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Epwell Mill, Banbury. - Presumes to "revive a casual & far too exiguous acquaintance' by telling Trevelyan how much he appreciated his poem to [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson [published in the "New Statesman" on 22 October] which seemed the 'noblest remiscence [sic: reminiscence, a mis-spelling for which Withers apologises in the margin]' for a man he 'knew but slightly in the troubled days of 1918' but for whom he has 'always felt the profoundest admiration'. Read the poem a few hours ago over his 'customary bed-ridden breakfast'. The Bottomleys stayed with them last week: Emily was 'jaded & listless', but Gordon 'exuberant & irrepressible, & perhaps more self-engrossed than ever'; it seems that the 'crushing burdens of these days, even the desolation & sorrows of his friends' slip from him 'like water from a duck's back'. Wishes Trevelyan was not so far away, and that there was 'reasonable hope' of seeing him again. Has heard occasionally about his wife's 'failing eyesight' and wished he could tell him how much he felt for her and Trevelyan, though he also hears of 'such fortitude as makes sympathy almost an offence'. Sends his and his wife's greetings to her, and 'remembrances of the happy visit' they paid long ago.

Epwell Mill, Banbury. - Thanks Trevelyan for his gift ["From the Shiffolds"]; has always enjoyed his poetry and 'delightful prose'. Perhaps liked "Epistle to my Grandson" best; guesses the addressee is Julian's son, and hopes he will 'live... to be proud of it, its wisdom, its foresight, its affection, & to rejoice in a grandfather who is a poet'. Pleased that Trevelyan remembered him; asks him to forgive his 'wretched script' which is due to his 'physical condition'; has more or less 'dropped correspondence'.

Souldern Court, Banbury - Congratulates Frazer; remembers the kindness of the Frazers in the Cambridge days of 1918; at the time he had suggested a one volume edition of 'The Golden Bough' and was 'foolish enough to be a little flattered' when one appeared; had a letter at Christmas from Prof. [William James?] Lewis; his health is broken down, but he still hopes to pay them a call.