13 Old Square, Linc : Inn - Disputes the idea that the fox was already established as a sacred animal in the time of Queen Anne, as mentioned in Frazer's Spectator pepers; accompanied by a note quoting Gawain on hunting.
34A Via Porta Pinciana, The Times, Roma - Is sorry he has had to cut short his holiday; has been busy with the riots at Palermo and a requiem mass to be given for heretics and Queen Victoria especially; reacts to Frazer's idea of Steed writing a book about the Vatican; discusses a book by a friend [Henry B. Brewster], 'L'ame païenne' in which he says the Pagan idea of a special deity for each phenomenon corresponds most closely to the state of human experience.
Correspondence arising from an article by Popper on 'Quantum Mechanics without "The Observer"', a reprint of which is included in the folder.
Frisch's own folder inscribed 'Acoustics'; miscellaneous notes, diagrams and material, probably assembled for course of lectures given at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology, October term 1978 (includes some earlier material).
Material re Memorial Service, Trinity College, and London Mathematical Society Memorial Meeting.
520 Washington Ave., Las Vegas, N.M. - Asks for help in applying for the newly established chair of Spanish at the University of Cambridge.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologises for not writing sooner to thank Bessie for her kindness to Donald [Tovey]; hopes she has heard from him in the meantime. She is still in 'agony' about his symphony; there is an 'obstinate place in the "Second Subject"' and she would find it very interesting to see him 'wrestling with it' if she were not so worried about the date; he has gone off cheerfully to Aachen again 'with the fragment of Symphony in his hand'. They had an 'enchanting little visit to [George] Henschel at Aviemore'; encourages Bessie to come to the concert at Northlands on 23 October when Henschel is singing. Has had a 'rather heartshaking correspondence with Guilhermina Suggia' who says that she and [Pablo] Casals have parted on good terms; she was in England all August and September, and very much wanted to come to Northlands but 'that could not be', though she has not lost her 'tenderness and anxiety for her'. Told Suggia plainly that 'Donald is ready for friendship with Casals' and her 'lies and the way in which she broke up the friendship between the two men' means that 'Donald is quite unapproachable for her'. Wishes very much she had not let the matter be 'taken out of her hands' as she did.
Metelliano. - Thanks Trevelyan for sending his "Plays": likes receiving this present 'from you and from England in such a moment of anguish'. Has finished translating G. M. Trevelyan's "British History in the Nineteenth Century" for Einaudi [see 5/88] and now must go over it; it will be with the publisher around the end of February. Has found work on it 'a relief'; likes the first part of the book better than the second and thinks the picture of 'old England' and the transistion due to the Industrial Revolution is 'masterful'. Discusses the notes he must add, particularly the quotations; asks if he could submit queries to Trevelyan, or directly to his brother, and outlines his thoughts on whether quotations should be translated [this section is marked with blue]. Saw Mary [Berenson] at I Tatti just after her return, cheerful though frail; B.B. [Berenson] and Nicky [Mariano] are now in Rome. Hopes Trevelyan is not anxious about Julian.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert gave lots of news about Elizabeth in his letter; interesting that she is translating again; asks whether she finished the novel she was working on last year. There must be a great deal of Dutch literature 'unknown to other nations' as the language is rarely learnt. The poem must be curious; asks whether the language differs much from modern Dutch; it dates from a 'great time in the countrie's [sic] history]. She and Sir George have been seeing neighbours and going into town she has been to London several times. There are great floods: 'the Avon is out all down the valley'. Hopes Elizabeth and Robert will continue to like La Croix [-Valmer?]. They are feeling happier about politics; Chamberlain is 'not gaining ground' and the Government 'make a most wretched show' in the House of Commons. They are expecting H[enry] James, Miss [Lily] Noble, Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green and Sir [Alfred] Lyall for a couple of days tomorrow, and go up to London on the 12th. North Street [Charles and Mary's London house] has been 'started', with 'no drawbacks', and she looks forward to seeing it; Cheyne Gardens [George and Janet's London house] is also progressing, and Janet is very pleased with it. The "Independent [Review]" for February is good, and much attention is being paid to it; hopes it is 'establishing itself'. Has subscribed again to Rolandi [the foreign language bookseller and library], so asks Elizabeth to let her know if she hears of any good French books. Notes that 'the modern world seems to find it necessary to have a millionaire for hero!'. Asks if Elizabeth has anyone to accompany her violin playing. Aunt Margaret [Holland] is still too ill for visitors, and does not even have letters read to her.
C/o Mrs Eckhard, Lockeridge, Marlborough. - Is over his lumbago, and working on 'the fortunes of Tamino' ["The Magic Flute"] Has read Trevelyan's "Ajax" with great admiration. Makes a few remarks about metre and offers a few corrections.
They have arrived safely [at Wixenford]. He and Georgie are both all right. [Nugent] Hicks is going to Harrow and will be in Butler's house.
Ede, Villa Ma Retraite. - Thanks Trevelyan for his 'charming little book of poems' ["Mallow and Asphodel"]; thinks she likes "The Playmates" best. Asks if he will be returning to Taormina this winter to 'get fresh impressions in the land of the ancients', or will 'plunge into modernity now'. They would be very happy to see him again. Her cousin [Elizabeth], 'the girl who plays the violin so well' might come to Sicily with them, as she 'wants a change'; they plan to leave Holland at the end of the month, and be back at Taormina by the end of October. Currently, the Netherlands is very excited about the Queen's coronation, and 'the patriotic but ugly orange colour' is everywhere; asks if he is not tempted to come and see 'Holland in its royalistic mood? It looks very pretty and bright'.
Boar's Hill, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for the book and ;kind letter'; is very sorry about her 'stupid mistakes', and has 'tormented' her father by 're-composing' parts of his work; the trouble is that when acting there is no time for hesitation. Her father has given a lecture on [William] Blake in their theatre; they performed "The death of Abel" ["The Ghost of Abel"], and Mr [Ronald?] Watkins was a 'fine Jehovah in purple & gold, up in the balcony'. Was fun making the body of Abel: they used the 'bust of Dante' for a head. Describes Satan's appearance. Has been cutting linocuts for Christmas cards. Her father today read his new poem on "The Wanderer [of Liverpool]" to two men who sailed on the ship; they were 'very nice people and a mine of adventure stories'. Thinks Trevelyan's play could be acted 'without much alteration', but the 'actors would be a trouble!'.
Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Has heard news of him from his (Smith’s) aunt, whom he saw in Cambridge. Sympathises with Smith’s difficulties at Caracas and reflects on the role of suffering in the Catholic life. Hopes that his aunt will become interested in the Catholic faith. Discusses his relations with Edward Wilson (who has left Cambridge to begin war work), the Morenos, and the Leavises. Agrees that the dissatisfaction sometimes felt by Smith’s readers is largely due to defective critical training. Will draw Dom Illtyd’s attention to Smith’s Marlowe paper. Commends Smith’s point about Blake’s ‘equivocal’ Christianity. Hopes his asthma is yielding to treatment. Discusses his own prospects in the Tripos.
Chabrias served under an Egyptian rebel against Persia in the 360s BC, Simpson fully recovered, EH joining the Foreign Office: [Trinity College]
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—‘Just looked in on my way to golf to tell e I love [e] lots, to give e great hug, and say I will be here at 5.’
Hillside, Caversham, Reading.—Expresses her love for him, and responds to his letter.
At Cheadle with Mr Rawle, reading mechanics, reading Whewell's 'Mechanics 'but "gets up" a great deal from manuscripts of Rawle, "amuses" himself with the classics in the evening
Has read through JM's article and feels it balanced
18, Earls Terrace, London, W.8. - Has been ill, thrombosed vein, enlarged prostate, complications; BBC is broadcasting "The Prodigal Father" and "Balance of Terror", didn't win the Observer Prize, but Tennents have an option on the advice of John Gielgud and will put it on after revision; has been asked to be Deputy Editor of "Truth"; shares news of Jim Mossman.