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(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Trinity College, 5 Feb. 1927

Dear Semple,

It will probably be most convenient for you if I put down in writing what there is to say about Sidonius ep. VIII 11 9. It is the case that he is making a show of knowledge which he does not possess, and using terms which he does not quite understand.

thema is the position of the heavens and all the heavenly bodies at the instant of the birth. geniturae schema is the same thing; schema itself is a more general term, though sometimes used for thema, as also genitura sometimes is. constellatio properly means only the relative position of the seven planets, but practically comes to the same thing. diastemata zodiaca are probably not the 12 signs of the zodiac but the 12 τόποι into which it was divided at the birth, of which I give an account in my 2nd book of Manilius pp. xxix–xxxi.

asyndetus is rightly explained by Sirmond, and has the same sense in the passage you cite from Rufinus. It is not inconsistent with super diametro, because a planet might be in the diametrically opposite τόπος (or sign) and might nevertheless be asyndetus because not at the diametrically opposite point; in technical language not μοιρικῶς or partiliter opposite.

retrogradus you explain correctly, but it is not only the outer planets which retrograde: Venus and Mercury do so, though to a less extent.

apocatastaticus in itself is a vague term, applicable to anything moving in a circle and so arriving at a spot where it has been before. If it here has a precise meaning, it probably is that Mars was in the middle of Scorpius, which is the position he occupied at the creation of the world.

super centro, ἐπίκεντρος, is the opposite of asyndetus, and means configurated, whether by diameter or trigon or tetragon or possibly hexagon. A planet thus placed is best able to exert its influence; and the influence of Mars is malefic. Sidonius apparently supposed the sense of the word to be something more special than it is.

amici nascentis anno and erexerat and in occasu taken together seem to be mere gabble, for of course planets have no annual rising or setting. inrubescentes is another piece of nonsense, Saturn being dull white in fact and black in astrological fiction.

I am nearing the end of my troubles and shall be able to see you at 6 o’clock on Tuesday the 15th if you like to come.

Yours sincerely
A. E. Housman.

[Direction on envelope:] W. H. Semple Esq. | St John’s College

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On the back of the envelope, which is not stamped or postmarked, are various abortive and corrected Latin verses (not in Housman’s hand), apparently written in the process of composing a dedicatory inscription.

(Oxford?)—Suggests examples of books before 1750 containing illustrations, for the bibliography.

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Transcript

Bibliography slip 32

Illustrations before 1750:

Portraits of course, e.g. in:
Drummond’s Works Paris {1} 1709
Pope’s Works 1717
etc. etc.

Fancy Pictures. Rape of the Lock 1714.
Thomson 1730—the four Seasons
Young Night Thoughts 1742—one plate
Pope’s Works Vol. II 1735—tailpieces etc. by Kent
Gay’s Poems 1720
[Gay's] {2} Shepherd’s Week 
Philip’s Cyder
[The preceding three lines are braced on the right to:] all rustic subjects | Gay’s Fables!
Rowe’s Quean {1} I think has an allegorical frontispiece.

This is from memory—I think you must modify.

24:12:26 RWC

RBMcK

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{1} Reading uncertain.

{2} Represented by a ditto mark in the original.

Would give him the greatest pleasure to come to her 'on the 19th', but fears that he will not be able to come to the Ad Eundem, 'as it falls in the Whitsuntide vacation', during which he hopes to go on holiday. Is unsure when they [he and his wife?] shall get away from London, but thinks that the chances of his being in Cambridge on the 19th are small. Suggests that they invite some other friend; is very disappointed to miss the opportunity of seeing her and Henry.

Since returning to England from Paris she has been very busy with various activities, which delayed her writing to Mary. It is very pleasant being settled in their own house in Cambridge, even though it is only a temporary one. Asks Mary when she intends to come to stay with her and Henry. They have got a cook, who is coming to them on 9 May for a month's trial period. Hopes that William and Isabel have arrived and are well, and sends her and Henry's love to them. Wishes that they could both come to see them, but is glad that William can see Mary. Adds that the cruet stand they want is a stand for oil and vinegar and sauces, and on the strength of what Mary said, Nora chose one in London that cost £7 or £8. Asks if they may wait about 'the other things' like china and glass, until they move into their new house, as they have the use of the Fawcett's things in the house where they are at present living. Sends a photograph of herself [not included], and explains that Henry's have not yet come. They only came to Cambridge from London the previous morning, but visited for a day the previous week as Henry had an examiners' meeting. Thinks the decoration of the house in which they are now living would amuse Mary; describes the drawing room, which they do not much like.

Pontefract. - On the death of Robert Pemberton Milnes; to remember Stainforth in his will is 'an almost overwhelming act of kindness'.

In French.

Seeking funds for excavation of the basilica of San Clemente, Rome.

Outside at a cafe table with a man, perhaps her husband Aleksandr Kalitinsky.

Black soft-cover notebook, includes diary entries 1939 for Frisch's journey to England, meetings in London, Cambridge and Birmingham, arrangements to come to Britain etc. July-August, drawings and calculations.