Item 87 - Letter from T. S. Eliot to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item: typed with autograph signature.

9 Clarence Gate Gardens, N.W.1. - Letters such as Trevelyan's [about "The Sacred Wood"?] are 'a greater pleasure than the most flattering review. All human feeling seems to desert a reviewer', whether favourable or unfavourable. Had 'several motives' for saying the little he did about Milton: finds him 'on the whole [emphasised], antipathetic', with Dante 'so immeasurably greater in every way' that Eliot is 'often irritated by Milton's admirers'; also has 'certain specific charges to bring against Milton' which he did not have chance to discuss at length, so 'introduced them in a way which... might stimulate the reflective' while he was 'not unwilling' they might vex the thoughtless'. Has 'no great desire' to write about Milton, and thinks it wiser to keep to subjects on which he has 'strong convictions or enthusiasm about'. Has however been intending to write about the history of blank verse, and would discuss Milton in that context.