Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0012 (387)

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[Alexandria] 27 November 1882
    My dear Constantine,          I have this day received your interesting     letter 18th instant and am puzzled to the extreme at your     statement that the Queen has not reached you for the     last five weeks, inasmuch as it arrives here regularly and     is as regularly again reposted by me. In this point howe-     ver, your letters to me and Aristides are conflicting, seeing     that in one you state the nonreceipt of the paper to have     occured for five, and in the other for two, weeks ―
    Thanks for your clever criticism of “Έρως αλγοφόρος” (this to     prove that I have adopted the title) ― which is worthy of     your usual perspicuity in analysing matters. Albeit     I differ from you and confidently think I have somewhat     improved upon the original ― The account of St. Spiridion’s     miracle is well worth an abler hand than mine     to transcribe. Epics, as you know, are not my style     and when I essay an episode I am constantly at fault     owing to the constant straying of my thoughts from
    the main point ― It has cost me more trouble to write     the “Death of Phocas” than all my other verses put together.           The themes I like to deal with are such as can barely     be discerned thro’ the surrounding imagery ― and which,     though unapparent throughout the whole, ― here and there     with a word or simile are made forcibly palpable, and     indicate the key of the entire poem ―
    So much of my literary vagaries, which are not worth     the time I expend in composing them, no! nor the paper     and ink.― Enclosed you will find two extracts     from the Egyptian Gazette. One refers to the death of     the old Menasee (who it is said bequeaths to his son     Behor a million and a half of money) and that of Nerout-     sos’ son ― Neroutsos Bey is much cast down by this loss ―     a sad one indeed. Mrs. Neroutsos is now here.     The other extract is the notice Mr. Moss has caused to be     inserted for the impending sale of his furniture. I think     it will amuse you, for it is such a contrast to the
    usual way of expressing one’s misfortunes.     Tomorrow, Tuesday, I am invited to spend five days     with Mr. Moss at the Hotel Beau Séjour Ramleh, and     as you can easily imagine, shall not fail to     avail myself of an opportunity that offers a clean     bed and good living and a short absence from the     unpleasant vicinity of the Rossini theatre.     Yesterday, Sunday, Aristides and I dined at the Schi-     lizzis ― It was my first entrance into the old lady’s     house, and I found her very kind and hospitable. Pandy     and his wife live in the same house. Mrs. Peggy Schilizzi
    is very poorly and I believe consumptive ― She looks as     one “whom Death hath marked his own”. ―     You ask from me to send you “Periplus” and “Streams” etc.     I shall comply with your request next mail ― Copying     is dreary work, and I have very little time to myself.     Were it not that I always expect to get on with Mr.
Moss, I should really feel annoyed at the way I am overworked in the Office ― Kneen has ― so to speak ― handed me over the entire correspondence of the firm; and this, besides my other work, is, on mail days especially, enough to drive one mad. Do not think I complain, for I hold as my first tenet that work ― true, loyal work ― whether written or active, is the one, true guide to peace of mind, and preservation from evil; ― but unfortunately I am of those who, if it were possible to avert the necessity of work, ― would sit moping and dreaming from early dawn to darkening night. ―
You need have no fear of any irregularity on my part in corresponding with you ― I shall continue as heretofore to address you once a week. There is no news ― Lord Dufferin has as yet done nothing ― Araby’s trial is not quite organized, but expected shortly. I posted you a few Gazettes and trust to hear you have received them. It is extremely unpleasant that anything is intercepted ― Here I suspect nothing, for I post all letters and papers myself. Give my very best love to dear mother, Alexander and Paul, and believe me, gentle Constantinus, Your affectionate John.

DIGITAL OBJECT DESCRIPTION

IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0012 (387)

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

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27/11/1882

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Item

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44 x 27.5 cm

FORMER REFERENCE CODE:

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F50_Φ1-27

CONTEXT AREA

NAME OF CREATOR(S):

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Cavafy, John

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE AREA

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

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Handwritten letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy on the first and third pages of a double sheet notepaper and on the recto of a letterhead of R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. Pages 2 and 3 are numbered at top right. Comments on John’s poetry. Update on current affairs.

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CC BY-SA 4.0 Cavafy Archive Onassis Foundation

LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT NOTES:

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English

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co Alexandria. Physical item wear: oxidations.

NOTES AREA

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The transcription and editing of the letters of John Constantine Cavafy addressed to C. P. Cavafy was first carried out by Katerina Ghika; said transcriptions were subsequently uploaded to the official website of the Cavafy Archive.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Literary annotation, providing additional information on the digital object.

The subject of the letter is John’s poetry and particularly his poems “Eros the Pain-Bearer”, “Death of Focas”, “Periplus” and “Streams”. Of note is that the title “Eros the Pain-Bearer” was suggested by C. P. Cavafy.