1-125 relate to Lascelles Abercrombie and comprise letters and postcards from Abercrombie to R. C. and Bessie Trevelyan; newspaper cuttings relating to Abercrombie's death; a draft letter from R. C. Trevelyan and tribute to Abercrombie; two letters from Oliver Elton seeking information for a memorial of Abercrombie.
126-132 relate to Max Beerbohm and comprise letters and a copy letter from Max and Florence Beerbohm to Trevelyan, as well as sketches by Beerbohm with an accompanying note by Trevelyan.
133-154 are letters from Bernard Berenson to Elizabeth Trevelyan, or from Nicky Mariano on Berenson's behalf.
155-211 almost all relate to Robert Bridges and his family (180 is a stray letter from John Masefield) and comprise: correspondence between Bridges and R. C. Trevelyan (each with a typed copy, prepared in 1954 at the request of Edward Bridges, see 199); letters from Monica Bridges to R. C. Trevelyan; and letters from Edward Bridges, Edward Gathorne-Hardy, Joseph Scott and Humphry Trevelyan to Elizabeth Trevelyan, with a copy letter from Elizabeth Trevelyan to Gathorne-Hardy, about her husband's letters to Robert Bridges.
There are also letters from Robert Bridges' daughter Elizabeth Daryush to R. C. Trevelyan about her own poetry
13 Princess Terrace, Balls Road, Birkenhead. - Congratulations on the birth of Trevelyan's son [Julian]. Comments on his own son [David, born 19 Dec 1909], to whom he reads poetry. Will send Trevelyan his new poem, "Mary and the Bramble", when he gets it back from Massingham. Has seen C. P. Scott and hopes to get work on his paper [the "Manchester Guardian"]; is giving up his regular journalism as he can't write poetry at the same time. Intends to move to the country, and asks if Trevelyan knows of any suitable house.
74 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts - Expresses admiration for his works and asks for an autograph.
Hotel Rockville, Darjeeling. - This letter is for Julian and his Nannie, who must read it to him. Is high in the mountains, having come up on a 'little Indian train' of which he sends Julian a picture. Is leaving this afternoon, and will go via a train all night and then an Indian steamboat on a 'great river' for five hours, until he reaches an 'Indian house in an Indian village' where the people are all brown and 'speak in a funny way'. Nannie should choose a picture of the train, as well as having the one of 'the Nepaly mother with her baby in a basket', and Alice and Emily should have the one of the mountains. Will return soon from China, when he will 'have to travel in a great Russian puff-puff... for ten days without stopping'. Julian must pass on a kiss to his mother, if she is at home.
The British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, London, W.1. - Thanks Mrs Trevelyan for her letter: interesting she should raise this point, as he wondered whether Voorsanger was a 'good person to put in that place' when looking through th eprogrammes. They do try very carefully to 'choose an appropriate alternative artist on these occasions', but do sometimes 'go wrong'.
47 Greenbank Road, Birkenhead. - Has received "Sisyphus", 'looking very nice in his new dress'; on re-reading is 'still more favourably impressed' with Bob's metres, and thinks them 'a considerable step, towards the proper dramatic use of rhythm'; believes however that the critics will be 'all at sea', and he himself finds some parts difficult; if he come south must get Bob to read him some sections aloud. Very glad Bob likes his one "[Legend of the] Forty Five"; the dramatic setting came to him 'quite naturally'; discusses it further, disagreeing slightly with Bob on 'metrical irregularities', which he thinks can sometimes have an 'aesthetic decorative purpose' rather than intensifying emotion; quotes an example [from George Peele's "Bethsabe's Song"] Asks if the sequel to "Parsival" is 'in sight yet'; hopes so; has been reading it again. Postscript on back of envelope: has 'again forgotten to say anything about [Thomas Sturge] Moore: admires him 'immensely', and thinks that in some ways there is 'no one like him at present'; will say more next time he writes.
Rome. - Has read Elizabeth's letter again, and sees that she needs to get 'some little establishment in Kensington' so Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent] will be no use. Suggests asking Imogen [Booth?] and Maud, who may have a friend willing to let a little flat; hears lodgings in London are 'very trying'. Thinks it would be good for Julian, who 'knows only too well how important he is' and has tempers; asks if Elizabeth could get Dr [Carter?] to visit when he is upset to see if it has a physical cause. Mary [George and Janet's daughter] was much improved in temper when less in the nursery; thinks clever children need more to occupy themselves and therefore would suggest a 'nursery governess'. Charles visited the Montessori schools here and was impressed, though he thought success 'depended on the teacher'; suggests that Elizabeth go and see the class. Does not think they can get to England before 20 January. Reminds Elizabeth how bad the [London] fogs are that month. Returns to the letter next day, reporting that the doctor thinks she is getting on very well. They will only stay a night or two at Grosvenor Crescent; tells Elizabeth to contact Booa [Mary Prestwich], who is there now.
17 cuttings and complete issues of periodicals, 12 of them from French newspapers or magazines. Tucked in amongst these items are two sheets of paper with rubbings of writing an unidentified alphabet (FRAZ/7/1/5).
Proof starting with part of note 347 and continuing to the end. Stamped 'First Proof' and carrying R. & R. Clark Ltd. date stamps from 16 May to 12 Sept., 1927, with corrections in Frazer's hand.
Autobiographical piece by Trevelyan about his childhood home, Wallington, quoting Ruskin and describing the library in particular, including mention of Macaulay's books with his handwritten annotations on the classical authors. Translations of Virgil's first and second "Eclogue", first and second "Georgic" (with another version of one passage on a loose sheet of paper), ninth "Eclogue" and third "Georgic". Section written from the opposite end of the book in is a draft speech by Trevelyan to introduce Arthur Waley at a gathering to 'give... sympathy and what help we feel we can to the people of modern China in the terrible troubles [they are currently suffering]".
On headed notepaper for Trinity College, Cambridge:- Had a 'very good journey', and is here with all his belongings. Is well, but has 'not got into [his] work thoroughly yet'. Everybody is now here, but there is no real news. Is 'probably coming to town on Monday', but will not stay the night. Hopes his father is well, and 'that the councils of the nation are prospering'. Is 'glad that Mr Gladstone has put his foot down on Pharaoh, so that even the Tories have to applaud'. Leaburn[?] is well, and [Eddie] Marsh will go to him next term. Will write a 'longer and more respectable letter next Sunday'.
Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - 'Armenia is, as ever, premature': is not visiting his aunt until 19 Feb. Will however stay a fortnight, and is much looking forward to visiting Elizabeth and seeing the Sturge Moores. Was in Paris for a day, and wishes he had known where Bob was; he 'seemed to have bought all the books' in any shops Forster looked in. Did not see him at Notre Dame, nor even the Institut de France; was then 'frightened of some little girls who were throwing snowballs' and 'sought him no more'.
§ 96. The gauge transformation (molar application).
§ 97. Action invariants.
§ 98. The gauge transformation (microscopic application).
§ 99. Complementary electromagnetic fields.
Accepts his assurance that the Government of India has not attempted to conceal facts, but in the light of Dyer’s evidence it is difficult to convince the public of this. The real difficulty lies in the fact that Chelmsford’s April telegrams, which suggested that the force used was not excessive, were not followed by further information qualifying that impression. Even the district report of 13 September failed to suggest that Dyer gave the crowd no warning; that it might have dispersed without firing; that he fired on it for general moral effect; that it was unarmed, unresisting, and caught in a trap; that he continued firing after the crowd had been broken up; and that he paid no attention to the many wounded. Montagu will try to urge that judgement should not be passed before the Hunter Committee reports, but Chelmsford has put him in a difficult position by not keeping him fully informed. ‘I sometimes think that you refrain from sending me information in your extreme and admirable desire to protect any officer in India from criticism.’ Points out that Chelmsford can ask him not to publish what he does not wish published.
The opinion of O. M., in his report on the Congress, does not seem to tally with that of his subordinates, on which it is apparently based. Asks for Chelmsford’s own views on the effects of the Congress and the amnesty. Is not disappointed that extreme Mohammedans like Mohamed and Shaukat Ali are not grateful for clemency, as he believes they are ‘genuinely in agony’ over the Turkish Peace.
(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)
Refers to Ronaldshay’s letter of 5 February. There has been a misunderstanding: the terms of the amnesty were designed to give the Viceroy the widest discretion, but the result of the Council meeting attended by Ronaldshay has been to throw the responsibility back on Mon-tagu, citing doubts of Montagu’s support. Assures him that he has always approved of his conduct of Bengal, particularly of the detenues, and believes he has never said anything to cause him to express a lack of confidence. Congratulates him on his conferences.
(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)
Has read a telegraphic summary of the Hunter Committee reports, but will not comment on it, as it does not present a complete picture. Asks for Chelmsford’s own opinion.
(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)
Simla.—Section 1. The weekly telegram is as follows. (Madras.) The movement in Trichinopoly to up-lift Paranyas is becoming more dangerous; the boycott of cases of Paranyas by caste people continues.
(Mechanical copy of a typed original. Continued in A3/2/2.)
He thinks Reading should know the attitude at home towards affairs in India. The general opinion of the press is that action should be taken against ringleaders. There is perplexity at the fact that action is only taken against those actually dealt with in riots, and great uneasiness at reports of drilling. Recent speeches of Lord Willingdon and Sir George Lloyd suggest a difference of opinion between the former and the Government of India as to Gandhi’s connection with the spreading unrest, for the public believes that if the Government shared Willingdon’s views some action would have been taken.
(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)
India Office, Whitehall, S.W.1.—Desires the Prime Minister’s approval before sending the enclosed telegram [A3/10/2].
(Carbon copy.)
Expresses concern at the international publicity given to speeches made from the dock in the Ali brothers’ trial, and wonders, in the light of a possible prosecution of Gandhi, whether anything could be done to prevent such trials becoming centres of propaganda.
(Typed, with handwritten alterations. Used for transmission.)
(Printed copy of A3/21/2.)
(Mechanical copy of a typed original. Text as A3/8/1. A duplicate of A3/9/1.)
(Official.) The Commissioner of the Northern Division, Bombay, takes a serious view of the situation with regard to civil disobedience, particularly in the Surat District. The Bombay Government have instructed the Commissioner to advise them of any announcement of civil disobedience immediately, to take certain police and military precautions, and to take measures to obtain and record evidence. Council will consider the question on Monday.
(Cutting from a larger document.)