MANUSCRIPT LETTERS
YOUNG, Andrew. A 4pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, Tunbridge Wells, July 4 [1944], expressing disappointment with a number of poets whose books Arlott has lent him, among them Sassoon whose "Satires are dreadfully cheap ... 'Everybody suddenly burst out singing' might have been such a good poem, if all the middle part had not been so meaningless and unconvincing." He continues: "I am in a bad temper about the flying bombs. If they would get rid of their ridiculous guns, and use more Tempests, I think very few would reach London. Everyone here is of the same opinion, even the gunners." His "long poem is laid aside till October. Meanwhile I am preparing myself for it, as, for example, by reading The Fairie Queene ...."; a 2pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, 14 November, 1944, thanking Arlott for the copy of his first book of poems [Of Period and Place (1944)]. "You need not worry about 'An Immortal Line', that poem should always appear in anthologies. I am rather sorry 'Brighton' has been altered, on the whole the poems seem better in a book, as a painted canvas does in a frame. Somehow I don't remember reading 'Southampton Water' in the proofs; I should do so, as it is very good indeed ...."; a 2pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, Monday [1946], telling Arlott: "The time reviewers have to spend in reading poor books, I can spend in reading Shakespeare; that has made me an exacting critic, though, I hope, not a supercilious one. So perhaps you will more readily believe my saying that Clausentum is a really good sonnet-sequence. There is far more poetry in it than in your former book ...."
The above 3 letters are included in a substantial collection of correspondence by Young, most letters are to John Arlott, and date from the Second World War to 1970; some typed letters to another correspondent, John Freeman, are also included. The letters are generally in the same vein of simple and frank discussion of the writer's craft. Young gives his opinion on books often loaned or given to him by Arlott, mentions delays or difficulties he is having with his own work and is as ready to seek advice from Arlott as a fellow poet as to give it. Broadcasting matters are discussed, and arrangements made for business and personal visits, Young obviously becoming a firm family friend and delightedly agreeing to christen Arlott's son, Jimmie. Also included in the lot are a number of stencil scripts for radio broadcasts, written by Young and produced by John Arlott for the Eastern service.
(a lot)
Details
YOUNG, Andrew. A 4pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, Tunbridge Wells, July 4 [1944], expressing disappointment with a number of poets whose books Arlott has lent him, among them Sassoon whose "Satires are dreadfully cheap ... 'Everybody suddenly burst out singing' might have been such a good poem, if all the middle part had not been so meaningless and unconvincing." He continues: "I am in a bad temper about the flying bombs. If they would get rid of their ridiculous guns, and use more Tempests, I think very few would reach London. Everyone here is of the same opinion, even the gunners." His "long poem is laid aside till October. Meanwhile I am preparing myself for it, as, for example, by reading The Fairie Queene ...."; a 2pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, 14 November, 1944, thanking Arlott for the copy of his first book of poems [Of Period and Place (1944)]. "You need not worry about 'An Immortal Line', that poem should always appear in anthologies. I am rather sorry 'Brighton' has been altered, on the whole the poems seem better in a book, as a painted canvas does in a frame. Somehow I don't remember reading 'Southampton Water' in the proofs; I should do so, as it is very good indeed ...."; a 2pp. a.l.s., dated Stonegate, Monday [1946], telling Arlott: "The time reviewers have to spend in reading poor books, I can spend in reading Shakespeare; that has made me an exacting critic, though, I hope, not a supercilious one. So perhaps you will more readily believe my saying that Clausentum is a really good sonnet-sequence. There is far more poetry in it than in your former book ...."
The above 3 letters are included in a substantial collection of correspondence by Young, most letters are to John Arlott, and date from the Second World War to 1970; some typed letters to another correspondent, John Freeman, are also included. The letters are generally in the same vein of simple and frank discussion of the writer's craft. Young gives his opinion on books often loaned or given to him by Arlott, mentions delays or difficulties he is having with his own work and is as ready to seek advice from Arlott as a fellow poet as to give it. Broadcasting matters are discussed, and arrangements made for business and personal visits, Young obviously becoming a firm family friend and delightedly agreeing to christen Arlott's son, Jimmie. Also included in the lot are a number of stencil scripts for radio broadcasts, written by Young and produced by John Arlott for the Eastern service.
(a lot)
The above 3 letters are included in a substantial collection of correspondence by Young, most letters are to John Arlott, and date from the Second World War to 1970; some typed letters to another correspondent, John Freeman, are also included. The letters are generally in the same vein of simple and frank discussion of the writer's craft. Young gives his opinion on books often loaned or given to him by Arlott, mentions delays or difficulties he is having with his own work and is as ready to seek advice from Arlott as a fellow poet as to give it. Broadcasting matters are discussed, and arrangements made for business and personal visits, Young obviously becoming a firm family friend and delightedly agreeing to christen Arlott's son, Jimmie. Also included in the lot are a number of stencil scripts for radio broadcasts, written by Young and produced by John Arlott for the Eastern service.
(a lot)