Intended to send a small book of his "Translations from Leopardi", but then decided to wait until Julian and Ursula next come here, as they 'might easily lose it moving about'. Pity they cannot come now, when the flowers in the woods are at their best. All quite well here; the [Sturge] Moores will return in a month. Originally enclosing, on Bessie's request, a photograph of 'the street in Forest Green that [Julian] used to admire'. The Bluths and Tet Htoot were here at Easter, but otherwise they 'seem to see nobody'. Hopes that Tet Htoot will bring two Chinese friends to visit. A 'bad London raid last night'; hopes he and the Bluths are all right; Irene [Cooper Willis?] has fortunately been away. Has very few friends in London now besides these, Logan [Pearsall Smith] and Alys [Russell]. Virginia [Woolf]'s death 'a great blow'; she 'felt she was going out of her mind again and could not face it'. Is re-reading "To the Lighthouse", his favourite of her books; is writing something on her for the "Abinger Chronicle", but it is 'impossible to say anything adequate in the way of criticism'. Forgets whether Julian knew her. Is continuing to translate Montaigne and getting 'a little bored with it'; 'much more fun writing poetry, even if it is not worth much'. Hopes Julian has managed to see Ursula at Taunton, and that she is well again. Has heard from G.M.T. [his brother George] that Charles is giving Wallington to the National Trust now instead of leaving it in his will; he will continue to live there, and one of the family (probably his son George Lowthian) will stay there after his death; this will save on death-duties so there will be much more money for the children. Supposes this should not be discussed until it is announced. Hopes Bessie will go with Miss Simpkins for a few days to George and Janet next month; otherwise she never 'goes away from here, which is not good for her'.
He and Bessie have read Julian's diary and 'thought it extraordinarily good'; very sorry it 'can hardly be published, at least not now'. Bessie and Miss Simpkins have just gone off to Aunt Annie [Philips]'s. Bessie thinks he should ask Julian to send back "Tono-Bungay" [by H.G. Wells], the "East Wind" and [?] "Soha", but he does not actually want them at the moment so Julian should only send them when he is quite finished with them; however, asks him to send the bicycle clips if he can. Very good to see him and Ursula; afraid it will be a long time before they see them again. Just off to London to spend an evening with Desmond [MacCarthy] at Hampton.
24 Cobbett Rd, Southampton. - Was 'so touched and pleased' to get Trevelyan's 'delightful "Christmas Card" ["From the Shiffolds"] again this year'. Particularly likes the poem about the dandelions: remembers them 'covering the bank at the Shiffolds', worrying 'poor Mrs Trevelyan', and Trevelyan's 'efforts to keep them down'. Hopes he is keeping 'well and in good heart', and that the new heating is now 'properly installed'.
24 Cobbett Rd, Southampton. - Was 'delighted' to get Trevelyan's 'little collection of poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] again, with his New Year's greetings. Had been reading some of the previous collections recently, and wondering whether there would be another this year. Was pleased this one began with her 'favourite poem, "To Lowes Dickinson"', which 'always transports [her] into the Azalea Wood', and gives her 'some understanding' of Trevelyan's friend, who she regrets she never knew. Was glad to see a new poem from this year, though it is 'a little sad'. Fears he will 'miss Dr [Gordon] Bottomley very much'; last year must have 'tried' him in 'many ways', and she hopes 1949 will bring 'much happiness, and less wear and tear and worry' to him and Mrs Trevelyan. Asks him to thank Mrs Trevelyan for her 'kind postcard' and tell her she was 'much amused' to be remembered by Mr [Tom?] Harrison. The Eggletons are living in Norfolk now.
2 Garrick's Villa, Hampton-on-Thames. - Has dictated a short letter to B.B. [Bernard Berenson]. Hopes Trevelyan's journey did not tire him too much; a 'great thing to have Julian as a courier'. Has been re-reading Trevelyan's translation of Horace with the dialogues ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal, & Montaigne: With two imaginary conversations", published 1941] which he thinks the best he has written; the translations are also very good. Has been comparing them with Eddy Marsh's, which on the whole are not as good as he first thought them. Appreciated the dedicatory verses to B.B; envies Trevelyan being at I Tatti again; sends love to B.B. and Nicky [Mariano]. Was sorry to hear about Miss Simpkins, has missed her on his last few visits to the Shiffolds. Is due to attend the P.E.N. International Congress in Zurich in June, supposes he will have to make a speech.
Garrick's Villa. - Enjoyed his luncheon with Bob very much; he seemed well, especially given his long journey; was sorry not to have a good report of Bessie and the sad news of Miss Simpkins. He and Bob were by far 'the best dressed men in the Athenaeum'. Would like to visit the Shiffolds before 'the magic wood' has stopped flowering. Is lending two books which may suit evening reading: some short stories by Trollope and Lermontov's "A Hero of Our Time". She should tell Bob a new variation of chess, played on a board with an extra row down each side, has been invented. Molly is fairly well, 'both anxious and pleased' about Dermod's engagement. They are going to Ocford on 16th May, and on the 20th he turns seventy: says he '[doesn't] feel more than seventy-five'. Marie Moore has written him a letter; he feels she must be very lonely. She says she misses 'delightful conversations' at the Shiffolds, and would like Tom's friends to send her their memories of him. Will try, and hopes Bob will too.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - His cough is much better, and he has been to London a couple of times. Did 'not hint to the Master and Masteress [of Trinity, George and Janet Trevelyan, see TRER/ADD/38]' that they should invite Bessie, but 'merely mentioned your name in passing as that of an esteemed acquaintance'; did not mention Miss Simpkins 'at all. So there!'. Hopes she will enjoy the visit and have good weather; May Dickinson and others will be 'delighted' to see her.
Florence [Barger] has 'now left Manchester for Durham'; they 'long for her to come back'. The Rede Lecture [at Cambridge] is a single one; Forster has been asked to give it on Virginia Woolf, on 29 May. Augustus Daniel gave it last year on 'Some Approaches to a Judgment in Painting'.
Translation of Montaigne II.10 and "Oedipus at Colonus" 184ff. Notebook also used from other end: translation of Montaigne II.8 and III.7. Also list of names on three pages - 'E[lizabeth] T[revelyan], Miss [Rosalind] Simpkins, K[enneth?] Clark...' - crossed through in red with blue crosses and line [probably a distribution list, perhaps for "From the Shiffolds", since the third page has a note ''38 copies left. 39 envelopes']. Draft verse - 'It is true that lovers care little...' - and prose piece about 'ecstasies'. Draft letter from Trevelyan to [Kenneth] Sisam asking whether he is interested in publishing Trevelyan's translations of Montaigne's "Essays"; letter to be sent with a draft introduction explaining the principles by which Trevelyan has chosen the essays translated, a list of translated essays, and some examples [22/15 may be Sisam's reply to this letter, dated 24 Jan 1947]. Translation of Montaigne II.1, II.6, "Essay on Education" [from Book I], II.11 "on Cruelty", II.1, II.6, I.40
Havering, Bent Field End, Stansted, Essex. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and the two Bottomley letters. They had a pleasant time in Bath with Riette and her friends. Binyon came for the last weekend and lectured on Persian painting; he and Moore read from their poetry at a Mrs Knight's, a 'tall and elegant lady' with a 'tiny little husband... an artist not much out of the ordinary but intelligent' [Charles Neil Knight?]. Went for some 'delightful excursions' along the Avon. Is charmed by his two granddaughters in Stansted, the household is calm and he thinks there will be no reason to cut short their stay. Saw [their son] Dan in London, who 'looked tired and worn'; hopes he will come for a few days soon; is reading a Hemingway he lent him. Sends his love to the Bluths [Karl and Theo ] and Tet Htoot, and friendly greetings to Miss S [Simpkins].
Review of Trevelyan's "The Death of Man" from the "Southport Guardian", 21 Aug 1920.
Reviews of the posthumous volume of "Selected Poems" by Trevelyan; several sent by Durrant's Press Cuttings, 29-39, Mount Pleasant, London W.C.1.:
1) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 15 Jan 1954; also including reviews of works by Wilfrid Noyce, Joseph Chiari, Ernest Miles and H. S. Mackintosh
2) from "Time and Tide", 30 Jan 1954; also including reviews of works by Jean Garrigue, A. C. Chant, Ewart Milne
3) from "Truth", 29 Jan 1954, "The Poet's Voyage of Discovery", by Nicholas Newton; including discussion of works by Edith Sitwell, Walter de la Mare, L. E. Jones, Robert Stokes and Adrian Bury
4) not sent by Durrants; pencil annotation [perhaps in Elizabeth Trevelyan's name) dating it to Feb 54 and identifying source as "Brit. Bn [?] News"
5) Cutting of Trevelyan's poem "To Sleep" [no date or publication information]
6) from the "News Chronicle", 9 Apr 1954, article entitled "Happiness is those little things" discusses 'a charming essay by the late R. C. Trevelyan' in the "Golden Horizon"', and inviting readers to send in their own 'simple pleasures' on a postcard, with a prize for those published. Two copies; one with annotation in pen that 'Nan refused to go to the Hospital on June 1st' and signed 'R. S.' [possibly Rosalind Simpkins?]
40 Well Walk, N.W.3. - Must thank Bob 'at last' for sending her his "Windfalls"; was 'very touched' that he sent it to her 'a poor remnant of "we" [Thomas Sturge Moore died in July 1944]' to whom he used to send his works 'so faithfully and generously'; she and her husband used to read Bob's poetry on Sunday evenings when Dan and Riette were children. Had read some of the essays in the book in the "Abinger Chronicle", but the majority were new; mentions some of the pieces she most likes. Asks if Bob could return the two manuscripts she left at his house; had meant to ask Bob for advice on where to send them, having thought of "Criterion" or "English" where Tom had published a few pieces. Postscripts: one sending a 'special message' to Miss Simpkins and 'the Julians' if they are still at the Shiffolds, the other that the 'terrible destructions in Holland' keep making her think of Bessie.
Asks if Julian and Ursula could come to stay at the Shiffolds next weekend; has to go away to see Donald [Tovey] for the weekend on Saturday the 20th, so Bessie will be alone except for Miss Simpkins; she has to 'keep very quiet' and 'not read at all'. She has had some improvement in her eye, but not enough, so the doctors say she must give it a chance by lying down more. She is also writing to the Sturge Moores, who may be able to help. Tried to call Julian and Ursula and hear they are in Devon; asks if they can get in touch as soon as they return. Supposes they saw the 'Italian pictures' in Paris.