The Anthony Powell Society Newsletter

Issue 17, Winter 2004 ISSN 1743-0976

Contents

From the Secretary’s Desk … 2 Afternoon Men – Revisited … 3 Robert Byron: A Biography … 4 John Aubrey and his Christmas … 8 Christmas Quiz … 11 A Peaceful Christmas Local Group News … 12 Centenary Corner … 13 and a Centenary Events Calendar … 14 Prosperous New Year Conference Call for Papers … 16 Society News & Notices … 17 to all members & friends Christmas Prize Competition … 18 From the APLIST … 19 of the Society Letters to the Editor … 24 The Quotable Powell … 26 Society Merchandise … 27 Membership Form … 28

Quiz : page 11

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Competition : page 18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

From the Secretary’s Desk The Anthony Powell Society Registered Charity No. 1096873

I’m always surprised how little mention there is of Christmas in Dance, and for The Anthony Powell Society is a that matter in Powell’s Journals and charitable literary society devoted to the memoirs. Although the Journals do life and works of the English author record Christmas every year it is always Anthony Dymoke Powell, 1905-2000. in the seemingly low-key terms of

“Drinks in the morning. V gave me a Officers & Executive Committee blue-striped shirt. Lunched at The Stables; enjoyable party; very tiring.” Patron: John MA Powell President: Hugh Massingberd Should we really be surprised? No, Vice-President: John S Monagan (USA) probably not. In the days of Powell’s *Chairman: Patric Dickinson youth, and the period of Dance, *Hon. Secretary: Dr Keith C Marshall Christmas was not the commercial *Hon. Treasurer: Kevin Jewell circus it is today – that didn’t really start to take off until the early ’70s, when *Committee Members: Powell was completing Dance. Dr Christine Berberich, Dr Nicholas Birns (USA), So why was Christmas apparently so Leatrice Fountain (USA), low-key? Well it is hardly surprising Stephen Holden, when one considers the depredations of Tony Robinson, two World Wars, plus the Depression of Prof. Ian Young (N Ireland) the ’20s and ’30s, and their after-effects – none of which fully worked its way Newsletter Editor: Stephen Holden out for the British system until the Hon. Archivist: Noreen Marshall PR/Media Adviser: Julian Allason 1960s.

Even then the ingrained dislike of All correspondence should be sent to: Christmas remained firmly embedded in Hon. Secretary, Anthony Powell Society the psyche of many who lived through 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford th the first half of the 20 -century. To this Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK day my parents, now well into their 80s, Phone: +44 (0)20 8864 4095 dislike Christmas. So little wonder Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 General Conyers, in At Lady Molly’s , Email: [email protected] says:

* Members of the Executive Committee who I spent Christmas Day cleaning out are the Society’s trustees. All officers are the kennels … Went to Early Service. resident in England or Wales unless stated. Then I got into my oldest clothes and had a thorough go at them. Had © The Anthony Powell Society, 2004 and the individual luncheon late and a good sleep after. authors named. All rights reserved. Read a book all the evening. One of Published by The Anthony Powell Society. the best Christmas Days I've ever had. Printed and distributed by Express Printing, Peterborough, UK.

2 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17 Afternoon Men - Revisited while most others appear unfeeling. In by Mike Jay the boldest scene, the artist Pringle half- heartedly attempts suicide while his It is difficult to read Powell's first novel 'mistress' of the moment has casual sex (published in 1931 when the author was with Atwater. But while Powell 26) without thinking continually of considers the male psychology through Dance. The author's style although several aspects he does not yet attempt a nascent is already clearly stated. There is similar feat with his female characters. the blitz of characters, mainly from the Too many of the players lack solidity and art world and its milieu. There is the remain sketches. circularity of life; as this novel starts and ends with preparations for yet another There are frequent slightly disturbing party. There is the slender plot, Atwater's references to Jews. Considering this was less than heroic philandering through a published in 1931 I assume it was within summer. There are the frequent sporting common speech to refer to Jews even in references reminiscent of the early Dance Britain as a matter of course. Susan, the volumes. There are the occasional well- object of Atwater's desire, runs off to turned phrases, eg. “the aura of America with Verelst, a Jewish art journalism's lower slopes hung round him collector. Susan's father says, “I don't [Fotheringham] like a vapour”. dislike him because he's a Jew, one can't However, there is much too much clipped dismiss whole races at a time”. The other and seemingly inane conversation from politically incorrect moment concerns the giddy-headed protagonists. Most Powell's handling of the maid at the importantly however, there is the rippling rented country house. Her prudish family comedy and there is always a taxi when are concerned at the morals exhibited by required. the artist’s friends, but they are brutally bought off by a small salary increase. I We are given the first sighting of the enjoyed the occasional arcane word such Powell set pieces. We have the drunken as “banting” (slimming) or “we might go London parties, Mrs Race's dinner party to a talkie” Nosworth suggests to complete with bad Balkan liqueur, a Atwater. country house holiday, and an interesting visit to a boxing evening. This is a comic, not satirical novel, no matter how deceptively slight, with a We see the contrast between the drifting, serious aim of portraying human purposeless, promiscuous young behaviour without comment. As such it bohemians and the sadness beneath the succeeds and serves to propel Powell and surface of their apparently privileged us in a direction we all know was to lives. We see Fotheringham and Nunnery develop considerably. It must also have desperate for friendship and company been somewhat racy for the period.

3 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17 Robert Byron: A Biography by James Knox

Reviewed by Stephen Holden

In his 1980 book Abroad Powell’s friend Paul Fussell says of Robert Byron’s most famous travel book, “It’s distinction tempts one to overpraise but perhaps it An thony Powe ll Resides Here may not be going to far to say that what CRA WFORD DOYLE BOO KSELLERS seeks Ulysses is to the novel between the wars and sells early editions of Anthony and what The Waste Land is to poetry, Powell' s works together w ith those of other distinguished British authors such The Road to Oxiana is to the travel as Evelyn Waugh, P. G. Wodehouse, book.” Although he had little financial Virginia Woolf, Henry Green and success from his books while he was James Lees-Milne. In addition to rare alive, Byron went on to become a major books, we offer a complete collection of influence on many of the travel writers new books in our store near the Metropolitan Museum. Catalogs issued who succeeded him, such as Patrick upon request. Leigh Fermor, Bruce Chatwin and Colin 1082 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10028 Thubron. Open seven days per week Telephone: 212 289 2345 [email protected] Like many of his contemporary travel Member, Antiquarian Booksellers’ writers (Evelyn Waugh and Peter Fleming, for instance) Byron relied heavily on irony and satire to poke fun at the countries he visited and at himself. Yet unlike many of his contemporaries he fact he was no relation to the poet, also brought to his books a passionate, coming from a background often short of intense and erudite approach to the money (his father was a civil engineer) cultures and art (particularly the although on the fringes of the lower architecture) of the places he travelled upper class. Indeed, it was only through through. It was, for example, partly a Byron’s own academic prowess and suspicion that the similar architectures of because his grandfather paid his fees that monasteries in Greece and Tibet were he ever went to Eton, which was where linked that took him from Mount Athos he met many friends that were to to Lhasa. And then his passion for and influence him socially and aesthetically championing of Byzantine and Islamic for the rest of his short life. art are what led him to Central Asia and his most important books. It was at Eton that he first met Anthony Powell, although they moved in different Byron never particularly minded people circles to begin with. As James Knox mistaking him for a descendant of the says, poet, and indeed his family name smoothed the way in many of his travels Although in another house, Anthony around the Greek monasteries. But, in Powell an acutely observant boy, became

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a connoisseur of the rum cast of characters to Oxford, where he also encountered in Mr Robeson’s [Byron’s house] other kindred spirits such as Evelyn establishment. His favourite was John Waugh. He was a member of the Spencer, the model for the schoolboy Peter Templer in A Question of notorious Hypocrites Club (one of whose Upbringing. mottos was “Gentlemen may prance but not dance”) and seems to have spent Powell only mentions Spencer in passing much of his time at Oxford in trouble as being a part-model for Templer yet with the authorities for bad behaviour, Knox goes further is his identification: often drunken. Yet he managed to turn the outrageous Brideshead Revisited Spencer, son of a smart London campness of the Hypocrites/Harold Acton stockbroker, was a close friend of Robert’s and the two ended up messing together … world into something that built solidly on Spencer was a dandy, a rule-breaker and, the kitsch though not averse to sleeping with other spirit of the boys, a womaniser, famous with the junior Oxford ranks [at Eton] for having an affair with a aesthete. He Anthony Powell an shop assistant from Windsor. His looks was one of were accurately caught by Powell in his acutely observant the first to portrait of Templer, in which he detailed boy, became a the fixed expression of his eyes and his embrace the ‘large pointed ears … like those attributed cult of connoisseur of the to satyrs.’ Victoriana, rum cast of trying to It was at Eton that Byron acquired not mount an characters only the artistic enthusiasms that were to exhibition of characterise him for the rest of his life, Victoriana at but also the aggressive desire to shock Oxford, and decorating his rooms with with support for the unconventional. As hideous examples of still lifes of poultry Powell puts it, even at that time Byron and glass domes sheltering wax fruits. His fondness for Victoriana was helped carried in him something of the genuine 19th century Englishman … the by his likeness to Queen Victoria, and he eccentricity, curiosity, ill temper, would often imitate her, with the aid of a determination to stop at absolutely white napkin as a bonnet. nothing. While at Oxford Powell told Knox he Powell and Byron got to know each other saw Byron with a group of older men, “a better when in 1922 Brian Howard group of homosexual stockbrokers”, in founded the Eton Society of Arts (written Byron’s phrase, who had arrived in about at some length by Powell in Infants Oxford to see Hugh Lygon (a part-model of the Spring). The nucleus of this for Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead society consisted of Brian Howard, Revisited). Powell made the mistake of Harold Acton, his brother William Acton, passing on the news as gossip. Byron Henry Yorke, Powell, and Alan Clutton- was furious and forced Powell to retract. Brock, son of The Times art critic. Long after the event Powel explained:

Byron followed many of his Eton friends He thought there might be a real (police) row if the truth got round … It all seemed

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to me to be a great joke, but to someone Another contemporary reviewer like Robert who was congenitally mentioned Byron’s “self-conscious homosexual, not at all. facetiousness which is the bane of so

He had become interested in Byzantine many writers of such books,” a criticism art in 1923 when on a trip to Ravenna, that still holds true of many travel books and in 1925 took an extended motor tour of that era. through Europe to Athens. This Byron had apparently always found saddlebags, … trip produced his Powell “very boring” while they were at packed with glass first travel book, Eton and Oxford. Once in London, Europe in the according to Knox, his view begins to jars of chicken in Looking-Glass change.

aspic (1926), and his Dining with Powell one night, he observed brief visit to his [Powell’s] anguish, ‘almost suicidal’, Mount Athos as he told Powell’s close friend Henry was to inspire him to make a longer visit Yorke, ‘at the prospect of impending after he left Oxford. Through his social cataclysms, which might compel friendship with Powell, he was contracted him to spend the rest of his life among people who referred to their ‘maters’ and by Duckworth’s (for whom Powell was ‘guvnors’. Unbeknown to Robert, or any working) to produce an art history book, of Powell’s high-brow friends, he was that later became The Birth of Western currently enduring a spell as a probationer Painting (1930). Duckworth’s paid his with the Territorial Army which gave him expenses to travel to Mount Athos, with a chilling glimpse into the ‘golf-and- bridge world.’ Powell’s neurosis made his friend David Talbot Rice and Gavin him more interesting to Robert. ‘I think Henderson, to photograph and survey the he is becoming much nicer,’ he frescoes there. They travelled in some pronounced. style, as Knox records their mules and ponies being loaded for the trip up the His passion for Byzantine art then took mountains to the monasteries, with Byron to the USSR in 1931-1932, where “saddlebags, made specially by Fortnum his appraisal of the Stalinist state was at & Mason for Gavin [Henderson], packed odds with those of most writers of the with glass jars of chicken in aspic, as time. He detested its “banal ideology” well as a hatbox, a box containing a and its obsession with class (“worse than siphon and sparklets, a kitbag and a England”), adding, dispatch case.” Nothing could be more sinister than this regime based from top to bottom on a The trip to Athos also produced one of system of spying. No more shall I be Byron’s best travel books, The Station in deceived by English intellectuals who 1928, also published by Duckworth’s. come on conducted tours. Years later, in Infants of the Spring, Powell reassessed the book, admiring The year before he had travelled via India many of “the splendid images and literary to Tibet (to compare monastic parallels” but accusing Byron, in his architecture) and the two journeys “obsessive repugnance for cliché”, of resulted in a rather hybrid book, First overwriting and obscure language. Russia, Then Tibet in 1933.

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Mitford and even accompanied her to While in India Byron had seen Nuremberg where she gushed about her photographs of some medieval brick “beautiful Stormies” (stormtroopers). tomb-towers in Persia, and this, together His angry insistence from the start that with his interest in the links between Hitler would have to be fought and that Byzantine and Islamic art and appeasement was a disgrace, alienated architecture, took him and his travelling many friends and acquaintances, companion Christopher Sykes on an declaring: eleven month tour of Persia and Afghanistan. By all accounts, though I am going to have Warmonger put on my brave and prepared to put up with passport. These people are so grotesque, if we go to war it will be like fighting an considerable discomfort, Byron was not enormous zoo. an easy travelling companion. Sykes’ recollections of Byron’s dealings with Byron was killed in World War II en customs men, hotel concierges etc. often route to Egypt, aged only 35, when his end with a phrase such as, “not for the ship was torpedoed off Cape Wrath. Yet first time in my life with him, I made he had packed a good deal in to those 35 peace with an angered crowd.” This trip years. He is now acknowledged as produced Byron’s masterpiece, The Road possibly the foremost travel writer of his to Oxiana (1937). The book was written age; he was at the forefront of the in diary form, a method that enabled rediscovery of Byzantine civilisation; he Byron to intersperse the daily (comic was a pioneer conservationist; and he incidents as well as vivid descriptions of stood up against Fascism and landscape and architecture) with his own appeasement long before others saw the mini-essays on art and culture. As danger. Fussell says James Knox has made good use of the He had now mastered the travel book. He Byron family archive, and produced a had now learned to make essayistic points seem to emerge empirically from material thorough and well-researched biography data intimately experienced. that throws much light on the eclectic, complex, original and prickly Byron. The architectural beauty of Persia and Afghanistan is now almost a given, yet it Knox quotes a story that Powell would should be noted that at the time Byron’s have enjoyed. A monk at a monastery at praise would have been seen as an affront Docheiariou summons Byron and his to the conventional values. companions for lunch:

In the 1930s Byron’s finances were so ‘But first watch,’ he said, before calling: low he was forced to take a PR job with a ‘Frankfort! Frankfort!’ Whereupon a large black cat walked obediently up, put petroleum company. He became a its head between its front legs, and turned pioneer conservationist of Georgian somersaults for their entertainment. London, helping save Carlton House Terrace, for instance, from the developers. He became a fervent anti- Robert Byron: A Biography by James Knox is published by John Murray at £25 (hardback) or Nazi, though he was friends with Unity £10.99 (paperback).

7 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17 John Aubrey and Seventeenth- Century Christmas

By Noreen Marshall

‘If ever I had been good for anything,’ he wrote, ‘it would have been a painter. I could fancy a thing so strongly and have so clear an idea of it’. It was this powerful visual imagination which dominated his writing.

It sounds almost like someone describing AP – but it’s actually Powell writing other historical work Barnard Letters about John Aubrey (1626-1697). 1778-1824 (Duckworth, 1928). Despite the glories of A Dance to the Music of Time, the wit and wisdom of the John Aubrey was one of the seventeenth literary criticism, and the sheer century antiquarians who pioneered the individuality of the Journals, I always recording of old knowledge and rituals, regret that Powell didn’t write more including much which was already only a books like John Aubrey and his Friends. memory. A formative influence on him If you’ve never tried this example of may well have been the suppression of Powell as biographer, don’t be put off by many of these customs in mid- the fact that it’s History, or that Aubrey seventeenth century England, under the was an antiquarian. Dry-as-dust it is not, Commonwealth regime which followed especially as AP takes a warm interest in the defeat and execution of Charles I. his subject, and Aubrey was (like Laws were passed during this time which Powell?) a gossip at heart. forbade the keeping of Christmas (or Christ-tide as the reformers of his day Powell began work on the book in the preferred to call it) as a holiday at all, and period just before the start of World War made it illegal to eat mince pies on II. If you ever wonder what sustained Christmas Day, among other things. him through some of the longeurs of life Similar rulings were also made by in the Army, this book was evidently a contemporary legislative bodies in New factor. A certain amount of work on it England, even down to the Assembly of was possible even in wartime, although Connecticut specifically forbidding the the greater part of the actual writing was making of mince pies, for example. The done after he had left the Army. The American laws were not abolished until book was dedicated to Malcolm the early nineteenth century, and the Muggeridge (acknowledged with Graham English legislation never has been, which Greene as among those who “made must make these some of the most valuable comments after seeing the frequently broken laws in existence. manuscript”), and published by Heinemann in 1948. Although not One may wonder what on earth there was common on the second-hand market, it is about the humble mince pie to excite nothing like as rare (or costly) as AP’s such wrath, but the early seventeenth

8 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17 century mince pie was a rather different topsy-turvy revelry, with the normal rules affair from those of today. The pies were and ranks being overthrown. Another of larger and the filling was a luxuriously the customs belonging to this season is spiced mixture of meat and fruit in more the wassailing of fruit trees, particularly or less equal quantities – ideal temptation apple trees, to ensure a good crop in the to the Deadly Sin of Gluttony, and no following year. Wassailing the fruit doubt on down the slippery slope to the orchards at Fordwich in Kent in 1585 is other six. Worst of all in the protestant probably the first written record of the reformers’ eyes, these Christmas pies ritual, whose name derives from the early retained their pre-Reformation English greeting “Waes hal” (be healthy), appearance: the lid of the pie was although in some places it carried the finished with the image of a swaddled more graphic name of ‘howling’. Since it baby cut out in pastry to represent the involves the outlay of what you wish to Christ Child. Hilary Spurling gives an get back in return, it is probably of pagan early seventeenth century recipe for this origin. In Aubrey’s words, those taking type of mince pie in Elinor Fettiplace's part: Receipt Book: Elizabethan Country House Cooking (Viking Salamander, Go with their wassel bowl into the orchard 1986) and comments that although it is and go about the trees to bless them, and put a piece of toast upon the roots, in order possible to add a small amount of meat to to do it. a present-day mince pie filling without doing more than enrich the taste, the full- Cider from the wassail bowl was also blown version alters the balance of poured on the roots of the trees, or the flavour entirely, making them more like best tree in a larger orchard, and the an alternative to sausage rolls than any participants drank the trees’ health. The kind of sweet treat. By the late local wassail rhyme would be sung or seventeenth century the Receipt Book of chanted, and the ceremony concluded Mrs Ann Blencowe gives a recipe for a with as much noise as could be contrived pie filling which sounds more familiar. by firing guns, banging on metal bowls, Minced ox tongue, beef suet, raisins, etc. to frighten away evil spirits. apples, lemon and orange rind and ground spices are mixed with sherry, salt, Old apple-tree we wassail thee sugar, sliced candied lemon and orange And hoping thou wilt bear Hats full, caps full peel, currants, and lemon juice. Three-bushel bags full Whatever the filling, mince pie devotees And a little heap under the stairs! may like to observe the old custom of eating twelve mince pies over the twelve Like Powell, Aubrey studied at Oxford. days of Christmas to ensure good luck He was a member of Trinity College, but through the following twelve months. left to resolve problems with his inheritance when his father died, and In Aubrey’s day it was not just Christmas never took his degree. Of the University Day which was important, but the whole he notes Twelve Days of Christmas, culminating in Twelfth Night when the Lord of Here in the halls were the mummings, Misrule presided over an evening of cob-loaf-stealing, and a great number of old Christmas plays performed.

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"Theatrum Chymicum", saies that in the The mumming plays and Christmas plays churchyard at Glastonbury grew a wallnutt were often based on the legends of St tree that did putt out young leaves at George and St Nicholas respectively, and Christmas, as doth the king's oake in the were popular throughout England. New Forest. In Parham Parke, in Suffolk Aubrey doubtless also knew of the (Mr. Boutele's), is a pretty ancient thorne that blossomes like that at Glastonbury; custom which belongs particularly to the people flock thither to see it on Queen’s College, Oxford, and which was Christmas-day. already old in the seventeenth century: the serving at a feast in the main hall of a Our own Christmas is derived from the cooked boar’s head, garlanded with Victorian version of the season, which evergreens. It was carried in to the was at least in part the nostalgic vision of accompaniment of The Boar's Head the writer Charles Dickens, and promoted Carol, first printed in 1521 by Wynkyn in his books. But it was the work of men de Worde. like Aubrey which formed the basis of knowledge on which the later Caput apri defero, reddens laudes Domino. antiquarians were able to build, and The boar's head in hand bear I, Bedecked with bays and rosemary, which enabled Dickens and his And I pray you, my masters, be merry, contemporaries to feel that although they Quot estis in convivio. lived in a modern age, they were consciously returning to what they knew Within the context of Christmas, of the best of Christmas Past. evergreens are symbolic of eternal life for Christians, following on from the pagan In contrast to his scholarly researches and love of such reminders of the renewal of his Fellowship of the Royal Society, life in the coldest, darkest days. Aubrey Aubrey had a remarkably complicated makes a number of notes on trees which personal life, with a contentious betrothal were remarked on as bearing new growth to Joan Sumner, financial problems, at Christmas: multiple lawsuits, (relating to both the betrothal and his estates) and a difficult In the New Forest, within the trenches of relationship with his friend and fellow the castle of Molwood [a Roman camp] is an old oake, which is a pollard and short. antiquarian Anthony Wood, and Powell It putteth forth young leaves on Christmas makes some characteristically wry day, for about a week at that time of the comments on much of this. yeare. Old Mr. Hastings, of Woodlands, was wont to send a basket full of them But to conclude with AP on JA: every yeare to King Charles I. I have seen of them severall Christmasses brought to Although chiefly remembered in my father … Mr. Anthony Hinton, one of connexion with antiquarian research and the officers of the Earle of Pembroke, did biographical memoir, there are few inoculate, not long before the late civill persons of whom it would be more true to warres (ten yeares or more), a bud of say that they were interested in everything. Glastonbury Thorne, on a thorne at his Mathematics, painting, music, natural farmhouse at Wilton, which blossomes at science, horticulture, heraldry, folklore, Christmas as the other did. My mother astrology, occult phenomena were all has had branches of them for a flower-pott subjects – with a hundred others – that he severall Christmasses, which I have seen. was ever prepared to discuss. Elias Ashmole, Esq., in his notes upon

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Dance and Painting – A Christmas Quiz Set by Mr Blackhead The questions and answers all concern which painter (“The scene was a painters and paintings (real or guard room in the Low imagined) mentioned in A Dance to the Countries”)? Music of Time. 12. What is the fate of Veronese’s Iphigenia, bought by one of Chips 1. What does Jenkins tell Pennistone Lovell’s Sleaford ancestors? is his favourite picture? 13. A bust of whom (by Sir William 2. The Socialist Realist painters Reid Dick) stands on the stairs at Gaponenko, Svarogh and Toidze the War Office (his “cold and angry are featured in which character’s eyes, surveying with the deepest Fission article, Integral disapproval all who came that Foundations of a Fresh Approach way”)? to Art for the Masses? 14. Whose pictures include Any 3. Whose painting, Entry of Christ Complaints? and Four Priests into Brussels, is re-enacted by Rigging a Miracle? Jenkins’ party of military attachés 15. A caricature by Spy of which in 1944? character hangs in the billiards 4. Who resembles the homely apes in room at Thrubworth (“this high- Rousseau’s Tropiques? spirited peer in frock and top-hat”)? 5. What is the name of the 16. Dicky Umfraville says of his failed reproduction sculpture bought by marriage with Anne Stepney, “She Mr Deacon from Norman Chandler was always tremendously keen on in the Mortimer a week before the her painting. I fell rather short on former’s fatal accident? that score too. Can’t tell a Sargent 6. Of what genre is the collection of from a ‘Snaffles’.” What two painting picked up over the years genres is ‘Snaffles’ most famous for practically nothing by Bob for painting? Duport and sold off in 1971? 17. Which picture (by Henry Holiday), 7. Which painting by Landseer hangs always to be found on the walls of in the Ufford’s lounge? boarding houses, is not without 8. Whose paintings include appeal for Maclintick? Clergyman Eating an Apple and st 18. Jean Duport recalls the woman Merville, December 1 1914? smoking a hookah in which picture 9. Which painter does St John Clarke by which painter? think is a plage? 19. Moreland resembles which 10. In whose flat hangs the character in Bronzino’s An reproduction entitled The Allegory with Venus and Cupid that Omnipresent that depicts three hangs in the National Gallery? robed figures on the edge of a 20. Which two women in Jenkins’ life precipice? resemble characters in Goya 11. General Conyers owns a picture by paintings?

11 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

Local Group News

London Meeting our stalwarts about matters entirely Powellian. Elsewhere the conversation by Stephen Holden turned again to English music, primed by our being close to the Grosvenor Chapel The 6 November London meeting was and Prue Raper having brought along the held at the Audley, a large Victorian pub Order of Service for Powell’s Memorial round the corner from the US embassy in Service, at which she sang. Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair district. It is a pub that has obviously For the next meeting, on 12 February, gone upmarket, since it used to be called members are invited to bring something the Bricklayers’ Arms – the name by from their Powell collections to show us. which Powell would almost certainly have known the pub, as it is only a few minutes walk from Shepherd Market and More London Group Meetings Hill Street. The members of the Society’s London Those present were Keith & Noreen group have decided they should have Marshall, Michael Hodges, Prue Raper, four, rather than three, pub meets a year. Victor Spouge, Bob Rollason, Linda & This means some rescheduling; the Jessica Treen, Martin Hunt, John meetings will now be on the second Rollason, Stephen Holden, Jill Chalmers, Saturday of February, May, August and Elwin Taylor and Patric Dickinson. November. This is about the optimum timing to avoid public holiday weekends, As usual the conversation ranged over Easter and Christmas, but unfortunately many subjects, some Powell-related, we can’t avoid the August holiday period. some not. At my end of the table we talked about Simon Raven’s Arms for These meetings will be at The Audley, Oblivion sequence, and compared it to 41-43 Mount Street, London, W1 from Dance. I mentioned I was reading 1230 to 1530 hrs. The Audley has Richard Usborne’s Clubland Heroes excellent beer and food and is in the heart (about the works of ‘Sapper’, John of Mayfair very close to Shepherd Buchan and Dornford Yates), at which Market (Powell’s one-time home), Hill Elwin Taylor – in a fine Powellian Street and the Grosvenor Chapel. It is a coincidence – delved into his bag and pub which Powell would almost certainly produced a book called The Bulldog have known and which retains many of Drummond Encyclopaedia. its original Victorian features: the ceiling, chandeliers and much of the woodwork. At the other end of the table newcomers Linda & Jessica Treen and Martin Hunt The London Group meeting dates for were deep in conversation with several of 2005 are: 12 February, 14 May, 13 August and 12 November.

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Centenary Corner

Committee. As most will know, George Anthony Powell brings with him a wealth of Powell knowledge, as well as his editorial skills Centenary Conference and academic contacts.

is to be held on Further details of the Centenary Friday 2 & Saturday 3 Conference will, of course, be announced in the fullness of time. Meanwhile we December 2005 are also working on the traditional pre-

at conference dinner and a number of other possible events. The Wallace Collection Meanwhile anyone who wishes to book a London, W1 provisional place at the conference or who wishes to make an initial payment towards their delegate fee may also do so Centenary Conference by contacting the Hon. Secretary. Keeping up the momentum towards the Centenary Conference, we have since the Powell Centenary Exhibition last Newsletter released the “Call for The Wallace Collection’s exhibitions Papers”. Copies have been sent to every team are currently in the process of Society member and to everyone on our arranging the loan of objects for the mailing list. The essential text from the exhibition and work will start shortly on “Call for Papers” is included on page 16. the detailed exhibition design. The exhibition is scheduled for mid-October If anyone can distribute further copies of 2005 to early-January 2006. the “Call for Papers” – to friends and acquaintances, through a local bookshop, Other Events writer’s circle, local library, etc. – then Not so much concrete news here, please contact the Hon. Secretary. although there are many possible events under discussion in the background as In addition, if any member has useful well as the regular Society meetings. We contacts to whom we should mail do know that a small exhibition is conference information, then please send planned for the Cambridge University the names and addresses to the Hon. Library during 2005, and there may also Secretary, for addition to the Society’s be an exhibition in New York. mailing list. The more people we mail the more likely we are to succeed. The full diary of centenary events, as we know them, is on pages 14-15 of this The other conference news is that Dr Newsletter and on the Society website. George Lilley has joined the Organising

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Centenary Year Events Calendar

The events listed here are those which we Saturday 12 February 2005 know about. Please contact the Hon. London Group Pub Meet Secretary if you know of other Anthony The Audley, 41-43 Mount Street, Powell related events happening during London, W1 2005. 1230 to 1530 hrs Topic: Bring something from your The information given is, to the best of Powell collection to show us. our knowledge, correct at the time of Regular quarterly London Group publication but the Society takes no meeting. Join us for good beer, good responsibility for the accuracy of such food, good company and Powell chat in a information. You are advised to check Victorian pub which AP would have event details before travelling. known. Members & non-members wlcome. Further details from Hon. Saturday 4 December 2004 Secretary. Anthony Powell 99th Birthday Lunch Zia Teresa, 6 Hans Road, London, SW3 1200 hrs Celebrate Powell's 99th birthday at this long-established Italian restaurant next Saturday 2 April 2005 door to Harrod's. Open to members & Great Lakes Group Meeting non-members. Prior booking essential. Details as for 12 February. Topic tba. Further details from Hon. Secretary. Saturday 14 May 2005 Tuesday 21 December 2004 London Group Pub Meet East Coast USA Group Details as for 12 February. Topic tba. Anthony Powell 99th Birthday Lunch Century Club, New York, USA Saturday 18 June 2005 (tbc) Details, when confirmed, from Bill Mid-Summer Luncheon Warren ([email protected] Date & details to be confirmed; venue or +1 212 259 8000). will be London. Open to members & non-members. Prior booking essential. Saturday 12 February 2005 Further details, when available, from Great Lakes Group Meeting Hon. Secretary. Red Lion Pub, Chicago, IL, USA 1300 hrs Saturday 13 August 2005 Topic tba. Further details from Stephen London Group Meeting Pyskoty-Olle Details as for 12 February. Topic tba. ([email protected]).

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October 2005 to January 2006 Sunday 4 December 2005 Anthony Powell Exhibition Post Conference Social Walks & Lunch Venue: The Wallace Collection, A leisurely, guided, Sunday morning Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN walk around parts of Powell's London Major retrospective exhibition of and ending at a pub for lunch. Details to Powell's life and works. For details, be arranged. Open to members & non- opening hours, etc. see the Wallace members. Further details, when Collection website available, from Conference Office or www.wallacecollection.org or call conference pages of the website. +44 20 7563 9500. Wednesday 21 December 2005 Saturday 22 October 2005 Anthony Powell Birthday Party Anthony Powell Society AGM Celebrate Powell's actual 100th birthday. Time: 1400 hrs. Open to members & non-members. Prior Members only. Venue tba. Further booking essential. Further details, when details from Hon. Secretary. available, from Hon. Secretary.

Saturday 12 November 2005 Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December London Group Pub Meet 2005 Details as for 12 February. Topic tba. MLA Convention Washington, DC, USA America's largest literary conference which it is hoped will include a session on Anthony Powell. Further details from Thursday 1 December 2005 Nick Birns ([email protected]). Pre-Conference Dinner Details to be announced. Prior booking date to be announced essential. Further details, when available, Anthony Powell Exhibition from Conference Office or conference Grolier Club, New York, USA pages of the website. Further details from Bill Warren ([email protected] or +1 Friday 2 & Saturday 3 December 2005 212 259 8000) or Nick Birns Anthony Powell Centenary Conference ([email protected]). The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London, W1 date to be announced Open to members & non-members on Anthony Powell Exhibition payment of the delegate fee. Further University Library, University of details, when available, from Conference Cambridge, UK Office or conference pages of the Further details, when available, from website. Hon. Secretary.

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Anthony Powell Centenary Conference 2 & 3 December 2005 – The Wallace Collection, London Summary Call for Papers

The Anthony Powell Society is pleased to · the influence of London on Powell’s announce the third international writing conference dedicated to the life and times · the London social scene in Powell’s of Anthony Dymoke Powell, which will time be held at The Wallace Collection, · Powell’s literary friendships London, on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 · Powell and biography December 2005. · the importance of the publishing industry to Powell and his friends 2005 is an important year for the Society, · the influence of art on Powell and his and for Powell’s friends and admirers, as literary contemporaries it marks the centenary of Powell’s birth. To celebrate this in style, the conference Prospective speakers are invited to is being held in conjunction with The submit for review abstracts of not more Wallace Collection, home of Poussin’s than 300 words for 20-minute papers. painting A Dance to the Music of Time Submissions, which may be made from which Powell’s magnum opus takes electronically, must arrive with the Hon. its title. The Wallace are also organising Secretary (address on page 2) by 31 a major Powell Centenary Exhibition to January 2005. Papers which have been coincide with the conference. rejected for previous Anthony Powell Conferences will not be reconsidered. The aim of this international conference is to provide a forum for the discussion of Authors will be advised in April 2005 Powell, his life and works. The Society whether their abstracts have been hopes to attract both Powell aficionados accepted. Completed papers will be and newcomers to his work. Papers that required by 28 October 2005 to ensure deal with Powell’s friendships with, or their inclusion in the Conference and the influence on, his contemporaries such as Proceedings. Evelyn Waugh, Henry Green (also a 2005 centenarian), Graham Greene, George Papers will be accepted on the basis that Orwell or composer Constant Lambert authors pay the appropriate delegate fee (another celebrating his centenary in and attend the conference. 2005) will be especially welcome. Papers and discussions during the Abstracts of the accepted papers will be conference might include, but are by no issued to delegates at the conference. means limited to: The conference proceedings, including the full text of presented papers, will be published after the event and will be sent to all participants.

16 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

Society News & Notices

Automatic Subscription Payments Local Groups A Reminder East Coast USA Group The Society can accept recurring credit Area: NY & CT area, USA card transactions. So providing you give Contact: Leatrice Fountain written authorisation we will Email: [email protected] automatically debit your annual subscription from your credit card – so Great Lakes Group you don’t have to remember! Area: Chicago area, USA Contact: Stephen Pyskoty-Olle We have to have specific, written Email: [email protected] authorisation for this; the wording appears on the membership form on the Swedish Group back page of this Newsletter. And we Area: Sweden still have to write to those with recurring Contact: Regina Rehbinder transactions each year to ensure you are Email: [email protected] informed of the amount you will be debited (currently £20); this will be done London Group in March. Area: London & SE England Contact: Keith Marshall Those wishing to take advantage of this Email: [email protected] facility may do so by returning the membership form on the back page Please contact the Hon. Secretary if you (photocopies are OK). Alternatively you wish to make contact with a group and may wait until you receive your next don’t have email. subscription reminder.

Newsletter Copy Deadlines

The deadlines for receipt of articles and advertisements for forthcoming issues of the Newsletter are:

Issue 18, Spring 2005 Copy Deadline: 11 February 2005 Publication Date: 4 March 2005

Issue 19, Summer 2005 Copy Deadline: 13 May 2005 Publication Date: 3 June 2005

17 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17 STOP PRESS … STOP PRESS Christmas Prize Competition Hon. Secretary Certified For this year’s Christmas competition contestants are As many will know the Hon. Secretary, asked to suggest alternative Keith Marshall, earns a living working as titles for novels from Dance as a Project Manager for IBM United Kingdom Ltd, who are a major corporate if they had been written by a sponsor in the UK – partly through their famous person and not by Powell on demand community programme which makes small grants for local For instance: community projects and encourages A Byers Market: The Death of employees to do voluntary work. Railtrack by Tony Blair On 26 November Keith attended a lunch, A Question of Upbringing hosted by IBM’s UK CEO Larry Hirst at by George W Bush their South Bank location in London, to In Lady Molly by William J Clinton celebrate the on demand community programme’s first birthday. Maximum 6 entries per person Having logged over 400 hours of The prize is a year’s gold charitable give-back to the Society this membership of the Society year, Keith was among those presented with a certificate for their achievement. Send your entries, name, address to: “I was surprised, but naturally I’m Christmas 2004 Competition delighted,” Keith said, “although I feel Anthony Powell Society slightly embarrassed at being recognised 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford for something I do because I enjoy it. I Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK am saddened, though, that the Society’s Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 work is not eligible for grants from Email: [email protected] IBM’s scheme; but I hope we may to arrive by noon on 31 January 2005 change that.”

The winning entry will be the one which most amuses the Hon. Secretary. Contributions to the Newsletter The winner will be announced in the are always welcome and should Spring 2005 Newsletter be sent to:

Competition Conditions. The Hon. Secretary’s decision is final and binding. Entry is open to Newsletter Editor, Stephen Holden, Anthony Powell Society members and non- Anthony Powell Society members. No purchase necessary. Entries must 76 Ennismore Avenue be original and the work of the person submitting them. Maximum six entries per person. No cash Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK alternative. No correspondence will be entered into. The Anthony Powell Society reserves the Fax: +44 (0)20 8864 6109 right to publish the entries. Email: [email protected]

18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

From the APLIST Recent Discussions on the Society’s Email Discussion Group

From Michael Henle describe?) but I do not think it is limited On a completely different topic, I have to those appalling qualities. For instance always been struck by the advice in the case to which the statement Widmerpool gives Nick in A Question of Michael Henle cites relates, Örn and Upbringing: “when a man’s self-esteem Lundquist, I do not think either can be has been injured he is to be commiserated applied. Widmerpool is perceptive of the with – not blamed”. I am struck because problem and he is successful in resolving here Widmerpool shows himself capable it, where Nick failed both to analyse the of sympathy for other people. In other problem, but much more significantly to words, Widmerpool is being un- resolve it. Widmerpool’s motive may be Widmerpudlian. selfish but it is noteworthy that this is not immediately apparent – “Widmerpool On one hand this is terrific because it though the sole author of this makes Widmerpool a somewhat less one- reconciliation, received little or no credit dimensional figure. On the other hand it for his achievement” – but he has of jars because, as far as I remember, it is course gained, in his own terms, power as the ONLY time that Widmerpool is un- a result of his mediation. The point I am Widmerpudlian. Am I right about that? trying to make is that it does not do, and I Any other reactions to this paragraph? do not think Powell From Nick Hay intended us, to when a man’s self- Fascinating question which for me underestimate crystallised some doubts I sometimes Widmerpool, esteem has been have about the way Widmerpool is nor to imply or injured he is to be portrayed or seen here – though I accept indicate that that the Widmerpool of the prize is to his exercise of commiserated with some extent a caricature of Powell’s power could – not blamed Widmerpool – however is it possible that never be this does a disservice to the depth of beneficial and Powell’s imagination? The point I would was often certainly memorable. Rather wish to make is that there is a temptation than the obvious example of putting to view Widmerpool too exclusively Stringham to bed I recall a slight through Jenkins’ eyes. Widmerpool has reference in Temporary Kings where his own terms, and leaving aside the issue Jenkins re-encounters Cheeseman, the of the value of those terms or of the latter comments ... world of the will, and to succeed in those terms he must be successful with the Funny meeting you, Mr Jenkins. I don’t people he encounters. This may involve remember your face at all at that Div. HQ. The officer I recall is the DAAG, Major obsequy on the one hand and bullying on Widmerpool. He made quite an the other (as I think the terms of the Prize

19 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

impression on me. Very efficient, I should more subtle still – the narrator’s) say. A really good officer. judgments. Incidentally, this is why ineradicable phrases such as “author’s Now as readers we are very aware that alter ego”, “Jenkins is a foil for ...” are so Cheeseman is referring to a period in misleading. Why then call it a novel? which Widmerpool was committing one of his most unpleasant actions in ‘getting From Andrew Clarke rid’ of Stringham and thereby albeit Cheeseman’s point of view is that of an unintentionally sending him to a horrific accountant born and bred – a man who death. But Powell by giving us has transferred his waistcoat from his city Cheeseman’s (who we have no reason to suit to his army uniform, a man single- see as other than a thoroughly decent minded enough to commit the human being) view should also make us unpardonable sin of talking business at a remember that Widmerpool cannot be regimental dinner (“it will save a letter”). viewed in a simple way – and A mentality that probably served him in incidentally that Jenkins could be a very good stead when it came to surviving unmemorable person. The world of both Changi. Just the sort of man to admire narrator and reader is subtly challenged. Widmerpool’s show of brisk efficiency None of this is intended as any sort of and getting things done, without seeing – defence of Widmerpool but it is a defence or wanting to see – anything deeper. of the genius and depth of Powell’s portrait of him, which I think is How efficient Widmerpool was as a sometimes in danger of being DAAG has been the subject of previous overlooked. discussion on this list, and informed

opinion suggested that the man was a My apologies, Michael, for using your generator of work as much as anything post and question to indulge a hobby- else, although effective nonetheless (the horse. Case of the Embezzling Warrant Officer

comes to mind). From Peter Kislinger No need to apologize (not even The original observation re Widmerpool’s rhetorically, Nick) – neither are you commiseration is an interesting one: riding your hobby-horse. On the “when a man’s self-esteem has been contrary, this – your – reading is central injured, he is to be commiserated with – to what I have always seen as Powell’s not blamed”. This is a detail I had achievement and intention: subtly overlooked until now, and I am duly undermining a reader’s expectation, grateful to Dr Henle for pointing this out. pulling the rug from under (us) readers There are a couple of points I would like who are used to relying on somebody to raise for discussion: else’s judgement (in a novel: a “reliable narrator”) or rather who expect from 1. Do we have any examples of reading to get certainties they (we) are Widmerpool extending commiseration to denied in everyday life. Though we are other people whose self-esteem has been dependent on what Jenkins saw, we are injured, or is he only considering injuries not dependent on his (ie. the experiencing to his own? self’s and at times – and these are even

20 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

2. Is the statement generally valid? If a big fish in a small pond, blinded by his The remark about commiserating with sense of his own importance, is painfully someone who has been aggrieved comes but beneficially deflated, how much do early, in A Question of Upbringing, and we – or should we – commiserate? I’m sure it contributed to their sympathy 3. Is our empathy for the much- for him. humiliated Widmerpool affected by our prior knowledge of his masochism? From Michael Henle I expect many readers feel sympathy for From Colin Donald Widmerpool at least a few times during Me too, it seems to me to prove Powell’s Dance. I speak for myself, as well as point that he had not really decided what some of the students I’ve taught. to do with Widmerpool when he started Opportunities for sympathy occur out writing the novels (he claimed not to throughout the have intended Widmerpool would be the series. The anti-hero). The Widmerpool we know humiliations, Jane Austen is far and love doesn’t ‘do’ philosophy of this for example, Johnsonian sort, closest he gets are continually kinder to people in remarks like how everyone finds their occur. One ‘trade’ than Powell level in the army, which are in entirely particularly different register. There are other parts of poignant one is A Question of Upbringing that are at the end of Books Do Furnish a Room similarly false leads, I think, but none when Nick encounters Widmerpool at spring to mind at the moment! Eton where Widmerpool has accompanied Pamela who visits alone a From John Gould student she knows. We can guess the This discussion of Widmerpool’s more purpose of her visit, and it is only too sympathetic sides recalls the initial likely that Widmerpool knows it as well. reaction of my high school class several Then there are the few moments when years ago when they began their study of Widmerpool seems almost to realize the Dance. At first they were very much on futility of his strivings with the will. One his side. His position as outcast at school occurs in A Buyer’s Market when after touched them (most students having having sugar poured over him intimate knowledge of being on the Widmerpool says, “One gets very tired of outside of something). And they were these dances”. The moment when hard pressed to see the harm in him, his Widmerpool is most pathetic, of course, interference in the Ackworth matter is in Hearing Secret Harmonies when he notwithstanding. They felt sorry for him, begs Scorp for release. even as they were amused by Barbara Goring’s sugar shenanigans. It wasn’t From Joan Williams until somewhere in the third volume that Lady Violet gives an interestingly his ambition and egotism began to wear nuanced assessment of Widmerpool in thin. Until then, they thought my attitude The Departure Platform. She speaks towards him (which I couldn’t conceal) about him in connection with the unfair. publication of At Lady Molly’s :

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Elizabeth Bowen … referred to ‘the spoor All the same, there’s a suspicion that the of Widmerpool’ who by this volume of the people that admire Widmerpool are not novel does indeed appear as a truffle quite of the first rank. Jane Austen is far hound rooting his way through the social undergrowth. There is a touch of tragedy kinder to people in ‘trade’ than Powell is. in his grotesque idea that he could marry a brassy widow accustomed to living in the From Nick Birns South of France. I tend to think the Cheeseman incident, and earlier incidents of praise of From Jim Scott Widmerpool, are often a kind of dramatic If I remember correctly, there are several irony – the audience, us, ‘knows’ other passages in The Soldier’s Art Widmerpool is awful and, partially suggesting that Jenkins viewed prompted by Jenkins’s own stance, we Widmerpool as a quite competent (albeit are clamouring for characters like not at all likeable) officer. Cheeseman and others who think Widmerpool competent and dedicated to From Andrew Clarke say, “Oh, he’s so awful,” because we There’s no doubt that Widmerpool is a know that, or think that, but Powell capable fellow: he makes only one frustrates us, and whets our appetite for notable gaffe in the entire work, and Widmerpool’s eventual destruction, by that’s those traffic circuits. Not his fault, not having all the characters in the fictive but as Jenkins realises, it happens to the world think that of Widmerpool at all. best of us in the army, so we should learn to grin and bear it. But Widmerpool Widmerpool is indeed a competent doesn’t: he bears the grudge and takes his officer in wartime and, importantly, revenge when he’s in a position to do so. Widmerpool is not stupid (unlike, say, Brent). But one can be an assiduous Lunching with Widmerpool at his club is officer and a reasonably intelligent man evidently not a pleasant experience. But without being moral, and Widmerpool, as somebody proposed Widmerpool for that presented through Jenkins’ narrative, is club and the committee accepted his simply not moral. candidature. And it wasn’t the kind of club that normally caters for From B Douglas Russell Widmerpools – an aristocratic if raffish I see Widmerpool as a string being reputation for high stakes is mentioned. dangled by Powell and the readers as the This ain’t the Brewer Country Club he’s cat. While Colin Donald may be right, managed to get into, folks, or anything and I hope he is as it’s far more like it. interesting, that Powell wasn’t settled on the role or the hideousness that And Jenkins makes the point that Widmerpool would play or display at the Widmerpool has become a perfectly off, it was clear that he would go from acceptable city gent as far as the Peter light gray to eventual black and white at Templers of this world are concerned. least in Powell’s mind as the story Truscott feels there’s a place for him in unfolded. the new legal/political branch and cuts his own throat by getting him there.

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Isn’t it possible that Powell intended for readers to feel an initial sympathy (if not empathy) for Widmerpool: a natural response by people coming in on a scene without knowing anything about the people involved? Perhaps Powell himself did? It’s a natural response. Where one goes from there is the interesting and revealing bit. Powell as a person didn’t seem to have any problem differentiating for himself what he saw as black and white and what as gray.

I think it intrigued Powell to see what the cats did with the string whether the string is Widmerpool, Ted Jeavons, Quiggin, Scorp, Pamela, Jenkins, et al. What’s left out is often as important as what was included. Regarding Widmerpool, couldn’t Powell have known, as both time and the novels progressed, much of the western public’s predilection toward the inane practice of moral equivalence? Couldn’t he have taken a sort of black, satirical delight in the idea that certain of his audience would fight their impulse to see Widmerpool for what he is and, because of their ingrained bias, try to redeem him even after having read the Why Not Advertise Here? corpus? Mightn’t that also be a message? ***

Some cats are cleverer than others. Some Display Advert Rates cats see the string, know who is dangling Full Page: £30 it and play along for the fun of it; some ½ page or full column: £20 cats see the string, have no idea from 1/3 page (horizontal): £15 where it originates, are perplexed by it, ¼ page (½ column): £10 but nevertheless play along with it; some cats see the string and are mesmerized by 1/6 page (1/3 column): £8 it; some cats see the string and are Flyer inserts: £10 per A5 sheet frightened of it; some cats see the string B&W artwork only and would rather lick themselves or deal *** with a hairball. Small Ads Free to Society members Others 10p/word, minimum £3

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Letters to the Editor

From Keith Marshall From Noreen Marshall

I have just acquired copies of The Welch A footnote to Keith's comment about Regiment Officers' Association Captain DA Ionides, listed in The Directory for the years 1948 and 1958 as Welch Regiment Officers' Association I thought they may contain the odd Directory for the years 1948 and Powell snippet. 1958: only sort of foreign. He was almost certainly a member of the Greek In 1948 Powell's father is listed amongst merchant and merchant banking family the 8 Powells who were members but not who settled in the UK early in the 19th Powell himself: century, adopted the name Ionides for use here, and were major art collectors (as in Powell, Lieut.-Col. P. L. W., C.B.E., the Ionides Collection at the V&A) and D.S.O., Oatlands Park Hotel, Oatlands, were patrons of GF Watts among other Weybridge, Surrey. painters. In 1958 both Powell and his father are listed along with three other Powells: I'm wondering if the Captain is Dionysos Alexander (‘Denis’) Ionides (1912-1978), Powell, Major Anthony D., C.B.E., The and great-great-grandson of Constantine Chantry, Nr Frome, Som. Ionides (the one who decided to come here to live) – but don't know of any Powell, Colonel P. L. W., C.B.E., D.S.O., Army and Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, military service on his part, although London, S.W.1. other contemporary members of the family were in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, But not a Gwatkin, Gwinnett, Bithel, for example, so it's not that unlikely. Biggs, Widmerpool, Liddament, Kedward, Popkiss, Breeze or Pumphrey In typical Powell fashion, another in sight. Just six Jenkins in 1948 and five member of the Ionides family lived in in 1958. Rutland Gate, and looking down lists of surnames on the Web, I came across a Le Curiously both lists contain Captain DA Bas ... Ionides who is about the only foreign- sounding name I've spotted.

Both books are 36 pages of 16mo (i.e. pocketbook sized), and about 25-30 names/page in small type. I wonder how many of these 1000+ men Powell actually met?

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From An Un-named Correspondent novel, From a View to a Death, published in the United States? If anyone here had anything to do with 7. In From A View to a Death, which the questions on Powell for the Medical fetish does Major Fosdick become Mastermind competition here in Ireland increasingly less circumspect in (in which "the novels of Anthony Powell" concealing? was my specialist subject), you may be glad to hear I won the heat. 8. Which of the Dance novels begins with the line “The smell of Venice Um, check out question 12. As the MC suffused the night, lacustrine essences said it I thought, “No, that can't be,” but richly distilled”? then thought, “well, what else can it be?” 9. What is the occupation of I guess any qualms I have at it are Lushington, central character in mollified by the fact that recognising Powell's second novel, Venusberg? what they thought the answer was would 10. At the end of the party scene in itself test one's Anthony Powell Casanova's Chinese Restaurant, who knowledge … Also, I won by four informs Amy Foxe that the quatrefoil points, so it wasn't like it made a cup is a forgery? difference to the outcome! 11. Dicky Umfraville remains true to Anyhow, here goes – I've a feeling most form by appearing for the last time at of you will find this easy; remember I the wedding in Hearing Secret had only two minutes with bright lights Harmonies suffering from what? bearing down! 12. Which Powell novel was adapted as a feature film directed by Terry 1. The title of Powell's twelve-volume Gilliam? novel A Dance to The Music of Time was derived from an allegorical 13. In the famous seven deadly sins painting by which Baroque era tableau in The Kindly Ones, which painter? deadly sin is enacted by Jenkins? 2. The well known Fitzrovian writer and 14. In A Buyer's Market, what does critic Julian Maclaren-Ross was the Barbara Goring pour over model for which character from the Widmerpool during a deb ball at the Dance volumes? Huntercombes? 3. In which Dance volume does Pamela 15. The title of the seventh Dance throw one of Trapnel's manuscripts volume, The Valley of Bones, comes into Regents Park Canal? from which Old Testament book? 4. In which year was Afternoon Men, 16. Which Dance character writes a Powell's first novel, published? biography of Trapnel entitled Death's Head Swordsman? 5. In the 1997 Channel 4 adaptation of Dance, which actor played the part of St John Clarke? 6. Under which title was Powell's third

25 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

From Julian Allason Biography, Debretts, the Beano annual, or some such. John Preston in his review of Alexander Waugh's Fathers and Sons: According to Preston the book has an Autobiography of a Family (Sunday entertaining account of Auberon's school Telegraph of 5 September 2004) recounts career, in which he showed “little that: aptitude at anything except lying and arson” while at Downside, “much of After a disastrous first marriage, Evelyn which he apparently burnt down”. More married Laura Herbert in 1937. The hidden depths, no doubt. novelist Anthony Powell reckoned that, ‘Laura was extremely dim, to put it mildly’, although her grandson [Alexander] loyally insists that she had hidden depths.

Might this opinion, if widely known, not account for Auberon's feverish dislike of Powell? It seems more probable than his alleged conviction that Powell had kept Evelyn out of the Dictionary of National

The Quotable Powell Donners’ inner circle. Her brother, Peter, has married a toothpaste-ad model who Class distinction, however, is quite at the leaves him for Quiggin, deserting mercy of sexual attraction which Quiggin for Erridge, Jenkins’ brother-in- irreverently cuts across, rather than law. Stripling, after his marriage to Babs confines itself to, the limits of class. The Templer and his affair with Jean, has succession of sex partners for any given taken up with fortune-telling Myra character ... links both ends of the social Erdleigh, a friend of Jenkins’ Uncle scale, creating a network of relationships Giles. Bob Duport, after leaving Jean so complete as to provide a kind of unity Templer, is involved with Lady Bijou for the novel. Again, Jenkins provides a Ardglass who has also moved in Sir ready illustration. Before he finally Magnus’ circle. Another former mistress marries aristocratic Isobel Tolland, he has of Sir Magnus’, previously married to had an extended affair with middle-class Carolo, who runs off with Maclintick’s Jean Templer and a brief coupling with wife, married Jenkins’ friend Moreland. the little Leftist whore, Gypsy Jones. Moreland later becomes involved with Gypsy lives with Mr Deacon, who has Jenkins’ sister-in-law Priscilla Tolland. It known Jenkins’ parents; she has secured goes on and on – a public health official’s the price of an abortion from Widmerpool nightmare – until each of Powell’s “brief and been had by Quiggin. Jean Templer, lives” is linked. once married to Bob Duport, has been involved with her sister’s auto-racing From: Anthony Powell: ‘The Anatomy of husband, Jimmy Stripling, and with some Decay’ by WD Queensbery; in Critique, studies in modern fiction, Spring 1964 unidentified member of Sir Magnus

26 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #17

Society Merchandise

Oxford Conference Proceedings Wallace Collection Postcard The collected papers from the 2003 The Wallace Collection’s luxurious conference at Balliol College, Oxford. postcard of Poussin’s A Dance to the Price: £7.50 (post free to all members) Music of Time. Picture on page 26. Price: £2 for 5 (postage rate B) Eton Conference Proceedings Limited edition of 250 numbered copies Wallace Collection Poster each signed by the Society’s Patron. The Wallace Collection’s 48.5 x 67.5 cm Price: £15 (post free to all members) (half life-size) poster of Poussin’s A Dance to the Music of Time. Mailed in a Oxford Conference Delegates Book poster tube. Picture on page 26. As given to delegates at the conference. Price: £5.75 (postage rate D) Price: £1.50 (postage rate C) Society Bookmarks The Master and The Congressman Price: £1 for 5 (postage rate A) A 40 page monograph by John Monagan describing his meetings with Anthony Newsletter Back Issues Powell. A small treasure for all collectors Back numbers of Newsletter issues 1, 6 of Powelliana. and 8 to 16 are still available. Price: £5 (post free to all members) Price: 50p per copy (postage rate B)

BBC Dramatisation of Dance Postage. All Society merchandise is post free to Available to members only. members in the UK. Regrettably we have to ask Single CD. Price: £2.50 + Donation: overseas members to contribute to airmail postage using the following rates: £7.50 minimum (Total £10; post free) Non-members will be charged postage & 26 CDs. Price: £20 + Donation: £40 packing at cost. minimum (Total £60; post free)

Rate UK Europe World Audio Tapes of Dance Copies of the following audio tapes of A free 25p 60p Simon Callow reading (abridged) B free 40p £1 volumes of Dance: · A Question of Upbringing C free 60p £1.50 · The Kindly Ones D free 80p £1.75 · The Valley of Bones · The Soldier’s Art Gold and Founder members of the Society receive a 10% discount on the cost of all Price: £2.50 each (postage rate C) merchandise (but not on postage charges).

Society Postcard Ordering. Post, phone or fax your order B&W postcard of Powell with his cat to the Hon. Secretary at the address on Trelawney. Picture on page 17. page 2. Payment by cheque (UK funds Price: £1.75 for 5 (postage rate B) drawn on a UK bank), credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or cash.

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Number of years membership being paid: I am a UK taxpayer and I want all donations 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / more (please state): I’ve made since 6 April 2000 and all donations in the future to be Gift Aid until I notify you otherwise. ** Gift Membership I agree to the Society holding my information on If this is a gift membership please attach the computer. name & address of the recipient plus any special message on a separate sheet of paper. Signed:

Where shall we send the membership? Date: ¨ Direct to the recipient ¨ To you to give to the recipient personally ** Delete if not applicable.

Please send the completed form and payment to: 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