21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Since writing last, has discovered that one of the biggest colleges in Calcutta is to appoint a principal, and 'a book of poems, however bad' would probably get him the job as it entails teaching Shelley for an hour each day. Asks Trevelyan to see if he can get his poems printed privately with a good press, and whether it would be a good idea to include "The Indian Tragedy" and the whole of "The Jews - A Fragment": this is not because of vanity, or because like Yeats, whose "Dramatis Personae" he has been reading, that 'dead numb words bring out neighbouring poetical work', but because they are 'attempts at untraditional forms'. "The Jews" speaks of his 'religious feeling', as well as describing his dissatisfaction with the 'existing social order'. Leaves this to Trevelyan: remembers him once saying that he disliked all poetry of this kind and wondered how Julian could like it; publishers also obviously 'prefer violent & coarse language to quality'. He is not quite well and it is very hot, but the 'gold-mohur trees' are in full bloom in the Calcutta streets, and it is mango season. His cousin Soghra Ikramullah, whom Trevelyan met with him last year, will be in London for three years as her husband [Mohammed] has been appointed Trade Commissioner for India; Suhrawardy would be grateful if Trevelyan could go and visit her as she is 'very dear... almost a sister' and will be glad to see 'living English creative men' amongst all of her husband's dull colleagues. Asks him not to mention 'the peripaties' of his poems as government officials should not know about his failures.
Lt. J.M. Luce c/o Grindlay's Bank, Bombay. - Has been ill and in hospital, followed by three weeks 'glorious' leave at Darjeeling. The view of Kanchenjunga is superb, Everest by comparison disappointing; had he been fit he would have gone trekking to Tibet. Is now back at his depot but expects to go to a unit in the west of India soon. Has sent some tea from Darjeeling to Trevelyan and Bessie and hopes it arrives safely. Hopes Ursula and Julian's baby has arrived. Has been reading Hazlitt's "Table-Talk": the kind of essays Trevelyan would write 'equally well if not better'.
Will be all right about the [Italian] lire: has heard from [Umberto] Morra, who says that he will have necessary money for the Deuchars; this letter crossed with one from Bob explaining that the Deuchars are not coming to Italy but that Julian is. Has asked Morra where he will be around 22-24 February; expects he will be at Rome. Bessie is not very well; it is not serious but will keep her from Roland [Vaughan Williams]'s funeral at Wooton tomorrow, but Bob must go.
Robert's place in class, with masters' comments, for Latin, French, English, Divinity, History, Geography and Arithmetic, with comments on Music, Drawing and General Conduct. Date for the beginning of the next term given.
14, Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16. - Pitoeff has given her a part in a pacifist play [Angermeyer's "Plus Jamais Ca !"]; it is very small, but she is glad to have work and should earn about a thousand francs; she is however very sorry to miss her visit to the Trevelyans and hopes this can be postponed. Pitoeff wants to put on the play in Geneva; she thinks the League of Nations is helping, as the play is intended to 'bring together in peace France and Germany'. Her part, that of a German woman, can be 'played tragically' and she hopes to 'do something good'. Even the thought of travelling has helped her. Sends regards to Mr Trevelyan, her 'men' [husband and son] send 'regretfull saluts'.
Steep, Petersfield. - Sorry to hear that Julian has been ill; thanks Trevelyan for his other news, and congratulates him on the "Times" review [of "The New Parsifal", TLS 21 Mar 1914, p 127]. Has just read "New Numbers" and admired [Wilfrid] Gibson's and [Lascelles] Abercrombie's poems: thinks Gibson's ["Bloodybush Edge"] is his best, and 'more satisfactory than [John] Masefield's; Abercrombie is 'superb in places', but Thomas thinks he 'tries to run his two preferences for metaphysics & naturalism too much together for harmony'. Much looks forward to hearing Trevelyan's opinion. Is 'very well here & hard at work'.
The White Gates, Dorking. - Thanks Bob for his 'generous gift' and appreciation; it [presumably a piece performed at Dorking] is a 'beautiful work', and he knows all the performers loved it 'even if they could not give full expression to their love'.
Beach Hotel, Littlehampton.—Thanks her and her husband for their sympathetic letters (on his refusal of a knighthood).
‘Nothing special to bring you home if having successful time. Could join you middle December if staying over Christmas.’
Mena Camp, Cairo. Travels in the area around Aswan.
Congratulates him on his results in the Mathematical Tripos
16 Hart Street, Bloomsbury - CL would like WW to be at the anniversary on Friday [Anniversary of the Geological Society, 19 February 1836], he would like WW to propose the Astronomical Society and the health of either Airy [George Airy] or Baily [Francis Baily].
Caius College, Cambridge. Dated Wednesday Night, 13 June, 1906? - Has read his 'Lectures on the Early History of the Kingship' and admires it.
Corraith, Symington, by Kilmarnock. Dated Wednesday, 16th. April 1919 - Is staying with [Peter] Mackie who assures him he intends to see the Roscoe expedition through, will be helpful as to the stores of sugar, butter, and jam and the drugs for analysis; encloses a response from Denison Ross [not transcribed] about vocabulary.
As soon as he can RJ will go into the City and ensure all is correct concerning WW's interest [see RJ to WW, 5 Dec. 1848]. WW must be joking about the lectures on modern history - RJ has not got any spare time: 'Besides let me tell you if you do not already know that there are two candidates for the professorship one or the other of whom are perfectly secure if the Whigs continue in'. One of them 'Stephen [James Stephen] late of the colonial office - he is wretched for want of occupation' [Stephen was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge, 1849-1859]. However William Smyth the current Professor of Modern History 'must not be disturbed on his death bed even for Alma Maters convenience'. RJ sends WW some suggestions for the commission [see RJ to WW, 7 December 1848]: 'with slight modifications there would be little difficulty in getting the commission to adopt them, but there are weaknesses and suspicions and I fear political schemes out of doors which constitute obstacle and difficulties. Before I tell you however of any objections or any answers to them do let me have your own impressions it is the only way I can learn what alarms and displeases third persons. They were printed by the order of the commission. The Archbishop approves of all with the exception of one point and has by letter and personally praised and thanked me very kindly and heartily. In about 40 years there would be a disposable surplus of more than 100,000 pounds and it would begin at once to shew itself'.
Two sets of completed questionnaires on Adams's differential analysis and geometry lectures. First set completed by third-year students 1985.
Sondheimer, F. 1976
Sopka, K.R. 1977. Biographies of Lise Meitner.
Spencer-Palmer, H. 1979. Enclosing humorous account of wartime work at I.C.I.
'Chance as a Cause', 16 pp. with many corrections and additions.
'Chance', 3 pp.
'Importance of Chance as a Cause', 1 p.