Society Newsletter #18 From the Secretary’s Desk The The Anthony Powell Society Registered Charity No. 1096873 The duties of an honorary secretary are by no Newsletter means of a trivial character and the society that The Anthony Powell Society is a is served by a capable and willing worker is very charitable literary society devoted to the Issue 18, Spring 2005 ISSN 1743-0976 fortunate. The occupant of the post must be life and works of the English author prepared to go through a good deal of what may be described as drudgery. Anthony Dymoke Powell, 1905-2000. An Honourable Retirement Contents Personal Endowments – It goes without saying Officers & Executive Committee An Honourable Retirement … 1 Society President Hugh Massingberd is that a man of some education and tact should be From the Secretary’s Desk … 2 selected for the post. The former is essential, Patron: John MA Powell stepping down due to ill health. Our Venusberg Revisited … 4 Chairman Patric Dickinson celebrates Hugh’s because he is commonly entrusted with the The Tranby Croft Scandal … 5 correspondence … of the body for whom he is Hon. Vice-Presidents: friendship with AP and his work for the Hugh Massingberd Society. The Widmerpool Award … 7 acting. Christmas Competition Results … 8 John S Monagan (USA) Minutes – Though it is the chairman’s duty to Event Invitations … 9 It is a matter of huge regret to all of us that take notes … of the business done and decisions *Chairman: Patric Dickinson Literary Centenaries in 2005 … 10 Hugh Massingberd has felt obliged on arrived at, the secretary will keep his own notes *Hon. Secretary: Dr Keith C Marshall Dance and Spurling Republished … 10 health grounds to give up being President … He need not do so in an elaborate manner, *Hon. Treasurer: Kevin Jewell of the Society. Since taking office in 2001 Local Group News … 11 since what is requisite is a record of the salient he has given unstinting support to all its National Portrait Gallery Book … 12 facts. Save when the matter is of moment and *Committee Members: activities, his practical advice a Centenary Corner … 13 there is serious difference of opinion, he should not note the names of the various speakers and Dr Christine Berberich, considerable help at every stage and his Centenary Year Events Calendar … 14 what they said. When decisions are unanimous Dr Nicholas Birns (USA), genial presence a great asset at numerous Christmas Quiz Answers … 16 it will suffice to enter: “It was unanimously Leatrice Fountain (USA), meetings. He has been the ideal person to Society News & Notices … 17 agreed …”. Stephen Holden, occupy the post. From the APLIST … 18 Tony Robinson, Letters to the Editor … 25 Should the Secretary Speak? – As a rule the Prof. Ian Young (N Ireland) secretary should not appear in too many roles. Being both a fan and a friend of Anthony Society Merchandise … 27 In committee he cannot help having to talk Newsletter Editor: Stephen Holden Powell, it was Hugh who gave the address Membership Form … 28 often, answering questions, and tendering at Powell’s memorial service at the advice, since he holds all the ropes in his own Hon. Archivist: Noreen Marshall Grosvenor Chapel in May 2000. hand. But in public his duty should be limited to PR/Media Adviser: Julian Allason (Members of the Society may be interested reading letters and making announcements, All correspondence should be sent to: to know that this tribute has now appeared leaving to others the functions of oratory. in print, being one of the addresses Hon. Secretary, Anthony Powell Society Parting Advice – Every secretary sooner or later 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford brought together by Angela Huth in her recognises the wisdom of certain homely recently published Well-Remembered proverbs … “If you want a thing done, do it Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK Friends: Eulogies on Celebrated Lives). yourself” … “It is the unexpected which Phone: +44 (0)20 8864 4095 [Hugh’s memorial service address is also happens”. He must, therefore, be chary of Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 on the Society website – Ed.] Powell also delegating duties to other than perfectly Email: [email protected] looms large in the pantheon of idols who trustworthy persons … Nor will it do harm to cudgel his brains for new ideas or “happy form the basis of Hugh’s charming * Members of the Executive Committee who are thoughts” for the more adequate discharge of his the Society’s trustees. All officers are resident autobiographical work Daydream duties. The secretary should not be too in England or Wales unless stated. Believer: Confessions of a Hero- hidebound or conventional. Worshipper (2001). [Extracted from The Chairman’s Guide and Continued on page 3 © The Anthony Powell Society, 2005 and the individual Secretary’s Companion, published by Ward authors named. All rights reserved. Membership Special Offer Lock, circa 1930] Published by The Anthony Powell Society. Printed and distributed by Express Printing, 5 years for price of 4 — see page 17 Peterborough, UK 2 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Continued from page 1 the Conference itself the following day? Venusberg Revisited the heart of Lucy, with Da Costa the likely The tables are to some extent turned with And as a longstanding member of the victor. However, on the voyage to the Hugh’s occasional appearances in Powell’s Travellers’ Club, who better to discourse by Mike Jay “Little new country in the Baltic” Journals. He was always assured of a on “Anthony Powell at The Travellers”, Lushington meets the shady Count Bobel warm welcome at The Chantry, again on site, in 2002? Venusberg is the second of Powell’s five and the fragrant Ortrud with whom he appreciated not only for his retailing of pre-Dance novels and was published in commences an affair which extends during genealogical and journalistic gossip but In short, there have been few more 1932, one year after his debut novel, his tenure in the Baltic. While there we also for his prodigious love of food. It is assiduous keepers of the Powell flame. Afternoon Men. Again the protagonists are see the diplomatic parties with Counts and good to see this quality amusingly evoked We owe Hugh a vast debt for serving as dizzy young things but this time the world Princesses, the seedier nightclubs and the by Powell in an entry for June 1990: the Society’s first President. We very is a mixture of a small diplomatic society set piece is the skiing trip to the hinterland. much hope that he will be strong enough and journalism. The main action is set Powell attempts farce when Bobel imposes Hugh’s appetite is renowned. I was to partake in at least some of the centenary within “The capital of a Baltic country” himself and two of the nightclub girls into therefore anxious that enough to eat should celebrations. It wouldn’t be the same Lushington’s rooms at the wrong moment. be provided. Hugh had Creole soup, beef with shorter scenes set in London and on and mushroom pie, gooseberry crumble, so without him. board a steamer to the Baltic. The dialogue remains crisp, short and with a couple of slices of plum cake at tea snappy but there is far more substance one hopes he kept from fainting before In appreciation of Hugh’s work he has Powell sets Venusberg in that historical than in the earlier novel. The chapters reaching the restaurant car on the way back. been elected an Honorary Vice-President blink of the eye when the Baltic States remain short. The characters are more of the Society. enjoyed freedom between 1920 and 1940, developed and there is more attempt at The Journals also bear witness to Hugh’s before both the German army and then the striking and pithy description. Everyone is notable success as obituaries editor of The Soviet tanks rolled over their tiny a character with a story to tell and Daily Telegraph. In the recently released neighbours. Despite Powell’s now seemingly aware of his role in the plot. film Closer, one of the principal characters distinctive yet Powell’s appreciation of people’s frailties works in the obituaries department of a deceptive is transformed as sharp humour. newspaper, which he describes as “the … this short lightness of style Siberia of journalism”. While this may novel remains we savour a Just before Lushington’s scheduled once have been the case, nothing could be definite menace further from the truth nowadays. The both consuming departure, a ball is held at the ‘House of only just beneath the Knights’. Ortrud is in a bad mood and quality and interest of published obituaries and amusing ... the surface with have increased enormously over the last fatefully leaves, not with Lushington but local political twenty years, and Hugh’s inspired with Da Costa. There is yet another Anthony Powell Resides Here tensions, riots, bombings, revolutions and editorship is generally regarded as a attempted assassination of General Kuno, CRAWFORD DOYLE BOOKSELLERS seeks assassinations around every corner. the head of police. Kuno, typically, determining factor in this very welcome and sells early editions of Anthony development. Powell’s works together with those of inadvertently avoids the bullets which find other distinguished British authors such The hero is the diligent English journalist, and kill both Da Costa and Ortrud. Lushington, who faithfully compiles his But that is only one of the many hats that as , P. G. Wodehouse, Lushington returns to London and Lucy. Virginia Woolf, Henry Green and reports back to London and through his As the boat slips from the Baltic quay Hugh has worn. His wide-ranging James Lees-Milne. In addition to rare diplomatic and amorous contacts somehow interests and his enviable skills as an Lushington notices three drunken night books, we offer a complete collection of manages to remain abreast of the situations new books in our store near the watchmen dancing hand in hand around a anecdotalist have been of particular value as they develop. Interesting to reflect that to the Society. As the historian of the Metropolitan Museum. Catalogs issued fire – strong shades of the opening upon request. this novel was published six years before sequence of the Dance or Poussin’s London Ritz, who better to give a talk Evelyn Waugh’s more famous Scoop about “Anthony Powell at The Ritz” to 1082 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10028 painting. Open seven days per week which has similarities of theme, although members gathered there for lunch on the Telephone: 212 289 2345 [email protected] Waugh’s ‘Boot’ is a more overtly comic Despite the passing of seventy years this eve of the Eton Conference in 2001? As a character. former editor of Burke’s Peerage and Member, Antiquarian Booksellers’ short novel remains both consuming and Association of America, Inc. amusing throughout. There is also Landed Gentry, who better to deliver a At the outset, Lushington is in competition paper on Powell’s genealogical interests at considerable development from the first with Da Costa, the budding diplomat, for offering. 3 4 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 The Tranby Croft Scandal accused of cheating. Gordon Cumming whom he cordially despised, got very stern making a programme about the Tranby was indignant and said, “Do you believe a and pious about the affair. Croft case. They asked if they could by Stephen Holden parcel of inexperienced boys?” After borrow “the contemporary photographs I dinner, Coventry, Williams and the Prince The defence was one of justification. The was believed to own, showing the Tranby In Faces in My Time Powell recounts his of Wales confronted Gordon Cumming, Prince of Wales appeared as a witness, but Croft house party, perhaps the actual scene and Lady Violet’s visits to Woodgate, who continued to insist on his innocence. his evidence was inconclusive. Gordon at the gaming-table”. Gerald Reitlinger’s house in Sussex. One Later, however, he signed a document by Cumming claimed that he had signed the of these Woodgate visits was devoted to which, in exchange for the silence of the document because “it was the only way to making a photographic sequence of the witnesses against him, he would undertake avoid a scandal.” The judge’s summing- Tranby Croft scandal. This scandal never again to play cards. up was against Gordon Cumming and was centred on the Prince of Wales (later described by one reporter as “polished, Edward VII) attending a house party at By the next day the scandal was being skilful, and fiendishly unfair.” The jury Tranby Croft, where another guest was discussed openly at Doncaster races. took only thirteen minutes to find the accused of cheating at cards. Three weeks later, on 27 September, defendants not guilty and to award them Gordon Cumming received a letter from their costs. The crowd hissed and booed In September 1890 the Prince of Wales France saying that it was the talk of Paris the jurors, and tried to attack the was a guest at a house party at Tranby and Monte Carlo. After briefly defendants as they left the court. This was Croft, the home of Arthur Wilson, a well- considering suicide, he decided to sue due less perhaps to the belief that Gordon to-do Hull ship owner. By the Prince’s instead and his solicitor issued writs for Cumming was innocent and more to special request, Gordon Cumming, at that slander (“damage and mischief caused by dislike of the Prince of Wales. The calumny”) against the Wilsons, the Lycett following day Gordon Cumming married HRH King Edward time a lieutenant colonel in the Scots VII by XIT, 1910 Guards had also been invited. After dinner Greens and Berkeley Levett. his twenty-one-year-old fiancée, an the guests settled down to play baccarat. American heiress named Florence Garner, The Quotable Powell One of the players, the host’s son, Arthur In June 1891, the case was heard before who had stood by him throughout his Stanley Wilson, thought he saw Gordon the Lord Chief Justice, and the Prince of ordeal, and who continued to believe that In the more bookish areas of English Cumming surreptitiously adding a few Wales was subpoenaed as a witness. her husband had been “set up” by the middle-class society, whenever a counters to his stake after the cards had Although the Prince was not on trial, Prince of Wales. The Gordon Cummings coincidence occurs there is usually been declared in his favour. The other Gordon Cumming’s solicitor was spent the rest of their lives in Scotland. someone at hand to comment, ‘It’s just like guests were alerted and it was decided that merciless and insulting in his cross- Anthony Powell.’ Often the coincidence Gordon Cumming should be watched on examination, especially about the Prince’s In Faces in My Time Powell recounts how turns out, on the shortest examination, to the following evening to see if he cheated personal life, and the public perception Gordon Cumming had boasted to Lady be unremarkable: typically, it might again. On 9 September the Wilsons and began to form that he had done something Jersey (who repeated the words to Lady consist of two acquaintances from school three other guests – Lycett Green and his horribly unlawful at Tranby Croft. Violet, her grand-daughter) that he had or university running into one another after wife and Berkeley Levett – were all Rumors also spread that Gordon Cumming “broken all the Ten Commandments a gap of several years. But the name of convinced that Gordon Cumming was had “taken the fall” for the Prince of except murder”. Powell is invoked to give legitimacy to the cheating. This was serious, not because of Wales. (This was fueled, in part, by the event; it’s rather like getting the priest to the money involved (£228) but because perception of baccarat being a “foreign” Faces in My Time also reproduces one of bless your car. … I don’t even care for Gordon Cumming was there at the card game.) Cartoonists and the tabloid the photographs from 1938, showing Lady harmless, comic coincidences. I once invitation of the Prince of Wales. The first press had a wonderful time with the Violet (doubling Lady Brooke and Mrs went out to dinner and discovered that the thought of the hosts was to save the Prince scandal. One cartoon published showed Wilson), John Lloyd (as the Prince), seven other people present had all just from scandal. the Prince of Wales emblem, but instead of Francis Watson (as Captain Wilson), and finished reading A Dance to the Music of the motto “Ich dien” it said “Ich deal.” Powell himself sporting a pencil Time. I didn’t relish this: not least because Two other guests, Lord Coventry and his Queen Victoria stood beside her son in moustache (as Gordon Cumming). Powell it meant that I didn’t break my silence assistant General Owen Williams, public, but scolded him in private (this also recounts how, forty years after the until the cheese course. confronted Gordon Cumming in the wasn’t the first scandal he had gotten into). photographs were taken, a television smoking room and told him he’d been The Prince’s nephew Kaiser Wilhelm, company contacted him as they were Julian Barnes, Flaubert’s Parrot

5 6 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 The Widmerpool Award Widmerpool-worthiness of their fellow Christmas Competition Results Carl von Clausewitz, The Military citizens. To wit, from each of the main Philosophers by Stephen Pollard parties: Lord Hattersley, Lord Hurd of by Keith Marshall Duke of Windsor, Temporary Kings Westwell and Sir Menzies Campbell, QC. John Cage, Hearing Secret Harmonies Sir Edward The Anthony Powell Society is to give its For this year’s Christmas competition Imelda Marcos, Boots Do Furnish A Heath and annual Widmerpool award this year to the contestants were asked to suggest Room journalist Sir Max Hastings. The award is Lord Irvine The description is alternative titles for novels from Dance as in honour of , one of of Lairg, QC, redolent of so if they had been written by a famous George W Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, The Military Philosophisers the 20th century’s great fictional would make many characters in person and not by Powell. characters, a recurring presence in delightful Brian Wilson, Hearing Secret Powell’s series of novels, A Dance to the patrons. public life that Altogether we received over thirty highly Harmonies Music of Time. more must be entertaining entries, with every novel Mick Jagger, The Valley of Stones To be except At Lady Molly’s represented. Such Delia Smith, Casanova’s East Anglian According to the society: “Widmerpool is accepted as a made of it was the standard that, as has become Restaurant worthy variously pompous; self-obsessed and self- tradition, we have decided to print them all Rev. Ian Paisley, Voicing Open honour, it is important that the award is not important; obsequious to those in authority in the Newsletter so that members may Disharmonies and a bully to those below him. He is confined to politicians and, in a spirit of choose their own favourite. Count Dracula Nooks Do Furnish a ambitious and pushy; ruthless; generosity, I offer some suggestions. Tomb humourless; blind to the feelings of others; But how to pick a winner from the entries and has a complete lack of self- Tracey Emin is gloriously Widmerpoolian: when every one amused me? Some Icarus, Temporary Wings knowledge.” she takes her outpourings entirely choices had to be made. First I decided John Murray, The Rejection World seriously and appears blissfully unaware that near duplicate entries should be Cherie Blair, A Shopper’s Mart The description is redolent of so many that most of society sees her as a standing discarded: how invidious to select one and Gordon Brown, A Question of Prudence characters in public life that more must be joke. In the same vein, Martin Jacques, a not the others. And also I decided to set Diana, Princess of Wales, Looks do made of it. I therefore have a modest former editor of Marxism Today and now aside those – however humorous – which Burnish a Groom proposal: self-appointed political seer, is an ideal were so overtly topical that they would not that at a time candidate: he has published many stand the test of time or be understood by Elizabeth Taylor, Temporary Rings Tracey Emin is when the hundreds of thousands of words; not one is only a small audience. That still left me John Major, Keeping Secret Liaisons gloriously honours worth reading. with quite a choice. Louis and Mary Leaky, The Valley of Widmerpoolian … system is in Bones disrepute, Sir David Hare continues to display So finally, by a short head, I declare the Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, The blissfully unaware the Queen admirable Widmerpooldom. Other winner to be Adrian Fry for: Military Philosophers winners might include Lord Lloyd- that most … see her bestow Edward VIII, A Temporary King Widmerpool Webber, Baroness Blackstone, Sir John Tempery Kings – A Compendium of as a standing joke awards just Drummond, Dame Helena Kennedy, QC, Writings by Herod and Henry VIII Michael Howard, A Question of as she Patricia Hewitt and Lord Birt. Downsizing Adrian will be receiving a year’s Gold awards other honours. Those invested Howard Hughes, A Flyer’s Harem Membership of the Society. need not exhibit every detail of the above The heavy burden of nomination is an Robin Cook Casanova’s Whitehall

description but they should be true to the onerous task. Recipients must understand Restaurant In no special order the other entries, were: essential spirit of Widmerpool. the weight of public feeling which will Sir John Betjeman, The Kindly Bombs underpin their award. Let us salute Kenneth Lo, Casanova’ s Chinese Nefertiti, Looks Do Furnish a Tomb Rather than allowing the award to be Kenneth Widmerpool, icon of the modern Restaurant Michael Douglas, The Valley of Jones determined by the existing honours age. Sir Mortimer Wheeler, The Valley of committee, it should instead be placed in Bones David Blunkett, The Spectator’s Tart the hands of a triumvirate of Widmerpools, Stephen Pollard is a senior fellow at the Centre Lord Montgomery of Alamein, The uniquely qualified to adjudicate as to the for the New Europe. This article first appeared in Soldier’s Art Many thanks to all those who entered. The Times. 7 8 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Literary Centenaries in 2005 Dance and Spurling Republished Memorial Service Members and friends are invited to

for Centenary Year for Lady Violet Powell The next twelve months will see numerous Anthony Powell Society and Tea at The Chantry literary centenaries celebrated. Henry As some members already know, Random Saturday 7 May 2005 5th Birthday Party Green (at Eton and Oxford with Powell), House are republishing Dance in Geoffrey Grigson, HE Bates, Arthur paperback, in its original 12 volume The Powell family are pleased to invite Khan’s of Kensington Koestler, Jean-Paul Sartre and fellow format, for Powell’s centenary year. a party of members of the Society to 3 Harrington Road, South Kensington, roman fleuve writer CP Snow were all London, SW7 born in 1905. Jules Verne, meanwhile, The programme is to publish 3 volumes Memorial Service Wednesday 1 June at 1930 hrs died on 24 March 1905. every two months: the first two trilogies for Lady Violet Powell are already available (published in January and Dedication of a Memorial Plaque Come for a summer curry in London to 1905 was also a bumper year for fiction. and March), with the third and fourth Holy Trinity Church, Chantry, Somerset celebrate the Society’s fifth birthday? The following novels were published: trilogies to follow in early May and early Saturday 7 May 2005, 1500hrs Yes, it really is five years since a group Tales of the Five Towns by Arnold Bennett, July respectively. of enthusiasts met at Julian Allason’s Where Angels Fear to Tread by EM To be followed by rooms in Ormond Gate, Chelsea to Forster, The Golden Bowl by Henry James, The redesigned covers are again based on Afternoon Tea at The Chantry discuss holding the first conference The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy the Mark Boxer cartoons, now almost as and came to the decision that we and Kipps by HG Wells. And the synonymous with Dance as are the The afternoon will start at the George needed an Anthony Powell Society! following crime novels appeared in 1905: original Broom-Lynne dust jackets. Hotel at Nunney where the party will GK Chesterton’s The Club of Queer assemble and members may have a The guest of honour will be the Trades and Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Random House are also reissuing Hilary traditional English pub lunch. The Society’s father, Julian Allason. Return of Sherlock Holmes were both Spurling’s Invitation to the Dance, again George is an old coaching inn where published in March 1905; they were in paperback, in May. What is especially Powell often used to lunch guests, and Khan’s of Kensington is a well followed by A Thief in the Night, a pleasing is that this reissue is being done at was the venue for the Society’s established Indian restaurant near the collection of stories by EW Hornung (the the suggestion of the Society. inaugural AGM. South Kensington museums and creator of Raffles), and The Four Just Men literally just across the road from the by Edgar Wallace. All the volumes are available for ordering The timetable for the day is tube station. It offers both traditional now via Amazon or your local bookseller. and modern Indian cuisine, with Robert Bridges, WH Davies and If ordering from Amazon.co.uk or 1200 for 1230: Assemble at The considerable emphasis on fish and Swinburne published poetical works and Amazon.com, please access Amazon via George at Nunney for English pub vegetables, and with several tasty chaat Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis was published the links of the AP website and benefit the lunch. dishes among the starters. They are posthumously on 23 February 1905. Society at the same time. 1415: Depart for Chantry offering us a set meal (starter, main 1500: Memorial Service course and side dishes) with vegetarian Fifty years earlier, Charlotte Brontë died options included for the price of 1600: Tea at The Chantry aged 38 on 31 March 1855. North and Another Powell Doctorate £29.95 (excluding drinks and coffee). South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Westward Ho! This event is strictly by invitation Curry to Anthony Powell’s recipe will by Charles Kingsley, Maud, and Other The Society sends congratulations to only and numbers will be limited. not, on this occasion, be on offer. Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, The Koyama Taichi, who spoke at the Eton Those wishing to attend should contact Warden by Anthony Trollope and Leaves conference, on being awarded his the Hon. Secretary as soon as possible, Please send payment in advance to the of Grass by Walt Whitman were all doctorate by the University of Kent. His and no later than Saturday 23 April. Hon Secretary (address on page 2) to published in 1855. thesis is entitled: The Novels of Anthony Formal invitations/tickets will be sent arrive no later than Monday 23 May. Powell (A Critical Study). out on 23 April. As usual payment may be by cheque And, back another 100 years, Samuel (UK funds drawn on a UK bank and Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Dr Koyama has now returned to his native Please tell us if you are bringing your car so payable to the Society), Visa or Language was first published in 1755. Japan where is working at the University we can ensure we have enough transport. Mastercard (or cash, sent at your risk). of Tokyo. 9 10 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 opinion was nearly unanimous in favour of Local Group News Stringham. A moment of drama ensued when I ordered the duck quesadillas, a risky thing to do at a traditional American London Meet view were an original drawing by Faith restaurant like the Silvermine. Eileen Jaques for Radio Times (for a broadcast of Kaufman was appalled, and I think began by Noreen Marshall Venusberg in the 1960s); early Penguin Northeast USA Chapter to canvass her memory of local funeral paperbacks of Powell novels with cover homes to deal with the seemingly On Saturday 12 February the London illustrations by Osbert Lancaster and by Nicholas Birns inevitable result of my culinary Group met for the second time at its new Edmund Bawden; a copy of Summary, foolhardiness. But the quesadillas proved venue, The Audley pub on the corner of copies of two letters from Powell to Sir The Northeast USA chapter of the Society more palatable than the galantine offered Mount Street and South Audley Street. Oliver Millar (successor to the spy met at its customary locale, the Silvermine to a certain Wales-based regiment in The Audley is not as historical as The Anthony Blunt as Surveyor of the Queen’s Tavern in Norwalk, Connecticut, on Northern Ireland sixty years ago, and we Anchor on Bankside, but is a handsome Pictures), The Welch Regiment Officers’ Saturday 12 February. On the train from went merrily on our ways home. building in the ‘decorated terra cotta’ Association Directory for 1948 and 1958 New York, Jonathan Kooperstein and I mode of the area, and does a good line in and a pine cone from Chantry churchyard. discussed the New York Times’ coverage National Portrait Gallery Book drinks and pub food. The day being of the opening of the Churchill Museum in intermittently rainy with one of those nasty London, where it was stated, as an Report from the Swedish Group The National Portrait Gallery in London chill breezes that come at the pedestrian opinion, that Attlee was really the better has very kindly provided an ideal rounding any corner, a dozen members of Prime Minister than Churchill. Yet the by Hans Johansson alternative to rummaging in the winter the Society tucked into traditional pub Labour Prime Minister’s name was sales for those elusive bargains. Fitzrovia: provender such as ham and eggs, cod and misspelled “Atlee” throughout the article. Having without success since April 2004 London’s Bohemia, by Michael Bakewell, chips, and fishcakes, with considerable Along with longtime mainstays Leatrice tried to agree on a meeting date, the contains portraits and brief descriptions of enthusiasm. We also welcomed a new Fountain, Eileen Kaufman, and John Swedish – or Stockholm – group at last the usual suspects including Julian member, Glynis Paxton from the Gould, we were enlivened by three met on 10 December 2004 for lunch at Maclaren Ross, Nina Hamnett, George University of Surrey. delightful new attendees, veteran APLIST Malin Siddiqi’s favourite Korean Orwell, Dylan Thomas and a certain member Bobb Menk from MIT, Allison restaurant in the northern part of central Anthony Powell. The enthusiasm flowed on into the usual Rung from Amherst (both in Stockholm, a part of the city in older days multi-facetted discussion, ranging from Massachusetts) and former antiquarian called Siberia because it was looked upon Part of the NPG’s “Character Sketches” Powell’s non-Dance books to the book dealer Lory Walker from Guilford, as far away from all civilisation. One series, this small book is excellent value interconnected genealogies of East Connecticut. Our conversation roved far hundred percent of the members showed even at its full price of £5.99, but at time Anglian neighbourhoods, via the and wide, ranging from William Dean up, all four that is. The conversation of going to press is available at the special forthcoming exhibition and conference, Howells to the value of the pound in Jane ranged from Powell and Waugh over price of £3 for a limited period. various film and television treatments of Austen’s time to Butch Cassidy and the Raven and Proust with parallels drawn to Tom Brown’s Schooldays and why some Sundance Kid. We also talked about certain Swedish authors, like Hjalmar authors write short stories while others Constant Lambert, CP Snow and John Contributions to the Newsletter Söderberg. write reviews. O’Hara, all, like Powell, born in 1905. I are always welcome and should

asked Allison, as a kind of test of fresh be sent to: It is the intention of all four members with The hit of the day, however, was the exposure to Dance, which she preferred spouses to attend the Centenary suggestion that everyone should bring among these three duos: Stringham and Newsletter Editor, Stephen Holden, Conference. Hotel alternatives were something from their Powell collection, Templer. Barbara and Gypsy, Members Anthony Powell Society discussed. After continued discussion at a which also prompted an initial discussion and Quiggin. Everybody but me thought 76 Ennismore Avenue coffee shop nearby, the members parted along the lines of what this could include the last pairing indistinguishable, I dare Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK with the outspoken intention to meet again besides the books. Among the items on not mention the results of the second next Spring, calendars permitting. pairing for fear of outraging a certain Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 Society member from Canberra, and Email: [email protected] 11 12 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18

Centenary Corner Centenary Year Events Calendar

The events listed here are those which we Wednesday 1 June 2005 Anthony Powell Centenary Conference know about. Please contact the Hon. Society 5th Birthday Curry Evening Secretary if you know of other Anthony Venue: Khan’s of Kensington is to be held on Powell related events happening during 3 Harrington Road, London, SW7 2005. Time: 1930 hrs Cost: £29.95 Friday 2 & Saturday 3 December 2005 Advanced booking essential The information given is, to the best of our Further details on page 9 at knowledge, correct at the time of publication but the Society takes no Saturday 13 August 2005 The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London, W1 responsibility for the accuracy of such London Group Meeting information. You are advised to check Details as for 14 May. No topic. event details before travelling. Centenary Conference booking information will contain details of 6 October 2005 to 8 January 2006 Suddenly it feels as if the conference the recommended Hotel Booking Agency Wednesday 30 March 2005 Exhibition – Dancing to the Music of really is beginning to take shape. The – so members do not need to harass around Great Lakes Group Meeting Time: The Life and Work of Anthony deadline for submission of paper proposals now looking for hotel rooms. The booking Red Lion Pub, Chicago, IL, USA Powell has now passed and we have received a information will also contain details of the Time: 1300 hrs Venue: The Wallace Collection, very pleasingly large number of papers – pre-conference dinner and the proposed Topic: Manchester Square, London, W1 more than we can probably accommodate, Sunday morning walks and lunch. Further details from Stephen Pyskoty-Olle For details, opening hours, etc. see but we’re working on that. ([email protected]) www.wallacecollection.org or call Meantime anyone who wishes to book a +44 20 7563 9500 The proposed papers are now being provisional place at the conference – or Saturday 7 May 2005 reviewed by a panel consisting of both who wishes to make an initial payment Memorial Service Saturday 22 October 2005 academics and Powell enthusiasts: towards their delegate fee – may do so by for Lady Violet Powell Anthony Powell Society AGM · Dr Christine Berberich, University of contacting the Hon. Secretary. and Dedication of a Memorial Plaque Time: 1400 hrs Derby Holy Trinity Church, Chantry, Somerset Members only. Venue tba. · Dr Nicholas Birns, New School Powell Centenary Exhibition Followed by Afternoon Tea at The Chantry Further details from Hon. Sec. University, New York We now know the dates for the Wallace By invitation only; see page 9 for details · Patric Dickinson, College of Arms, Collection exhibition; it opens on Saturday 12 November 2005 London Thursday 6 October 2005 and closes on Saturday 14 May 2005 London Group Pub Meet · Prof. Ian Young, Queen’s University, Sunday 8 January 2006. London Group Pub Meet Details as for 14 May. Topic: Venusberg. Belfast The Audley, Mount Street, London, W1 Other Events Time: 1230 to 1530 hrs Thursday 1 December 2005 Decisions on which papers have been A number of other centenary year events Topic: Dance War Trilogy Pre-Conference Dinner accepted will be communicated to authors are still being planned and will be Regular quarterly meeting. Good beer, Details to be announced. Prior booking during April. announced here as soon as details are good food, good company, good essential. Further details, when available, available. The full diary of those conversation in a Victorian pub AP would from Conference Office or conference We expect to publish the provisional centenary events we know about is on have known. Members & non-members pages of the website. programme, delegate fees and booking pages 14-15 of this Newsletter and on the welcome. Further details from Hon. Sec. information in late May or early June. The Society website.

13 14 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Friday 2 & Saturday 3 December 2005 Answers to Mr Blackhead’s Christmas Quiz: Dance and Painting Anthony Powell Centenary Conference The Wallace Collection, Manchester The questions and answers all concern painters and paintings (real or imagined) Square, London, W1 mentioned in A Dance to the Music of Time. Open to members & non-members on payment of the delegate fee. Further 1. What does Jenkins tell Pennistone is his figures on the edge of a precipice? favourite picture? Widmerpool’s mother’s details, when available, from Conference Pieter Brueghel’s The Hunters in the Snow 11. General Conyers owns a picture by which Office or conference pages of the website. 2. The Socialist Realist painters Gaponenko, painter (“The scene was a guard room in the Svarogh and Toidze are featured in which Low Countries”)? Sunday 4 December 2005 character’s Fission article, Integral Cornelis Troost Post Conference Social Walks & Lunch Foundations of a Fresh Approach to Art for 12. What is the fate of Veronese’s Ipheginia, A leisurely, guided, Sunday morning walk the Masses? bought by one of Chips Lovell’s Sleaford around parts of Powell’s London and Len Pugsley ancestors? 3. Whose painting, Entry of Christ into It is sold after World War II to pay for the ending at a pub for lunch. Details to be Brussels, is re-enacted by Jenkins’ party of upkeep of Dogdene arranged. Open to members & non- military attaches in 1944? 13. A bust of whom (by Sir William Reid Dick) members. Further details, when available, Baron James Ensor stands on the stairs at the War Office (his from Conference Office or conference 4. Who resembles the homely apes in “cold and angry eyes, surveying with the pages of the website. Rousseau’s Tropiques? deepest disapproval all who came that way”)? The Quotable Powell Captain Soper Lord Kitchener

Wednesday 21 December 2005 5. What is the name of the reproduction 14. Whose pictures include Any Complaints? and I believe WWI was an event like no other, sculpture bought by Mr Deacon from Four Priests Rigging a Miracle? Anthony Powell Birthday Party from which nothing can be deduced. It Norman Chandler in the Mortimer a week Daniel Tokenhouse Celebrate Powell’s actual 100th birthday. stands there still, stark, and terrible, just before the former’s fatal accident? 15. A caricature by Spy of which character hangs Open to members & non-members. Prior beyond the memory horizon. The British Truth Unveiled by Time in the billiards room at Thrubworth (“this booking essential. Further details, when 6. Of what genre is the collection of paintings high-spirited peer in frock-coat and top- novelist Anthony Powell, who was born in available, from Hon. Secretary. picked up over the years for practically hat”)? 1905, noted in his memoirs that “[t]he nothing by Bob Duport and sold off in 1971? Lord Vowchurch Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December 2005 ‘age-gap’ of the Twenties was a chasm to Victorian seascapes 16. Dicky Umfraville says of his failed marriage make all subsequent ones of its sort seem 7. Which painting by Landseer hangs in the with Anne Stepney, “She was always MLA Convention Ufford’s lounge? tremendously keen on her painting. I fell Washington, DC, USA inconsiderable. Men and women grown up before 1914 were not only older, they Bolton Abbey in the Olden Time rather short on that score too. Can’t tell a America’s largest literary conference 8. Whose paintings include Clergyman Eating Sargent from a ‘Snaffles.’” What two genres which it is hoped will include a session on were altogether set apart; and thus they an Apple and Merville, December 1 st 1914? is ‘Snaffles’ most famous for painting? Anthony Powell. Further details from remained throughout life. You never Horace Isbister; Herbert A Oliver Fox-hunting and military scenes Nick Birns ([email protected]). caught up with them.” 9. Which painter does St John Clarke think is a 17. Which picture (by Henry Holiday), always to plage? be found on the walls of boarding houses, is

Henri Matisse not without appeal for Maclintick? date to be announced John Derbyshire (American critic) quoting Anthony Powell 10. In whose flat hangs the reproduction entitled Dante and Beatrice Anthony Powell Exhibition The Omnipresent that depicts three robed 18. Jean Duport recalls the woman smoking a Grolier Club, New York, USA hookah in which picture by which painter? Further details from Bill Warren Femmes d’Alger dans leur Appartement by ([email protected] or +1 Eugène Delacroix 212 259 8000) or Nick Birns 19. Moreland resembles which character in Bronzino’s An Allegory with Venus and ([email protected]). Cupid that hangs in the National Gallery? Folly date to be announced 20. Which two women in Jenkins’ life resemble Anthony Powell Exhibition characters in Goya paintings? University Library, University of Gypsy Jones – Maja Nude; and Jean Cambridge, UK Duport in old age looks like one of Goya’s Details, when available, from Hon. Sec. sad duchesses Bolton Abbey, circa 1830 15 16 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18

Society News & Notices From the APLIST Recent Discussions on the Society’s Email Discussion Group Local Groups Centenary Year Subscription North East USA Group From James Doyle liberally-minded intellectuals collaborating Special Offer Area: NY & CT area, USA Widmerpool’s adherence to the Left is in the past to chip away the old Europe for Contact: Leatrice Fountain simply power-love attaching to a target of which they feel such nostalgia.” Available to Email: [email protected] opportunity. Two years before his new & existing members adventures with Dr Belkin Widmerpool With regard to “politics” in its most all grades of membership Great Lakes Group had been contemplating “ruling black general sense (ie. not party politics), until 31 December 2005 Area: Chicago area, USA men.” The only “sincere” leftists in Dance Moreland has this to say: Contact: Stephen Pyskoty-Olle that come immediately to mind are the Pay for four years Email: [email protected] defunct Dr Belkin and Gypsy Jones. I was feeling particularly fed up that night, not just displeased with the war, or certain get a fifth year free social or political conditions from which Swedish Group I don’t think Dance pays much attention to one suffers, but tired of the whole thing. Area: Sweden Left/Right controversies, and I find it a That is one of the conceptions most difficult Subscriptions Contact: Regina Rehbinder little hard to say what Powell would say a for stupid people to grasp. They always Email: [email protected] sincere Leftist believes. Gypsy, I guess, suppose some ponderable alteration will Members are reminded that subscriptions believes in the Party, but why? Perhaps make the human condition more bearable. London Group Powell doesn’t believe in sincere Leftists. The only hope of survival is the realisation are due for renewal on 1 April. Renewal that no such thing could possibly happen. notices will be sent out in the next couple Area: London & SE England The Leftists that seem to preoccupy (The Soldier’s Art) of weeks to the 80% of members whose Contact: Keith Marshall Powell are the Auden-esque poseurs. I membership expires this year. Members Email: [email protected] think he would say that these people do I have always thought that Powell had are asked not just to renew, but to do so real harm, but I’m not really sure Dance quite strong feelings about the direction in promptly thus saving the time and expense Please contact the Hon. Secretary if you spends much time on politics as such, and which his society had changed and was of sending out further reminders. wish to make contact with a group and Powell talking about Muggeridge, Orwell, changing, and that these feelings don’t have email. et.al. seems to regard the whole thing as permeated the Dance. Actually his views We are now able to accept subscription endearing but a taste not to be disputed – seem rather like those of the Prince in payments by Standing Order (UK one of those things other people seem to Lampedusa’s The Leopard and for much members only) and recurring credit card be interested in – not so low as incest or the same sort of reasons. transaction; appropriate forms will be sent folk dancing but certainly not a shared Newsletter Copy Deadlines –––––– with your reminder notice. Payment may interest. also be made in UK funds by cheque, Visa From Jeanne Reed The deadlines for receipt of articles and or Mastercard. Unfortunately we are Powell certainly wouldn’t object to being advertisements for forthcoming issues of That is one of the conceptions most difficult unable to accept payment by Direct Debit. called a man of the Right, and clearly an the Newsletter are: for stupid people to grasp. They always anti-Facist but I really don’t see much in suppose some ponderable alteration will Members who are UK taxpayers are asked the way of politics in Dance at all. Issue 19, Summer 2005 make the human condition more bearable. The only hope of survival is the realisation to GiftAid their subscriptions, enabling the Copy Deadline: 13 May 2005 –––––– Society to reclaim basic rate income tax that no such thing could possibly happen. Publication Date: 3 June 2005 already paid on the subscription; currently From David Christie (The Soldier’s Art) this is 28p for every £1 paid to the Society. Well, I don’t know about that. Try this one Issue 20, Autumn 2005 from Powell’s review of Wyn Van Brooks That cynical, defeatist statement cries out Copy Deadline: 12 August 2005 for a rebuttal! Centenary Year Special Offer memoirs: “the forced labour camps stretch Publication Date: 2 September 2005 5 years for price of 4 from Prague to Mukden … the result of

17 18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Moreland is rather overstating the case. sane, even if misguided, political action affect to espouse. For the likes of Sillery From Alexander Kinmont Making the human condition more either; they are just people marching in a and Erridge, for example, the working This discussion seems in danger of bearable surely is done one person at a park, for reasons of their own. classes are exotic, almost romantic missing the point. It is a mistake to look time. In place of “stupid” read optimistic, –––––– creatures to be benevolently empathised for politics in an essentially non-political positive, hopeful and/or humanitarian with from a certain social vantage. The novel. It is an error characteristic of the people. From John Gilks idea that such people were lefties is politically committed and leads directly to The first observation I would make is that –––––– hilarious in a “turkeys voting for the barbarism of banning books not Jenkins’s/Powell’s experiences of “the Christmas” kind of way. because they are badly written but because From Richard Horton left” are entirely based on self seeking they are ideologically different. I definitely agree that the two novels members of the –––––– portray the same sort of regret at the London From Andrew Clarke Those not similarly committed to party or demise of an upper class. At the same literary/politico Dance is not a Ealing comedy Welshmen – if there were faction are free to indulge their particular time I think both novels acknowledge that intelligentsia. realist novel or any – would have had names like “Dai the prejudices in other spheres. Aren’t most of that demise was both inevitable and to It’s pretty easy Bread” or “Evans the Post” and would what are crudely labelled political views in some degree necessary – simply that much to get down on particularly a have called each other “bach” every two Dance actually aesthetic views? This is was lost in the process. that lot. One of political novel seconds when they far from the sphere of –––––– the striking weren’t singing “Land “collective action” or features of any similar From James Doyle of My Fathers” or Dance is that the working class, especially Ealing comedy Welshmen conceptions. But it is Yes, I think the Lampedusa reference is “All Through the that thoughtful subset of it which produced surely what we would exactly right. Night”. Ealing would have had names many admirable socialists, is almost expect from a writer comedy servants were wholly invisible. We have the odd servant like “Dai the Bread” … with so painterly an What I was trying to get at is that although cheerful Cockney and a walk on cameo by a few Welsh eye. certainly Powell and/or Jenkins see many sparrows of the Meet and would have called miners who would not be out of place in things to be regretted in the process of the Huggetts variety. each other “bach” every an Ealing comedy of the same vintage and On the parallel with being dismantled there isn’t any explicit that’s about it. two seconds Lampedusa: The analysis of why I think even the most Leopard has far more individuals lend –––––– jaundiced critic would overtly political Powell’s vision is themselves to From Adrian Fry find it difficult to content than Dance. Though conservative the process of I think it is important to remember that maintain that Valley of Bones descends to in the English in general disposition, as a sensitive bringing the Dance is not a realist novel or particularly this level. observer Lampedusa can see both sides of tradition of dismantling a political novel. Powell’s vision is in the –––––– the political question. But he can only see about, except English tradition of picaresque comedy, picaresque From James Doyle one side of the aesthetic question raised by for for all its references to political and social Of course, maybe it’s collective action Sicily’s upheaval. High culture lost. He is comedy Widmerpool’s detail and the occasional Proustian outside the Army that he dislikes. (I’m not as upset by the gain in vulgarity incarnate power-worship, longeur. Dance is, for me, about a sure he exempts the Navy, either. Look at in Don Calogero as by the similar gain and the Auden-Isherwood-Quiggin desire fascination with, and the unknowability of, Buster Foxe, and Powell was found of represented by the destruction “by a bomb to be in vogue. In Widmerpool’s case it individual human characters. quoting the King, on naval officers, “Dress made in Pittsburgh” of the baroque ceiling seems to be a case of Nature and Nurture them how you will, you can’t make them of Don Fabrizio’s (and his own) palazzo. (both given horrifying reality in Ma Politics being so often about affectation, it gentlemen.”) He doesn’t mind Jay Gatsby, Widmerpool) having their effect at least by is a subject, like religion, in which and he can tolerate Odo Stevens, both Surely Powell was rather of the same the time he is hit by the banana. What contradictions between what people disrupters of the settled order of things, general disposition? Political change is motivates any individual Hunger Marcher practice and what they preach are conducting raids on the womenfolk, etc., not presented in Dance as undesirable for to be in the parade? Are they all Sillerys, frequently stark and funny. Educated and/ but they are disruptive individuals, not political reasons. Instead the aesthetic and Quiggins? I don’t believe that Powell or upper class lefties are, for Powell, funny members of a movement. ramifications of social change are is making that claim. But he doesn’t because of the contradiction between their presented as regrettable when they lead to suggest any alternative of more or less social positions and the ideologies they 19 20 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 vulgarity. This is as true of Buster Foxe as (say) or even up to Nancy Mitford’s Lord From Michael Henle explicitly identified as conventional of Widmerpool. It is surely noteworthy Montdore whose influence was enormous I enjoyed Alexander Kinmont’s remarks (=boring?). that the first sight of Widmerpool is of an in the West of England and not disregarded on politics in Dance (or its absence) and aesthetically wrong coat. in Westminster. Powell is interested in the Andrew Clarke’s thoughtful reaction. In The Army is one organization in which –––––– crumbling edges, because here the moral/ its broadest sense politics is how power is Powell IS interested. But what attracts psychological substrata are more clearly distributed and shared. As power is a him to the Army are its eccentrics. Those From Andrew Clarke visible. Personally I don’t find any major theme of Dance, it is NOT a mistake at the summit of power are relatively We have to be careful with the scope of the nostalgia here for the scruffy corridors of to look for politics there although there is characterless. Thus Alanbrooke and word “political” perhaps. To the Le Bas’s house let alone the distraught little of formal politics, that is details of Montgomery are not individuals so much committed Marxist, all culture is derived world of the Walpole-Wilsons or the movements, organizations and/or causes. as representatives of military power. The from contradictions generated by changes wonderful old cardboard of Sir Magnus Furthermore, I don’t think politics and acme of this kind of treatment is in the means of production and shifts in Donners. aesthetics are truly divorced from each Blackhead who is simply the embodiment economic power, and so ultimately all other. Aesthetic judgments often are of bureaucratic resistance to books are political, whether Sir Gawaine In the second sense we do have a coterie affected by political ideas (and ideas from accomplishing anything and nothing else. or Emily Dickinson. of Communist Party fellow-travellers who other areas of human thought too, like are either ridiculous (Sillery), impotent economics). There ARE some outstanding exceptions On the other hand there are books entirely (Quiggin) or malevolent (Jones). We have to the rule that Powell’s liveliest creations about politics in the more restricted sense the direct reference to Katyn (and the However, I really want to continue this are individualistic rather than collective in of organisations and agitations and cover-up) and the callous abandonment of thread in a different direction. A their orientation. General Liddament elections etc. – rare in English outside the Mihailovic resistance in Yugoslavia, distinction that I think useful here is comes alive. Sunny Farebrother, both as Edward Upward or John Dos Passos. And resulting in Templer’s execution among between individual and the collective businessman and soldier, is interesting and of course I’m reading a French one at the others. Was it in the Spectator I read a values and ideas. Dance appears to be attractive. Janet Walpole-Wilson is moment, and haunted by the image of reminiscence by a chap who was working focussed on individuals and little consistently amusing. And of course there Hernandez creeping towards an enemy in the BBC and bumped into a coterie of interested in groups and organizations. is Widmerpool, undoubtedly an tank, armed with a stick of dynamite and colleagues grieving over the death of Powell excels in the delicate delineation of organization man (even if constantly realising more fully than ever before what Stalin? individual character as outwardly plotting in secret) but also a fascinating it is to be a man ... just before the white expressed in various traits and character. turbans of Franco’s Moors appear over the With respect, this [Alexander’s Kinmont’s eccentricities. He is outstandingly horizon. last paragraph] exposes Powell to the successful at this, particularly with Nonetheless, on the whole, I suggest that charge of aestheticism in the decadent individuals who, although they may be Powell had little interest in organizations Taking the first sense of “political” it’s too sense of the word, a confusion of morals linked to organizations at various times, per se and organizations are where politics easy to be either reductionist or banal or and manners (already noted on this list) don’t live lives dedicated to organizations. occurs. We never see Nick at work in an both. We can deconstruct the whole of and “beauty”. Or, if you like, A Dance to These are the artists, musicians, seedy office. At Fission, all he does is drop by to Dance into the neuroses of an author born the Music of Time rewritten by Charles aristocrats, hangers on of various sorts, pick up books to send out for review. The into a declining officer class and married Swann. curio shop owners, etc. who in many cases intense life that many people, perhaps into a declining aristocracy who’s worried are Dance’s most memorable characters. most (myself included), have at work is about his death duties and the ascendancy What I personally feel might be more not part of Dance at all. In Dance most of of the plutocracy. Ho-hum, yes, as if we fruitful is to bring together the three levels When it comes to people strongly the events described occur at social didn’t know. of Dance and examine how they inform identified with organizations, either occasions. Finally, Powell’s insistence and illuminate each other: Powell is less successful or these people (which I love) that his narrator not attempt Besides – and this is a truism of Powell 1. The social mores are genuinely less interesting and to guess the thoughts of others, means that criticism – the characters of Dance are 2. The leftish manoeuverings individual. Thus Magnus Donners is a more conventional, less out-going largely “on the fringe” just as Fitzrovia is 3. The psychopathology of the will and the stiff figure who never comes alive. Other characters are bound to be less interesting. on the fringe of posh Mayfair, donnish imagination. politicians and businessmen (like Robert Bloomsbury and disreputable Soho. The Tolland, Roddy Cutts, George Tolland, and Warminsters are hardly the Devonshires Short) are relatively colorless. Some are

21 22 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 From B Douglas Russell almost like they feel guilty for liking him sentiments among artists and intellectuals; From Adam At the risk of firing up the ire of those who and have to justify doing so. the naïveté, silliness, and cant that I disagree. in Cassanova’s Chinese somehow agree with the above – in –––––– sometimes emerged made such people a Restaurant, Roddy Cutts’s views are very particular, the notion that “there isn’t a choice target. Powell, while rather open- much lampooned. single character on the [L]eft who’s not From: Dan Wicks minded about art, clearly has no use for either insincere or a buffoon.” I believe an I agree that Powell’s leanings are not fads in politics. But one has the feeling This expressed preference for upheaval for unbiased reading of Dance shows Jenkins obtrusive and we can all be thankful for that more is involved here, that Powell its own sake roused Roddy Cutts. He began to move forward his knives and forks so to have affection for, that – any other shares the bewilderment expressed by situation probably that they made a pattern on the table, indifference to or Umfraville during the 1930s about “all evidently a preliminary to some sort of a distaste for characters Powell strikes me as one would alter the nature one’s friends marching about in the park,” speech. St. John Clark was about to expand regardless of their of those people who, being of our discussion. I and that he is impervious to concern about on his views on revolution, when Roddy cut political leanings. don’t want to drag us social problems. Although I am glad to him short in measured, moderate, secure in his own beliefs, too far into politics, have the Dance as it is and would not want parliamentary tones. but I find it interesting Obviously, if one doesn’t feel the need to it turned into Dickens, I think these aspects ‘The question is,’ Roddy said, ‘whether the that there is little or no wanted to be playful, undermine claims that it is the best picture breakdown of the internal administration of one could simply evangelize or attack. satire of Conservative of English life during this period. Spain – and nobody seriously denies the ideas or policies. Not existence of a breakdown – justified a retort to John’s –––––– observation that that the leftist military coup d’etat. Some people think Powell was simply portraying life and positions he lampoons are undeserving of From David Christie that it did, others disagree entirely. My own view is that we should not put ourselves in people as they are. But one doesn’t wish satire, but we never get to hear Roddy A couple of thoughts on this. Cutts’ views which also might have failed the position of seeming to encourage a to do so. political adventurer of admittedly Fascist to stand up well in historical perspective. Firstly, from the Dance we know all there stamp, while at the same time expressing in From the Memoirs, it is evident Powell is to know about the political opinions of no uncertain terms our complete lack of had a full range of friends, acquaintances, , for example, is personified Nicholas Jenkins. From the novel alone sympathy for any party or parties which enemies from all walks of life – including only by Widmerpool who thinks the Nazis however we cannot know, for certainty, allow the country’s rapid disintegration into a state of lawlessness, which can only lead, people on the Left would categorize as “on are probably OK because they are anything at all about those held by Powell. “Socialist” as well as “National.” This through Soviet intrigue, to the establishment the Left.” of a Communist regime.’ Far from being “discreet about his political portrayal is not unfair, since Labour was Judgements, in terms of morality, of pre- leanings,” I just don’t think it was an issue pacifist in the 1930s, but they were not war “appeasers” and “pacifists” rest on An impressive speech, that ultimately to him as either chronicler or writer of running the country. There is also a strong what Raymond Gaita calls a “conseqential means absolutely nothing, and advocates fiction. The works have an intimacy and a implied critique of the government’s philosophy” – that is that the moral value no policy in particular. It is amusing that detachment. There is a poise and balance wartime policy in supporting leftist groups of our actions is determined solely by their he prefaces it with “My own view” when of observation across the whole of the in the Balkans (where Templer is killed consequences. he hardly expresses any views at all. series. and Theodoric’s forces routed), and in covering up Red Army misdeeds (the Powell strikes me as one of those people slaughter of Polish officers). Whom are who, being secure in his own beliefs, we to hold responsible for all this? The doesn’t feel the need to evangelize or only character with any political attack. As an author, he shows a connection is Widmerpool, who voices remarkable respect for his readers. This Polyannnish views on the Communists. last point is what I think people who must Of course, by the 1950s he is a fellow proclaim themselves “on the Left” have a traveller and apologist for the East hard time coming to grips with. Their own European regimes. biases won’t allow for a person who is Some of Powell’s approach may be Widmerpool station, Nottinghamshire, circa 2002; conservative or Right leaning or a Tory or sadly no longer in use as a train station. whatever to have such attributes. It’s explained by a predominance of leftist

23 24 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 From: Dr Peter Kislinger [in reply to For an excellent discussion of the pictorial, Letters to the Editor Allison Rung’s letter above] allegorical, philosophical and poetic I have in front of me some sixty tradition of the conceits see Panofsky, in Mince Pies Revisited better not to try and confirm or deny the interpretations and/or descriptions dating “Et in Arcadia ego, On the Conception of status of these laws – indeed, they could not from 1672 to the present. Transience in Poussin and Watteau”, in From: Dr Keith Marshall be denied as some of them had already had Philosophy and History, Essays Presented consequences that could not be undone; and Perhaps I may be permitted to add some they could not be confirmed as there was One interpretation, 1713, calls the painting to Ernst Cassirer, R Klibansky and HJ marginalia to Noreen Marshall’s excellent the small matter of the Act of 17 March the four seasons (“represents the four Paton (eds), Oxford, Clarendon Press, article in Newsletter 17. 1649, which declared that it was high seasons who dance to the music of time”). 1936, pp 223-54. treason for anyone to adopt the “name, It is not entirely true to say that it is still style, dignity, power, prerogative or Friedrich Wilhelm Basilus von Rahmdohr, [This topic is also treated by Richard Beresford in illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day, authority of king …” This would have Uber Mahlerei und Bildhauerarbeit in A Dance to the Music of Time by Nicolas Poussin made Charles II – and, indeed, our own dear although I was not aware of this myself Rom fur Liebhaber des Schonen in der (Wallace Collection, 1995) and by Jeremy Queen – a traitor, so it was simply better to Warren, Assistant Director of The Wallace until reading Nigel Cawthorne’s book The pretend that the interregnum never existed. Kunst, Leipzig 1787, III, pp.62-63, refers Collection, in his paper at the Oxford Conference, Strange Laws of Old England (Piatkus, In volume seven of The Statutes at Large, to the painting as “The Four Seasons”. 2003 – Ed]. 2004, ISBN 0749950366). Like most the laws of 1640 end on page 358 and the things English (and legal?), all is not laws of 1660 begin on page 359, with no One in 1756: The four seasons. entirely what it seems. sign of the laws passed in between. 1798: the “Four seasons or Human Life”. Whereas some provisions of the Commonwealth were deliberately voided by 1844: Dance of the Seasons. It is indeed true that during the subsequent Acts, others were confirmed … 1853: The Dance of Human Life. interregnum Cromwell did introduce a law It was not until 1899 that the Statute Law banning mince pies, although this was Committee began to recompile [the laws of As late as 1962, there is a critic who apparently not because they were the interregnum] … and the resulting Acts mentions “The Dance of Human Life in considered too overtly anti-Protestant. and Ordinances of the Interregnum the Wallace collection.” appeared in print in three volumes in 1911. That ban was reinforced in 1644 when Christmas Day fell on a Wednesday, as a So there we have it (even now somewhat In all the others it is called “The Dance of The George at Nunney, meeting place on Saturday 7 May (see page 9) law of 1642 had made the last Wednesday simplified!): mince pies may or may not Human Life” or “A Dance to the Music of of every month a fast day. be legal or illegal; no-one knows. In so Life.” many ways this is typically English: an However the status of the laws passed arcane surprise round every bend. The figures are interpreted as: Why Not Advertise Here? during the Civil War and the · Poverty, Labour, Wealth and Luxury; *** Commonwealth is at best unclear, although · Poverty, Labour, Wealth and Pleasure; Interpreting Poussin Display Advert Rates they are at least in abeyance. As · The four ages of man; Full Page: £30 Cawthorne puts it: · Wealth, Pleasure, Labour and Suffering; From: Allison Rung ½ page or full column: £20 I’ve been looking at Poussin's Dance · Riches, Pleasures, Labour and Poverty; The Law Society maintains that the laws 1/3 page (horizontal): £15 passed between the time Charles I fell out painting all morning and reading a little art · Voluptuousness, Wealth, Weariness, with Parliament in 1640 and the return of criticism. The critics I'm reading identify Poverty. ¼ page (½ column): £10 Charles II … in 1660 are not in force the dancers as Poverty, Work, Riches, and 1/6 page (1/3 column): £8 because they were not signed into law by a The patron who commissioned the work, Pleasure, and note the “incorrect” Flyer inserts: £10 per A5 sheet king. However, in January 1649, Cardinal Rospigliosi, called the painting Parliament abolished the office of king, so interpretation of them as the Seasons. Has B&W artwork only the laws it passed did not need his assent – anyone come across this? It's surprising to “The Dance of Human Life”. *** although as that Act itself did not get the me that Powell would have been mistaken royal assent it could be considered about a piece that must have been Poussin’s first biographer, Giovanni Pietro Small Ads unlawful. A committee of the House of significant to him. Bellori, tells us that the invention of the Free to Society members Commons [Cawthorne doesn’t say when subject was the cardinal’s. Others 10p/word, minimum £3 this was – KM] decided that it would be 25 26 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #18 Society Merchandise The Anthony Powell Society Registered Charity No. 1096873 Oxford Conference Proceedings The collected papers from the 2003 Wallace Collection Postcard conference at Balliol College, Oxford. The Wallace Collection’s luxurious Membership Form Price: £7.50 (post free to all members) postcard of Poussin’s A Dance to the Member Information Payment Information Music of Time. Picture on page 15. Eton Conference Proceedings Price: £2 for 5 (postage rate B) Type of membership (please tick): Total amount payable: £ ______Limited edition of 250 numbered copies ¨ Ordinary Member – £20 a year. (No. of years x membership rate) each signed by the Society’s Patron. Wallace Collection Poster ¨ Joint Membership – £30 a year. Any two Price: £15 (post free to all members) The Wallace Collection’s 48.5 x 67.5 cm persons at the same address. ¨ I enclose a sterling cheque drawn on a UK (half life-size) poster of Poussin’s A Dance ¨ Gold Member – £30 minimum a year. bank. Please make cheques payable to The ¨ Student Member – £12 a year. Please send Anthony Powell Society. Oxford Conference Delegates Book to the Music of Time. Mailed in a poster a copy of your student card. As given to delegates at the conference. tube. Picture on page 15. ¨ Organisation – £100 minimum a year. ¨ Please debit my Visa / MasterCard Price: £1.50 (postage rate C) Price: £5.75 (postage rate D) 4 Subscriptions are due on 1 April annually. 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If this is a gift membership please attach the name · The Kindly Ones Non-members will be charged postage & packing & address of the recipient plus any special Signed: · at cost. message on a separate sheet of paper. · The Soldier’s Art Date: Where shall we send the membership? Price: £2.50 each (postage rate C) Gold and Founder members of the Society receive a 10% discount on the cost of all merchandise ¨ Direct to the recipient ** Delete if not applicable. (but not on postage charges). ¨ To you to give to the recipient personally Society Postcard B&W postcard of Powell with his cat Ordering. Post, phone or fax your order Please send the completed form and payment to: Trelawney. Picture on page 15. to the Hon. Secretary at the address on Hon. Secretary, Anthony Powell Society Phone: +44 (0)20 8864 4095 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 Price: £1.75 for 5 (postage rate B) page 2. Payment by cheque (UK funds

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