A, as one of the representatives of Anne Moseley, daughter of Humphrey Moseley, late citizen and stationer of London, has an interest in the copyrights of ‘Priamus and Thisbe’, ‘Spencers Shepherds Calendar’, and other works, as recorded in the register of the Stationers’ Company and a transcript thereof; and also (formerly) claimed an interest in the copyright of ‘Cowleys Poems, Donns Poems, Davenants Works, Crashaws Poems, Carews Poems Ben Johnsons Works, 3d Vol, Pastor Fido, Sucklings Poems Denhams Poems Wallers Poems & Miltons Poems in Latin & English, with many others’, which all belong to B and C or one of them. For the consideration of £10 A assigns to C his interest in the copyrights of the books in the first group, and releases to B and C his claim to the copyrights of the books in the second group. Witnessed by Robert Knaplock, John Baker, and Marmaduke Horsley. (The witnesses to the receipt are the same.) Signed by ‘Dorman Newman Junior’.
Oriel College, Oxford.—Expresses support for McKerrow’s enterprise, and makes some suggestions. Refers to the progress of his edition of Jonson.
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Oriel College, Oxford
27 Nov. 1923
My dear Wilson,
I was in town in the vacation, but too early to catch you. I turned over 3000 uncalendared pa-pers at the Record Office to get a Jonson paper, & failed to find it; but a later searcher for me got it after looking at another 10,000. So that is well.
I am glad to hear of McKerrow’s enterprise. I’ll do what I can to help. I will send him a line later.
Middle English is a difficulty. One of the best men is Onions; but the More book showed you his defect. {1} He had all the material for that article at the tips of his neurotic fingers, & yet he could not put it into shape. Get Sisam, of the Clarendon Press.
The only suggestion I have concerns reviewing. Every paper seems to me weighted with stacks of reviews, half of which are not worth writing. Some eclectic system should be devised, of reviewing, say, six-months old books, & of these only a selection. This would differentiate the good. But it would be difficult to work & I expect rather invidious.
I have only read Pollard’s introduction to the More book. I have had no time for it. Just now I am deep in Inigo Jones, who fascinates me. Ben—vol. i—is virtually ready, & proofs should start soon.
I may be coming to town soon, & if so, I will write. Kind regards to Mrs. Wilson.
Yours ever
Percy Simpson
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{1} Presumably Onions had been invited to contribute an article to the volume Shakespeare’s Hand in the Play of Sir Thomas More, but failed to do so. Cf. MCKW A3/1.
{2} The first volume of Herford and Simpson’s edition of Ben Jonson’s works appeared this year.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for his letter of the 9th [46/275]; that is 'rather good for the British Postal Service nowadays', and Caroline received a letter from Aunt Anna dated the 9th this morning. Sees that Harrow have lost [the cricket match against Eton at Lords] again; there have been several long reports in the Times recently about 'Harrow festivities and anniversaries', quoting a number of speeches which mentioned nothing but cricket; one would think nothing else was taught and yet Harrow has not won a match for more than fifteen years. In his own day, they talked and cared about plenty of things, yet won nine matches in ten years against Eton; is 'rather ashamed of the whole business'. Will read [Jonson's] Volpone again soon; recently read [Plautus's] Mostellaria, and the Alchemist must be 'good indeed' to better it, while the Silent Womanis a 'rare good play'. Has just had the 'most remarkable literary contrast' in his reading today: between some 'glorious chapters' in [Cicero's] De Natura Deorum, II.37-40, and the 'olla podrida of conceit and self-laudation in the following few; wonders that they could have been written 'by a man of 60' - and such a man as Cicero; imagine Burke, Charles Fox, Canning or Macaulay doing such a thing. Will be a 'most marvellous, and indeed, miraculous thing' if the 'Irish effort' [truce talks] comes off.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Here they are 'still suffering from the drought', and he expects his parents are too; it is though 'not oppressively hot'. [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson is visiting for a few days. They are reading 'Tchehov's last book of stories in the evening, most of them rather gloomy, but vivid and well-written'. He and Bessie sometimes read plays together: they have read [Jonson's] Volpone, which Robert 'admire[s] greatly, though the end never satisfies [him]', and Timon of Athens, which seems to him 'all genuine Shakespeare, though some of it is careless. He cannot have taken much trouble about it, but it is full of fine things'.
Hopes that 'peace for Ireland is really coming this time. It seems not impossible'. Bessie is well, and 'looking forward to Julian's return [from school]'.
5 Parkfield Road, Didsbury, Manchester.—Declines to contribute to the Review at present. Thanks him for his kind words about the edition of Jonson.
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5 Parkfield rd. | Didsbury | Manchester.
25 Nov. ’24.
Dear Dr. McKerrow,
I am extremely sorry to disappoint you, & in particular to have to refuse a request so gratifying & so kind. But I have nothing that I could offer you of the kind you suggest, & I have for some months been in a state of health which permits one to do what has to be done but precludes the elasticity necessary for new enterprise. I can only say that I will bear your wishes—& also the apparent set of English studies just now towards the Elizabethans, in mind.
Thank you for your kind words about our Jonson. I hope it may prove to have been worth waiting for. As regards Simpson’s share in it I may say without reserve & with full assurance, that it will be an event.
Your program of the first number of the Review is very attractive & promising.
Yours vy truly
C H Herford
5 Parkfield Road, Didsbury, Manchester.—Declines to contribute to the Review for the present, but offers to join the advisory panel, if older scholars have not been purposely excluded. Jonson (Herford and Simpson’s edition) is now going through the press.
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5 Parkfield rd. | Didsbury | Manchester.
11 Feb. ’24.
Dear Dr. McKerrow,
I am very glad to hear that the English Review, of which I had heard rumours, is now definitely in prospect. I would rather not undertake anything definitely for your first number, but I shall hope to be able to at any rate later on. In the meantime all good wishes for it.
Is your Board of Advisers intended to spare old stagers?—I see that it does not include names so honoured as those of Bradley & Saintsbury. But though technically on the retired list I hope I am not shelved in work; Simpson’s & my long-protracted Jonson is, as you probably know, now going thro’ the press. At any rate I am quite ready to join if you think proper.
Yours vy truly
C H Herford.