26 Addison Avenue, London. - Returns "Windfalls"; should have done so earlier, but has kept it till he had 'time to read and digest' Bob's [translation of Virgil's] "Eclogues" and "Georgics". Thinks them both very good: any doubts he had about the 'long metre' Bob used for the "Eclogues" 'quite disappeared', and thinks he was right to use blank verse for the "Georgics" 'with its more deliberate and continuous movement'; had not fully realised before how differently Virgil uses the hexameter in the two works. Thinks Bob has been 'surprisingly successful' in capturing both the 'almost prosaic manner' of much of the Georgics without being 'pompous or over-poetical', while doing justice to 'the high poetic quality of the great passages'. Felt something occasionally lacking in his version of Virgil's 'sudden transitions from one level to another', but suspects no translation can capture fully the 'sudden beauties'. Enjoyed "Windfalls" too and could say much about it, but will not 'spin this letter out any longer'.
Thanks his father for his letter. Thinks G[eorge] is happy and 'quite at home' [at Wixenford]. Mr Arnold has told Robert to ask Charlie how much he will have to know when he goes to Harrow; wrote to him a few days ago. Likes the Virgil and Euripides' "Iphigenia" very much. Hears that Welldon has been chosen for Harrow [as headmaster]; hopes he is a 'nice man'. He and George are getting on well in their work. Asks his father to thank his mother for her letter and the umbrella. Tomlin 'took Up[p]er Shell'. [Nugent] Hicks is going to Harrow next term. Has written to Grandpapa T[revelyan]. Sends love to all, 'Spider included'.
12 Holland Street, London, W.8. - Thanks Bob 'immensely'; is reading [Bob's translation of?] Virgil himself with 'great pleasure'; encloses the Lucretius [see 19/92] for Bob to inscribe: [his son's name is spelled] Jocelin 'after Jocelin of Brakeland', and he has chosen to hyphenate his surname. Adds a postscript saying that the 'reading was delightful' [a recent reading by Bob of his work?].
Brooks's, St. James's Street, S.W.1; 'as from' Dene House, Boar's Hill, Oxford. - Has enjoyed Bob's "Windfalls" very much: it is 'a really beautiful book, & a joy for ever... the pure essence of you'. Regrets that the edition is so small, and 'rather a waste of Desmond [MacCarthy]'s for once 'selling' notice!'. Disagreed only with Bob counting the sight of a tree-felling amongst his "Pleasures", and wonders how someone who can write about trees as Bob can could feel so; adds that crystals are also straight lines which appear in nature; further to Bob's comment that 'Milton's simile's never forget their illustrative purposes', he suggests that the comparison of the angelic phalanxes to a field of corn at the end of the fourth book of "Paradise Lost" does this when the doubts of the ploughman as to whether the sheaves might 'prove chaff' could 'imply in Gabriel a want of confidence in his troops'. Has just left Cambridge, and is going next Saturday to live for a while at the Boar's Hill address he gives. Notes in a postscript that he has not yet seen [Bob's translation of Virgil's "Eclogues and] Georgics" announced.
98 Grenfell Road, Maidenhead, Berks. - Thanks Trevelyan very much for the 'wonderful Easter gift [his translation of Virgil's "Eclogues and Georgics"]... with the lovely inscription'; reminds her again of her 'adored Lord De Tabley'. Apologises for any mistakes in her letter, caused by 'loud piano practise [sic] of the variations on "Three Blind Mice", by [the] houseowner'.
1 Kildare G[ar]d[e]ns W2. - Thanks for the book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"], which he found at his father's house last week. Good to hear the 'praises sung' of Trevelyan's woodlands; remembers with 'elation' their visit to the Shiffolds one spring or early summer; also still 'spell[s] out' his Virgil, though he often 'neglect[s]' his contemporaries' verse. He and his wife took their children to Dorset after Christmas, and were 'allowed to leave them there this weekend' to come to London. They have seen 'as many friends and exhibitions as possible', and spent last night with the MacCarthys: Aunt Molly was 'quite well again', and Uncle Desmond 'in very good form'. Went to see [Ronald Duncan's] "This Way to the Tomb" at the Mercury theatre, which was 'awfully good', particularly Britten's music. Hopes that if Trevelyan comes to Oxford he will visit them; they can 'hardly stir from there nowadays' [because of the children].
Little Hawsted, Kiln Lane, Headington Quarry, Oxford. - Very pleased to have Trevelyan's 'little volume'; apologises for not replying sooner, since they have been 'a bit snowed under with no domestic help' and his Land Army girl only coming in the afternoon; the cold makes more work outside, with 'frozen goat buckets & such like', and the goats 'prefer their greenfood [sic] to be melted in the kitchen'. Despite all the time spent on Greek and Latin at school, he 'never got really familiar with them'; he is 'turning to the "Aeneid" again', after reading [Maurice] Bowra's 'book on the epic ["From Virgil to Milton"]'; with which Trevelyan's 'reference to V[irgil]'s dying wishes clicked'. Is reading Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'s "Modern Symposium" aloud to Margaret; it 'does mean well'; hopes it is 'being read by the present generation & by the many visitors [they] have been having'. They are going next week to Dartington to 'make music with Imogen Holst & her party'; would like to visit Peter [Grant] Watson while there but fears it might be difficult as they do not have a car yet.
MS blank verse translation accompanied by commentary, dedicated to his brother Lord Trevor.
Sans titre8 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Ursula [Wood?] asked him to send on "Tess [of the D'Urbervilles"]?', which he does now. Would like to write a 'decent letter', but finds it difficult to hold a pen due to rheumatoid arthritis. Thanks Trevelyan for the 'great pleasure' which his translation of the "Georgics" has given him; thinks it a 'very scholarly poetic rendering' which 'should supersede all others'; cannot think of a better translation for those who do not know Latin but 'would like to get in touch with the original'. Owes Trevelyan more thanks for his selection of "Poems from the Chinese"; praises him for his introduction and notes, while 'the poems speak for themselves'. Points out his change of address.
98 Grenfell Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. - Hopes that Trevelyan is well; he is a 'Great Master' to have 'accomplished this so delicate and beautiful a work' [his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics"]; Virgil, 'lover of Perfection' would be 'enchanted' with it. Quotes passages she enjoys extensively. If they are able to find a couple of rooms, perhaps in Kensington, as they wish, she looks forward to asking Bentley House [London base of the Cambridge University Press] to send her [Trevelyan's translations of] "De Rerum Natura" and "Prometheus Bound", though they might be 'too high and far above [her]'. Even if so, she would treasure them as she will her copy of Virgil, inscribed to her by Trevelyan.
Chilswell, Oxford. - Has not yet read "Sisyphus", as he has been 'dreadfully busy', but his wife has found it 'very entertaining'. Has just sent his "Memoir" of R. W. Dixon to the publishers; this has taken him a long time and involved much correspondence. Thanks Trevelyan for the book and the letter; is answering the latter at once to say he is 'not Edmund Gosse' so Trevelyan should not imagine he sits 'in a seat [of judgment?]'. Thinks 'any experiment in quantitative verse shd do good in calling attention to the fact that accent & quantity are different'; recently had a conversation with a university professor of Latin who was unaware of rules about accents in that language. Lent his essay on Virgilian rhythm to Desmond MacCarthy a couple of months ago, who wanted to see whether it could be printed in the "New Quarterly"; has not heard from him further and will ask for it to be returned. Hopes "Sisyphus" will be successful.
[Beginning of letter missing]. Numerous people always die of heart complaints during general elections; the "Lancet" used to write an article on the cases; expects they will all die at once on the 29 or 30 of December [since the count will be on the same day in all seats for the first time]. Is finishing his letter on the back of another regarding an address to [Edwin] Abbott, who was 'Senior Classic' in his year; Sir George quoted in Latin [Virgil Aeneid 1.475] when he signed to express his inferiority to Abbott, which pleased him. Looking forward very much to seeing Julian and Elizabeth.
Sir George's letter is written on a typed one from W. G. Rushbrooke, St. Olave's Grammar School, Tower Bridge, S.E.1., dated 11 December 1918; this thanks him for signing the address to Abbott, Rushbrooke's old headmaster, but also thanks him for giving him the chance 'to come into touch with the biographer of Lord Macaulay and the author of "Horace at Athens"'; sure his signature will give Abbott great pleasure, which is important as his health is now very frail. Sir George has annotated the letter, noting that St. Olave's was Pepys's old church, that Rushbrooke was 8th Classic in 1872 and fellow of [St] John's [Cambridge], and that Abbott is an Achilles who has 'never sulked in his tent'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth (printed notepaper); 35 Brunswick [?] G[ar]d[e]ns added in pencil, - Thanks Eddie for the letter about his book ["Windfalls"] with a quote from Theocritus. Hopes he can get it reprinted one day, but [Stanley] Unwin says he cannot provide the paper at the moment. Discusses a line in Milton ["Paradise Lost"]. Corrected the proofs of his [translation of Virgil's] "Eclogues and Georgics" some time ago, so hopes they will appear before Christmas; will send a copy to Eddie, also 'a kind of Christmas-card pamphlet of eight pages of short poems ["From the Shiffolds"]'. Very glad Eddie is going to live at Boar's Hill, though sorry he will not be at Cambridge; perhaps Eddie can visit the Shiffolds one day. Agrees in a postscript that he should have 'added crystals to [his] straight lines in Nature'; is going home to the Shiffolds tomorrow.
List of fragments from Greek tragedy and comedy on inside front cover and following page. Verse, 'Mad as the wind are the thoughts of lovers...'. Translation of Virgil's "Aeneid" Book 4 line 465ff; lists under headings 'Greek translations' and 'Latin translations' interpolated. Heading, 'Autobiographical notes', followed by poem, 'All best things fade, dear Gordon [Bottomley]'; translation of Catullus 11 upside-down at the bottom of this. Part translation of Catullus 65; essay or notes for speech citing Tennyson and Catullus. Essay, 'Greek and Roman Poets'. Translation of Montaigne I.28.
Notebook used from other end in: poem, 'What do you then believe?...'. Another version of 'All best things fade...'. Draft of "Dandelions" [published in the "From the Shiffolds" of Christmas 1947. Essay on Trevelyan's translations of Montaigne. List of contents for "Windfalls" [the second, extended, edition of 1948]. Essay on nature and happiness [two versions]. Verse, 'Mountains and rocks seem motionless and lifeless...'. Heading, 'Confession Haeretici', followed by notes and verse, 'Though now your body is growing old...'. Heading, 'Religio Poetae', followed by notes listing autobiographical topics and verse, which may carry on from the page before; list of topics relating to poetry on the next page. Verse, 'In the days of Omar, Commander of the Faithful...'. Translation of Catullus 7. Autobiographical piece about his father showing him Macaulay's annotations to the text of Catullus. Translation from Horace, "Satires" II.7. Notes on Robert Bridge's "Testament of Beauty". Page count [for the new edition of "Windfalls"].
Sends a 'brief Postscript' to his letter to Bessie to thank Bob for "Windfalls", "From the Shiffolds", and his translation of the "Eclogues and Georgics". Has told Bessie what he thinks of "Windfalls", which is 'much the same as what [his son] John says of them'; jokigly criticises Bob for using 'different to'. Asks him to write another volume of literary criticism: Bob is so 'right & just... here, & how interesting!' with 'living racy slants' on those he loves or hates; "Solitariness" is a 'masterpiece'. Was 'amazed at [Bob's] youthful vigour' on a long day climbing on the Untersberg [in 1935], and has the 'same feeling' about "Windfalls" and how 'fresh & fit' Bob's mind must be. In the Christmas carols ["From the Shiffolds"], he got a 'savage satisfaction' from "Rabbits and Foxes"; also thinks "Helen", in the metre of "Rose-cheeked Laura" is 'masterly', asks whether the metre is the invention of [Thomas] Campion or classical. Would love to read an essay by Bob on Campion - or on Fulke Greville, Herrick, Marvell, Donne, Gogarty, Ford or Waller: 'Everything almost'. Also much more to say about Milton; asks Bob to write more on Shelley as he has read 'nothing so fine about him as "The Poetry of Ecstasy" since Mrs Campbell's book ["Shelley and the Unromantics" by Olwen Ward Campbell?]. Bob must also have 'thousands of things to say' about the Greek poets.
Monk's House, Rodmell, Lewes, Sussex. - Has been meaning to thank Bob for a long time for his book ["Windfalls" or his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics" of Virgil] and now must add his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; thought the poems some of the best Bob has 'ever published' and called them 'tracts for the times -- from unfortunately another time -- but infinitely refreshing'.
Version of Trevelyan's "Maya" on inside cover and following pages; a verse version of "Spectacles" followed by a prose one. Notes toward an autobiography by Trevelyan, starting with a description of his first visit to Seatoller in Borrowdale in 1892 with his university friends Eddie Marsh, Bertrand Russell, Robin Mayor, and John Barran; describes visits there with Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson, quoting a poem written on the hills by Dickinson; mentions spending time there with G. E. Moore, which becomes a general discussion of philosophers and philosophy; the Lake Hunt; early reading and the library at Wallington; his father's friends, particularly Henry Sidgwick. Translation of Montaigne III.7, crossed through.
Notebook also used from the other end in: notes on Virgil's sixth "Eclogue"; notes on Chinese poetry; verse; translation of Montaigne II.8; conversation between Adam and Satan, in both verse and prose versions; translation from Sophocles's "Oedipus at Colonus"
11 St. Leonard's Terrace, SW3. - Should have thanked Bob before for the 'charming Vergil' [his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics"], which he loves; thinks the introductory verses 'one of the best things' Bob has 'ever written'. The gods could not give a 'pleasanter gift' than 'mellowing such Hesperian fruit on autumnal boughs' as Bob is doing. In return, would like to send him 'another Hesperian apple': Grierson's 'altogether delightful book on "Rhetoric [and English Composition]", if he doesn't have it. Is sending copies to his friend; it was published in an 'out-of-the-way corner' and he only heard of it by chance.
East Hills, Albury, Guildford. - Apologising for not thanking Bob earlier for his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; particularly the first one, as she has 'lost [her] heart to Philip Erasmus'; supposes he is still at the Shiffolds.. Is also reading Bob's translation of the "Georgics". Hopes [Arthur Waley's?] "Monkey" reached him safely. It reminded her of 'our nursery religions & magic rites when Noah & the good & bad Kangaroo rule our games'; when Claud was bored he 'used to lift a corner of a rug' and say that Noah was telling him they should play something else. Would like to hear Bob's opinion on [Algernon Cecil's] "A House in Bryanston Square" if he reads it, but would not recommend it.
The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for the 'delightful Christmas present' [his translation of Vergil's "Eclogues and Georgics]. Enjoyed seeing Julian, Ursula and Philip the other day. Desmond [MacCarthy] visited this weekend, and told them about presiding at Bob's 'successful "reading"' of his poems.
The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for [his translation of Vergil's] "Eclogues and Georgics"; had already 'seen and admired the introductions' which Bob had read him, and is now 'browsing with great pleasure' through the translations; thinks Bob is 'certainly at the head of translators of the Classics now', and the 'general recognition' of the 'excellence' of all of Bob's work gives him great pleasure. Sends Bessie his 'dearest love'; he is especially grieved by two things in 'all this bitter scene - the Netherlands and Greece. The 'plight of Holland' is not particularly the fault of the British 'except for our share in the whole business', but he believes 'Greece has ben badly muddled by Churchill, whose obstinacy is sometimes a blessing but sometimes the reverse'. Feels that 'hope is better than prophecy' for the future, since 'even the best informed [prophets] seem usually to be wrong'. Very glad about Leith Hill Place: Bob will find [Ralph] Wedgwood a 'delightful neighbour'.
Translation of "Georgics" book 3 from line 113 to the end, and the whole of book 4. Draft verse in pencil at the other end of the book, first line "Here in the cool dome of a mighty beech", which mentions 'the shy beauty and stateliness/of Virgil's Muse'.
St Fagan's Castle, Cardiff. - Cannot put off thanks Bob for the "Georgics": was 'wandering about a good deal' over Christmas, but came here last week 'equipped with a Latin text ' hoping to read Bob's translation 'at leisure'; however, he has had to proof-read Peter Quennell's "Four Portraits: Studies of the Eighteenth Century" and Winston [Churchill]'s volume of speeches made in 1944, so will not be able to settle down to Bob's book for some days. The parts he has read are 'very attractive', though he admits that the blank verse is 'here & there a little to free' for him and he 'must try to supple [his] ear'. Will be here until mid-January, then plans to settle for a while at the Goring Hotel in Grosvenor Square.
Newell Grange, Redditch. - Was very glad to get Bob's Christmas present ["From the Shiffolds"] and re-acquaint himself with some of the poems he had heard in Bob's 'melodious & most off-setting voice in Bloomsbury Square', particularly the Helen poem and "Spectacles"; has always bee 'thankful rather than otherwise' for his short sight, as it gives him 'two outlooks on the world, one beautifully fused as [Bob describes] it, with a great gain in depth & richness of colour'. Supposes the 'lost friend' in "Ten Years After" is Goldie [Lowes Dickinson], since one of the other poems Bob read 'celebrated' him as his 'companion for walking in the woods'. Will be moving about over the next few weeks, so if Bob plans to send him his translation of the "Georgics", to which he is much looking forward, he should 'direct it to Brookes's"
Woodthorpe, The Thrupp, Nr. Stroud, Glos. - Has now read through Trevelyan's 'valuable gift' [his translations of the "Eclogues and Georgics of Virgil"], and admires its 'fidelity to the original & its sustained excellence of style'. Prefers the "Georgics" to the "Eclogues": Trevelyan knows his 'ear is deaf to some of your harmonies' and would like Trevelyan to read them to him. The accents in the "Georgics" give a 'fine strong effect, so different from Pope's ready-mouthed [?] strain'; has been writing a piece on Pope's "Iliad" for "Notes and Queries". Has copied out [Edward] Fitzgerald's 'free & easy version of the Corycian swain' from "[An] Aftermath" in case Trevelyan does not know it [see 21/107b]. Blames his 'bad handwriting' on the temperature.
The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Has signed and sent on the [Trust?] papers to Maurice Bell. Glad to hear that Bob's translation of [Vergil's] "Georgics" [and "Eclogues"]. Sends best Christmas wishes to all; Bob must come and visit some time next term.
[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very interested in the Times business' [a reference to the Parnell Commission's proof that the letters published by the Times in 1887, alleging that Parnell had supported the Phoenix Park murders, were forgeries by Richard Pigott], and now regrets his usual neglect of the newspapers, through which he has 'missed all the excitement of the things as they happened', especially since nobody in his house 'seems to care much about them'. He is glad, however, that 'the Tories are getting it hot'. Has 'been out running a little', but not much as there is still 'footer' twice a week in his house: 'a very good sign that they are getting more interested'. Does not think he will 'go in for sports'; or only for a couple of house sports in the future.
Canon Fleming read to the school yesterday, and 'was certainly a success', though Robert 'did not care for him altogether'. Is getting on well in his form, and continuing his reading; is beginning his hexameters and hopes to have most done by the end of term. Thinks that it is a good thing for him to try for the scholarships, but that he is 'too weak in mathematics and scripture', even in Greek composition, to 'have much chance. Has just done [Virgil's] Eclogues, with 'Judge [Charles] Bowen's English translation, which is quite worth reading'. Charlie is well.
[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his father for his letter. Apologises for being 'rather slow in writing this week'; 'will make a point of writing on Sunday' another time. His form are reading 'the 5th book of the Aeniad [sic] and the Seven against Thebes; later they will also read some Cicero, but he does not yet know what; they will go 'straight on in the Thucidides' [sic].
Does not know where he will be placed in his form this week, but he has 'worked [his] best'. Did not do very well at the beginning, 'through not knowing his [teacher's] ways', but has been 'getting on better lately. Has 'had some verses sent up' and is 'working hard at them'. Thinks Charlie is 'getting on very well in Hallam's form'.
The torpid matches will be soon; his house are 'very good this year and... even have a chance of being cock-house'. He and Charlie are both 'quite well now'. Hopes his mother is well. Is 'so glad to hear that Meta [his cousin] is better. The weather is 'very cold here and it has been freezing a great deal'. Last Sunday, some boys 'made a row in the grove, and chased the chickens', so Mr Bowen has closed the grove for now; Robert was not involved. This Saturday there will be a 'whole holiday'. Hopes Spider is well.
26 Addison Avenue, W.11. - Thanks Bob for his 'Christmas gift', "From The Shiffolds", which he and Beatrice have 'much appreciated'; was afraid when he first saw it that the poems might be 'too classical' for Beatrice's 'non-classical background', but there was in fact a great deal which appealed to her. She was 'particularly impressed' by the fragments from Sophocles and Euripides; he also thought they were 'perfectly translated'. He also enjoyed the "Hymn to Pan"; has always thought it a 'delightful poem'. The "Moretum" was 'quite new" to him, and is glad to have been 'introduced' to it; cannot think of anything else in Latin or Greek with the 'same sheer sustained realism'; does not read to him like Virgil, but perhaps it was a 'first experiment' along the line eventually leading to the "Georgics". Best wishes from them both to Bob and Bessie for the New Year.