Item 3 - Letter from Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item

Ma Retraite, Ede. - Is returning two of the books lent her by Trevelyan, both of which she much enjoyed; had no idea the "Odyssey was 'such a wonderful human poem', and wishes she could read it in Greek; the translation is 'very melodious', asks whether Greek scholars approve of it. Found Henry James's "In The Cage" most amusing, though she asks whether 'the subtle suggestive analysis of the emotions & situations sometimes leads to a little mannerism in style'; thought it very clever, and 'a very English book'. Asks if she can keep [Sir George Otto Trevelyan's] "The American Revolution" longer as she has not yet begun it. Expects her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?] has told him they will be glad to have him as early in September as he can come. Her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] is currently here; goes with her to Denmark for a month at the end of a month which will be 'a delightful dip into music again' as their Danish friends [the Noordewier-Reddingius family?] are very musical. Asks if Trevelyan has heard much this spring, and whether he has decided about Beyreuth. Trevelyan has been neglecting to mention [his own] "Mallow and Asphodel", which she has been enjoying very much; looks forward to reading his friend's poetry which he gave her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?]. Is reading Keats' letters, through which '[o]ne gets to know the man very well'. Encourages Trevelyan to read a book translated from Swedish into English called "Antichrist Miracles" ["Antikrists mirakler "] by Selma Lagerlof; has 'heard it praised very much' and it is 'all about Taormina, though with different names', fears Mrs Cacciola [Trevelyan] is 'treated rather badly' but has not yet read it. Beautiful hot weather this week, 'just fit for lying in hammocks and reading' though it is easy to get last and 'even a little bicycling seems too much!'.