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.
Contains: poem, "Winter Fruits", by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; "The Museum", by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "Lyric", by Geoffrey Eley; poems, "White Clouds" and "The Warrior" by Richard Townshend; poem in German, "Irgendwo", by Ludwig Marx; piece in French, "Histoire d'une Idée Neuve", by Ida Hennessey.
Contains: "Poetry in Wartime America" by John Holmes; poem, "Crocuses", by Celia Lanyon Lanyon; poem, "Man-Woman, You and I", by Christmas Humphreys; poem, "To Memory", by Geoffrey Bosanquet; "From a London Diary" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; poem, "First Light", by Ida Procter.
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.
Is very happy to hear Trevelyan might be coming; hopes he will be home as he has no important engagements in Rome in summer or early autumn; he could also come to Vallombrosa. His account will be at Trevelyan's disposal for the books, as long as Trevelyan gives a fortnight's notice of his or his friends' arrival. Recommends a few pensions in Florence, but knows little about Rome, and suggests asking Sylvia [Sprigge]. Hopes Julian is recovering, and that Trevelyan's 'domestic troubles may be resolved'; sends love to Bessie. Had a 'charming and most flattering letter' from Trevelyan's brother about his translation [G. M. Trevelyan, "English Social History"].
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.
Contains: "Ave Atque Vale" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; "Abinger Notes" by E. M. Forster; poems, "The Giraffe" and "Memory", by N. Gumilev, translated from the Russian by Jacob Hornstein; poem, "Battle Landscape", by Ida Procter; "Leaves from a London Diary" by S. S.; "My Victorian Days" by Sarah Shorey Gill; poem, "Ten Years Ago", by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "Hymn of Thanksgiving for Old Age", by O[live] Heseltine; "The Painter, the Slave Woman and the Rose", by C. Kerr Lawson; "Patrolling in the Apennines", by Richard Bosanquet [mistakenly called R. D. rather than R. G. Bosanquet on the inside cover], with a note by S. S. that Bosanquet was killed in action this summer; "Pear Tree Cottage" by V. S. Wainwright; poem, "The Poet Otherwise Occupied" by Kenneth Hopkins"; poem, "Penelope in April", by Geoffrey Eley.
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Envelope, labelled in Elizabeth Trevelyan's hand ' Some Autobiographical dates rlg [?: relating to] R. C. T.', containing: one sheet and four fragments of paper with autobiographical dates in pencil in Robert Trevelyan's hand, and an ink copy of the complete sheet in Elizabeth Berenson's hand; an obituary ["Times", Jul 31, 1905] of Theodore Llewelyn Davies, including comments from Henry Montagu Butler, as well as another cutting about Llewelyn Davies's death; several pages of the September 1905 issue of "Land Values" containing an obituary of Theodore Llewelyn Davies.
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Six copies of a tribute by 'M.N.' to R. C. Trevelyan, under the title "Love of Nature and of Literature", "Times", 4 April 1951.
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Three copies of an article by Desmond MacCarthy about the poetry of R. C. Trevelyan, under the title "Overlooked", "Sunday Times, 31 Dec 1950
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Three copies of poem, "In Memory of R. C. Trevelyan", by Kenneth Hopkins, "Everybody's Weekly", 14 Apr 1951 [date and magazine title written in by hand, on two copies probably by Elizabeth Trevelyan].
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Three copies of "An Appreciation" in the "Manchester Guardian", 24 Mar 1951, by 'S.S' [Sylvia Sprigge?]; the last copy perhaps sent by Johannes Röntgen, as per the annotation.
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Six copies of an obituary of R. C. Trevelyan by Desmond MacCarthy, "Sunday Times", 1 April 1951, including the text of Trevelyan's last poem, sent to MacCarthy 'a few weeks before his death' [see 16/76]
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Review in "Time and Tide" by C[icely] V[eronica] Wedgwood of F.L. Lucas's "Greek Poetry for Everyman" and Trevelyan's "Translations from Greek Poetry", published under the title "A Foreigner in Arcady".
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Appreciation by Desmond MacCarthy of "The Poetry of Robert Trevelyan", "Empire Review" [undated: 1924?] pp 412-423.
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.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Afraid he can't visit this week, though he would have liked to. Supposes she will not be driving in his direction tomorrow, when he will probably be around as his 'assignation isn't until the evening'. His main news is about Wallington, where he had three days 'most delightful visit'; '"Sir Charles" was awfully kind' and gave him a very interesting time, 'ending with a grand walk on the Roman Wall'.
Does not know how 'this pageant [England's Pleasant Land] will shape. The original lassoo was thrown by a gentleman in Dorking... but he seems to have turned into Mrs Sprigge. Perhaps all springes are really Spriggs'. Is going away on Saturday, probably until Wednesday; hopes they will meet then.
Casa al Dono, Vallombrosa (Prov. di Firenze). - Thanks for the letter and Bob's photo. Sympathises with Bessie on the disposal of Bob's library and letters. Thinks Wallington is the place for the letters, if Sir Charles will have them, otherwise some public library will take them; 'they must not be scattered'. Asks her to give his own letters to Bob to Silvia Sprigge, or send them to Umberto Morra. Feels that now Bob is dead and she cannot get about his walks, she would be best to leave the Shiffolds and move up to London. Recently had a visit from Bessie's relative Hubquelet [?].
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Hearing from Elizabeth that she was going to sell Robert's books, he contacted his friend Philip Hofer of the Harvard University Library about the possibility of them going there as the "R. C. Trevelyan library". Sends a letter from Hofer [now not present] with a proposal. Expects she has seen Sylvia Sprigge and will soon see Morra, and looks forward to hearing from them how she is. Is suffering from hay-fever and soon going to Ischia.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Had no intention of distancing himself by his calling her 'Elizabeth' rather than 'Bessie' in his last letter [1/139]. It is distressing that she cannot move or plan 'without fear of government interference'. His hay-fever is better, but still annoying. Thanks for the letters, which Sylvia [Sprigge] brought back. His diary of the war years is coming out and he will send her a copy.
'Italian Count's Offence', "The Manchester Guardian", 3 Jan 1945 [appearing in the edition printed 4 Jan]: regarding the sentencing of Morra di Lavriano by an Allied Court to three months' imprisonment for addressing a public meeting in Cortona; the last paragraph describes him as 'one of the oldest friends of England in Italy', neither 'a public orator nor a political agitator but a man of letters'. Under the by-line of 'our own Correspondent': [Sylvia Sprigge?]
'Italian Leaders under Arrest? Public-Speech charges', "The Manchester Guardian", 25 May 1945 [appearing in the edition printed 26 May 1926]: regarding reports that Pietro Nenni and Signor Togliati have been arrested by the Allied military authorities for giving public political speeches in territory under Allied military rule; mentions the arrest of Morra di Lavriano earlier in the year.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Glad to hear that Bessie's health is improved and she can now concentrate on finding a home for Bob's books. Fears he will only be able to spare £20, but hopes that sufficient contributions will be found. E. M. Forster visited recently, and he talked very fondly of Bob and the Shiffolds, as does Sylvia Sprigge. Morra is always on the move; Berenson does not think he has been in London lately and he would certainly visit Bessie if he could.
First page has telephone number [?] for 'Mrs Silvia Harmon [crossed through] Sanders" [perhaps Silvia Saunders, later Sprigge].
Includes 'footnotes' in which Trevelyan expands Montaigne's references to classical authors such as Juvenal and Aristotle, using asterisks; new paragraphs marked with 'N.P' and square bracket, some mark-up in red pencil.
Essay by Trevelyan on "The Simile", with extensive quotations from authors, written from back page of book in.
Brunswick Square, as from West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Headed 'PERSONAL'. Was 'so pleased' to see Bessie yesterday, but is 'much troubled' that she has 'so much vexation'. Of course knew that she 'disliked the lady', but had not realised how much; will be 'relieved' when his own present collaboration with her is over. Thinks that 'she can only influence opinions not sway the central part', and though it is 'tiresome' to 'see the opinion of someone whom one loves influenced by someone whom one is far from loving, it is only a superficial vexation', and, he trusts, temporary. Has been 'much distressed', and glad her 'preliminary warning' led him to be on his guard 'against that restless crawling desire for intimacy'. Does not know whether 'the lady' is 'bad, and I don't think you can know', but is 'gladder than ever not to be on the telephone!'.
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Is 'not dissatisfied' with his contribution to the Pageant [England's Green and Pleasant Land, performed at Milton Court, Dorking, 9–16 July 1938], but will be glad when it is over: it has 'meant endless work', and the 'Farrer boycott' has hurt him 'unreasonably'. This is, of course, in line with the 'indifference and hostility' they have shown to him and his mother ever since they came to West Hackhurst thirteen years ago; makes him realise 'how promptly they will turn me out when she [his mother] dies', which is depressing. Hates 'bitter thoughts - they are so tiring'.
Must now 'put on a collar and go to lunch with little Lord Carlow, whoever that may be', then entertain an American writer she will never have heard of, Waldo Frank, to tea. After that will return for a rehearsal at Dorking. Is sure it would be all right if she wanted to come with him to the dress rehearsal; she 'wouldn't mind the absence of the pigs and goats, which we fear will distress the critics'.
Casa al Dono. - Cannot remember whether he ever sent Trevy this snapshot, taken on top of Monte Secchieta last September. Read B. B. B. the extract from Trevy's 'Autobiography'; 'he liked it very much and was much amused by what you say about him and his "mytho-poeism". Will answer Trevy's letter properly as soon as she has 'got through a ghastly accumulation of letters' on her desk.
Clotilde [Marghieri] is staying with them, and also enjoyed Trevy's letter and autobiography. 'She has aged a lot too and her hair is quite white but is even more attractive mentally and as a companion than she was as a young woman'. Berenson and Nicky are happily settled at Casa al Dono; 'grieves' Nicky that Trevy has never seen it, as he would love it as she does.
Sylvia [Sprigge] is visiting next week; [she and her husband] like their home on the Via Aurelia very much. Thinks Trevy will see them in September. Alda [Anrep] is in Sorrento and Bertie [Anrep] at Forte dei Marmi.
Postscript notes that B. B. was 'delighted' to get Elizabeth's letter; thinks he has answered it.
Berenson, I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Has not heard from Bessie since his arrival in Italy and is beginning to feel anxious. They are having lovely weather. Julian is going to Siena soon. Will probably leave on Saturday 19 and be back in London on Monday 21 April, returning home next day. Has no quite recovered from the journey, and is having a good time. Saw George and Janet yesterday at Lina [Waterfield]'s, and they are coming to lunch today. Sylvia Sprigge came to lunch yesterday, but has now gone back to Rome. Julian is getting on 'very well with everyone'.
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.
Cherry Cottage, Abinger Common, Dorking, Surrey. - Thanks Robert for his 'fine gift' [the first volume of his "Collected Works"]; has been 'dipping into it' since it arrived on Friday, enjoying much but missing some things due to her ignorance of classical mythology. Liked Desmond [MacCarthy]'s review, and hopes Robert was 'satisfied'; if Desmond is right Robert must go on with his young man in China and his perigrinations[s] to the priests and wise men'. Thinks the book is 'beautifully' printed and worthy of a collection 'meant for posterity'. Is 'no fit company' for a walk at present; encourages Robert to come for tea. The beautiful sunny weather is not calming her spirit as it should; thinks her current low mood was started by a review in the "TLS" of 'Freud's dreadful new book' ["Moses and Monotheism"]; wishes for 'old age! and a nice indifference to such horrid things'. Passes on in a postscript Sprigge's anticipation of a 'day snatched from work' to read Robert's poems.
33 Marine Parade, Dover. - Arrangements, involving Mrs Sprigge, to pay the Recorder [Wilfrid Grantham, in the pageant "England's Pleasant Land"]. Is glad Trevelyan enjoyed his performance; would not have been able to afford him without Trevelyan's generosity.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Sylvia [Sprigge] was not accurate when she told Trevelyan that Forster had offered a broadcast script for the "Abinger Chronicle": none are suitable, but he has made some Surrey extracts from his Common Place book and offers these. Cannot send them to Tanner [the printer] as does not know the length required. No doubt this technique is how Sylvia gets material for the Chronicle, but 'she is not a good transmitter of facts' and her pieces on Italy in the "M[anchester] G[uardian]" are therefore questionable.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Does not know Binjori's [Abdul Rahman Bijnori?] works as he ought to, and does not feel able to take the chair; wishes Trevelyan would do it himself. Suggests asking someone from the East such as Narayana Menon, though perhaps he is too little known. Discusses [Elizabeth] Daryush's poems. George Thomson should have organised the [Apostles'] Dinner, but is going into hospital. Took tea with Chi'en [Xiao Qian]. Agrees that Silvia S. [Sylvia Sprigge?] is now far away.
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.
Contains a poem, "To Bernhard Berenson", by R. C. Trevelyan; "Luncheon at Pretoria" by E. M. Forster; 'Stories' ["The Universal Substance" and "The Burglar"] by Oliver Lodge, and a poem, "The Old" by 'S.S.' [Sylvia Sprigge]. 'R.C.T.' written at the top of the cover in pencil.
Loose flyer with subscription form for the "Abinger Chronicle".
Contains "The Ancients in Abinger" by Olive Heseltine; "Children's Party" by Eiluned Lewis; "The Death of Ben Jonson" by Oliver Lodge; "Robert Browning" by R. C. Trevelyan; a sketch of Oliver Lodge by Max Beerbohm; a poem, "Memory of Spring", by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge], and "At the Abinger Well", perhaps also by Sylvia Sprigge.
Contains "Steinitz Please, Not Stodge" by Geoffrey Eley; "Jane Austin" [sic], a poem by Carla Lanyon Lanyon; "The Foreigner in the English Landscape" by Elizabeth Trevelyan; a poem, "It Would be Joyous" by 'S.S' [Sylvia Sprigge]; "The Broad and Narrow Path", by Marjory Allen; a poem, "April", by G. M. Hudson.
Contains "Wilfred Scawen Blunt's Garden", by Alfred Lambart; "Old Surrey Saws" by Max Beerbohm; "Childhood Memoirs (1)" by Sarah Shorey Gill, with an introductory note to her grand-daughter Polly; "Exile" by M. Poyntz-Wright; "Between Trains" by S.S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; and a poem, "Bad Weather", by Sylvia Lynd.