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Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Has been 'out composing verses in a tempest'. Glad she is having happy dreams; suggests analyses for her one about the cicalas [9/26]. Quotes from Moore on sleep [Thomas Sturge Moore, "To An Early Spring Day"]. Sorry that her aunt's recovery is not speedier. Will send a letter to her tomorrow. Does not like Mrs Costelloe 'in many ways', but does not condemn her for 'refusing to live with Costelloe' who seems to have been 'almost impossible to live with', though she should not have been 'taken in' by him; thinks her and [Bernard] Berenson's relationship is 'as nice as those sort of relations can be'; discusses her influence on him. Supposes he will see Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] at Florence; explains the nature of their friendship further. He and Lina are on 'very good terms' again, and she likes his poem about her pet bat ["The Lady's Bat"], though it is not yet finished.

Continues the letter next day; has read most of the editor's letter in the paper sent by Bessie's uncle [in a Dutch paper, to the Duke of Devonshire, see 9/26]; thinks he is 'in the main right' but knows 'little of the facts, except what he has gathered from English writers who disapprove of the [Second Boer] war' such as Bryce, Hobson, Lecky and Courtney; since he has 'ornamented his columns with many not very apt quotations' Bob as a poet ought not to be too hard on him. Thinks he will spend two days with Berenson at Florence, since it is unlikely Mrs Costelloe will be back; has not yet heard from his mother about crossing with Bessie and the letter may not have reached her. Asks him his plans suit Bessie. Is torn between Venus and Apollo, and 'Apollo has all the nine young ladies [the Muses] on his side'.

3 Via Camerata, Florence. - Arrived safely yesterday, having had a 'delightful afternoon' at Pompeii on the way. Has found [Bernard] Berenson alone; Mrs C. [Mary Costelloe] will not return for a week or two; thinks that he and Berenson are 'making an effort not to squabble on matters of opinion, which is good discipline'. Hopes to hear from Bessie soon; will decide from what she says about her aunt's health how long to stay in Florence. Has not yet seen Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon]; thinks things between them are all right now as 'her letters were quite friendly' and she liked his poem about her pet bat ["The Lady's Bat"]. Is in more difficulty with Mrs Costelloe; must keep on good terms with her if he wants to stay friends with Berenson; mistrusts her gossip and the effect it might have had on Lina. Has not yet shown Berenson his last year's poems and the work on his new play; hopes he will be encouraging. Dined with the Rasponis last night, who are very nice and live opposite in 'a magnificent palace'. Thinks Tuscany 'the finest country in the world'. Had a good time at Ravello, especially towards the end; the Straughns [sic: Strachan-Davidsons?] were 'very good company', though some 'annoying strangers' turned up. Mrs Reid was 'very kind'; wants him and Bessie to come in August or September; he has said that is not for him to decide. Will let Bessie know when he is due to arrive, and make sure he does so in the day so she will not have to get up in the dark to meet him at the station; wonders who will see the other first, as they are both 'as blind as bats'. Will show her the poem about the bat when she comes; it is not 'first class' but 'pretty'. Hopes her aunt continues to get well; would be a great shame if Bessie could not come to England in time to go to Welcombe.

With printed message 'I'll not confer with sorrow till to-morrow; But Joy shall have her way This very day'. No message written in by hand. Image of cottage, by Frederick Leighton [sic]. This item may not be from Vishwanath Singh, or it could have originally contained the following item.

Folded sheet, 'Christmas Remembrance' and signature of Vishwanath Singh; on opposite page, image of cottage and hens.

'Greetings. Every Happiness, Every Blessing', signed by Vishwanath Singh.

On headed paper with the arms of Chhatarpur: 'Expecting to hear from you. Having not heard from you for long. I'm anxious'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - They have just had a 'long letter from Robert' [in the East] but have not yet read it through; expects Elizabeth will also hear from him. Julian becomes ever more talkative. Miss [Charlotte?] Moberly has been to visit. The hounds are coming this morning; does not know whether Julian will get out as it is raining, but he will be able to see them in the yard from the window. She and Sir George are 'greatly distressed' about the 'shocking row' in the House [of Commons, on Home Rule]. Charlie was here on Thursday night; he has gone today with Mary to Alnwick to speak in the place of E[dward] Grey, who cannot leave London. Their children are coming today to see the hounds, then 'sleep and dine' at Wallington. Nora [Trevelyan] came to lunch and to say goodbye as she is leaving; she looked very shaky. Meta [Smith]'s eldest son Reginald is engaged; he is 23 and does not come of age till he is 25, so Meta will not have to leave Goldings till then. Mary is quite well now.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Encloses his "Recollections" of Donald [Tovey?]. When Molly has read them - perhaps Desmond would like to do so too - asks her to send them back with the other "Reminiscences" he left with her, but there is 'no hurry'. Had difficulty hearing Hisa[o] Ch'ien yesterday, but liked what he could hear; Desmond was 'very good'. Now has sufficient material for the next "Abinger Chronicle"; hopes that Molly will consider writing something for it about "Donald's childhood, or about something quite different'. He and Bessie think that she has a 'very real gift for writing'; it is a pity she lets it '"fust in [her] unused"' [a quotation from "Hamlet"]. Enjoyed seeing her and Desmond very much.

Beacon Hill School, Harting, Petersfield. - Was very glad to show Bessie's friends over the school and hear some news of her. Sees very few people, since the school 'takes up so much thought and time' and she does not dare leave it for too long or go far away. Always remembers the day they first met, since it was also the first time she met Bertie; they all thought then that the world would be better after the war. Supposes no-one will now see a 'cheerful and up-and-coming world' like the one she grew up in; at least they can take care of some young people. Having four children and a school makes her 'feel quite aged'. Asks if they see anything of Bertie these days.

Telegraph House, Harting, Petersfield. - Peter Russell hanks Bessie for the little jackets; was short of these, and since she plans to knit a large shawl was worried about not getting enough done. It is 'very warming and encouraging to have the baby welcomed like this'; Bessie is already being as kind to it as she always has to John and Kate. The children are 'both so grown up' and have been making things for the baby.

Bertrand Russell adds that it would suit him to bring John and Kate to visit on April 9, as long as the baby does not come then. Is not going to Holland this spring, though this was talked of. Is glad she agrees with what he said to the Lords.

Telegraph House, Harting, Petersfield. - Apologises for not thanking her sooner for the face-towels; 'sick-room routine' seemed to take up all her time when she was in bed, and she has been looking after Conrad for the last week which seems 'almost a whole-time job'; though now she is getting used to it and enjoying it. Is pleased because he seems to do better with her than the nurse. Sorry she was 'so distraught' when Bessie visited; the nurse was 'cross and rather negligent' because of something in her private life, but once she was soothed down they got on well. Found her 'stories of East End midwifery' fascinating, but her methods 'not quite adequate for Conrad'. Conrad's additional names are Sebastian, after Bach, and Robert.

Casa Cuseni, Taormina, Sicily. - Julian seems very contented, works all day, talks and laughs a lot in the evening, and they find him 'very charming'. This is an ideal place for him; the house is full of people, all 'very friendly and companionable'. Knows it is hard to guess how people are really feeling, but it seems he is being 'soothed and rested'. She came out here without the doctors' permission and is feeling better than she has for months.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - The day she and Bertie spent at the Shiffolds was 'quite perfect'; apologises for not writing sooner to say so. Hopes to see Bessie in town, but much looks forward to 'the promised repeat expedition' when the days are warmer and longer again. Is most grateful to Bessie for welcoming her so warmly. Asks to be remembered to Miss Jones, who did much to make them happy, and 'the other ladies' as well if they are still there.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie's operation yesterday was successful, according to the doctors, and he has made good progress. There were some complications, so the operation was 'frighteningly serious and took a long time'. He will probably be in hospital for about three weeks. Will give him Bessie's letter to read when the 'haze of drugs and pain' has gone.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie is getting on very well [after his prostate operation]: 'looks like himself again - except painfully thin - and smokes his pipe like billy-o.' Has told him about Bessie's letter, and the excerpt from Dr [Karl] Bluth's letter; he was very pleased. He can only read light thrillers at the moment, but thanks Bessie for offering to send the "Persian Adventure". Will probably be able to go home in a week; their ceilings fell down just before Bertie's operation, so the house is 'full of builders and plastic and dust'. Is sorry to hear that the glare of the sun on the snow pains Bessie's eyes.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie very much for offering to take in the Russells, but the workmen have finished at the Richmond house. However, Bertie has developed a slight fever, and must stay in hospital until it goes; she feels quite anxious, as the cause is not known, though the doctors insist there is no need to worry.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie's fever seems to have been caused by an infected stitch; he has no temperature tonight for the first time in a week. He had an x-ray to check whether the organs disturbed during his [prostate] operation were causing trouble, but everything was normal. He should be able to go home soon, and they are both very happy.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Apologises for not writing sooner; hopes Bessie saw the notice in the newspaper that Bertie had left hospital. He is very cheerful and getting stronger, though still thin; they walked a little way in Richmond Park yesterday. 'It is heavenly to be together again and alone'.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - She and Bertie would like to come to the Shiffolds for the day, and ask if 9 June would suit, or perhaps some time the following week.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - would love to visit on 16 June; Bessie should let them know if that date becomes inconvenient..

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Glad to hear that Bessie is settled with such a nice couple. Would like to visit, but they are away on the Continent in September; asks if they might visit for a day when they return. The children [Russell's grandchildren?] are here now; they are going to Cornwall to stay with Dora until school starts in September. Mary [Fedden] and Julian must have had a 'glorious holiday' in the sun; the Russells were in luck to have the sun shine on them in 'that lovely azalea wood' where they walked with Bessie in May or June.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Happy to hear about the party at Birkbeck College [for the donation of R. C. Trevelyan's books to the library] and wished they could have been there. Would like to read Bessie's and E. M. Forster's speeches if they have been printed; thinks with 'admiring wonder' of Bessie having enjoyed making the speech. Would love to visit the Shiffolds, but does not think they can get away; they had an 'absolutely heavenly' holiday in France, but now Bertie is very busy. She worries about him; wishes sometimes that he would refuse to take on what should, it seems to her, be other people's responsibilities. John's book is a short story he wrote a few years ago ["Abandon Spa Hot Springs"], published by the Gaberbocchus Press. She thinks it is good, but 'a slight production for a young man with three children to be supported'; still, Bertie would not be happy if John were not working. They take long walks now and again, this afternoon along the river to Ham House; Bessie's garden and the countryside around must be 'enchanting'. Would very much like it if Bessie could come for lunch one day.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Good news that Bessie may be able to stay with them on one of her trips to London; suggests the best days. She is 'acting as Bertie's secretary' now and so is also very busy and unable to come to Dorking either; they are both very sorry. They have not yet had the report of the speeches at Birkbeck College [for the donation of R. C. Trevelyan's books to the library].

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her letters and postcard, and answers her questions: her book is "Wilfrid Scawen Blunt", and was published in 1939 when she was still Edith Finch; is sorry she does not have a copy to lend her. Agrees that the weather is very cold, though the Russells have not had to retire to bed to keep warm like Bessie; hopes she is not ill. They have not yet seen V[eronica] Wedgwood's book ["The King's Peace, 1637–1641", vol. 1 of "The Great Rebellion"]; liked her "William the Silent" very much, but they have been so busy to read much besides what must be read. They both have been very busy since Bertie's Christmas broadcast ["Man’s Peril from the Hydrogen Bomb.”]; she hopes his energy will hold out and that 'passionate sincerity' will bring about the proposal's success. Domestically, they are in chaos: the cook-general's husband is ill so she has been away since before Christmas, they have a little help from a char and from the grandchildren's governess. Their grandchildren [Felicity, Anne, and Lucy] are now in their sole care, 'since their parents first left them and then left each other'. John has been ill; he spends some of his time with his mother, and some with them; it has been 'really fierce and harrowing' for Bertie. They 'love the little girls dearly' however. Sorry the roads are so treacherous; would be lovely to see her when she can get to London again.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Originally some more leaflets [about Bertrand Russell's anti-nuclear proposal]. Bertie thinks he must concentrate on the Indians; perhaps Bessie could write to Queen Juliana. Does not know whether the proposal has been published in the Netherlands; thinks it has in Sweden and Denmark. Must have written 'very misleadingly about John' to give the impression that his mother has helped him: she 'has behaved quite frightfully'. The doctors thought that John might get better if given proper care, which was arranged for him; she persuaded him against their 'very pressing advice' to leave the hospital and live with her; John seems to be afraid of her. He comes 'wandering out here twice or thrice a week' but there is nothing they can do but wait till he gets worse. Their London char has now fallen ill, and the children's governess is now their 'mainstay'.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Very disappointed: Bertie has an engagement already for Friday 6th so they will not be there; they would have loved to see Bessie here, and Miss Jones; Edith would have been happy to help Bessie up their stairs if Miss Jones could not come. Got back on Monday from a fortnight in Rome and Paris where Bertie had to go for a conference and speeches, and immediately his time was filled with engagements 'trying to bring Gov'ts and peoples to their senses about war and thermo-nuclear weapons'. Einstein's death a tragedy; they heard about it on the plane from Rome to Paris, and arrived in Paris to find a letter from him saying he would support Bertie entirely, which must have been almost the last letter he wrote. Bertie is now working on the proposal he and Einstein intended to issue; he needs a holiday and they are planning to take a month's holiday 'out of communication' in Scotland.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Is ashamed not to have written sooner: the summer "surpassed the most lurid imaginings of upsets and busy-ness' she could have had. Bertie has been incredibly busy with 'meetings and speeches, plans, discussions, articles and conferences both here and in Paris', while the difficulties with John led to 'a series of climaxes and horrors'. They took a house in North Wales in June, for the grandchildren and future holidays, having seen it once and fallen in love with it for its views; has had to work hard to furnish it and arrange for utilities. The children went in mid-July, and they joined them in mid-August 'for a glorious six weeks'. The 'nice Woods' [Alan and Mary], who are 'dears', brought news of Bessie. Is afraid they will not be able to get to the Shiffolds to see Bessie, but there are too many things Bertie must do; he is currently meeting the Austrian Socialist leader who is visiting the Austrian Embassy.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Lovely to have news straight from Bessie, rather than through [Alan and Mary] Wood, 'dears though they are'; it is kind of her to invite them for the Christmas holiday, but they are going to Wales with the three grandchildren as soon as they return from school; they have just heard that their 'daily' there has to go into hospital, so their domestic troubles will continue. Looks forward 'to cooking a turkey for 10 or 12 people in an oven into which it will not fit. Is glad Miss Jones is still living with Bessie and hopes she will be able to find someone to read to her 'who loves the country. The people who interrupted at the Central Hall meeting were an organised band called the "Royal Imperialists" whose stated concern is "to uphold the Empire"; very silly, but no more so than the article in this week's "Time and Tide" on India; 'amazing how many people...feel they can achieve great things by not looking at facts and merely calling everybody they don't like nasty names'; this includes the Russians, who are 'lying in India now'. Is very glad Julian and Mary are so happy, and about Julian's successful show.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Wishes they could come to the Shiffolds, but 'as usual' they are too busy for the next few weeks; they are selling the house and preparing to move to North Wales, and also to put the children into a new school nearer there. They do hope to come and visit before they leave, hiring a car and also calling on Flora Russell at Albury. Have received a card for Mary [Fedden's] show at the Redfern Gallery and hope to get to it: have not seen her or Julian since the boatrace, and have never seen many of their paintings. Have not seen the Woods [Alan and Mary] since returning from Wales; is afraid they have had a difficult time but hope things are going better for them now. Encloses a blurb of a book of Bertie's ["Portraits from Memory and Other Essays"?] which she thinks may interest Elizabeth.

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merioneth. - Has been waiting for the BBC to send a list of dates when Bertie will be wanted for broadcasting to reply to Elizabeth, as they plan to call on her at the Shiffolds on the way back from London; they have heard nothing from the BBC but no plan to come towards the end of the month or the beginning of October, after the children have gone to their new school. Difficulties with selling their Richmond house. The children have being 'angels' this summer, unlike 'last summer's devilments'. Bertie is working on a new book, which she is glad of: philosophy serves as a 'counter-irritant to the perfect horrors in the political world': finds the 'war whoops' of the British government, supported by Gaitskell [over Suez] astounding; supposes the matter will go to the U.N.; she 'can hardly bear regarding Dulles as a dove of peace'. The Russells were very interested to hear about the Waleys. Likes to think of Mary and Julian enjoying the sunshine in Italy: there is so much rain in Wales they 'are rapidly developing fins and scales'.