Item 120 - Letter from Paul Valéry to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item

Paris, 40 Rue de Villejust. - Miss [Natalie Clifford] Barney has showed him the letter which Trevelyan was kind enough to write to her about M. Teste [in Valéry's "La Soirée avec M. Teste"]; he was very flattered by the terms in which Trevelyan spoke of that work of his youth, which contains, in caricature, a figure resembling Valéry himself at that blessed time full of the torments of the will and clumsiness of first energy'. Does not know why he has taken the fancy to see this 'sketch' translated into English. Miss Barney has taken on the 'thankless task'; the text is difficult, and she has done her best to make it acceptable to an English reader. Discusses the problems of translation, particularly of 'pure literature'. Thanks Trevelyan for taking an interest and giving Miss Barney 'such precise and precious advice'. Did not know, when Trevelyan gave him such pleasure by reading those 'admirable verses by Keats', that he would give in response the 'torment' of M. Teste. Hopes to see Trevelyan if he travels again through Paris.

• French