Showing 6 results

9 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Her husband asks her to thank Trevelyan very much for sending his book of essays ["Windfalls"], and to say how much he is enjoying them; everyone else is looking forward to reading them once he has finished. His arthritis is getting worse, as are the other complications, and 'his life is very weary'; friends' sympathy and thoughts are therefore a 'great consolation'. Ursula Wood is 'wonderful': it cannot be easy to keep up a '(now) one-sided correspondence with someone of another generation whom you have never even seen!'; they are 'very grateful' to her.

8 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Thanks Trevelyan for his 'Christmas card' ["From the Shiffolds"], which 'voice[s] so many of [Mallam's] thoughts'. "Old Aeschylus" expresses his own attitude towards modern poets 'exactly', except that Trevelyan is 'far more modest... in saying "the fault is mine"' while Mallam does not 'believe in the wealth [?] below their surface obscurity'. Loved "Two Hundred Years Hence", which made him nostalgic. Had already read the dedication to Ursula [Wood], but was glad to do so again. Would like to discuss all the poems, but it hurts too much to write [due to rheumatoid arthritis] so ends with best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

8 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Ursula [Wood?] asked him to send on "Tess [of the D'Urbervilles"]?', which he does now. Would like to write a 'decent letter', but finds it difficult to hold a pen due to rheumatoid arthritis. Thanks Trevelyan for the 'great pleasure' which his translation of the "Georgics" has given him; thinks it a 'very scholarly poetic rendering' which 'should supersede all others'; cannot think of a better translation for those who do not know Latin but 'would like to get in touch with the original'. Owes Trevelyan more thanks for his selection of "Poems from the Chinese"; praises him for his introduction and notes, while 'the poems speak for themselves'. Points out his change of address.

Wanford House, Rudgwick. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send such a 'delightful Christmas present' ["From the Shiffolds"]. His 'Muse is constant': the "Epistle" to his grandson is 'charming' and one day should give him 'great pleasure to read'. Particularly enjoyed meeting his favourite Catullus, Tennyson's 'tenderest of Roman poets', 'in an English dress that becomes him well'. "Ten Years Ago" is 'sad but beautiful'; the price that must be paid for growing old is losing friends and loved ones, but Trevelyan 'strike[s] a manly cheerful note that does one good to read'. Jokingly presents Trevelyan with his own poem 'In 1944 / It did nothing but pour'. 'Ursula [perhaps Ursula Wood?] seems to be flourishing', and is happy to have received royalties and to learn that her poems have sold out, which 'does credit to the public taste'.

9 Grand Parade, St. Leonards, Sussex. - Can 'hardly hold a pen' [due to arthritis] but must send thanks for the 'beautiful translations from the classics' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; it 'takes a poet to render poetry into another tongue'. Christmas and new year best wishes.

9 Grand Parade, St. Leonards, Sussex. - Her husband sends 'thanks and greetings'; very kind of Trevelyan to remember him. He has gone downhill a great deal since last Christmas: he is now 'almost entirely bedridden' [with arthritis], cannot use his right hand and is hardly able to use his right, and his joints are very painful; he is pleased to know he is 'not forgotten by friends'. Ursula Wood is 'wonderful & his friendship with her, by letter, is his greatest pleasure'.