Signed by Leonard Woolf for the Hogarth Press and by R. C. Trevelyan. Annotations by hand to clause 3, specifying a minimum commission of five pounds to be paid by the author to the publishers, and to clause 4, granting Trevelyan permission to include the work in any collected edition in future, as long as this is at least twelve months from the date of this agreement.
Monk's House, Rodmell, near Lewes, Sussex. - Very good of Bob to send them the second volume [of his "Collected Works"], which 'looks extraordinarily impressive': an adjective 'also appropriate to its contents'. Has a 'particular affection' for "Sisyphus.
Signed by Leonard Woolf for the Hogarth Press and by R. C. Trevelyan. Annotations by hand to clause 3, specifying a minimum commission of five pounds to be paid by the author to the publishers, and to clause 4, granting Trevelyan permission to include the work in any collected edition in future, as long as this is at least twelve months from the date of this agreement.
Monk's House, Rodmell, near Lewes, Sussex. - Sends best wishes for the New Year, and thanks for the poem [the "Hymn to Demeter" in the latest "From the Shiffolds"], which he very much liked. It is 'one of the pleasures of Christmas' to get a poem from Bob.
3 Suhrawardy Avenue, Calcutta. - Is sorry that [J.C.] Squire will not take his poems; does not know of any other journals which might print them, perhaps "Time and Tide" would. Trevelyan misunderstood about Leonard Woolf: Suhrawardy wants to send a selection of his poems, plus the "Old Man's Songs", to find out if the Hogarth Press will publish them and at what cost. Is glad that Trevelyan and Bessie approve of Julian's choice of wife [Ursula Darwin], and congratulates them all; remembers Julian when he first met Trevelyan, before the war, in a house they had taken in London for Julian's operation. Has been unwell since his return with liver trouble. Longs to return to Europe, and for an appointment at the League [of Nations]. During the six weeks of autumn holidays, he hopes to go to see the ruins of Persepolis, Ctesiphon and Shiraz. [Marie] Germanova has been appearing in "Crime and Punishment" at Vichy; has as good news as possible of her and her husband [Alexandr Kalitinsky]; they are both 'ailing', but Andriusha [their son] is there and Rexusha [the dog] is taking care of them.
69 Lancaster Gate, W. - Gives Trevelyan Leonard Woolf's address in Ceylon. Was not in St James's Square in a hailstorm, 'certainly not in new clothes'.
Eleanor [House], West Wittering, Chichester, Sussex. - Has just got Bob's letter; unfortunately will not be back at Tidmarsh before 8 September; hopes Bob will be able to visit some other time. Is going to Charleston after this for 'a short breathing space before another bout of "Queen Victoria"'.
Paris. - Rang up [Nicky] Mariano today and is seeing [Bernard] Berenson tomorrow afternoon. Julian and Ursula are coming to lunch today; he will tell them to contact the Berenson party at their hotel. Cannot express his gratitude for what Trevelyan is doing for him and his friends: the money for the apartment came last Saturday; G. [Marie Germanova] will write soon, she is busy because of Suhrawardy's impending departure. Will send back [Lascelles] Abercrombie's book from India. The devaluation [of the franc] has been too late for him to benefit, though he has helped his friends Germanova and Kalitinsky with the purchase of a wireless. Does not think Woolf will accept the poems [at the Hogarth Press], but they have been helpful in bringing Trevelyan and Suhrawardy's 'minds and sensibility closer'. Replies in detail to Trevelyan's further comments on the poems.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Has not had a reply from Trevelyan to his two letters; hopes he is well, and that Woolf rejecting Suhrawardy's poems at the Hogarth Press has not stopped him writing.
Signed by Leonard Woolf for the Hogarth Press and by R. C. Trevelyan. Annotations by hand to clause 3, granting Trevelyan permission to include the work in any collected edition in future, as long as this is at least twelve months from the date of this agreement, and clause 4, regarding commission to be paid by the author to the publishers.
K[ing's] c[ollege] c[ambridge]. - Would like to visit, but is unsure of his sisters' plans (May has mild influenza). Hears that Bob has returned from Italy; has received his "Poems and Fables" and is glad to see them in print. Békássy's poems have been published by Woolf [Hogarth Press, "Adriatica and other poems"]. Has not yet read "Sanditon" yet and will wait, as Bessie suggests. Has a paper by Békássy on Austen; he did not appreciate her.
Lloyd Triestino, Piroscafo 'Gange', Brindisi. - Is very grateful for the trouble Trevelyan is taking over his poems: they are experiments and not one is 'réussi', but he would like the printed in book form to help him in India, in his 'moral place among the people who know him' rather than in his career. So if there is a chance Leonard Woolf would accept them, asks Trevelyan to let him know how much it would cost and he may be able to get his relatives to pay. Heard of Julian's engagement [to Ursula Darwin] with joy; young men on their own now 'do not know what to do with their lives', but Julian's time at Trinity, and the 'traditions of English squires' he follows means that he knows when to 'reach to life at important moment'. Also thinks people should 'finish with the restlessness of emotional life at an early age' in order to have a creative life; he himself has not, and still waits 'for miracles to take place at each bend of the street'. Sends congratulations to Bessie.
University College, Oxford.—Hopes that Pethick-Lawrence will be able to join the party going to Russia (see 1/164). The aim is to learn more about the problems of introducing a socialist system, with emphasis on public and industrial finance.
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Transcript
University College, Oxford
16/1/32
Dear Pethick Lawrence,
I was very pleased to get your note, and I very much hope you will be able to go with the party to Russia. I am afraid that, for reasons of health, I shall not be able to go myself; {1} but there will be Leslie, Dalton, probably Cuttall, {2} C. M. Lloyd, Leonard Woolf, Susan Lawrence, H. L. Beales, possibly Somerville Hastings, and one or two others, in addition to Harben. The aim is to make a thorough study, over two months or more, with particular relation to the light thrown on the problems of introducing a Socialist system, and with emphasis on public and industrial finance. Starting late June or early July, and splitting up for investigations. I am in touch with the Soviet Embassy & Moscow now about facilities.
I am away in Oxford for the next week; but C. M. Lloyd or Leslie could tell you all about it, or I could, when I get back. You have, however, most of the information, except that, as soon as we get the group together, and can see our way with Moscow and with enough money to ensure the visit, we want to take on a Russian-speaking secretary and start seriously on preliminary work. But for that we are still trying to raise funds here and get Moscow’s agreement to the visit.
Yours sincerely
G. D. H. Cole
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{1} Cole had recently been found to be suffering from diabetes.
{2} Reading uncertain.
Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum, London, W.C.1 - Thanks Bob for [his translations of] "Theocritus", the letter about "[The Tale of] Genji" - the errata have now been incorporated into a second, US-only printing, as the 'demand is far greater than here - and his 'little book about the future of poetry ["Thamyris"].' Likes the [Theocritus] epigrams 'very much', but thinks the meter Bob uses for the "Idylls" goes 'too slowly'; however, the 'best judges' do not agree with him and he is probably 'eccentric' about this. Thinks that in the pamphlet ["Thamyris"] Bob does not discuss the things he himself sees as 'straws showing which way the wind will blow': sees 'European poetry' as a whole, with it being impossible only to discuss English, and believes that '[m]odern French poetry (Apollinaire, Reverdy, Tzara even) indicates what is going to happen as regards outward forms'. Regarding Oswald [Sickert's] writings, he himself does not know the Woolfs, 'save for one or two casual meetings'.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Very glad she liked the 'Broadcast on T. E. [Lawrence]', which has been 'successful, as my utterances go' and he had 'fan mail' waiting on his return from Norfolk. Had a 'pleasant time' there, partly with the Kennets and partly with the Sprotts; the first part being '"tough" - bathin', sailin' and so on', which he 'quite enjoyed, and the second 'more archaeological'. Saw Binham Abbey; 'the strange modern rival goings on at Walsingham'; Houghton [Hall], built by Sir Robert Walpole, over which the 'present nobb [?] owner [George, 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley]' showed them for five shillings each; and Felbrigg Hall, owned by a 'fat young acquaintance' of Forster, Robert Windham Ketton-Cremer so therefore seen for nothing. Got 'so enthusiastic' over sightseeing, that in London he took his Baedeker and 'went round the Royal Tombs in Westminster Abbey'.
Is now at home, 'seeing that the outside of the house gets painted'; asks her to let him know when she returns. Will be 'pleased to make young George's [son of Sir Charles Trevelyan?] acquaintance'; he had been visiting the Kennets and Lady Kennet' was very much on to him as she is to all young and personable men. I don't think she does them much good!'
Expects she is still in the north, but will send this to The Shiffolds since 'it contains nothing of importance except my love'. Is here until Friday, when he is going away for a weekend with the Woolfs; not a good time to go, as he is 'so irritated and bored by Virginia's Three Guineas that I don't know what to do. Such an endless ill-tempered prate, and so badly-written in the true sense of writing. She wants a pill [?] she do'. However, is sure he will be 'charmed and captivated' when he sees her.
University College, Rangoon. - E. J. Farmer would like to meet Trevelyan; he is a senior Indian Civil Service man in Burma who due to old age and 'the stoniness of Burma' would like to do some political or social work in England. Asks if he could be introduced to people such as Woolf, Allen, Keynes and Desmond MacCarthy, and put up for membership at the 1917 Club if that still exists.
Signed by Leonard Woolf for the Hogarth Press and by R. C. Trevelyan. Clause D struck through in ink and initialled by Woolf and Trevelyan.
Alerts Gaskell to his obituary of Sir Malcolm Darling and the comparisons and contrasts he drew with the career of Leonard Woolf.
Stephens, Ian Melville (1903-1984) newspaper editorMonk's House, Rodmell, Lewes, Sussex. - Has been meaning to thank Bob for a long time for his book ["Windfalls" or his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics" of Virgil] and now must add his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; thought the poems some of the best Bob has 'ever published' and called them 'tracts for the times -- from unfortunately another time -- but infinitely refreshing'.
Trevelyan has filled in the sections printed on the front: 'Written by' with 'R.C.T'; 'Commenced' with 27 August 1923 [looks like 8]; 'School' with 'Ἡ ΓΗ' ['The Earth' in Ancient Greek]. Notes in his first entry that he has been reading Ponsonby's book ["English Diaries" by Arthur Ponsonby] which has inspired him to start this diary.
Mentions of Mabel [Godwin?], Marian [?], Alice, Bert and Bobbie Elms; Bessie and Julian; his parents; Miles Malleson and his wife [Joan] and uncle [Philip Malleson]; O[liver] Simon at the "Fleuron" (who asks him to translate the "Acts of the Apostles", to be illustrated by Paul Nash); Miss Ewing [later wife of Walter Rea], Nicky Mariano; Bernard and Mary Berenson; Frances and Arthur Dakyns (visiting the Ponsonbys at Fernhurst); his brother George (who has written to the "Times" saying the matter between Greece and Italy should be referred to the Powers not the League of Nations); Margaret and Ralph Vaughan Williams and their mother; Mrs [Jane] Russell Rea; Irene [Cooper Willis or Noel-Baker]; 'Miss [blank left], with whom Rennier had an affair. She is now private secretary to [Henry?] Hamilton Fyfe'; Francis Birrell; Clifford and Joan Allen; 'an Italian-French lady' whom Trevelyan had met at I Tatti; Barbara Strachey; [Simon] Bussy [paintings by]; John Rodker 'and his child [Joan] by Sonia [Cohen]'; a 'nice rather muddle-headed young man.. Labour candidate for Petersfield' [Dudley Aman]; Bertrand Russell.
Works on: translations of Theocritus; his 'Flood poem' ["The Deluge"]; possible continuation of "Pterodamozels"; review of books on metre by Lascelles Abercrombie and E[gerton Smith] (Smith is the first person he has 'attacked' in a review; wonders if Desmond MacCarthy will think his comments 'too strong); review of Sturge Morre's "Judas" for Leonard Woolf at the "Nation"; his 'Pandora play'.
Reads (as well as Ponsonby, and sometimes with Julian): the "Manchester Guardian", Spenser's "Mother Hubbard ['s Tale]", Epicharmus, "Henry IV pt 1", Phaedrus, Macaulay, Aristophanes, the 'Summer number' of Julian's "Hurtenham Magazine", Lucian, the "Mikado"; Ssuma Ch'ien [Sima Qian]; Hastings' "Dictionary of the Bible" [at the London Library]; a "Classical Review" with Duff and Bailey on Lucretius; Molly MacCarthy's autobiography ["A Nineteenth-Century Childhood", 'Very charming']
38 Brunswick Square, W.C. - Thanks Trevy for sending his book; much enjoyed reading it. Liked the "Bride of Dionysus" and is now reading the translations, whose metres seem 'even more successful' than when he first heard them. Liked the Greek folk-song a great deal. The Ceylon government would not give him extra leave, and he has resigned.
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.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Is ‘all right again’; only did not go to the Wednesday concert in Dorking as he was ‘hearing music in London instead’. As soon as ‘the air stops being like ice and the ground like glass’, hopes to visit, but ‘even the blackbirds can’t stand up when they walk to a crumb, so what help is there for humans?’.
Has been much enjoying ‘the Berenson poem in the Abinger Chronicle [Vol. 1. No. 2. To Bernhard Berenson; it is ‘not as good as the Goldie [Dickinson] one, but Berenson is not as good as Goldie, and within the limits he imposes Bob has turned out a very lovely and moving tribute to civilisation’. Has been reading a book about M[atthew] Arnold by ‘an America, called Trilling’; does not think he ‘has much feeling for poetry, but he is very good otherwise’, and gives Forster ‘surer ground’ for his admiration of Arnold.
Has ‘also read Elizabeth [von Arnim]’s frothy new novel Mr Skeffington’; it ‘has a touching denouement and was not badly built, and might have been good if she hadn’t such a frilly undi-fied [? undignified] mind. Has also read [Pope’s] Dunciad. Remembers Evelina [the book by Fanny Burney?]as ‘rather too little of a good thing’. His ‘trousers caught on fire at the Woolfs, and the house caught on fire at the Bells, but neither fatally’ and he much enjoyed himself. ‘Clive Bell is a charming host’.
Backsettown Farmstead, Henfield, Sussex.—Discusses arrangements (in connection with the unveiling of a plaque to Elizabeth Robins; see 3/300). Leonard Woolf is coming.
Thanks Trevelyan for the books; has read some of them on a holiday in Upper Egypt. Liked Joyce ["Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man"?] and Eliot ["Prufrock and Other Observations"?] very much; enjoyed Virginia's story but not Woolf's [""The Mark on the Wall" and "Three Jews", published by the Woolfs as "Two Stories"]; liked Choke-off [a pun on Chekhov?]. He also liked Trevelyan's work: 'not as much as some of your things', but Mrs Borchgrevink enjoyed them. Will send a cheque; if there is really a surplus asks Trevelyan to send some more new books, though nothing by Jules Romains or Norman Douglas as he has read them. Teases him for not recognising 'the Salzerdromes' as a reference to his own "Pterodamozels" [see 3/33] but is glad the play reached him anyway. Wishes he could write himself; has managed nothing but a few articles 'for the worse of the two English papers here'. Says he is annoyed with Allenby for not providing him with work [by winning victories to write about]. Jokes about Bedouins laying eggs. Is glad Julian likes school.
Monk's House, Rodmell, near Lewes, Sussex. - He and Virginia enjoyed Bob's "Epistle [to Joan Allen]" very much, finding both form and content 'refreshing' in 'these days of confused bitterness'; his translations [of Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne] and two ["Imaginary] conversations" were equally, perhaps even more, refreshing. Had by coincidence been reading Horace's "Satires": reads the classics in bed before getting up in the morning, and usually chooses Greek, but this time thought he would try Horace. Enjoyed it more than he expected, as he remembered being 'bored by Horace's hexameters'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Looking forward very much to seeing Robert on 12 May. Has been reading Robert's 'Wolff poems' [his "Poems and Fables", printed by Leonard and Virginia Woolf] 'leisurely and very sympathetically' and looks forward to reading them often again; mentions "The Winter Sunset", "Sleep", and "Happiness" as those which most interested him.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Thanks Bessie for her 'kind letter'; meant to ring, but has been in bed for the last three days with a cough and cold. Is now better and out of bed. Expects to stay with the Bells at Charleston at the beginning of May. Clive says there is 'little "private news" [about Virginia Woolf's suicide], except that she was threatened by a return (it would have been the fifth) of her terrible illness. Understandably, she could not bear the prospect'. Leonard is 'as always reasonable and stoical', and so far Vanessa has not 'broken down' as she did at [her son] Julian's death. He himself has of course been 'much upset', and her sympathy is welcome; he 'found it so repulsive to get letters and telegrams from no less than six newspapers wanting me to do articles at once'.
Had meant to write on a happier subject: his 'delightful call upon G. M. T[revelyan, recently appointed Master] at Trinity', who was very pleased with [the Master's Lodge] 'and all sorts of improvements were in full swing'. Had 'the kindest of greetings'. Asks why Bessie doesn't pay them a visit.
Everyone in his house has colds; Florence [Barger] is 'nursing hers with special care, as she goes to Manchester on Tuesday'. Sends love to Bessie and Bob. Adds postscript: saw May Dickinson and her sister Hettie Lowes at Cambridge, and Sheppard 'as usual'.
Is glad to hear Trevelyan is thinking of writing a novel, though the 'bothers' about writing distress him as they resemble his own. Asks if he has read and admired Norman Douglas's "South Wind"; suggests it, and Gide's "Les Caves du Vatican", as possible models. Will send him and Bessie 'the unpublished thing' ["Maurice"], but asks them to promise not to mention it to anyone except Goldie [Dickinson]. Has re-read it recently and found some 'grave faults' which he may alter. Has written a memorandum on Egypt for the Labour Party, and so spent a pleasant day in London seeing Woolf and Shaw. His aunt's neighbours, the Agnews, came to tea; he liked Mr Agnew. 'Yesterday I had tea at the House of the Lord'. Saw Tovey and Miss W. [Sophie Weisse] in Edinburgh. His mother is reading 'The Arrows of Lead' [ Joseph Conrad's "The Arrow of Gold"] which she finds slow.