11 Edwardes Square W.8. - 'Amalgamation' [the forming of the League of Nations Union] has been a great worry, but it is clearly necessary for the LNS [the League of Nations Society, of which Dickinson was a member. The 'other association' [the League of Free Nations Association] knows how to run propaganda campaigns, and he thinks in general their aims are the same; certainly Murray and Wells want the same, even McCurdy. Their literature is bad, and their policy of the 'League now' has been turned down by Wilson and Grey, who is to be the Union's president and said the right thing on almost every point. Hopes Bessie will not be too suspicious about the amalgamation, though he understands her fears. Is still playing the [chess] game with Bob, who seems very happy. Asks if she is staying on at the Shiffolds. Is glad Julian is happy, but fears she will be lonely. Almost dares hope for the end [of the war].
Broome House, Didsbury, Manchester. - Their first communication since the peace: Dickinson shares his relief, and 'venture[s]' to wish Bessie a happy new year. The peace seems certain to be 'bad & unjust' since a victory was won, but he hopes Wilson will be able to ensure a foundation for a better international order. Is scathing about LL. G. [Lloyd George]. Hopes 'hard facts' will prevent a 'permanent enslavement of Germany'. Asks if Bob will now come home; it must be interesting to be in Paris at the moment. Hopes Julian likes school.
Albemarle Club, 37 Dover Street, W.1. Dated 27 Dec. 1918 - Saw [Arthur] Keith at the Athenaeum, who explained the delay with the expedition committee [of the Royal Society] is that Walter Long wants to head it but has to wait until the election to see if he is Colonial Secretary; Keith will see that funds are available after Lilly explained to him that at the Army & Navy Stores it is necessary to pay when giving an order; had a good view of the King and President Wilson driving to the palace.
F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Thanks his mother for her letter; fears she is having 'a cold time'. It is cold here too, but he does not much mind it; he and Francis Birrell are anyway going to Nice for a week on Friday, where it may be warmer. Hopes to return to England towards the end of March. Julian 'writes cheerfully, and seems to be getting on well so far [at school']; Bessie also 'writes cheerfully', and seems to have been staying with Charles and Molly in London.
The [FRCVS] library 'goes on the same as usual', but soon it will all have to move to the Verdun area. Is currently looking for a successor, and has just written to 'one of our men', whom he thinks 'will probably do'. Has never read The Roll Call; indeed, has not read several of [Arnold Bennett's] earlier books. Admire him 'a good deal' in some ways, but does 'not really find him sympathetic, even in the Old Wives' Tale, which he likes best so far. Also likes The Card, 'slight though it is'.
Had 'a good look at [Woodrow] Wilson on the day of his arrival' on the Champs-Élysée, and also when he passed under the FWVRC windows on his way to the Hôtel de Ville. Paris 'gave him a far warmer welcome than it did to the kings'. Will write to his father soon; hopes he is 'not feeling the cold too much'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Robert for his letter full of news: Robert 'happy to have seen Rodin [before his death]'; President Wilson has got Sargent to paint him; America, as shown by the 'article on Lincoln's statue' [mentioned in 12/280] is a country of which the 'Ruler' should insist on being painted only by the best - expressed by a quotation in Latin [from Horace Epistles 2.1]. Read Robert's translations from Lucretius yesterday 'with great sympathy and admiration'. Quotes, in Latin with English translation, what is said to be a translation by Cicero from Epicharmus on death. Edinburgh is a 'wonderful city'; Uncle Tom [Macaulay's] three favourite cities were Edinburgh [though he 'had enough of it' in the end], Oxford, and Genoa, which was the first Italian city he saw. Comments on the fates of Venice and Jerusalem being 'in the balance'; his 'most pathetic regrets' about destruction caused by the war are for Dinant, which he had seen, and the Cloth Hall at Ypres, which he had never seen. Is reading, and is much entertained by, Monk's "Life of Bentley". Loved Sir Charles Holroyd [who has recently died], and his 'heart bleeds for Rosebery' [over the death of his son Neil Primrose].
K[ing's] C[ollege] C[ambridge]. - Wishes the war could be resolved as easily as their latest postal chess game: still seems to 'hang on a razor's edge'. Has not seen Roger [Fry] lately; Trevelyan will have heard of his father's death. Hugh Meredith is visiting for the weekend. The 'league of nations row' appears to be adjusting itself satisfactorily. Wilson seems 'to be emerging as a really great man'. Trevelyan, having had the luck to be appointed librarian, must be enjoying the purchase of books. Not worth while beginning another [chess] game.