Item 13 - Letter from Ellen Philips to Anna Maria Philips

1 item.

Sutton Oaks, Macclesfield. - The title of the first poem ["The Bride of Dionysus" - sent her by Anna Maria Philips, see 19/12] made her 'long for the evening to read it'. Has been most interested in the 'explorations' at Knossos [by Sir Arthur Evans], and has 'followed them closely' since she belongs to the Hellenic Society and the Egypt Exploration [Society]. The 'marvellous civilisation' with its mysterious sudden end are very romantic. 'While puzzling over drains' recently she has thought about the 'wonderful system' at Knossos, which [James] Baikie says were hardly matched in Europe until the mid-nineteenth century; is just now reading Baikie's "The Sea Kings of Crete. They [she and her husband?] used to plan to go to Crete and had an introduction to Dr Evans from his father; she could have stayed with Miss Cortazzi, who kept the 'little hotel for the excavators - a cousin of my Cortazzi cousins' but never did. Likes the poem very much; compares it favourably with Stephen Phillips's "Odysseus" [sic: Ulysses"]. Would be good to see it performed; she and her husband went to see "Ulysses" in London and 'the glamour remains' with her. Hopes Anna got safe home; looks forward to seeing her on the 23rd. Used to read Greek with Mr Philips when they visited The Bank; he liked to read over his favourite books of the Odyssey.