Iles Farm, Far Oakridge. - Liked Trevelyan's satire very much; 'Only a magnanimous spirit could have conceived the end', and it is a 'splendid retort to the hang-the-Kaiser school'. Glad to hear they may be seeing Trevelyan and his wife, who should not hesitate to invite themselves if they are at Stratford. Trevelyan should not think Rothenstein 'underestimate[s] the difficulty' of 'improving artistic conditions'; can only 'plead as convincingly as [he] can for some intelligent use of the younger people. The more decent artists & poets, the more decent men there are likely to be in the world'. Wishes to counter the misplaced emphasis on '"appreciation"'; does not think it matters 'whether a man cares for Byzantine reliquaries or Greek pots', but that he 'should be moved to try to make something himself. Then he is unlikely to be bloodthirsty' and likely to be 'neighbourly'. [John] Drinkwater, who has a cottage nearby, likes Trevelyan's play as much as he does.
The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Sure the scheme [for an "Annual of New Poetry"] is a good one; just hopes he will be able to take part in the first number. Glad Bob agrees with his suggestions; likewise he agrees with Bob's. Their feelings regarding [Walter] de la Mare seem to agree, but thinks they should invite him to contribute anyway. Would prefer himself not to be known as 'one of the inviters' and for Bob and Gordon [Bottomley] to be known as the 'scheme's promoters'. Would willingly approach [Ralph] Hodgson, [W. H.] Davies or [Robert] Frost if Bob wanted, as this would 'easily come in on the score of personal acquaintance'; however would not like [John] Drinkwater, for example to hear Lascelles had been 'organising a poetic periodical' to which he had not been invited, and would prefer him to see him as a contributor only. Bob 'know[s] what poets are'. Will not mention the scheme at all except in reply to someone raising the subject, or unless authorised by Bob, but since Drinkwater may hear of it could be 'disastrous to [their] friendship if he understood the affair as an opportunity seized by Wilfrid [Gibson]' and Lascelles to 'shed his company in poetry'. Thinks that they should see what [Thomas Sturge] Moore thinks about the proposed list of poets before approaching any of them; the scheme would be 'gravely weakened without him'. His proposal of Constables for publisher was 'entirely tentative', and some of the poets may object, but there is no reason why approaches should not be made; [Michael] Sadler is a 'person one could talk to'; it must be made clear that 'he is to bear all risks - even if we do not mean it'.
34 Percy Street, Liverpool. - Does not often have both leisure and a 'lucid mind' these days; is too tired at the end of the day [after munitions work] and is ever more respectful of Germany as 'only a very great nation could have so managed the affairs of Europe' as to get him out of bed at 6.30 every morning. Managed to give his attention to the agreement [proposed by Constables for the publication of "An Annual of New Poetry] on Sunday; Bob seems to agree with him on the main points. He and the others have 'no right' to ask Bob to act as their representative, but it would be 'an enormous convenience in every way' if he did; Bob must decide only on personal grounds and not consider the rest of them, as he has 'better work than niggling with publishers'. Promises not to sue him if he does act as go-between. Is sure the contract 'must not be signed as it stands' and needs to be 'radically' altered; the problems may be due to 'barefaced swindling, or... unbusiness-like stupidity' and since they are dealing with a publisher 'either is probable', but the root is that the contract does not make any allowances for the 'special nature of the publication' as an annual magazine containing material that is to be republished in future. Might be wise to consult the Society of Authors; is a member himself and could do this for Bob. Bob should get advice from Gordon [Bottomley] and J[ohn] Drinkwater as they are 'clear headed people', while Wilfrid [Gibson] is also good at dealing with publishers; otherwise, does not think it necessary to share the contract around once it is 'fairly settled', since the poets already know the sorts of terms they are getting. Does not feel that a contract between Bob and the other poets is necessary. The first thing to do is to get the contract amended to give the publishers a 'licence to publish our poems in this form for a certain period' which then expires and returns all rights to the authors automatically. Returns Bob's "Remarks" [20/59?], in case he wishes to send them to someone else; has pencilled some suggestions on the contract and adds further comments in the letter, numbered by relevant point in the contract: these include rights of quotation; what would happen if an "Annual" poem appeared in [Marsh's] "Georgian Poetry"; proportion of profits paid to the poets; authors' copies; sections of the contract which should be altered or omitted. He and his family hope the Trevelyans are all well; they themselves are 'fairly so - or fairly so-so'. Grateful for the intervention, 'so promptly & efficaciously', with the Italian Red Cross on behalf of [John Yates of Blackburn, see 1/67? In this case the intervention probably by Bob's brother George].
[Draft letter by R. C. Trevelyan in pencil on the back of the first two sheets]. Trevelyan tells [Otto] Kyllmann that Mr [Michael] Sadler has asked him to write to Kyllmann in future regarding the "Annual". Discussion of the draft contract with Constables: the division of profits should be returned to the original 60% for the poets; Mr Sadler now agrees that the contributors should have the right to republish after, say, a year, but says that Constables should be free to reprint the "Annual" for as long as they wish, which the poets object to; payments should also be made sooner than suggested.
Hopes that Edward will soon be sent a copy of the New Annual ["An Annual of New Poetry"], which seems to be coming out 'after many delays'; does not know how it will do, but hopes it will do well enough to justify another volume next year. Unfortunately [Lascelles] Abercrombie] has written nothing new for inclusion; [Walter] de la Mare also seems to have nothing. If Edward publishes, as Bob hopes he will, another G[eorgian] P[oetry], Bob does not think there will be any trouble with including anything he might want from the "Annual", as the publishers Constables have been very reasonable. For instance, both [John] Drinkwater and Wilfrid [Gibson] have been allowed to publish separately poems included in the "Annual", even allowing Wilfrid to meet his obligations by publishing before the "Annual" appeared; this is 'very unfortunate' for the "Annual", which is meant to include only unpublished work - they had wanted to bring it out before the Christmas, but 'the printers either could not, or would not, hurry up'. Mrs [Geraldine] Gibson is here with Audrey until Wilfrid comes back [from a tour of the US]; Audrey is teething but otherwise very well. Mrs Gibson has 'very good accounts' from Wilfrid, and so far no letters seem lost; both he and de la Mare 'seem to have had great success'. Must try and see Edward in London soon.
[First page missing]. Wilfrid [Gibson] has been 'ordered to bed for 6 weeks' and has to follow a 'starvation diet': the Abercrombies have been worried about him for a while, and it is not certain what the problem is. Believes Gerald [Wilfrid Gibson's wife Geraldine] is fairly well, but fears Wilfrid will 'worry himself into a far worse state' about Gerald waiting on him. Sorry to hear that [Thomas Sturge] Moore's "Judith" was 'mauled' [in performance at the Queen's Theatre, 23-24 Jan 1916]: was very impressed when he read it, and thought it would act well, but if actors can 'savage Shakespeare, obviously they can garrotte Moore'; the first thing they should do after the war is 'kill all the actors & lawyers' [a paraphrase of a line in "Henry VI", Part 2]. If it is true that Abercrombie is keeping the annual back ["Annual of New Poetry"], then he ought to be in the 'jaws of Lucifer along with Judas Iscariot, Brutus & Cassius"; discusses this passage of Dante; cannot see any reason why the "Annual" should wait for him, as he would be 'uncomfortable' if left out but would try to get ready for the next issue. Is writing a little at the moment, but only plays which he feels may work as drama but will below the poetic standard the Annual should keep to. He and Gordon [Bottomley] think that Bob is 'quite wrongly diffident about "The Last Man" [ie. "The Death of Man"?]: neither of them would 'stand up to B[ertrand] Russell on philosophical grounds', but they would both defend the work on poetic grounds; he may be a 'very good connoisseur', but they are 'Professionals when it comes to poetry'. May have a 'Burst [of poetic composition]' when they return to Ryton, and in that case the "Annual" would have first claim on anything he writes, but currently feels as 'likely to write poetry as a bag-pudding'. They should not wait for him before publishing: the "Annual" need not start with a 'full team', as this is not football. H. O. Meredith would like to join, and Abercrombie has said he would 'put it to the other members' but that Meredith must not mind if he is rejected. Abercrombie, Gordon, [John] Drinkwater and Wilfrid are all willing to have him if nobody else objects, but it must be unanimous; Meredith is 'prepared for the jealousy of professional poets'. Bessie must be troubled about the 'disasters [floods] in Holland'; there is enough to worry about [with the war]; hope she has not been 'familiarly affected' and that it is not as 'shocking' as the newspapers make out. The Abercrombies are all well, and Catherine has definitely benefited from the change of scene; the 'dread' they feel [about the recurrence of her cancer?] has 'so far kept aloof'; the children are 'flourishing', and Bob should tell Julian that David is now a schoolboy
Originally enclosing a copy of the petition for [Thomas] Sturge Moore. They have got [Gilbert] Murray to sign, and he thinks also [H.A.L.?] Fisher; they are trying to get [Arthur?] Balfour. Bob would like to get [Robert] Bridges, [Edmund] Gosse and [Thomas] Hardy; this copy would do for Gosse too if there is a chance of him signing. Thinks [Laurence] Binyon or [Henry] Newbolt is approaching Bridges. Thinks Eddie said [Siegfried] Sassoon knew Hardy well; has another copy of the petition if he thinks it is worthwhile asking Sassoon to try. They now have letters from [John] Masefield, [George Bernard] Shaw, Lascelles [Abercrombie], [John] Drinkwater and Gordon [Bottomley], and [William Butler] Yeats is sure to send one too. Sorry that he could not come to Eddie's prize-giving; it seems 'a very good choice'. Has told the Shoves to send Eddie Fredegond's latest poems. Sees that a number of Civil List Pensions have just been announce, and fears this may make it more difficult to get one for Sturge Moore.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; would like to send his one act play, "The God of Quiet" [for inclusion in the proposed "Annual of New Poetry"], which should be finished by the end of the month, and two sonnets; can add other pieces nearer the time if this is not sufficient. Agrees about [H. O.] Meredith, but thinks they should keep to the original plan that he should be a 'contributor by invitation' to this number, and not be counted as a founder so the project does not 'grow out of all shape in time'. Has been 'informally invited to produce Mrs Lear [Gordon Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife"] in London'; has heard nothing definite about dates yet but hopes to see Trevelyan there if it goes ahead. Adds a postscript to say that he has about twelve other short poems, but if more is needed from him he would rather send something longer, as he can 'get necessary income from these others more readily'.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Encloses his play "The God of Quiet" [for inclusion in the proposed "Annual of New Poetry"], which is a little longer than expected so will probably be sufficient contribution; asks Trevelyan to let him know as soon as possible if the scheme will go ahead, since the play may be produced and if the annual falls through he would like to publish it elsewhere. Has heard nothing more about 'Mrs Lear' [Gordon Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife"], but hopes he and Trevelyan may meet at 'her London debut'.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Has read the draft contract [with Constables for the proposed "Annual of New Poetry"] and the 'various commentaries'; generally agrees with Lascelles [Abercrombie] and Trevelyan. Is less concerned about the 'odd 5%' in share of profits than that the publisher 'should have no control of any kind' over the publication of the contents except in the "Annual" itself; would agree to a right to stop publication elsewhere for a limited period, say three months after each issue of the magazine - as Lascelles points out, this is what the 'proposed venture is' - but otherwise this condition is 'unalterable' for him, and is sure it also is for Trevelyan. Asks to be informed what is happening as soon as possible.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Apologises for not replying sooner to Trevelyan's letter, which arrived on the day of his return to the [Birmingham Repertory] theatre; has been very busy since, and also 'perplexed' about his contribution. "The God of Quiet" will be on stage from 7 October, and he likes to have his plays published by the time of production if possible. May also want to publish it and two other one act plays in a book next spring. Asks when the "Annual [of New Poetry]" will be published, whether Constables would agree to him publishing the play in book form next spring - if they gave him reasonable terms he would be happy to publish with them, and what would be the latest date he can decide whether to send the play or some new poems for the "Annual".
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Received Trevelyan's letter just as he was about to write about a 'complication' which has arisen: since he had not heard from Constables, he thought that there could be a problem about republishing his play ["The God of Quiet"] which is due to go on stage a week on Saturday. Having heard nothing from the publishers, he decided this morning to risk getting a small edition of the play published [encloses a similar edition of "The Storm" as an example], which is now with the printers. Two options now are: send something else [for publication in the "Annual of New Poetry"], or include the "God of Quiet" in the "Annual" despite the separate publication. Does not think this would affect the sales of the "Annual", but would still suggest taking a smaller share of the profits. Asks Trevelyan to let him know as soon as possible what should be done; thinks no harm will be done since Constables will not have started setting up for print yet; thinks Trevelyan's 'single judgment', without consultation of the other contributors, should suffice.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Received Trevelyan's second letter yesterday, telling him of Constables decision about the play ["The God of Quiet"]: has not yet had an answer to his letter posted last Friday [20/38] telling him about a difficulty which had arisen. Asks whether Trevelyan received it; if not will re-write the letter; asks him not to let Constables start printing the play.
‘Miss Georgina Jeffreys telephoned: Mr D. [John Drinkwater] says that’s all right about his Xmas poems—he’ll wait till next year.’
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Thanks Trevelyan; will let him know 'something definite' [about Drinkwater's contribution to the "Annual of New Poetry"] this week.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Is 'very distressed': sent Lascelles [Abercrombie] a manuscript of a poem ten days ago, a revision of the 'only one' of his earlier poems he cares about. Asked Lascelles to return it quickly as, if he approved of it, wanted to send it to Trevelyan [for inclusion in "Annual of New Poetry"]; has heard nothing. Wrote again yesterday morning and is doing so again; thinks the poem is 'all right ' and if Abercrombie agrees will send it directly to Constable [the publishers] this week with another short poem; thinks these will be 'apter than "The God [of Quiet]" under the circumstances [see 20/28]; is very sorry but it is not quite his fault. Adds a postscript that he does not mean it is 'any one else's' fault, and another saying he is writing directly to Constables to stop them printing "The God".
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Asks what the arrangement [with the publishers Constable] about reprinting work from the "Annual [of New Poetry]": is planning a selection from his earlier books, to be published in early autumn, and would like to include "June Dance". Would also include the two short poems he published in the "Annual" in a new book at Christmas if allowed. Thinks Trevelyan may have said something about the 'twelve month arrangement' not applying this time because of the day, and remembers that Wilfrid [Gibson] published his contribution in 'separate book for almost simultaneously'. Asks in a postscript whether Trevelyan knows when Wilfrid is due back [from the US?], and whether Geraldine is still staying with the Trevelyans; sends 'salutations' to her if so.
260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Thanks Trevelyan for the letter and the cheque [payment for his contribution to the "Annual of New Poetry"]. Was 'very sorry to hear about Gordon [Bottomley]'s relapse; glad it was no worse.
Is sending a copy of the agreement [with Constables for the publication of the "Annual of New Poetry"], which has not yet been signed; has had the advice of [Lascelles] Abercrombie and [Gordon] Bottomley during negotiations, but all the contributors must approve the contract before Trevelyan signs it. For convenience, the contract is between Trevelyan and Constables; there should strictly be another contract between Trevelyan and the contributors showing that he holds the copyright only in trust and receives profits for distribution, but Abercrombie and Bottomley advised this is not necessary; is quite willing to have one if any of the other contributors wish. Discusses points in the contract: the comment on Clause 8 that it 'will allow [Eddie Marsh's] "G[eorgian] P[oetry]' to have the poems after a year has been crossed through. Asks for Drinkwater's opinion of the contract; alterations are still possible, but they are 'anxious if possible to get the "Annual" started this Autumn'. Plenty of time to send an alternative contribution if he wishes.
c/o Mrs Wilson, Myers Farm, Silverdale, near Carnforth. - Has not yet heard from Drinkwater whether he can send other poems instead of [his play] the "God of Quiet" for the "Annual [of New Poetry]"; since Constables are keen to begin printing, fears he 'must assume' that Drinkwater cannot send an alternative and the play should go in. Is writing to Constables today to say so, but if Drinkwater is contributing other poems after all - and perhaps has written to Trevelyan's last address - he should send tem at once to Constables to tell them so.
Winston's Cottage, Far Oakridge, nr Stroud, Glos. (till 6 August); 260 Mary St., Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Sends payment for Trevelyan's "Pterodamozels"; they [she and her husband John] are both looking forward to reading it and hope it arrives soon. They have taken a 'tiny cottage' and are having a 'lovely time'; she did not know the Cotswolds before, and finds them 'simply gorgeous'.
Veronica, Silverdale, nr Carnforth. - Thanks Bob for sending his "New Parsifal"; will get him to write his name in it when he comes north. Read it with much 'zest and enjoyment' as if he had never done so before; thinks it has all 'come quite fresh and delightful'. Sure it is 'first rate and... will last a long time'; eager to see what the reviewers say, as soon as Bob has a 'bundle of cuttings' he can spare'. The 'Chiswicks [Chiswick Press] have managed the cover very well'; the 'arrangement with Bickers' [printers and booksellers] sounds good, and will probably be 'more efficient' than Longmans or 'liitle [Charles Elkin?] Matthews'. Will remember all this for "Mrs Lear" [his forthcoming "King Lear's Wife"], but thinks he should try Heinemann first as Bob suggests. Thanks Bob for taking the trouble to see [Edward] Marsh and writing; will follow up this opening as soon as he can; unfortunately the typescript [of "King Lear's Wife"] is not yet ready, since he has had a 'few bed-days', and there is an 'Old-Man-of-the-Sea of a plumber here' who makes work 'impossible'. The house is ready to move into; they are going to Allithwaite on Friday, on to Well Knowe for a fortnight, then 'back here for ever. This is a 'damned place, full of old maids collecting for the provision of woollen comforters for deep sea fishermen'.; mentions the suggestion in the local directory that Silverdale is named after 'Soever', a 'hardy Norseman'. Promises Bob that 'Mrs Lear' will be his 'Lenten task', and to get the typescript to Marsh by Easter.
Had a letter from [John] Drinkwater three weeks ago, who said he had seen Bob, and also asked for the 'refusal' of 'Mrs Lear'; have therefore promised to send him a typescript too. Drinkwater sent his [play] "[Oliver] Cromwell....."; Bottomley at length replied he was 'on his side about King Oliver', but that Drinkwater should not 'write poetry like a partisan'. Ernest Newman was 'offensive and vulgar' about [Wagner's] "Parsifal"; loathed' him as Bob did. Wishes he could have seen the opera with Bob. As it has just gone out of copyright, has bought a cheap score; expected it to be 'good but vegetarian and flabby' so was glad to see it 'so much huger' than expected; thinks 'the Amfortas... more moving than anything else in Wagner'. Has got hold of a Bohn edition of the Grimm "Fairy Tales" 'just like' Bob's, and now he and his wife read them out loud in the evening. Very glad that Julian is better: 'suppressed influenza' seems to have been a great danger for children recently, and Lady A[lice] Egerton says her little niece almost died of it. Hopes Sir George is also better. Adds a postscript to say that the French musical review S. I. M. ["Société internationale de musique"] for 1 January has a 'good portrait' of R[alph] Vaughan Williams and a piece on "Les Post-Elgariens" by Marcel Boulestin.
Newspaper cuttings with reviews, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings Agency' from: the "Times Literary Supplement"; "New Statesman"; "The Nation" and "Daily News" [two clippings glued to the same sheet], and a longer review from the "Nation"; "Observer; "Daily Chronicle"; "Keighley News"; "Westminster Gazette" [including an extended profile of Edward Thomas, recently killed at the front, whose poems appear in the "Annual" under the pseudonym Edward Eastaway]; "Southport Guardian"; "Yorkshire Observer"; "Bacup Chronicle"; "Englishwoman"; "Literary World"; "Poetry Review"; "Welsh Outlook"; "Manchester Guardian"; "Athenaeum"; "Expository Times" [poems by W. H. Davies, John Drinkwater, and W. W. Gibson]; "Glasgow Herald"; "Colour" [by W. Teignmouth Shore]; "British Australasian"; "Yorkshire Post"; "Cambridge Review" [two pieces]; "New Age".