Item 123 - Letter from Edward Thomas to R. C. Trevelyan

PE Thomas 4229, D. Co[mpan]y, Artists Rifles, Hut 14, Hare Hall Camp, Romford. - It was his own fault; was 'amusing to be invisible like that', but would have 'broken through' if he did not dislike crowds, even of friends, so much. Hopes they 'really are to meet in print' [in "An Annual of New Poetry"]. His chances of showing his own work to strangers are 'so very rare' that he will be sorry if the arrangement with Constables is over, but agrees that they should not 'give away [their] rights' to please the publishers; asks if there is nobody else who might like the book. Could not leave in time on Saturday to see Gordon [Bottomley?]; perhaps he might pass through London on Saturday next and see him then; if Gordon 'could stand that performance [of his play "King Lear's Wife" he could stand anything'; 'Lady [Maud] Tree should have died at the beginning, not at the end... The effort to hear her spoilt any other impression', and the daughter [Goneril, played by Viola Tree] 'was too conscious of her resemblance to Artemis'. Frost has 'mentioned the "Annual" lately'; he obviously wanted to contribute but perhaps has not been able to decide what to send; he has been 'very busy, too, with lecturing & his farm'. Thomas has reminded him, and is sure he will send Trevelyan something if he can.