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Contains: poem, "October", by V. S. Wainwright; "Remembered Meals" by Max Beerbohm; poem. "After the War", by Christmas Humphreys; poems, "Can We No More" and "The Anatomists", by Denton Welch; "A Duel in Green Park" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge], about Count Vittorio Alfieri.

Originally enclosing three publicity notices for the "Abinger Chronicle" for Julian and Ursula to distribute to possible subscribers, such as Imogen [Gore-Browne?]; they should avoid people likely to be on Oliver [Lodge], Bob, [E.M.] Forster or Sylvia [Sprigge]'s lists. Max [Beerbohm] and Forster are both contributing to the Christmas number; does not think he himself will have anything ready. Bessie has a persistent cold, but he hopes she will soon get away to Hove for a few days. Hopes that Diana [Brinton-Lee?]'s 'expedition' was successful. Is trying to write an 'epistle in Alexandrines' to B.B. [Bernard Berenson], but it is 'rather uphill work'; quotes Pope ["Essay on Criticism"]. Tom S[turge] M[oore] is 'fairly all right', though Marie is still in Paris.

Contains: poem, "The Flycatcher", by Sylvia Lynd; "Sicily" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; "Intellectual Conversation" by Arthur Waley, which mentions Maynard [Keynes], Francis [Birrell], Hugh Dalton, Roger Fry, Gerald [Shove] and Sebastian [Sprott]; sketch in memory of Edmund [not Edward, as on cover] Gosse by Max Beerbohm; poem, "Lying Among the Yellow Flowers", by Kenneth Hopkins; poem, "Complaint", by Diana Lodge.

Copy of original, 1941, by Max Beerbohm

Prose note on 'religious and aesthetic emotions'. Verse, 'This love disease is a delicious/delightful trouble'. Translations by Trevelyan of the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter", fragments from tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus, an extract from Virgil ["Aeneid"] Book VI, Leopardi's "To his Lady" and "Canticle of the Wild Cock", Simonides 37, an extract from [Homer's] "Iliad" Book 24. Draft essay on aging and desire. Notes, in the style of Trevelyan's "Simple Pleasures". Autobiographical piece about a reading party at Blackgang Chine almost fifty years ago, with Cambridge friends such as Lytton Strachey, Roger Fry, Desmond MacCarthy and George Moore. Draft of "On Inspiration", published in "Windfalls". Translations of Catullus 2, 7, 12, and 50, Tibullus I.1, and Montaigne III.11 and III.6. Dialogue between 'Child' and 'Father'. Note on Saint Augustine's "Confessions". List of contents for the 1948 "From the Shiffolds" pamphlet. Notes for topic 'What does England mean to me?' and on old age.

Notebook used from other end in: list of books including [Beerbohm's] "Zuleika Dobson" and Ransome's "Great Northern?". Draft letter regarding the [re?] printing of Trevelyan's "Collected Works". Passage headed 'p. 15'; since this is followed by a review of Judson's "Life of Spenser", it may be an extract from that book. List of titles of essays, prefaces for translations, biographical pieces (Donald Tovey and C[lifford] A[llen], etc; perhaps future projects for Trevelyan. Draft piece on poets and poetry. Dialogue on the subject of translating poetry; piece "On Translating Greek Poetry", with notes on individual authors and quotations of passages. Pieces on translating Lucretius and the Greek Anthology; notes on translating Homer and Catullus; observations on a 'friendly critic' pointing out that 'too many' of Trevelyan's poems and essays begin with a scene of someone, usually the poet, 'walking meditatively in a wood' or lying beneath a tree. Translation of Tibullus III.19. Draft essay on Trevelyan's feelings about spiders, insects and other small creatures, and snakes; includes mention of a 'great philosopher' [Bertrand Russell or G. E. Moore?] disliking ants immensely.

Most sent on by Durrant's Press Cuttings, St Andrew's House, 32-34 Holborn Viaduct, E.C.1.

1) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 28 Mar 1942, "A Jovial Sage: Mr R. C. Trevelyan's Faith'; illustrated with the caricature of Trevelyan by Max Beerbohm.
2) from the "Manchester Guardian", 13 May 1942.
3) Discussion of "Aftermath" in "Tradition and Modernism in Recent Verse", in the May-June 1942 issue of the "Poetry Review", pp 155-158. Also discussion of Stephen Spender's "Ruins and Visions" and the Hogarth Press's third "Poets of Tomorrow", as well as an [incomplete?] review of Mary Winter Were's "To-morrow".
4) from "Time and Tide", 1 Aug 1942, Naomi Royde Smith "The Constant Muse"; also deals with "Lyra: a book of new lyric"; "Work in Hand" by Robert Graves, Norman Cameron and Alan Hodge, "Invitation and Warning" by Henry Treece, and "Dispersal Point" by John Pudney.
5) from the "National Review", Sept 1942. Also includes discussion of Walter de la Mare's "Collected Poems".
6) from "John O'London's Weekly", 11 Sept 1942, V. H. Friedlander, "Poetry, Youth and War"; also includes discussion of the third "Poets of Tomorrow", Work in Hand", and Dr David Ockman's "Time, Medicine and Deity".
7) from "Adelphi", Dec 1942, by A[ubrey] de Selincourt
8) another review of "Aftermath", not sent by Durrant's so lacking source and date.

Abinger Manor Cottage. - After his conversation with Trevelyan about the death of Little Nell [in Dickens' "The Old Curiosity Shop"], it has occurred to him that a good composition test for the young would be to write the scene in the style of Thackeray, followed by the death of Colonel Newcome [from Thackeray's "The Newcomes"] in the style of Dickens. He thinks of establishing a fund so that his old school, Charterhouse, may offer a yearly prize along these lines in his name. He fancies he himself, in his youth, might have completed the first part of the task well, and writes out the attempt he made at the second yesterday evening. Is greatly enjoying Trevelyan's translations from Horace and Montaigne.

Highcroft, Edge, Stroud, Glos. - Originally accompanying copies of Beerbohm's broadcasts and other things; perhaps Trevelyan might read some of them aloud to Bessie in the evenings. Hopes he has been continuing his memoirs.

Abinger Manor Cottage, Abinger Common, Nr. Dorking. - He and his wife very sorry to hear of what has happened to Trevelyan, and hope he recovers his health soon. Was disappointed not to see the first instalment of Trevelyan's memoirs in the "Ab. Chron." ["Abinger Chronicle], as [Sylvia] Sprigge had said it would appear; looks forward to reading it.

Howth, 16 Norham Gardens, Oxford; using headed notepaper for 69 Hamilton Terrace, N.W.8. - Thanks Bob for his card; would be very pleased to have a copy of his new poem ["A Dream"?]. Asks if he liked [Max] Beerbohm's drawing; she did though thought it perhaps was too like 'the gentleman "whose chin Resembled the point of a pin'. Hopes he and Bessy are well, and not worried about Julian [currently a war artist]; is well herself though 'finds life in war-time pretty depressing'. Is working for the Red Cross prisoners' libraries most of the time, which is 'interesting' and she thinks 'vvery good work'; is also doing some research towards a new book.

Handwritten copy, on printed paper from the Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. Beerbohm's letter is dated Abinger Manor, 11 Feb 1941, and addresses G. M. Trevelyan as "Master of Trinity." Beerbohm honoured by the proposal that he should deliver the Clark Lectures, but now feels that he has 'no great co-ordinated body of views on any subject' and must decline. Offers a parody of Leigh Hunt ["Jenny Kiss't Me"] to express his gratitude at the offer. A postscript records his deep affection for Trevelyan's brother Bob.

1/130: Two sketches of Page (full-length and head-and-shoulders), with two other head-and-shoulder portraits of unidentified men.
1/131: A label for 'Manikin' Havana cigars, with an undated note on the back by Trevelyan explaining that Beerbohm had drawn the sketches of Page, annotator and commentator on Horace's "Odes", to correct an erroneous impression of his that Page had been a short plump man. Page had been a master at Beerbohm's school Charterhouse.

Highcroft, The Edge, Stroud, Gloucestershire. - Thanks Trevelyan for writing with news of Abinger; she and her husband miss it and their friends there, but they have a fine view and good neighbours in their new home. It is also good to be in a house full of books, though she is reading little new.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - They are doing what they can for [Vladimir] Daskaloff, whom they both liked: the University authorities are trying to 'fit him in as a research student'. Asks Bob to forward an enclosure to Max B[eerbohm], as he does not have his address. Postscript saying that they are slowly getting the [Master's] Lodge redecorated, a 'slow but amusing business'. What Daskaloff told them about Bessie's eyes 'might have been worse'.

Is writing at the behest of the Council of Trinity College to ask whether Beerbohm could give the Clark Lectures in 1942; these have previously been given by their 'common friend', Desmond MacCarthy, and could be on any literary subject he liked; the stipend would be 150 pounds. Recognises that 'in these days everything must be provisional', but Trinity would 'value the chance of having [Beerbohm] more than the certainty of having others'.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Encloses a copy of the letter which he sent on 24 Jan to Max Beerbohm through Bob [14/164], which Bob has confirmed he sent on. Has not yet had a reply from Beerbohm, and since he hears he 'does not much care about answering letters', asks if Bob could find out whether he received the letter and what his views are [about giving the Clark Lectures for Trinity]. Notes in a handwritten postscript that if Bob does not want to do this, he should send back the copy and George will write to Beerbohm again in a few days.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Max B[eerbohm] has sent a 'very delightful' reply to George's letter [see 14/165, 1/129], but will not 'accept the invitation' [to give the Clark Lectures]. Thanks Bob if he 'intervened to extract the answer'. They can now put Bob up [at the Lodge] if he comes to Cambridge.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for sending such a 'delightful, forcible yet really beautiful Max [Beerbohm sketch] of you'; the artist 'seems to have lost none of the vigour of his draughtmanship'. Also very much liked Bob's poem.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Is 'delighted' to have the other copies of the portrait by Max [Beerbohm of Bob]. Desmond [MacCarthy] is staying this weekend, and is reading H[umphry]'s "Goethe [and the Greeks]" and will review it; he 'admires it', and George is pleased Bob does too. He and Janet are going to Hallington from 19 Dec - 6 Jan, and will stay in the gardener's house: the big house has ceased to be an R.A.F. 'scientific base' and is being turned into a hospital. Looking forward to a visit from Bob next term. Sends Christmas wishes.

Heald, Coniston, Lancashire. - Is horrified that the Paternoster Row disaster has dealt Trevelyan such a blow [the destruction of the stock of his "Collected Works" in the Blitz]; is glad that he has his copy, with Max Beerbohm's 'picture of the prowler' pasted in at the beginning. Glad Trevelyan thought of putting "Aftermath" together, including some of his own old favourites and some new ones 'that make these times much less unbearable'; insists that Trevelyan's idea of poachers is too Arcadian, and nowadays they are 'toughs' from towns working on a 'strictly commercial basis' who come out in cars and empty a whole wood of rabbits in a night. Praises Trevelyan's versatility; thinks he could write 'a jolly pirate song for Nancy Blackett' [one of his Amazons] and wishes he would. Is in a mess with his new book and does not know how he can finish it. Wishes he could see Trevelyan when he is in London.

Gazeley, Trumpington. - Good that they can go ahead with the selection [of poems]; the drawing and Max [Beerbohm]'s letter are a 'great addition'. Not likely now that they will be able to get the book published for Christmas, but they will see what MacGibbon says [R.C. Trevelyan, "Selected Poems", with a drawing and introductory letter by Max Beerbohm, was published by MacGibbon & Kee in 1953]. It is the October 1941 number of the "Abinger Chronicle" which has the drawing in; will send it back as soon as possible. They are all well and busy; Molly sends much love.

22 Willow Road, Hampstead. - Hopes this will reach Bob before he leaves; a 'second American invasion' [related to the offer of a post at the Metropolitan Museum, New York] has taken all his time. He and Helen are grateful for the tickets and hope to get more music; he will definitely introduce himself to Miss [Sophie] Weisse and hopes to get to know [Donald] Tovey who may reform him. No money has come to Fry from Brimley Johnson's 'insatiable maw'; it is good of Bob to bother himself about it. Hopes to have something good for the 'great Agnew show' ['Some examples of Independent Art of today', Agnew's. Feb-Mar 1906]; they are 'all being done by Max [Beerbohm] for "Vanity Fair"; rather dreads it but 'one can't say that its not true of oneself after admiring him on others in print'.

Thanks Bessie for her letter; is ‘just taking mother away to the flat’. They return on Monday; looks forward to seeing her between then and his departure for Sweden on the 30th. Seems to have been very busy, and perhaps has actually been so. Thinks he must call on the Beerbohms; He [Max] ‘did kindly suggest it’. The acting [of Florence Beerbohm?] is ‘various and not always favourably judged’.

5 Keats Grove, Hampstead, N.W.3. - Thanks Bob for his Leopardi poems [in this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: this is '[j]ust the weather to think of the coldness of having to die'. Hopes to see another spring, and that Bob also feels that way. Regrets that 'dear Olive [Heseltine]' has died; glad that she bought her last book and kept her last letters. Is 'pretending, if not actually hoping' to go and stay with Florence and Max [Beerbohm, in Rapallo] in May, and may be 'game for anything' if she gets through the winter. Is hoping to meet Walter de la Mare at the Rostrevor Hamilton's house tomorrow at tea. Adds a post-script saying that since Bob sent her two copies of his book, she will give one to de la Mare tomorrow: 'poets are the best audience, poets can find'. The Rostrevor Hamiltons are now at Swan House, Chiswick, which was once the Squires'. Very 'silly' of Julian and Ursula to 'sever [divorce] instead of accumulating memories'; these may 'make one sadder but they stretch ones range of feeling'.

West Hackhurst. - Thanks Bessie for her kind letter. His 'contusions swelled to exaggerated proportions' at Cambridge; he 'fell on [his] nose at the Wings for Victory Garden Party' and also bruised both wrists, but 'carried on as usual afterwards, and no bleeding'. Had not heard Max [Beerbohm?] 'nearly tumbled'. Wishes he had seen his lecture: has just been sent the proofs from Cambridge and 'as reading, it is rather flimsy'.

Has just had a letter from Moya Davies; she asks him to tell Bessie that she is 'very anxious to know about Leo Hubrecht and her children, especially Julie'; thinks they 'were at Switzerland just before the war, the younger children at school in Holland'. Also has a 'dear friend in Burma, Carola Toennies' and another in Italy, and has not had a word from either since the beginning of the war; supposes 'it is the same with everyone'. Gives Moya's address as 'Killadreenan House, Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, Eire' in case Bessie wants to write direct, or he could send a message for her if she prefers. Richard [Moya's son] has a new wife 'in the place of Ann Stephen, who has got someone else [Richard Synge]'.

Is very pleased with the new Abinger Chronicle; 'not entirely carrried away' by his own contribution, but Bob's is 'very good'. Asks whether she agrees that they are generally *much more comfortable and vigourous [sic] on our own'; found S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge] a 'most enervating editress'.

His mother is 'fairly well, though she hasn't been up to her former level since illness at the beginning of the year'; she is enjoying the garden, which is 'lovely'. Hopes that Bessie will be able to visit soon, though next week he will be away a great deal. Went to see Florence [Barger] yesterday, who 'seems very well and is on yet another committee - reforming London University'; gathers Edith Mathews is staying with her. Margaret is 'cheerful, but no better, whatever Florence says or thinks or pretends to think'; would be better if she went to an institution, and she will have to one day as it is 'too much for Florence and Harriet'.

Sends his and his mother's love.

Thanks Bob for lending her his 'wholly delightful book' ["Windfalls"]: she has read every essay with 'exquisite pleasure', and re-read many of them. Wishes he could bring out a larger edition so she could give it to all her friends for Christmas; it is a 'calamity' there are so few copies. Much enjoyed reading Desmond MacCarthy's piece on Robert, and heard a 'most appreciative eulogy from Max' [Beerbohm?] whom she saw at the Lynds recently; he 'particularly admired the essay on Poetry and Prose'. Hopes Bob does not mind her lending the book to [Gerd?] Wohlgemuth, who 'also enjoyed every word'; he would have liked to take it on his honeymoon but she would not let him as she was sure Bob would want it back; returns it now. Does indeed like Mrs Wohlgemuth, as she is now, and thinks it is an 'admirable union'; they were both pleased Bob came here to meet them the other day.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Trevelyan for his "Dream": can't say anything about its technique; thinks it read easily for the most part. Finds the part which considers whether 'culture' will continue most moving; agrees that 'if Love did - or could - worship Reason it would be best', though is not sure whether Christ is what he means by Love. Max [Beerbohm?] should be pleased with the reference to his Bacon. Hopes Trevelyan has sent a copy to Leonard [Woolf]. Sat by George [Macaulay Trevelyan] at the Feast at King's and went to lunch with him, when he showed Forster some of his books; Robin Mayor and A. V. Hill [?] were stopping there. Is reading Moliere.

Contains "Local Musicians", by Ralph Vaughan Williams; "A Plea for Thomas" by Max Beerbohm, "Mr Gosse & Professor Collins" by Oliver Lodge, and two poems, "Friends" and "Littlehampton, January 1939" by 'S.S.' [Sylvia Sprigge]. 'Elizabeth Trevelyan' written at the top of the cover in pencil.

11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Thanks for the book with 'its lovely title' ["Windfalls"]: did not know Trevelyan could write 'such charming prose'. Especially enjoyed the autobiographical passages; suggests that Trevelyan write 'a more complete account of [his] adventures among books & people'. Has been re-reading [Alain-René Lesage's] "Gil Blas", inspired by a comment of Santayana in his "Persons and Places". As a 'word-wrangler', has a few points of contention with Trevelyan: gives his own definition of 'rhetoric', complete with references to his own published work; discusses the definition of 'lyrical' at length, and with numerous references. Will support Trevelyan's use of 'kindness' for charity or love, if in return Trevelyan helps introduce 'the fine French word bougresse', as used by Flaubert, into English; would be useful to describe 'Mrs Keppel, Lady Cunard, & such-like ancient females'. Their 'male counterparts' can be called 'bougre', now Cyril [Connolly] has printed the word in "Horizon", or "pagod", as used by Pope. Lady Colefax (not yet a 'bougresse') has told him that Harold Nicolson's son Nigel, a soldier in Italy, has written to say that B.B. [Berenson] is at Pistoia but is expected to be released soon. Asks if it is true that the Beerbohms were bombed out of their house The 'worst massacre in London' [the destruction of the Guinness flats in Chelsea in the 'Little Blitz'?] was 'just round the corner', but only a few windows were broken at St. Leonard's Terrace. Is ordering some copies of "Windfalls" for his friends.