Item 9 - Letter from Richard Chenevix Trench, Archbishop of Dublin, to Lord Houghton

Dublin. - Encloses copy of a letter sent to Houghton and Mr Lowell at the Spanish Legation, requests return; must resign from jury as he cannot endorse award of prize to any one of the four poems. Postscript: will not destroy other manuscripts until he is sure they are not required.

Enclosed: copy of letter, 13 Apr. 1881, from Richard Chenevix Trench to [James Russell] Lowell and Houghton, on embossed notepaper, 'The Palace, St. Stephens Green, Dublin'. - Cannot vote in favour of any of the Calderon poems; those beginning 'Transcendant Poet...' and 'Fair land flung far' are of average standard; 'The Isle of Sirens' bears no relation to Calderon whatever; the verse 'Steep me awhile in spiced steps' is best but requires much reworking; is honoured by association with jury but must protect Calderon's name, so tenders resignation.