Item 109 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary. - Thanks his father for sending [William] Everett's letter and translation [see 12/87]: Bowen 'used to make the sixth form learn Phaselus [Catullus 4] when they were late for lunch'; they had usually forgotten it and had to learn it anew each time. At one time Robert was 'rather often late', and Bowen found he 'really knew Phaselus by heart' and said he must learn something new; he used to learn a new passage of Lucan each time 'and so soon found it not worth being late'. Had intended to send Bowen his own translation [published as The Schooner from Catullus in Polyphemus and Other Poems, 1901], but he died just before he could. Thinks his translation better than Everett's, as it keeps closer to the 'words and movement of the original', but has seen some 'very good translations of Italian poetry' by Everett.

He and Bessie are much looking forward to his mother's visit; the 'trees are very fine now' and he hopes they still will be when she comes. They 'like Pauline very much for a name [Charles and Molly's daughter, born recently]. It is unusual, but not excentric [sic]'; glad the birth went well.

Liked the article in the TImes [Literary Supplement, on Sir George's Interludes in Verse and Prose, see 12/86] very much; sees Punch objected to the title but cannot understand why.