tory got in, by a huge majority'. He and the rest of the eleven went for a 'long walk' this afternoon; the match with Farnborough is next Thursday. Supposes they [he and Georgie] are going home to London first. The school beat Mortimer one-nil last Wednesday. Mr Arnold has lent Robert the translation of the Iliad, since he has finished the Odyssey. The minute hand of Robert's watch 'has disappeared'.
Balliol College, Oxford. - Account of Dindorf's proposals for the publication of a manuscript by Uranius which was subsequently found to be a forgery by C. Simonides. 'Pertz's information is very curious'; asks if it is 'all an abstract of entries made at the time, since it differs in some respects from Scott's recollection of what was said at the time. Discusses his own recollections, mentioning Bekker, Böckh, Magnus, Lepsius, Bunsen, Ehrenberg, Tischendorf, and Humboldt. Dindorf tells him that Sir T. Phillipps has, amongst other things purchased from Simonides, an extract from Homer 'with an extract purporting that "the Archon of Chios gave this to Hipparchus, son of Peisistratus"; and another of Hesiod, written βουστροφηδόν - !'.
Copy in hand of W. Aldis Wright.
Begins mid-sentence stating that [his brother George's book "The Age of Wycliffe"] is 'a good piece of history', which shows up John of Gaunt as 'a sort of 14th century Taman[n]y ring boss'. Also recommends Rostand's "Les Romanesques", which he read recently and things is even better than "Cyrano". Cannot think of any more modern books for the moment; fears his list is 'chiefly composed of friends' and relations' books'; [Roger] Fry is also bringing out his book on Bellini soon, which is well worth getting. Asks Elizabeth to tell Mrs Grandmont that the Frys would like her to visit when she is in England; gives their address. He himself is getting a house near Dorking at Westcott, and will move in September, when he will be within a mile of the Frys; the house he is giving up at Haslemere is, though, very beautiful.
Supposes she has been back from Taormina a while; asks her to send some photographs, especially the ones of 'Mrs. Cacc. [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan] and the dogs' and himself in the loggia. The last few days of scirocco were 'a great bore', but he almost forgives it for preventing the trip up Monte Xerito as it 'made [them] those splendid waves among the rocks'; it also 'put [Elizabeth's] fiddle out of sorts' though, so he could not hear any more Bach suites. Heard Isaye [sic: Ysaÿe] play one yesterday, as well as the Mendelsohn concerto; he was in good form, and he will hear him again playing the Beethoven. Is having a musical week, as he has already seen Paderewski, for the first time, and will hear [Wagner's] "Tristram" tomorrow. 'Paddy was great fun, at all events to look at'; thinks he played a Chopin concerto better than the Beethoven. Spends most of his time at the British Museum library when he is in London; has found a translation of [Joost van den] Vondel there by a Dutch American; it is 'very conscientious and scholarly' but he does not think much of the blank verse; still, he can now go on where Elizabeth left off. Would like to know when Mrs G[randmont] is coming to England, and if Elizabeth is likely to be in London so he can 'make a display of [his] extensive and profound knowledge of Italian painting in the National Gallery'. Not sure whether he is going to Bayreuth yet; discusses times he could come to Holland.
Suggests older books she should read: Keats's letters, most of which are available in Sidney Colvin's edition though he advises getting Buxton Forman's four volume edition with the poetry; Butcher and Lang's translation of the "Odyssey"; Meinhold's "Sidonia the Sorceress" and "Amber Witch", translated by Lady Wilde and Lady Duff Gordon. Could lend her all of these books, as well as [Henry James's] "In a Cage" and his brother and father's books . Asks her to write with news and to say when would be best for him to come to Holland; he will write soon to the Grandmonts when he sends them [Thomas Sturge?] Moore's book. Thinks he remembers Elizabeth said she had never read Jane Austen; she should read them all, especially "Mansfield Park", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma". Breaks off mid -sentence: 'by advising to...': 9/71 forms the rest of the letter.
A portion of what seems to be a poem by Robert Trevelyan based on the "Mahabharata", with some explanatory notes, is found with this letter but not referred to in it
On embossed notepaper, Laughton Vicarage, Gainsborough. - Cicero and Juvenal used the name Endymion to denote a handsome and adventurous youth; significance of his being aided by the wealth of a beloved matron; quotes Homer and Greek etymology.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to get Bob's Homeric hymn [to Demeter, in this year's "From the Shiffolds"], and would like to know 'more about its preservation and whether it has anything to do with the Homeric poems'; asks how many hymns there are. As usual, much admires the 'grand simplicity' of Bob's rendering. Bob will have heard that [Andrew] Baird has died, in three days of an illness which 'culminated in a brain haemorrhage of the sort that Franklin Roosevelt died of'. He was very rarely ill, so they were 'surprised at the tragedy'; he was a 'grand and trusty fellow' and is a 'lamentable loss to [Charles] and to all the countryside'. Has to find a new forester, a new head gardener, and a new parson for Cambo all at the same time.
Includes an extra copy of Book I, with authorship "Philhellen Etonensis". The other Book I carries Whewell's bookplate.
Inscribed by the author.
Upper case list of contents in Trevelyan's hand, made of several strips of paper joined together (one sheet, other sections with relevant portions of the translation)
Two lists of contents in Trevelyan's hand.
Typescripts of Trevelyan's translations, with many corrections and annotations in Trevelyan's hand, of: the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter"; "Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite"; "Homeric Hymn to Dionysus" (two copies); "Homeric Hymn to Pan" (two copies); fragments from lost tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides (one complete copy, plus four gatherings of parts of this section, one including a MS page with a translation of Sophocles 583; choruses from Aeschylus and Sophocles, with a note by Trevelyan explaining his use of metre (one complete copy, with some duplicates of parts); fragments from lost comedies by Eupolis, Phrynichus, Moschio, Menander, Alexis, Philemon, Apollodorus of Caristus, Philetairos, and two anonymous pieces (several copies and part copies); lyrics by Theognis, Alcman, Ibycus, Simonides, Pindar and Bacchylides, as well as the Swallow Song of Rhodes (several copies and part copies); epigrams from the "Greek Anthology" by Asklepiades, Nikias, Strato of Sardis, Plato, Addaeus, Lucianus, and two anonymous pieces, with upper case handwritten list of contents (several copies and part copies).
Galley proofs of: "Translations from Greek Poetry" (three copies, various numberings and contents).
Also includes typescripts of Trevelyan's translations of Homer, which were not included in the "Translations from Greek Poetry" [see letter from Stanley Unwin, 24/45]: loose sheets with a translation of "Iliad XIV" [two copies], along with an typed introduction by Trevelyan, both with handwritten corrections; gatherings fastened together with butterfly clips with translations of "Iliad XVIII" [four copies], "Iliad XXI. (526-611.)" [two copies], "Iliad XXII" [two copies], "Iliad XXIII". Also typescript of a translation of book 9 of the "Odyssey".
1-2: : 'The Trial Scene in Homer', Classical Review Feb 1894
3-4: 'On the term ἑκτημόροι or ἑκτημόριοι', Classical Review Jul 1894. One annotation, and part of the essay crossed out.
5-6: 'Conjectures on the Constitutional History of Athens, 594-580 B.C', Classical Review Oct 1894, with annotations.
Two pamphlets, printed for private circulation and inscribed by Herschel; the proof has revisions in margin.
Two copies, both inscribed to Whewell by the author; one with scansion marked in places.
Wallington. - All is well here; the house is kept 'quite warm nowadays' and they 'shut the windows more'. Is breakfasting in his room, but getting up soon after that; has been for some short walks though not yet as far as the garden; is leading a 'lazy life, lying on the sofa a great deal', but has also done some Homer translation. The house is quiet as there are no children here yet; the Weavers are coming in a few days, as are Kitty and her family. The only other guests have been 'Dr Boon and his nice wife and children' who have now left. Charles and Molly 'seem quite harmonious, and in good health except for Molly's laryngitis'. The Geoffrey Youngs have been away, but are now returned and are coming to tea tomorrow; he has been 'very unwell lately'. Bob is staying in the 'tapestry room', which is comfortable though there are 'no clothes pegs, and of course no water'; however, the house seems 'tidier and cleaner than it has been for a long time'. His eczema seems better. Hope Bessie has had a pleasant visit from van Stuwe and feels well and happy. Catherine [Abercrombie] is well, and getting on with Charles and Molly. Very kind of Tet Htoot to send the letter by Bob's grandfather [Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan: see 17/171]; will keep it to show Joan [Allen], and write to thank Tet Htoot. Asks to be remembered to Miss Goddard and the rest of the household.
Wallington. - Has no news, though Geoffrey and Len [Winthrop Young] are coming to lunch. Will write to Tet Htoot to thank him for the letter [see 17/171]. Thinks his eczema is much better, though there are 'some bad tickles left', Charles is reading "Middlemarch" in the evening, which he does very well, 'simply, not rhetorically'. Molly's laryngitis seems to be improving, though she is still writing out words to save her voice. He is doing some translation of Homer, not much. Catherine [Abercrombie] seems well, and 'enjoys being here'. Has been to see Edith Bulmer, who is well herself but 'as usual worried by the boy [Martin]'s having a bad cold'. Hopes Elizabeth is well, and that she enjoyed Van Stuwe's visit.
George Allen & Unwin Ltd, Ruskin House, Publishers & Exporters, 40 Museum Street, London W. C. - Trevelyan's two manuscripts have been looked through: the firm does not think there is a 'strong case' for publishing his book of essays, but would be willing to publish his translations from Greek verse if they are printed by Mr Tanner in the same way as the 'Latin volume' ["Translations from Latin Poetry"]. It is a much bigger collection than the Latin one, and the reader finds it 'unequal': it would be 'rather an expensive job' if all the submitted material is included, and the reader suggests omitting the Homer if cuts are desired. Asks if Trevelyan will collect the manuscripts or wishes them to be sent by registered post. Adds in a postscript that he gathers from Lady Allen that Trevelyan thinks Bertrand Russell's "History of Western Philosophy" is not available in this country; this is not true, as Allen & Unwin have sold around seventy thousand copies and have 'plenty in stock'.
On the translating of Homer.
Arnold, Matthew (1822-1888) poet and criticHotel Timeo, Taormina [on headed notepaper]:- There is 'beautiful weather again', though the nights are rather cold. Everything is 'rather backward this year, and the almond trees are only just beginning to blossom'; there are many in the Cacciola garden, which 'will be a very Eden in a day or two'. Is still living a 'studious and simple life, not cottoning' to any other hotel guests, but occasionally taking meals with the Cacciolas. They have many books, and a 'really fine collection of illustrated books of all kinds, Nashes, Bidas, Dorés etc'.
Is going to Syracusa for a day on Thursday or Friday, to 'go over the place with Dr [Thomas] Hodgkin, and to listen to long-drawn comparisons between the Syracusan and Crimean campaigns'. Will 'remember and compare the Greenleighton Epypolae [Greenleighton was a moor with a prominent hill in Northumberland near Wallington, Epipolae a fortified plateau near Syracuse]' when he visits its 'prototype', though he fears the animals 'that browse about its foot will be a sorry lot and nothing to compare to MacCracken's prize sheep'. But 'the genuine Theocritean shepherd still survives here, still plays on a συριγξ (or reed) and still calls out σιτθ to his goats'. Surprisingly, he was as unable to buy a text of 'the great Sicilian poet [Theocritus]' in the capital of the island, Palermo, 'nor even a Thucydides'; he did manage to 'rout out an Odyssey' to re-read the story of the Cyclops, which is set 'in a cave a few miles south of this place'.
Her 'P. M. Budget [a newspaper his mother has sent to him?] is 'very welcome'; also sees Truth, which someone at the hotel takes. Has had a cold, but got rid of it; otherwise has been in 'first-rate health'. Hopes his family are 'all enjoying life, and not suffering too much for being London-pent'.
2 St Margaret's Road [on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper]. - Is sorry not to have written sooner: meant to do so when [Trevelyan's] "Pterodamozels" came but this has taken longer than he expected. The move to the Toveys' new house happened just when Trevelyan's letter about [John] Foulds arrived; Grettie had a collapse due to the strain of the move and is only now recovering. Would be jolly if Trevelyan came to Edinburgh in October. Trevelyan may show Foulds anything of Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] which may interest him, as long as he first see the parts which are in a final state - 'the big sheets or Raabe's copy'.
Is interested in what he has seen of Foulds' work, though has seen nothing recent: sent an early set of variations on to Röntgen, who was very pleased; Trevelyan should encourage Foulds to send something to the Carnegie people, as their first year's list is very successful, with Vaughan Williams, Bantock, Stanford and Frank Bridges and 'three totally unknown names with them' [Boughton, Howells and ?]: calls it, short of founding orchestras, 'much the best thing that has yet been done for English music.' Grettie liked [Trevelyan's] "Pearl Tree" but since she is still recovering he has not introduced her to the "Pterodamozels" yet: [Austen's] "Emma" 'represents the limit of our joint capacity for satire'. Has discovered Chapman's translation of Homer, and also that with help he can read Homer himself.
Ma Retraite, Ede. - Is returning two of the books lent her by Trevelyan, both of which she much enjoyed; had no idea the "Odyssey was 'such a wonderful human poem', and wishes she could read it in Greek; the translation is 'very melodious', asks whether Greek scholars approve of it. Found Henry James's "In The Cage" most amusing, though she asks whether 'the subtle suggestive analysis of the emotions & situations sometimes leads to a little mannerism in style'; thought it very clever, and 'a very English book'. Asks if she can keep [Sir George Otto Trevelyan's] "The American Revolution" longer as she has not yet begun it. Expects her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?] has told him they will be glad to have him as early in September as he can come. Her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] is currently here; goes with her to Denmark for a month at the end of a month which will be 'a delightful dip into music again' as their Danish friends [the Noordewier-Reddingius family?] are very musical. Asks if Trevelyan has heard much this spring, and whether he has decided about Beyreuth. Trevelyan has been neglecting to mention [his own] "Mallow and Asphodel", which she has been enjoying very much; looks forward to reading his friend's poetry which he gave her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?]. Is reading Keats' letters, through which '[o]ne gets to know the man very well'. Encourages Trevelyan to read a book translated from Swedish into English called "Antichrist Miracles" ["Antikrists mirakler "] by Selma Lagerlof; has 'heard it praised very much' and it is 'all about Taormina, though with different names', fears Mrs Cacciola [Trevelyan] is 'treated rather badly' but has not yet read it. Beautiful hot weather this week, 'just fit for lying in hammocks and reading' though it is easy to get last and 'even a little bicycling seems too much!'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very interested in Julian's Latin: Sir George believes Latin and Greek 'are the best of all legacies'. Has just finished the twentieth book of the "Odyssey", the end of which is a 'marvellous masterpiece'. Agrees with Robert about translations of Aristophanes, and about Frere having 'gone nearest to the impossible'. Envies Elizabeth's stay at 14 Great College Street [Charles and Molly's house]. Greatly curious about Jan [?, i.e. Jan Bastiaan Hubrecht; possibly Jon or Joris], as 'the development of an interesting, and most remarkable, sire'. Caroline is taking better care of herself and is well; he himself must 'act [his] time of life'. George leaves tomorrow; the children will be able to see him off.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad that Bessie is really better for her time at Arnside. Effect of the thunderstorms very localised; Charles has described a 'most extraordinary flood which devastated the tunnel under the road in the London Zoo'. Wonders why Sophocles called his 'Satyric drama the "Ichneutae"'. Is just reading the "Bellum Alexandrinum" with 'great admiration'; believes it was written by Oppius, not Hirtius, 'on the rough draft of Caesar's "Bellum Civile"' which he did not live to finish. Macaulay told him the "[Battle of Lake] Regillus" was his favourite of his "Lays [of Ancient Rome]," as he 'had Homer always in mind'; Sir George turned a passage from it into Greek hexameters for his 'Monitor's Greeks' [at Harrow]; they are a 'sort of cento of Homer' and Vaughan told him to write them in the book but he did not, as he did not think them good enough. The pages were left blank; Butler later invited him and 'shut [him] up in his study to write them out', so they are there now, though there are still a blank pages for the letter in imitation of Cicero which he would not write out. Glad to remember that he did not 'over rate his own performance'.
Last part of letter written on a notice from Drummonds Bank that Sir George's account has received some money from the Charity Commissioners.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Their 'most loving Christmas wishes' to Robert, Elizabeth and Julian; sends Robert an article from the American "Nation". Is more than half-way through the "Iliad" for the first time in, he thinks, fifty years; he used to read it 'pretty regularly' before then. In the library here, there is a copy of [Joshua] Barnes's 1711 "Homer", the edition which 'called forth Bentley's inimitable letter'; has that with him for the line-by line translation into Latin, and works from his beautiful Grenville. Sends a letter from Jackson; worth noting his advice a classical bookshop. Has had a 'most workmanlike and informing' letter from old Mr [Robert] Bowes, who was at Macmillan's in Cambridge when Sir George used to go 'about his Cambridge squibs and verses'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Pleased by the prospect of Julian coming with them to Welcombe. Caroline is certainly better, but it is a 'long test of patience' and they will not leave till next week at least. Glad Robert is 'getting on well with Constable [over the publication of the Annual of New Poetry, see 46/222]'. Has been reading several of Cicero's speeches, and is now re-reading Suetonius. Has read the first six books of the Iliad, and will make Homer his 'staple' until it is finished, punctuating him with Suetonius and Caesar. A second sheet asks whether Robert and Elizabeth take the "[Times] Literary Supplement", and if not whether they would like first claim on his copy [this is Welcombe notepaper so may not belong with this letter].
Text of Prometheus play on exercise book pages. Insertions: five sheets of typed script with speakers 'Jane', 'Colin', and 'Reuben'; two foolscap bifolia with prose introduction [?] to the Prometheus play and draft verse in pencil; 1 foolscap bifolium with draft verse, 'There shall we see in this crystal bower...'; bifolium and single sheet with draft, "Oh sister, sister, my fleeting sister'; sheet of Wallington notepaper with draft translation from "Iliad" 23; two loose sheets with two versions of poem, "To Sleep"; one loose sheet with beginning of dialogue, "The Veil".
British Museum, W. C. - Neither Mrs [Marie] Stopes nor [Ezra] Pound know Japanese, so he 'refuse[s] to be put in the same category'. Mrs Stopes 'talks a little colloquial' but there is 'abundant evidence' that the translations in her work were 'done by her Japanese collaborator [Jōji Sakurai]'. Has not met her, but 'you can tell exactly what she is like from reading her book'; Pound 'knows and dislikes her, which is on the whole in her favour'. Nothing happening about the publication of his poems: Squire has not yet 'moved' about putting some in the "New Statesman". Sent a copy of the '"reprint"' to Ka Cox suggesting it might give Constable [& Co, publishers] a 'less tedious impression than typescript', but has not heard from her. Sent a copy to [Bertrand?] Russell, who was 'very kind about it', as were 'Leonard [Woolf] and his wife, who want to print some, & shall - failing everything else'. Is keenest that people should be led to share his conviction that Po Chu-I is 'one of the great poets of the world', but 'perhaps one cannot prove it by 38 translations'. Believes that the 'Opposition consists... of the Stracheys & Alix [Sargant-Florence?], who will not read them till I do them in Popian couplets, with long 's's, bound in calf'. Does agree with them that 'Pope is the only readable translator of Homer'. Also sent his book to [Gordon] Bottomley.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Sorry to hear Elizabeth is 'a little depressed' and Robert 'not happy about his work'; there are 'always ups and downs with people who write' and 'these mental worries are like illnesses'. Sure that Elizabeth will be able to help him; when things went wrong with his work before he 'would fall quite ill, and throw it all up and rush away'; as an artist herself she will sympathise with him. She must 'keep up [her] own interest in other things' and help him to forget his work when 'not engaged upon it'. The Gilbert Murrays are coming to Wallington tomorrow. They have had pleasant walks and drives recently; Charles has been reading Homer and 'modelling in clay' while George works in the morning; in the afternoon they go for long walks. The croquet hoops remind her of Elizabeth, but no-one plays now. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is pleased the melons were not spoiled, and will send another cream cheese soon.
Boulogne. - Thanks Doyle for his 'Epitaph'; in return sends list of words which he recently noticed as 'occurring in the Odyssee [sic] but not in the Iliad. Does not think this proves the Odyssey was not written by the author of the Iliad, but it should be noted, as 'if there were very many such points of difference in language, this might be important'. Wishes Doyle would follow up his 'impression' that the structure of the hexameters in the two poems differ and 'analyse' it; suggests lines of enquiry, and compares the way the structure of Shakespeare's blank verse differs from the early to late plays.
Has been reading Virgil, for whom he feels 'something like a personal affection'; acknowledges that he is 'very inferior to Homer' in inventive and dramatic power, but considers him to have been 'in every fibre a Poet'.
Copied onto notepaper for Fryston Hall, Ferrybridge.