Showing 85 results

Lines copied out by Trevelyan from the 1833 publication of Tennyson’s “The Lotos Eaters” and “The Lady of Shalott” [perhaps comparing the differences with the 1842 edition?]. Draft verse addressed to Thanatos; prose about Meliance of Lys.
Notebook also used from opposite end in: draft prose narrative; notes on Wilson’s “Hindu Theatre” [Horace Hayman Wilson’s “Specimens of the Theatre of the Hindus” and [Charles Henry] Tawney’s translation of “Mālavikāgnimitra”; draft verse [or translation] on the Grail myth.

6 Clifford Street. - Invitation to meet Tennyson at dinner on Wednesday 28th. 'His Poetic Majesty names his own hour'.

Has already sent Flora Santayana's "Last of the Puritans" [sic; "The Last Puritan]; she need not rush to return it, and he will be interested to hear what she thinks; wonders if she will also read the life of Tennyson, which he and Bessie have read 'with great interest'. as well as a life of Sara Bernhardt by her grand-daughter [Lysiane Bernhardt], which they found 'great fun'. Used to 'delight in' Henry Sidgwick's life; Sidgwick was 'very kind' to him when he was an undergraduate. Must get Joan Allen to drive him over to see Flora soon. Will send a translation of a Homeric hymn as a Christmas card to her in a few days. Bessie is well, and sends her love. Saw Bertie [Russell] last week; he was 'very cheerful and full of talk, but looking rather older'.

Cud Hill House, Upton-St-Leonards, Glos. - Has been unable and so was not able to write earlier to thank Bob for his translations ["Translations from Latin Poetry"]. Particularly enjoyed the Leopardi.: does not know the originals, but Bob has made very good poems of them; few people seem to be able to write such 'bell-like musical verse now' as he does, and Lodge misses it. Has been interested to read the new life of Tennyson by his grandson [Sir Charles Tennyson], which 'will do good to his legitimate fame'. Hopes Bob and 'dear Bessy' and their family are well, the 'dear Shiffolds flourishing, & all its woods'.

Announces that he intends to come to visit her 'from the 4th to the 11th'. Reports that he is up in Trinity College, working, and that he feels very well after a pleasant visit to Oxford. Reports that William seemed in very good spirits, and that he was sleeping 'very fairly' and hunts every other day. Desires to hear the Rugby news, and asks who are the five old Rugbeians. Reports that he wrote a letter to the Times, but that it was not published. Reports that he received a letter from his nephew Martin, which was 'very nicely written and with that curious mixture of childish and prematurely adult phraseology that one sees in a precocious child'. Asks her to tell him when Mary is going to visit her, and supposes that Edward will be very busy all the vacation.

Asks his mother's opinion on 'the new Tennyson'. States that they [in Trinity College] regard it 'as rather an imposition on the part of the publisher - republishing the Morte d'Arthur...and having so few lines in a page.' Complains that it is as bad as one of Victor Hugo's novels. Refers to a reading of the poem called The Higher Pantheism by Tennyson himself at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society, and to Tyndall's reaction to it. Remarks on 'how busy Death has been' during the previous six months among those whom he knows. Reports that he has just heard of the death of one of the Clifton Masters called Cay.

Cambridge - recovered from illness, [James] Spedding failed [Fellowship examination], College tutors, [Apostles] "grievously thinned", [John] Sterling's son may be apostolic, Spedding taking drawing lessons, [Richard Chenevix] Trench has preached in W. B. Donne's area, death of Arthur Hallam, Tennyson depressed, left some poems with him, George Farish "professes to read law and practices ... the smoking of cigars", Christopher Wordsworth full of modern Greek literature

Milnes's poetry belongs to the school of Tennyson; cannot help loving the style's 'quaint involutions of language into a wierd [sic] music, &... mystical suggestiveness of fancy and thought'. Names favourite verses. Restrictions of didactic element? She herself would create the perfect modern poet from 'Shelley's visionariness & Byron's intensity, admitting Wordsworth's magnanimity of simplicity, & Coleridge's [...". Thanks Kenyon for book; Mrs Hedley will be delighted to hear from him.

Central fragments and end missing.

Trinity Lodge - "female correspondent", own health, Marcus Aurelius, enquires of Tennyson's fame in his own county, wishes Tennyson had remained a commoner

14: includes transcripts of verses by Tennyson.

Thanks Sidgwick for his paper, which he says is 'deeply interesting'. Wishes to omit some sentences in relation to his father's beliefs in relation to the Incarnation, the Resurrection and the Trinity. Suggests an alternative for another sentence about a Gospel story. Remarks that it is difficult to explain in writing his meaning and asks Sidgwick to tear up the letter after he has considered the points outlined therein.

36 Wilton Crescent, S.W. (on Wallington headed paper). - Is pleased that Lady Trevelyan likes his book ["Atalanta in Calydon"]; it was finished just after Landor's death which he much regrets. Much enjoyed the composition of the poem, which 'was very rapid and pleasant'; thinks it is 'pure Greek, and the first poem of the sort in modern times': feels that Shelley's "Prometheus [Unbound]", though 'magnificent', is 'un-Hellenic', and gathers from Lewes's life of Goethe that his "Iphigenia in Tauris" is also 'impregnated with modern morals and feeling"; also dismisses [Matthew] Arnold's "Merope". Is 'raging in silence' about the delayed publication of [Thomas] Carlyle's volumes: the subject [Frederick the Great] 'was always a hero' of Swinburne's who is impressed by his 'clear cold purity of pluck', which is not inspired by faith. Frederick seems free of 'perverse Puritan Christianity' on the one hand, and 'the knaveries and cutpurse rascalities' of the Buonapartes on the other; Swinburne can almost forgive him his bad poetry. Is very glad to hear good news of Sir Walter and the building projects; wishes she were in London for [Ford] Madox Brown's exhibition, which is 'superb'. Is currently staying at the house his father has taken in London for the winter, and is looking for rooms for himself; his father has completed the purchase of Holm Wood [Holmwood] in Oxfordshire. Feels that Tennyson should have made a better choice of his "Selections": feels that "Boadicea" should have 'served as prelude to the book'; thought Tennyson's 'volume of last summer' ["Enoch Arden"] a 'new triumph'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks Everett for the 'kind and affectionate letter' about his book ["The Birth of Parsival"]; is very pleased with his praise, and interested in his criticisms; feels 'the prehistoric taste in poetry' is the best kind. Glad that Frimutel's character interested Everett; was worried he had made him 'too abstract'. Now sees 'many other faults in the play'. The story is 'not really in the Parsival myth at all', though Herzeloide as Parsival's mother is taken from Wolfram von Eschenbach, and there is 'a Frimutel who was a king of the Grail, and great-uncle of Parsival', so Trevelyan had to invent the story. Took the idea of 'the mother arguing that her child was not a prodigy' from the fragmentary "Melanippe" of Euripides; will have to stay closer to the myth if he ever continues the story and deals with Parsival himself. Has always disliked Tennyson's blank verse, but may possibly 'sometimes commit the same faults', though he argues that his 'irregularities come chiefly in parts that are lyrical, or semi-lyrical'. Defence of a line objected to by Everett. Admits the 'lyrical parts are certainly experimental'; though they please his own ear, cannot be sure they will please others, though he has 'tried to get the rhythm clear'. Expects the music which accompanied Greek irregular lyrical verse did this. Very kind of Everett to say he will buy "Cecilia Gonzaga", though fears he will be disappointed. Will send another early book of his ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"], illustrated by their 'brother' [Cambridge Apostle], Roger Fry; the illustrations 'were very badly reproduced', due to the publisher and printer, not Fry. Has just returned from 'a pleasant fortnight at Wallington'; his parents were both very well; his father 'hard at work at his "[History of the American] Revolution" and has just finished off Burgoyne'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Apologises for not replying sooner to Everett's letter; is very pleased that Everett is generally pleased with "Cecilia [Gonzaga]", and tends to agree with most of his criticisms: he too thinks Antonio's character could have been more effective and that Everett's suggested treatment would have made this possible, also that 'the transitions from verse to prose are not really successful'. Will not admit that what he has tried to do is 'artistically wrong', and could cite the scene between Iago and Cassio in Othello Act II - but that would prove only that 'a very great artist can solve... an apparently impossible problem', not that Trevelyan was right to try. 'A little more of [Count Vittorio] Alfieri's "fierceness" would indeed have done' the play good, but it was Trevelyan's first, rather timid, experiment in drama. May have weakened his verse too much by using tribrachs; they are 'quite legitimate' according to his theory of verse, but tend to 'reduce the dignity and solidity of blank verse' as in Ternnyson and in Euripides' iambics. Uses them less in his 'Parsival play' ["The Birth of Parsival"]; when his verse becomes irregular it is 'usually to produce some lyrical or quasi-lyrical effect' and even there is increasingly inclined 'to leave out unaccented syllables'. 'Doubtless' Polyphemus, in Trevelyan's poem, 'is very much sophisticated and sentimentalized' as is 'his friend the fawn', but he feels 'sophistication and modernization is legitimate, if it is done frankly'; 'the lost lines of Horace' which Everett 'quoted no doubt from a recently discovered papyrus' were however to the point and 'excellent for their own sakes'. His father has sent him Everett's translation of "Phaselus" [Catullus 4]; liked it very much, though still prefers his own as his 'unrhymed iambics' allowed him to 'preserve the movement of the original' more closely than Everett's couplets. Will try "Sabinus ille" ["Appendix Vergiliana", "Catalepton" 10] but does not think he will make much of it; will be very interested to see how Everett tackles. Encloses 'another very doubtful experiment made long ago from Catullus'; found the rhymes 'very hampering' [now not present].

Writes to tell Sidgwick that, on referring to the London Review, he finds that he had misinformed him about the authorship of the article on Tennyson, and states that it is by J.S. Mill. Mentions that he misses some criticisms 'which existed in the article [John] Sterling did write.' Suggests that this article may be found in Blackwood [it is in fact in the Quarterly Review of September 1842]. States that it is not in the 'Edinbro' [Edinburgh Review], 'but in the LXXXVIIth vol of the blue and yellow [ie the E. R.] there is a very good article by Spedding [on] the two vols. which appeared 1842.' Claims that he should recognise Sterling's 'fine Roman hand' if he saw it, but has no collection of Blackwoods of this kind. Reports that he 'ran down [Saint] Simeon Stylites with his usual vehemence, and rather scoffed at the Ode to Memory, comparing it, unfairly, and of course unfavorably, with Wordsworth's Platonic Ode'.

Reports that he has been very busy in relation to the vacant [Knightbridge] professorship; considers becoming a candidate himself, but does not think that he has much chance of being successful, and believes that if he puts himself forward he may harm the chances of another man [J. H. Stirling] who he believes has more claim to it. Was shocked at Maurice's death. Reports that he has been travelling about a lot since the end of the previous term; has been to Bournemouth, stayed with the Pauls at Bailie, and also at Freshwater, where he 'smoked a pipe with the Laureate'. Declares that Tennyson was 'exceedingly kind', and that he and Symonds 'had a most interesting conversation with him. Adds that Miss Thackeray was also there, 'most delightful of authoresses'. Hopes to go to Rugby on the Saturday of the following week. Reports that he has just seen Robertson, who is going to Harrow, 'but with eyes halfregretful fixed on Rugby'. Asks to be remembered to the Temples.

Dresden - Maurice's pamphlet, 39 Articles, "condition of thought", would like to see subscription to the 39 Articles part of the ceremony of commencement of MA, current Bills in Parliament, King made Astronomer Royal, has been abroad for his health, itinerary of European tour, will be returning early due to lack of funds, "not so fortunate as Alfred Tennyson in finding a family of young ladies to empty their full purses into my gaping pockets", has met Tieck, Tieck and Coleridge. Hermann, postscript of Yarrow Revisited, tendency of like to seek out the company of like, conversation the εργον of the upper class, philology

Refers to a conversation they had some years previously [see 95/157] in relation to a review by John Sterling of Tennyson, which he had believed was to be found in the London Review, but on looking there, found that the article on Tennyson had been written by Mill. He did not find Sterling's article until the previous day, in Hare's collection of Sterling's pamphlets and other papers, where he had looked for and found his article on Carlyle. Reports that it purports to be taken from 'the Quarterly [Review] (of all organs of opinion) of 1842'. Remarks that the paper on Carlyle strikes him as poor, and that on Tennyson as 'Philistinish'. Comments that Starling 'had but a limited appreciation of poetry, and did not clearly know good from bad.' Congratulates Sidgwick 'on having passed through a 3rd edition.'

Expresses the hope that she will write to him in her convalescent state, if she ever got the 'valuable work' which he sent to her. Asks her to tell him her opinion of it if she ever reads it. Reports that he is very busy at present. Asks her to tell Edward that he was quite right about [Henry's] teaching history, and admits that he should never have attempted it, since history 'ought to be taught with enthusiasm and from a full mind', and he is not currently enthusiastic about it, with a mind full of other things.

States that she would have 'got quite well' had she been with him at Cannes., which, he claims, 'has exactly the sort of climate in which [he] can conceive of people worshipping the sun.' Reports that Tennyson is to come to stay at 'the [Master's] Lodge' at Trinity, and he hopes to see him. Claims not to like the poems 'that he has been sputtering all about the press lately...' Reports that their book [Essays on a Liberal Education] 'has been very [amiably] reviewed on the whole', and states that the most unintelligent review that he has seen was that in the Times the previous day. Thinks that Conington's review in the Contemporary Review was very good, 'only a little too minute and a little too egoistic.'

Announces that they have to elect a new member [of Parliament], and states that everyone feels that it is disgraceful that they have 'no really eminent man to bring forward.' Jokes that he cannot help it as he cannot stand, as he is too busy. Informs her that he is 'violently engaged in a scheme for improving female education', and that a Board 'is constituted of Oxford and Cambridge men...to examine governesses and schoolmistresses..' Sends his love to Edward, and states that he heard from [Henry Weston] Eve 'with amazement of his economical triumph[s]'.

Wanford House, Rudgwick. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send such a 'delightful Christmas present' ["From the Shiffolds"]. His 'Muse is constant': the "Epistle" to his grandson is 'charming' and one day should give him 'great pleasure to read'. Particularly enjoyed meeting his favourite Catullus, Tennyson's 'tenderest of Roman poets', 'in an English dress that becomes him well'. "Ten Years Ago" is 'sad but beautiful'; the price that must be paid for growing old is losing friends and loved ones, but Trevelyan 'strike[s] a manly cheerful note that does one good to read'. Jokingly presents Trevelyan with his own poem 'In 1944 / It did nothing but pour'. 'Ursula [perhaps Ursula Wood?] seems to be flourishing', and is happy to have received royalties and to learn that her poems have sold out, which 'does credit to the public taste'.

Plymouth - Failure of Tennant and Spedding, his family's new house, organ within, misgivings as to the capacity and honesty of the cabinet, Chancery and Parliamentary reform bills, poor heroic Poles, capture of Warsaw, still has not been given a curacy, application for the Mastership of King's College School, impressed by Tennyson's poetry.

5 Selwyn Gardens, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for "Sisyphus": thinks 'the revival of the 'Satyric' drama... seems to be a highly promising experiment; the passages where 'the verse (under stress of hyper-tragic emotion...) is forced beyond content [?]' gave him 'great joy' when he 'caught the trick of them'. Will read the play again as soon as he can; meanwhile he has passed it on to his wife and [daughter] Helen. He and his family hope that next term Trevelyan and his wife will visit them; asks him to let them know when might suit. Has sent Desmond MacCarthy a 'most important application of Aristophanic criticism of Tennyson's "Idylls"' for the "[New] Quarterly" [published in "New Quarterly" 2 (1909), pp 81-89]; aimed not against Tennyson by Aristophanes; thinks it migh interest Trevelyan when it comes out.