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Typescript of 12 lectures, extracts from the notebook of E. Adams on a course of 11 lectures given in 1872, and one given in New Brighton in 1873. Some of the lectures were copied from the original lent by R. C. Jebb and Mrs [Jeannetta?] Potts, and the rest are Adams' own notes on the lectures. A note on the first page of the typescript quotes Jebb's Life in which he refers to them as '"Lectures on Milton's Areopagitica and some minor poems" given to a class of ladies'. Typescript possibly created by Eliza Adams, as the last typescript notes that it was 'copied from Mr Jebb's M.S. kindly lent me by him 10 Feb / 73'.

Great Eastern Hotel, Calcutta. - This is [his and Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson's] last day at Calcutta, except for a night on their way back from Darjeeling to Madras next week; their time here has been 'very interesting, though rather tiring' and they have met many people, mainly Bengalis. The connections of the Tagores and Chaudhuris, for whom they had introductions, 'form a remarkable social and intellectual circle'. Many of them are 'a good deal Europeanized', and all talk and write English well, though they are mostly nationalistic and wear Indian dress in their own homes. Have met at least a dozen of the Tagore family, men and women, all 'agreeable and clever'; the poet Rabindranath, whom they have met in England, is now in America; his brother [Satyendranath] who lives here was the first Indian to join the Indian Civil Service. There are then two younger men [Gaganendranath and Abanindranath] who are distinguished painters; Robert is 'rather disappointed in their work, but they are charming people and great connoisseurs'. The family home consists of three large palaces on three sides of a small square in the centre of town; there are some 'fine musicians, as well as writers'. They are going with a young relation [Nagendranath Ganguli] to spend a night at the family house on the Ganges on their way back from Darjeeling; he will meet them at Sara and take them there by boat.

They have also met Justice [Ashutosh] Chaudhuri, who married a Tagore [Rabindranath's niece] and has seven brothers; they are 'going for lunch with a deportee... who scarcely looks like a revolutionary'; have also seen something of Dr [Jagadish Chandra] Bose, a 'very distinguished physicist and botanist', and have met many young men 'chiefly barristers, and many of them Cambridge men', who are inclined to be 'a little sore' about the British 'methods of government'; some of them are 'really bitter'. The problem is that the English, 'with very few exceptions, do dislike and distrust the Bengalis' and cannot conceal this. Only the law is open as a career, and there is little gratitude for Morley's reforms. Hopes the commission [on public services in India] will support 'simultaneous examinations for the Civil Service'. Things are quite quiet, despite the 'Delhi outrage' [the attempted assassination of the Viceroy, Lord Hardinge], but could worsen at any time. The ill-feeling is 'almost entirely confined to the rich and educated classes'. and the British must make sure to 'protect and legislate for the peasants' to balance the increased power given 'quite rightly' to the others.

Finishes the letter on Wednesday morning, before starting for Darjeeling; expects to be in a 'far colder climate' than his father tomorrow morning. Did not give the correct address for him in Java to his mother and sends the correct one for him for letters written after 18 Jan. Expects to reach Java around 13 [February]. Has been to see the large Banyan tree in the Botanical Gardens, which is 143 years old; compares it to Milton's description at the end of book 9 of "Paradise Lost". Expects Julian has now left Wallington; he seems to have enjoyed his 'long stay' there; is glad his parents found him a 'pleasant visitor'. Dickinson is now 'fairly well' though gets tired easily; Robert is very well 'despite Indian food'.

London, Vere Street, 'near Oxford Chappel'. Sent to Sir Edward Littleton at Fedgeley [Teddesley?] Coppice, Staffordshire. - Apologises for not finishing any more busts. Has had to finish the statue of the Duke of Somerset and some other things to keep his men at work. Has finished four busts for Littleton: Milton; Sir Isaac Newton; Locke; and Bacon; now promises to begin that of Sir Walter Raleigh. Describes work and reason for delays.

Has called on Mr Wilson to see the portrait of Littleton's wife, as Littleton desired, and likes it very much. Ends with wishes for good health of both Littletons.

Harts, Almondsbury, Bristol. - Thanks Bob for sending her his poem ["A Dream"]. Her sister read it twice before she had a chance to see it. Asks if Bob has copies for sale, as she would like a few to send to friends; thinks it 'one of the best things' he has written, on a level with his 'letter to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'. Asks what his other friends think of it. His 'powers do not decay', though he 'often scratch[es] his head' and says he does not know what to do. The reconciliation of Lucifer and Christ seems original and interesting; must read "Par[adise] Regained" again. Wishes she could see Bob and talk to him. Finds Lady Bessborough and her family letters 'fascinating', as is everything that 'gets near Byron'; the letters are 'newly published by Lord Bessborough' ["Lady Bessborough and Her Family Circle"], and inspired her to [re-?] read and enjoy Byron. Has also read a new biography of [Edward] Trelawny [by Margaret Armstrong?]. 'That lot and the Wordsworth-Coleridge group never grow stale'. Heard 'scraps of a talk on Hazlitt' by ? on her 'very bad wireless' recently; wishes more of such talks were broadcast.

As from 20 Hinde House, Hinde Street, W.1. - Hopes he does not mind the address 'dear Bob': they have 'a distant cousinship' but it is one she values. Thanks him for sending his "Dream"; his 'Lucifer is a nobler fellow than Milton's', though she feels his Christ is 'too mild a man'; asks who the 'old wizard' is, she supposes Merlin. Would have liked to read more. Read it in bed as she is 'laid up at present'; was in King's College Hospital for a short time, as her doctor is Mrs Hennant [?] who is now on the staff there; knows she and her sister are friends of Bob's. Likes her 'so much'; they spoke about Bob. Is very grateful for the books Bob gave her in the summer. Best Christmas wishes to him and his family.

[on headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, S.W.] Arrived here 'all right with Charlie last Wednesday'. Is getting on 'very well', and is in Bosworth-Smith's form. Campbel[l] is in Hutton's form, but Giffard is in B[owen?]'s. Giffard 'is 4th scholar, because Butler resigned his'. Robert's room is on the top story, and 'has been shut up for about 3 terms'; it is large enough, 'very comfortable', and 'looks toward the road at the bottom of the hill'. Got his coat on Friday or Saturday, but has not yet got the watch. His clock 'goes very well'. Bought a straw hat on Thursday, which was a 'whole holiday' for him, as he did not have an exam or holiday task. Is very glad to hear that Aunt Meggie [Price] 'has another little boy'.

Does 'not feel at all sleepy before 10'. The 'work is not very hard': they are studying the 2nd book of the 'Aeniad' [Aeneid], which he has done before, the 5th book of the 'Odesey [sic]' and the 10th book of Paradise Lost. Is in 'Row [?]'s house in French', and has forgotten his mathematics master's name. Played cricket yesterday in the 2nd eleven. Sees C[harlie] 'pretty often'. Saunders [sic: R. A. Sanders], the head of the school, is also head of their house.

Woodthorpe, The Thrupp, Nr. Stroud, Glos. - Trevelyan's 'Christmas token' ["From the Shiffolds"] gave him a 'double pleasure', from the remembrance of the writer and content of the books. The first poem ["Epistle to Philip Erasmus"] is a 'treat', and relieved him of the fear Trevelyan was a 'childless man'; also envies him the 'rhododendrons & azaleas denied to [his own] lime-soaked soil'. Asks if the 'best beloved [is] the Spirit of Poetry'; comments on a translation from Latin he likes. Points out a parallel between Milton's 'Forget thyself to marble' [in "Il Pensero"], with his similar use in the lines on Shakespeare, and a line in the comedy "Albumazar" [by Thomas Tomkis] of 1607; he is 'always on the watch for some classical origin'.

'Vondel' written on the front cover. 'Argument' of the drama also translated; cast list included. Translation written on the right side of each page, with the left side used for corrections; line numbers given at intervals of five, up to 450. Single sheet inserted between ff. 4 and 5 with part translation of the 'Argument'. Insertions between ff. 19 and 20: 1 foolscap bifolium with an (incomplete) introduction to the work for an English reader, including the possible influence of Vondel on Milton [perhaps intended to be sent with the translated first act to a publisher]; two foolscap sheets with translation of a dialogue between Apollion and Beelzebub [also in text in book].

Also inserted here: letter, 4 Oct 1934, from Kitty Trevelyan, Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth, to 'Uncle Bob', returning the 'St. Francis story' which she liked 'quite immensely' and found very moving in places; hopes he will publish it. Will return the other books she borrowed in a few days; wishes she had had more time to read them, as she was only able to 'dip into them'. He is very generous about lending books; hopes they all come back to him safely. Back of the letter used by Trevelyan for part of a translation of Vondel's "Address to all Fellow-Poets and Patrons of the Drama". This continues on the back of 5 single sheets [two formed by halving a sheet advertising a sale at D. H. Evans' stationery department on a sample of their 'Hadrian Papyrus']. Another insertion is a sheet of headed notepaper from I Tatti [Bernard Berenson's home] on which Trevelyan has copied out Ezekiel 28.12-15 and Isaiah 14.12-15.

Vondel's "Address to all Fellow-Poets and Patrons of the Drama" translated from the back of the book in; single sheet inserted between ff. 36-37 on which Trevelyan has copied out Jude 6.

24 Pall Mall. Longstanding idea about publishing Shakespeare is confidential; asks Milnes to give it further consideration despite doubts; describes aim to highlight significant passages and possible means to secure publication; Milnes' suitability for the task. Milton would benefit from the same treatment.

Remarks on the fact that Myers has had 'recourse to the strong stimulant of the Sensation Novel', and urges him 'to continue the Tale of the Fair Tasmanian, at least for one more chapter.' Reports that he has been waiting to hear from his candidate Stirling, 'who is apparently hesitating' because, Sidgwick suspects, 'the pay is too small to tempt him. [Note in Myers' hand relates that Stirling is 'the man whom H.S. thought fittest to be Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge' for which Myers urged Sidgwick himself to stand]. If Stirling's case is hopeless he himself 'shall probably stand'. Believes that Venn should be given the post 'if Stirling is out of the question'. Discusses Venn's and his own relative merits in relation to the post.

Declares that he shall probably leave Cambridge if either Venn or Pearson is elected, as he wishes to concentrate himself on 'Practical Philosophy', and they would both be active in that sphere; cannot make up his mind whether he wants to stay or not.. Refers to his interview with the [Poet] Laureate, who impressed him by his 'great kindliness and simplicity, also his sensitiveness to the opinion of inferior creatures like Simcoxes male and female.' [Note in Myers' hand explains that Sidgwick refers to G.A. Simcox and his sister]. Relates that he attempted to flatter the poet by comparing him to Milton, and that Tennyson 'insisted that the blank verse of Keats and Shelley was good in it's [sic] way'. Remarks that he does not think Mrs Cameron suits Tennyson, 'though he is amused with her. Announces that he must turn to his female correspondence.

Confesses to being uncertain about Myers' 'kind offer'. Reports that J. W. Hales is going to give a course on Shakespeare, which will be 'more literary than [Walter?] Skeat's'; thinks it better to defer Myers' [course] until the May Term, 'in order not to produce an embarras de richesse. Suggests that Myers give one or two lectures on Milton's Paradise Regained. Announces that he shall be in London on 4 [January]. Asks him not to mention 'the evening of the [Tenant's] Dinner at Terling [house of Lord Rayleigh; perhaps a reference to Sidgwick's engagement to Eleanor Balfour?]'.

The Shiffolds. - Hopes his parents had a comfortable journey to Wallington. Bessie's nephew Johannes Röntgen has now gone to Geneva to see his fiancée; they will both come to the Shiffolds in August for a visit before the Trevelyans go north. Robert and Bessie are therefore 'mostly alone for some time', until Julian returns from school, where he now seems 'quite happy'. Bessie intends to visit him at the end of next week.

Asks if his father has 'ever looked into the fragments of Euripides'; says they are 'more extensive and interesting than those of the other two [Aeschylus and Sophocles]', mentioning Phaethon and Hypsipyle. Can 'understand the Orestes being so popular. The characters, however unpleasant, are wonderfully drawn, and there is a good deal of grim humour'; it also 'must have been very splendid and effective on the stage'. He and Bessie have just finished Pride and Prejudice; likes Elizabeth [Bennett] 'as much as any of [Austen's] heroines. She is certainly the wittiest'; suspects she is 'more like Jane Austen herself than any of the others'. If he remembers correctly, Milton 'preferred Euripides to the other tragedians'.

They are 'anxiously waiting for the rain, which is badly wanted', as it is elsewhere. Sends love to his mother.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth (printed notepaper); 35 Brunswick [?] G[ar]d[e]ns added in pencil, - Thanks Eddie for the letter about his book ["Windfalls"] with a quote from Theocritus. Hopes he can get it reprinted one day, but [Stanley] Unwin says he cannot provide the paper at the moment. Discusses a line in Milton ["Paradise Lost"]. Corrected the proofs of his [translation of Virgil's] "Eclogues and Georgics" some time ago, so hopes they will appear before Christmas; will send a copy to Eddie, also 'a kind of Christmas-card pamphlet of eight pages of short poems ["From the Shiffolds"]'. Very glad Eddie is going to live at Boar's Hill, though sorry he will not be at Cambridge; perhaps Eddie can visit the Shiffolds one day. Agrees in a postscript that he should have 'added crystals to [his] straight lines in Nature'; is going home to the Shiffolds tomorrow.

Embossed notepaper for Royal Society of Literature, 4 St Martin's PLae, W.. - No mistake about John Milton's Commonplace book: Mr [A. J.] Horwood found original at Netherby Hall. Details of Royal Society of Literature facsimile and subscription; Camden Society is reprinting Horwood's edition of the text, but the Royal Society of Literature will produce autotype copies of every page. Postscript: encloses original prospectus [no missing].

Postmarked Palermo; addressed to Bob at Hotel Timeo, Taormina. - Quotes Milton as it is his twenty-third birthday; thinks the sonnet ought to be in the "Golden Treasury", as should Milton's earliest poem, the sonnet to the nightingale. A Dutch picture and the Actaeon metope were the two 'very great thing[s]' in the museum here; Segesta was so wonderful he will say nothing about it now; does not expect Grigenti [Agrigentum] to be so good, as it will not be as solitary. Will probably get into Syracuse at 9.43 on Sunday evening.

On the death of Thomas Power in Antigua. Encloses copy of his will. Discusses conveyance of Power's manuscripts, particularly his translation of Paradise Lost into Latin, to Trinity.

Weaverham VIcarage, Norfolk. - Constitution of a new parish within his large living; seeks funds for building work; remembers Houghton as a youngster at Thorne, 'disputing the merits of Burns & Milton as a Poet'.

British Museum. - Believes recipient owns John Milton's receipt for money raised by first sale of Paradise Lost; does he possess writings of any other member of the family or [amanuensis]? Is assisting a gentleman who is editing Milton from material recently discovered in the State Papers Office.

Copy in the hand of Ann, Lady Cullum.

Whingate, Peaslake. - Likes Bob's style in his "Epistles" 'increasingly, and thinks the form good; it manages to 'introduce argumentation, which is generally... a mistake in poetry'; Bob's [translation of] Lucretius had the 'same tone'. It is 'pleasant to read', though he expects it cost Bob 'toil of craftsmanship perhaps travail of soul'. Sees Bob in the epistles as 'a wise, & mature, elder brother' who sympathises with the reader's 'infirmities' since he 'feels his own'; he does not seek to force agreement on the reader (Buxton quotes Browning, "One Word More"), but is 'gently persuasive' and allows the reader to doubt when he '(perhaps)' doubts himself. Bob is no 'more sceptical' with age, nor 'less sweet and gentle and inclined to reconciliation', which Buxton appreciates as 'a (would-be) Quaker'.

All this applies to a certain extent to the two new poems as well, though they are different to the epistles and have 'vast & terrifying' subjects. Has been discussing the same question, about civilisation and books, with V. [his sister Victoria?], [his wife] Dorothy and [daughter] Eglantyne: he has been claiming that no great harm would be done if historic buildings and old master paintings were 'bombed out of existence', but that ideas must be cultivated and books kept, so the people living in Bob's 'little green settlements would not be civilised men'. Knows that he is taking Bob too seriously. The '"Piers Plowman" vision' poem is a more serious piece; remembers the theme of Bob's earlier poem; thinks he remembers Goethe saying that even the devil 'could be (or did he say would be?) redeemed in the end'; does not know what to think himself, but Bob seems to him to present the theme correctly. Would like to learn why Bob wants to '"deflate" the rhetoric of an earlier handling'; this might illuminate Milton, Goethe and Meredith's practice in their own later years; sympathises with the feeling though does not know why, as he has never succeeded in finding 'any essential difference between "Youth" and "Age", though everyone says there is'.Values Bob's 'assertion that there is [underlined] a sprig of Justice and Lovingkindness among common men, which will somehow assert itself'; doubt about this is 'the most terrible scepticism of all'. Thinks this 'declaration of faith' is the modern equivalent of the creeds of Athanasius and others.

Returns Bob's two poems with thanks [no longer present]; also includes a few chapters of his "Essay" ["Prophets of Heaven & Hell: Virgil, Dante, Milton, Goethe : an introductory essay" ?", with an outline, to show what he 'dream[s] of' writing; Bob should not trouble too much about it, but any comment from him would be 'highly valued', and there is no great rush.

Is about to send Thomas Power's papers, particularly his translation of Paradise Lost into Latin, to Trinity. Power's wishes for their publication.

10 King William Street, Charing Cross. - Bought the Milton autographs for J. Penington, booksellers, of Philadelphia, presumably acting for a customer; will gladly communicate with them on the subject.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Knows Julian's birthday was three days ago, but this will 'serve to revive the pleasant feeling of being 18'; not until after the age of thirty that 'birthdays become unpleasant, and one is sad to be a year older. Going to [Umberto] Morra's house at Cortona for a few days tomorrow, then will join C[lifford] A[llen] and Joan at Naples, and go on to Ravello with them. The people here -[Bernard] Berenson, Nicky [Mariano] and her sister [Alda von Anrep] who know Germany very well, all say that if Julian goes to Hamburg he will like it, and that all building there has to be approved by the municipal architects so it is all ' if not very good, at least never bad'; they also say 'Munich is not what it was before the war for music and the theatre', with Vienna, Dresden and Berlin being much better, though he does not think this makes much difference and Julian will probably go to Vienna for part of the time.

Saw Chartres Cathedral with Desmond and Michael MacCarthy on his way through France, and thought it 'easily the finest' he had ever seen. Is rather sleepy as there 'has been a Rothschild to lunch, and we all ate a lot. He was much like other people, and quite nice'. Expects Elizabeth will be visiting Julian soon. Hopes Julian does not 'find the Logie book too dull'; quotes Milton's "Comus" on 'divine philosophy'; Julian will anyway 'know the worst', and it gets much more interesting once through the 'elementary part', but he can always study English Literature [at Cambridge] if he thinks 'Moral Science would become distasteful'; however, he should give it a 'good try', and the psychology part ought to be interesting. Hopes he has good luck in the King's [College] exam: Nicky sends best wishes, and Berenson would too if he were not 'sleeping off his lunch'.

Includes folded sheet with draft of three letters by Power: one written from Nevis, 5 Jul. 1698, to George Stepney; one to Benjamin Portlock; one to Matthew Prior. Verse in English and Latin, including translations of Virgil, Aeneid VI and Horace Epistle 2.1, and drafts of Power's Latin translation of Milton's Paradise Lost.

Cambridge Union - A copy of a sonnet attributed to Milton.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very good of Trevelyan to remember him [by sending this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; likes the 'sincerity and simplicity' of his expression and the 'real beauty of the imagery and rhythm'.. Wishes he could reply 'in kind', but has nothing at the moment; hopes later to send what he has been 'amusing' himself with preparing with 'an old House [Christ Church, Oxford] friend, an 'Anthology of Introductions, Prefaces, Dedications' which 'strike a strong personal note' ["The Personal Note, an Anthology of First and Last Words", edited by Grierson with Sandys Wason], such as Johnson in his "Dictionary" or Keats in "Endymion". Would like Trevelyan to read his 'Introductio[n] on Introductions being a Preface to Prefaces'; as he will know, the Preface is 'often or generally the last part of the work'. Has borrowed T. S. Eliot's 'In my beginning is my end' [from "East Coker", the second of Eliot's "Four Quartets"] as a motto; this is 'rather a flippant use of what he treats so solemnly, but the poetry of recurring time or timelessness is beyond [Grierson'; he does however like Eliot's poem 'in a way'. Has heard from Mrs Russel[l] about 'poor Logan Pearsall Smith's illness', though he sounds to be 'rather better' lately; has been re-reading Pearsall Smith with 'equal pleasure on Donne and Carlyle and Milton' and praises his 'good sense and real appreciation'. Mrs Russell says Trevelyan and Desmond [MacCarthy] had visited them recently; he hopes Desmond is well, and will 'soon get a freer room in the S. T. ["Sunday Times"]'. He himself is 'so lame that going round the shops is a duty' he shirks. Has been busy with Dutch poems composed during the occupation mainly by imprisoned young men 'awaiting certain or possible death'; a gread deal has been published and 'the tone is amazing, the tone and the form'. Has only been lent the books, now 'very rare and expensive', or he would have tried to create good translations; has sent an article with 'some quotations and prose' to the "Spectator". Thinks the editor [Wilson Harris] may not accept this: he 'does not care for [Grierson]' as he thinks [his] "English Bible" was not pious enough'. Will broadcast on the 11 January, and may also say a word 'with some application to Scotland'. Wonders how 'poor Gilbert Murray is getting on; 'the "Scotsman" took fright [at a recent illness?] and a friend had to prepare an appreciation to be ready for eventualities'. Has a 'great regard' for Murray himself; they are both turning eighty next month.

Had a visit in June from his 'French daughter' with her youngest son Nicolas, and from his 'Dutch daughter' and her family in November. Alice's daughter from her first marriage [with Alexander Voormolen] has 'grown a lovely young woman;, but was 'seized by infantile paralysis'. She has recovered well, and will now be for a few months at the Wingfield Hospital near Oxford, where Dr [Josep] Trueta is a 'great authority on the disease and its treatment'. Will be alone this Christmas, but his daughters in England may come up for his birthday. Likes Trevelyan's 'cat poem ["Pusska"]; has a 'handsome cat, very independent and superior, but quite friendly'. Hopes Mrs Trevelyan has 'good news of her friends [in the Netherlands?].

Lemon Corner. - It is 'delightful' to get Bob's "Windfalls" [the new edition?]: knows many of the pieces 'so well', as Bob has read them aloud to her, but it is good to read them again; 'just a sip of nectar at a time' since she can only read for a few minutes; glad the print is good. Hopes Bob will not mind if she lends the book to one of his 'most ardent admirers', the lady to whom he sent the Vaughan Williams concert tickets; Olive always lends her the Christmas presents from Bob [his "From the Shiffolds"]. Wonders if Bob is keeping warm, and trusts he is not 'like all the inhabitants of this Infirmary, afflicted with rheumatics, arthritis, neuritis and what Milton calls Fierce Catarrh'; also that the 'domestic situation' is easier.