Pièce 114 - Letter from Hasan Shahid Suhrawardy to R. C. Trevelyan

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21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Was very glad to receive Trevelyan's letter which arrived in his despair at not being able to get to Europe this year: had been saving up leave, when the examinership which was to pay the passage was taken from him 'for political university reasons'; has not yet told his friends in Paris that he cannot come as they are looking forward to it so much, particularly Alexander Petrovich [Kalitinsky] after his heart attack. The news of war from Europe makes the future look 'hopeless': if it breaks out, he will beg Trevelyan to try and get the Foreign Office to let his friends live in England; he will undertake to provide for them financially. Hopes that the Bengal government will support him for his job application with the League [of Nations]; the salary is smaller than his Professor's pay, but they would not have to keep up two households [.ie. in Paris and India]. Presided over the Fine Art section of the All-India Oriental Congress at Mysore over Christmas; his address criticising approaches to the study of Indian art history was much appreciated; has written no poetry, and has been unable to send his old poems to Trevelyan due to lack of funds for a competent typist. Received Trevelyan's "Beelzebub" in a typed copy, but not the book. Is nostalgic for the Shiffolds, but finds India marvellous now; saw some wonderful Hindu sculpture and architecture during his visit to Mysore, at the island of Mahabalipuram near Madras [Chennai]. Sends his love to Bessie and Julian, and asks to be remembered to the [Clifford] Allens. Has been reading a lot about art, but keeping clear of politics, to which he is 'temperamentally unsuited'.