Box 1

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Sweeney references an "enclosed letter" about a Richard Wilbur recording that Fassett undertook to transcribe. He states, "I have to written to Mrs. Saarinen as follows: 'I was delighted to hear from you that you were pleased with the reading transcribed by Stephen Fassett for Mrs. Saunders. I shall report this to Mr. Wilbur for I am sure that he will be pleased."

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Sweeney mentions the "long-drawn-out post-office strike in this trouble-ridden Republic." He asks for "a copy of the poem Cal [Robert Lowell] read for you in a version different from the printed one." He discusses the deaths of "Walter Whitehill, a long-time stalwart of the C.O.V." and "the great Irish actor Michael MacLiammoir died this week in Dublin. Mary Howe appeared on television to speak of his greatness. She's in great form."

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Sweeney discusses "ethnicity" and "color-consciousness." He recalls Maire's confusion about the n-word when she first moved to the United States. He describes the enclosed copy, which Fassett had requested, of his "brief and informal" reminiscences of Robert Lowell's reading in the Public Gardens on June 5, 1960.

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Typescript of W. S. Merwin's "The Native," with handwritten dedication "for Agatha and Stephen Fassett." Signed "with love from Bill | April 1958."

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Sweeney thanks Fassett for his recording of Máire Sweeney and mentions a forthcoming trip to Conrad and Mary Aiken's home in Brewster, Mass., and a visit to New York City.

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Sweeney asks Fassett to ship their recent Robert Lowell recording to him in London in August.

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Sweeney provides the address of the British Council for shipment of the Lowell tape. He mentions meeting with Mary Manning Howe in Dublin and mourns the death of Red Kellogg.

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Sweeney expresses gratitude for the Lowell-Anzilotti tape and recounts his recommendation of it to the BBC.

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Sweeney asks Fassett to secure Ted Hughes' permission to send the Poetry Room's June 13, 1958 recording of Hughes to the painter Barrie Cooke, who "has recently become acquainted with Ted's poetry and is very enthusiastic about it." In a postscript, Sweeney expresses how "elated" he was "to hear that Dick Eberhart is to make a recording with you tomorrow. He's a very dear old friend of mine."

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Sweeney recounts a meeting with Patrick Saul (British Institute of Recorded Sound) during which Fassett's work was discussed.

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Sweeney recommends a musical that "is the best I've seen since Oklahoma" and speculates on "the influence of Brecht."

Scope and Contents: Sweeney apprises the Fassetts of Ted Hughes' condition after Sylvia Plath's death. He states that "Ted is in good health and (all things considered) good spirits. He is concerned about finding a right nanny for the children. At present they are with Ted's aunt who enjoys them and is enjoyed by them so all seems well for the present." Sweeney indicates that "Ted asked warmly for you and Agatha and begged me to beg of you a tape copy of a Japanese monastery and gong record which you played for...

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Sweeney asks Fassett if he can locate "an early singing of 'Tipperary'" and jokes that "today the grouse-shooting begins in Shotland." In a postscript, Sweeney confirms that John Frederick Nims "has received his disc. Many thanks!".

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Sweeney expresses gratitude for the Fassett's "response to my news of Máire's D.Litt." He quips: "I now slink around the house quite undoctored, miserable and miniscule…." The letter also mentions Edmund Wilson and Gerdis [or Gerda?] Nielson.

Scope and Contents: Two-sided correspondence, which was forwarded to Fassett for processing. On the recto: A letter from Richard Grossinger to Sweeney (dated 1966 Sept. 1) asking "if you ever kept the original of the Diane Wakoski reading, or if you could make a copy and send it to us. We would also like any tapes you might have of Olson and Kelly if you make copies. In return (logistically) we could tape anything we get ahold of out here and send you copies of it." On the verso: Sweeney replies to Grossinger...

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Sweeney discusses Maire's health and requests "two copies (disc) of 'How Can They Tell That I'm Irish.'"

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Sweeney thanks Fassett for "the Bill Alfred disc" and states that "Ed O'Connor's death begloomed us…. He was one of the two most ardently humorous humans I have ever known."

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Sweeney responds to Fassett's account of the break-in at his recording studio at 24 Chestnut Street. Sweeney also shares an anecdote about his return flight to Ireland, in which he was seated next to Paul Counihan, "the Massachusetts manager of Senator McCarthy's campaign." Sweeney closes with a poem, "The Cat."

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Sweeney recounts his bout with the flu: "I am gradually (steps you know) creeping ('creep,' you know) out of the bloody orfil flu which I hope neither of you know." He also mentions Sir Fitzroy Maclean, "the last survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade."