Translations of Virgil's "Aeneid" Book 6 and Homer's "Odyssey" book 9. Notes [of possible topics for autobiography] on first page, for example 'G[eorge] O[tto] T[revelyan] and Palgrave - Keats. G.O.T. and Churchill'.
For journey by train from Paris-St-Lazare to Le Havre.
Notes on the Wars of the Roses, including a family tree [from Trevelyan's school days?].
Opening [?] of prose narrative set in the British Museum Reading Room.
Extensive extract from prose narrative [Trevelyan's never completed novel?], describing the view from Meliance's window, his waking from a dream (with brief verse), seeing Helen/Orgeluse picking flowers and going downstairs intending to speak to her. Written on recto only, with additions and corrections on facing pages.
Loose inserts: 1 bifolium with "Modern Greek ballad", "Dirge", "From Theognis", "Dirge"; 1 sheet, "Before, I tire of loving thee, my love..."; 1 bifolium with translation of Catullus 81, "A lament", "Song", "Italian folk songs"; 1 bifolium, "The Mountain-brook", "Song", "The Thrush's Song"; 1 sheet, "There was a little monkey from monkey-land"; 1 foolscap bifolium with translation of Catullus 63 ("Attis"); 1 foolscap sheet, "Wishes", "Greek folk-song", "Satyr's Song (from Ariadne [i.e. "The Bride of Dionysus"])"; endpaper and back cover of a French Garnier Classics book, with verse in pencil on endpaper, "Sidelong/Downward a little leaning/bending thy dear head...".
Several blank pages in notebook, then more inserts: bifolium headed letter paper from The Green Farm, Timworth, Bury St. Edmunds [country home of Desmond and Molly MacCarthy] with draft verse in pencil; 1 sheet, ["Italian Folk Songs"]; 1 large sheet, "The Mulberry Tree Speaks"; 1 sheet, "What wert thou, happy dream?" [from Meliance narrative, see above]; 1 foolscap sheet, "Now now needs must I sing".
Several further blank pages, then more inserts: 1 sheet, "My love among all lovely things..", with musical notation on the back [since the poem is published in "The Bride of Dionysus... and other poems", perhaps the music is by Donald Tovey]; 1 bifolium, "Methought I had been wandering alone..."; 1 sheet, "When the children come at eve...", title, "The Mulberry Tree", added later in pencil; 1 sheet, "To yon thicket hind and hart go rarely.." ["The Thrush's Song"]; 1 sheet, "No now fain would I sing"; "Thou gaunt grey-bearded boatman" ["Charon"]; 1 sheet, "When dreaming of thy beauty by the sea..."; 1 sheet, "I ; thought that Love..."; 1 sheet, "What wert thou, happy dream". Further blank pages.
Inside covers and part of first page used for notes of appointments, Latin quotes [Propertius 4.9.45-46 etc]. Recto of first page has triangle of cut paper [from envelope?] glued on, with embossed lettering, 'Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey' [home of Sophie Weisse]; 'A Treatise on the origins of Christian Science by R. C. T.' is written below the lettering. Text of play on recto of folios, with additions and corrections on facing pages. Loose sheet of paper between folios 6 and 7 with further extract from "Sisyphus".
Chines. Is in poor health
Trinity Lodge, Cambridge.—Explains why he has not yet subscribed for the relief of Clifford's widow, and asks Pollock to convey the enclosed sum to her anonymously.
(With an envelope.)
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Transcript
Trinity Lodge, Cambridge
28 Mar 1881
Dear Frederick Pollock
When your father asked me some time ago to subscribe to a Memorial or rather—for it was in his life time—a public Testimonial to Prof. Clifford, I declined to do so, for reasons which I still think valid. I think it was after his death that I said I would subscribe for the relief of his widow, for whom I feel a sincere compassion. If I have failed to do so, it was not because I had changed my mind in the matter, but simply because the Memorial was still designed {1} in honour of her husband & contained words to which I could not affix my name. I wish now to redeem whatever pledge I may have given, & beg that if you think the poor lady will accept the sum enclosed you will kindly convey it to her—without mentioning my name.
You will judge how far this is possible without offending her delicacy. It seemed to me possible that she might not disdain to receive a little additional help from one who had as much admiration for her late husband’s talents as he had disapproval of his philosophical opinions.
Believe me
Yours very truly
W. H Thompson
[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esq | 48 Gt Cumberland Place | London | W
—————
The envelope was postmarked at Cambridge and London, W., on 28 March 1881, and has been marked ‘Master of Trinity | for L.C.’
{1} Reading uncertain.
Letter from Mary Ellen Parker, 20 Dec 1836; with additional note from her mother Mary Parker to James Parker, 24 Dec 1836.
Sans titre(The directions of the franked letters are signed ‘H free Gurney’, not ‘W. H. Gurney’, as stated in the Index (O.14.51), p. 161 et seq.)
18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Asks him to lunch, if he has returned from Spain. Advises him to go to Holyhead (i.e. Penrhôs) if he wants to avoid the Coronation.
(Dated Wednesday. This is a reply to B1/10.)
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Transcript
18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.
Wednesday
My dear Mr Montagu
I wonder whether you have come back from Spain yet, or whether your cold proved too much for you. If you are back do come to lunch one day before you go off again, any-day† this week except Friday, Saturday would be best for me.
I am glad you liked the Rest Cure {1}.
I advise you to go to Holyhead next week if you do leave London to avoid the Coronation {2}, it was quite divine at Whitsuntide {3}, I have never been so happy.
Yrs
Venetia Stanley
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Black-edged paper.
{1} A novel by W. B. Maxwell, first published in 1910.
{2} The coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Mary on 22 June.
{3} Whit Sunday fell this year on 4 June.
† Sic.
(Copy of A2/8/5, cut from a larger document.)
Malaviya has come to see him, urging that, when the Prince of Wales arrives, an announcement should be made that all remaining martial law prisoners will be released, and that the British Government will undertake to do its utmost for the restoration of Thrace and Smyrna to Turkey. Malaviya believes this would effect a marked change, and a conference could be called to discuss swaraj. Reading pointed out that, with regard to the prisoners, he had already done the utmost he could recommend. Malaviya suggested it might be politically expedient, and Reading asked for whom he was speaking, suspecting him of being optimistic as to Gandhi’s future action. Malaviya admitted it, but claimed to speak for most Indian people, and pointed out that he had persuaded Gandhi to mollify his statements regarding the people’s attitude on the Prince’s visit. But Reading was little impressed, pointing out that all Gandhi’s organs continued to advocate boycott, and that his few sentences in Young India were of little account compared with previous injunctions and resolutions. He believes Malaviya is anxious for the success of the visit, but is powerless in view of the political crowds surrounding Gandhi. Reading told him that his policy of conciliation had failed, and that Gandhi and his movement had become more violent. Malaviya objected that, though a resolution for civil disobedience had been passed, there was little enthusiasm for it outside the Committee and a few extremists, and claimed conciliation was working. He suggested holding a conference at which all the various parties would be represented, and asserted that Gandhi would attend. Reading asked for more precise proposals, and Malaviya said he would consider the matter with his friends. He believes Malaviya and Jinnah are working together, but does not know how far they represent Gandhi. Malaviya believes Gandhi intended to spend one or two months at a village in Gujarat organising civil disobedience, but this is doubtful.
(Typed.)
Open defiance of authority is widespread, and civil disobedience is being talked of and has actually been practised for some time. The religious fanaticism of Mohammedans is being fanned by peripatetic speakers. Things have been fairly quiet at Calcutta, but within the last two days two Indian women have again begun to collect crowds and organise demonstrations.
Refers to A3/27/8. Civil disobedience at Bardoli has not yet started, and the Congress Committee meeting at Surat has requested persons throughout the province to pay taxes, except in cases where Gandhi’s consent has been obtained for suspension, in preparation for mass civil disobedience. This is apparently because Malaviya, Jinnah, and others are trying to persuade Gandhi to postpone civil disobedience until the question of a conference is cleared up. He is preparing an answer to the secretaries of the Bombay Conference, who have asked him what his objections are to a conference are, as they desire to meet them, and he also has some letters from Gandhi, which he has postponed answering. Montagu should do as he thinks right about the Cabinet. The only point of difference between the Government of Bombay and the Government of India was that the latter did not wish Gandhi to be prose-cuted for seditious statements made at the Bombay conference when it was clear that he was about to declare for civil disobedience. Confirms his objections to deporting Gandhi. Recent reports indicate that Gandhi is trying to find a way out of civil disobedience. The Bombay Government have not yet sent a definite answer about the prosecution of Mohani. Public meetings for civil disobedience may be prohibited either under the Seditious Meetings Act or the Criminal Procedure Code.
(Typed.)
55A Gloucester Place, (London).—Praises McKerrow’s edition of The Devil’s Charter.
(With envelope.)
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Transcript
55a G P {1} Ja 31st {2}
My dear McKerrow
Thank you much for The Divils Charter. {3} I like the edition. The type is clear; your notes and Index are most useful and good. I have not yet had time to read it through. Yes come in and see me. I am going away to Reigate {4} from Saturday till Monday {5} and I am dining out Friday. After that I am fairly free.
I remain
sincerely yours
W J Craig
[Direction on envelope:] R B McKerrow Esqr | 30 Manchester Street | Manchester Square
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Typed, except the address, date, and signature. The envelope was postmarked at London, W., at 4.15 p.m. on 31 January 1906. The typing is erratic and many of the words are run together in the original. These errors have been silently corrected.
{1} 55A Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London, Craig’s home. Cf. Add. MS c. 75/13.
{2} Altered from ‘30th’.
{3} Barnabe Barnes, The Devil’s Charter, edited by R. B. McKerrow (1904). The spelling in the letter is that of the 1607 quarto.
{4} Craig apparently had a significant connection with Reigate, as he was buried in the churchyard there.
{5} 3–5 February.