Item 287 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Desmond MacCarthy

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Originally enclosing his poem, "A Winter Sunset", with a few alterations. Feels responsible about D. Hallett's proof as Hallett wants it back to send to the "English Review"; hopes MacCarthy can find it. Is going to start serious work on something in prose for MacCarthy; employs an extended simile about his descent from the 'crags of Parnassus, or is it Helicon' [poetry]. Hopes MacCarthy will enjoy the "Fairy Queen". [In either a postscript, unmarked as such, or part of a separate letter] Asks if MacCarthy knows of anyone who wants a first-class secretary, as a friend of the Trevelyans, who worked in Paris for the Friends War Victims Relief Committee would like a role in the literary world. Hopes himself to finish translating Lucretius tomorrow, then will think seriously about writing something for MacCarthy, probably first some sort of literary article. Wonders whether Logan's [Pearsall Smith] prose selections has been reviewed, as he has some ideas. Warns MacCarthy not to expect too much of him: he may be a 'broken reed'. Has got the 'Hippogriff' out to look at; is not sure if there is anything 'marketable' there, but will see if anything can be made of it, and let MacCarthy see it if he likes.