If Julian is back in Paris, he should try to see [Bernard] Berenson at once, as he will be leaving soon. Also hopes he will soon see [Hasan] Suhrawardy, who has been back in Paris for a while. Wishes that Suhrawardy could come to England, as he is not sure when he himself will go abroad but it might not be until almost Christmas or later. Fears Suhrawardy might not have enough money to visit, and would be glad to send him some but does not like to ask, especially as he sent some for Andrusha [Kalitinsky]'s expenses at university in Zurich. Might be best to wait until he can see Suhrawardy in Paris, but would be glad to hear how he is. Would be delighted to put up Julian at any time. Donald [Tovey] has just come with [his wife] Clara and a nurse, and will stay for at least two weeks; he is much better, but not well enough to return to Edinburgh this winter. Bessie is well, and C.A. [Clifford Allen] has recovered. Is trying to write a 'prose story, having renounced the Muses for the time at least', but expects they will come back to 'torment' him again; writing prose is 'much more fun than writing verse'', but dialogue is 'the devil'.
Does not think he will be able to come to Italy before 3 August: has to go to the Toveys again next week to for proof-reading, then must spend a few nights in Paris with [Hasan] Suhrawardy and [Maria] Germanova. Might go to Aulla 'and to the camp for a few days', but wants to get to the Berensons as soon as he can, so will not be able to stay long. Hopes Julian is having a good time and will get to Athos soon. Will let Aubrey [Waterfield] know his plans as soon as he can. Sorry he will miss Julian at Aulla, and sends love to everyone. He and Bessie are in the Shiffolds now, 'more or less camping' but it is all right and Bessie is well.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Encloses a letter to [Francis] Harford [playing Minos in "The Bride of Dionysus"]: asks Trevelyan to read it and see if it will do. The 'kindest & best thing to me & to him' would be for Trevelyan to take it him and ask if he could come round for a final practice. [George] Campbell will know if the address is right. Sorry to ask this, but it is the only way they can contact all concerned and act at once. Thinks it best to see Harford personally.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Letter of condolence on the death of Trevelyan's father [Sir George Otto Trevelyan]: gathers that his loss has come sooner than expected; knows Trevelyan will be glad there was 'no very prolonged suffering' but that 'it will be a shock however and whenever it came about'. Delights in the memory of the few times he met Sir George, who gave, as his "Life of Macauley" gives, the sense of 'a man who delighted in making people happy' and used his great powers without vanity in a 'long and unselfish life'. Minnie joins in sympathy.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Donald [Tovey]'s bad health has delayed his stay with the Trevelyans; she was with him in London with their 'very dear friends the Wallaces in their terrible bereavement' [the death of Emily Wallace] who kept saying how tired he looked; she got him to bed, and brought him to Northlands yesterday in a motorcar. He has bad tonsillitis, but is recovering, and when she is sure he is well and safe for Bessie and the baby [Julian] he will come; thinks this will be Monday at the latest. Donald is bad at taking care of himself in many ways. Asks Bessie if she can 'bemuttern' [mother] him a little, by making sure he takes his Sanatogen and another medicine. Is rather anxious about the Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] work after the busy spring and summer he has had. Has been reading some of his "Encyclopædia [Britannica]" articles, which are 'quite glorious both in matter and style'; his composition will be even more so and she wishes it good luck. Discusses his luggage; asks Bessie to get him to change when he is hot, and hopes he pays his laundry bills. Asks how long he is to stay; believes he is going to Mrs [Augusta] Freshfield around the 26th. The thought of going to Nauheim is 'dismal' to her. Donald in good spirits as he has been well all year, and is 'good friends with Miss Kelly'; does not think her brother [Frederick] can 'ever make him nervous again'. Very glad to hear Julian thrives. Asks Bessie to let he know how Donald does. A postscript notes that there will be some lotion and Listerine for Donald's bedroom; another postscript written on 12 August says Donald is much better and will be with the Trevelyans on Monday; his two boxes are at the station already.
Originally enclosing some stamps, many given to him by Nicky Mariano at Florence; some of the unused Italian 'Croce Rossa / Red Cross' ones are war-time stamps no longer in circulation, which may do for 'swaps'. Elizabeth will have told Julian that they are delaying starting for the Netherlands for a few days, as the [Donald] Toveys are visiting.
Grand Hotel, Prades. - On his return from Paris, he received her letter with the news about Donald Tovey, which is encouraging. The sorrow and misery in which he lives has not led him to forget Sir Donald and Lady Tovey. Asks her to greet her husband and sister from him.
Addressed to Julian at the American Hospital of Paris, Boulevard Victor Hugo, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France then forwarded to 7 Villa Brune, Paris, then again to the Shiffolds. - Very sorry to hear that Julian has been ill; he will have got Bob's telegram. Bessie returns from staying with the Toveys this afternoon. If Julian gets out of the hospital soon and comes over to England, he should bring the report from the hospital doctor. [Hugh] Sykes Davies, who is at the Shiffolds for a few days, sends his love and hopes Julian will be able to come over before he himself leaves. Bob does not suppose from what Julian writes that the illness is serious, and expects he will soon be better, but it 'must be a nuisance'.
Addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Thinks Bessie has let Julian know by telegraph that the Toveys [Donald and Clara] are leaving on Friday morning, so if he wants to see them he would have to cross to England on Wednesday to be at the Shiffolds for Thursday afternoon; this may not be possible. Glad Julian has seen the Waterfields [Lina and Aubrey]. Heard from [Maria] Germanova last week. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy seems 'all right'. Afraid Julian missed B.B. [Bernard Berenson] at Florence and Paris too.
Handed in at Woodton. - Donald very bad today, will write, thinks it better if the visit is put off.
Handed in at Watton. - [Donald has had a] good night, and improvement continues.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - The death of Donald [her husband's nephew] has been a great loss to all the family; cannot think what his wife and daughters will do without him. Sorry to hear that Bessie has been so unwell, hopes the change and rest will help. Would love to see the Trevelyans, but travelling 'seems quite impossible'. Is sitting in the garden, enjoying the warmer weather. Sends love to Julian and Philip Erasmus.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Donald very glad to have news of Mr [Willi?] Strecker, though she fears they will not be able to meet. He had a card this morning from [Pablo] Casals which said he was going to play Donald's concerto in London on 14 November, with Boult conducting; supposes that it will be broadcast at least, if not recorded. Hopes Trevelyan will stay with them when he comes to Edinburgh in February, and if he comes north in November. Donald is keeping fairly well but doing 'a great deal' which always makes her 'rather anxious'.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Donald says he can manage some proofs, so asks Trevelyan to send the ones needing final revision only and they will see how they get on. He has done a couple of pieces already, such as the examination papers for Edinburgh this week, but he varies and Dr Basden is anxious that he 'should not be pressed in any way'. This is why she will not take up Trevelyan's kind proposal to come and help for the moment, as she feels Donald might push himself too hard. The doctor suggests going away for a change, but she does not want to until they can do without a nurse. Encloses [Hubert] Foss's letter and asks Trevelyan to answer it.; feels he will do this 'more indefinitely' than she will be able to. The Toveys wonder if the Trevelyans might be able to take them in for a while in November; the doctors suggest the sea but she feels a seaside hotel in November would be 'rather dreary' and she feels he needs 'a change of mental atmosphere as well as a change of climate'.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Donald quite agrees about the London performance of his opera ["The Bride of Dionysus", for which Trevelyan wrote the libretto], and was glad Trevelyan expressed himself 'so decidedly'. Donald has been in bed for the last fortnight, except when he conducted the Reid Concert on 24 March. Has been much better the last few days, and she hopes his doctor will let him go out tomorrow and they can leave at the end of the week; they hope to go and stay with the Duncan Toveys at Worplesdon. Trevelyan's ideas for doing Donald's music in London all sound very interesting; he must discuss it when he comes. They will be glad if he comes and stays until 24 April; Eydua Liddell is coming then and Clara has invited her as John [Tovey] will be at home, so they only have one spare room, but she hopes he will come anyway. As for press seats, last time [Sir Hugh?] Allen brought [Henry Cope?] Colles up; thinks he was the only London critic and that any other English papers used their 'men up here'. They look forward to seeing Bessie when she is up. Donald is to conduct on Monday, Friday and Saturday. A postscript adds that Donald thinks it best to sent tickets for the critics 'without writing'; he particularly does not want Colles to come so perhaps it would be best to leave the "Times" alone, or to say that Colles was not wanted.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Is glad Trevelyan had a good time in Vienna. Donald would like to see him as soon as is convenient: he hopes to go to Dresden for a few days around February 20; will be back on the 24th. Got Trevelyan's letter enclosing the one from the [Edinburgh Opera] Company, after it had gone to New York and back despite being clearly marked 'Inghilterra'. Is very glad Bessie is well again. [Guilhermina] Suggia 'has put herself off again'; they hope she will be here for the 24 March concert; the programme arranged for then will be given on 11 February .
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - The floor rehearsals [for Tovey and Trevelyan's opera "The Bride of Dionysus"] seem to be going well. Miss [Mona] Benson was not there last night, but only because she is not well. The Toveys will be glad to see him at any time: Donald thinks he will like to see Miss Benson's rehearsals. She thinks that the 'crisis is past' and Miss Benson will carry on. Hopes Bessie is better again: was sorry to hear that she was unwell.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Asks if Trevelyan could return to her in Edinburgh the letter from the [Edinburgh] Opera Company which she sent to him; they want a detailed answer from Donald which he cannot give without seeing the letter. Things are not going smoothly [with the revival of Tovey and Trevelyan's opera "The Bride of Dionysus"], but they will know more when they return to Edinburgh on Monday night. Miss [Mona] Benson has gone to Sir Hugh Allen 'of all people'; who rang Donald up and is to see him tomorrow in London. Does not know what Miss Benson has to complain of from Donald, 'who has done all he can to support her with the Company' in the, Clara thinks, 'very unreasonable attitude she is taking; nor what Sir Hugh Allen has to do with the affair. Hopes Bob is having a good time abroad, but they will be very glad when he returns.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Always glad to hear from Bessie: her letters 'bring back many happy memories'. Apologises that the letter is not in her own hand: it is so difficult for her now that she hardly writes to anyone but John [Tovey]. He is on the India-Burma front, and finds the climate very trying but is otherwise fairly cheerful. The death of Donald [Charles Edward Tovey, her husband's nephew?] a 'great loss' to the family; Duncan [Tovey, another nephew?] is also unwell; Mollie [Tovey?] and family seem well, but she had hoped to see them here and a holiday and they were afraid to travel. Feels as if [Hubert] Foss has lost all interest in the biography [of Donald Tovey?] and will never finish it. Is glad Bessie has been able to have Julian and his family with her, and that the flying bombs have not been near. They have been fortunate [in Edinburgh] and quiet except for planes overhead. She goes out occasionally in fine weather, and has been on a few short drives.
39 Royal Terrace. - A long time since she has written, though she often thinks of Bessie and Bob and their kindness. Let herself be persuaded to try the gold treatment [for arthritis] some months ago which made her very ill; she is only just recovering. Sir John Weir told her long ago it would not suit her, so it was stupid of her to try. Quiet here so far, and hopes it is for the Trevelyans; her brother is still with her, she would not like him to be near London.
Edinburgh. - Very sorry to hear of the death of Bessie's sister [Abrahamina Röntgen]: hopes she was not long ill. Is still in Edinburgh, and expects to be for some time since there are soldiers in Hedenham Lodge. Nurse Monks is nursing for the Air Force; she wrote from Reading but expected to be moved. Clara misses her very much: has 'quite a nice young woman' to help her, but she is not nearly as good as Nurse Monks. Her brother is still with her, which she is glad of as she would not like him to be at Kew. John [Tovey] is 'very busy carting munitions': was in camp in Worcestershire, but has moved into billets for the winter. Molly Grierson is carrying on the work of the Chair of Music: wishes they would appoint her Professor, as it will not be easy to find someone 'so suited all round for both the degree work and the Orchestra'. Believes there is an intention to make no appointment until the end of the war, but hears Professor [Oliffe Legh?] Richmond is looking for someone and fears he will 'fix on some quite impossible person'; the Court are responsible for the appointment but she does not think the members knowledgeable about Music. Is sorry about Mrs [Florence] Barger; hopes her house is not 'damaged past repair'. Miss Weisse still in Edinburgh: supposes she thinks it safer than Knap Hill or prefers it. Molly Grierson has started Reid Concerts with 'what can be collected of the orchestra', fortnightly on Saturday afternoons; she is also continuing the Historical Concerts. Clara gets around very little as the wet weather does not suit her, and cannot think of travelling. Is glad Bessie's house is 'still whole', as many of her friends in the South 'seem to have no glass in their windows' which cannot be easy in this weather.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Donald 'so ill last night everyone thought he was dying', but he rallied again this morning. He looks 'dreadfully worn and thin' and 'it can only be a question of time'. There has only been one air raid, not a bad one, and Donald slept through it. John [Tovey] is at Dunfermline; leave seems hard to get and he has only got over once. Hopes Julian will not have to join up. Is not well herself: does not think the thundery weather is good for rheumatism.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Thanks for Bessie's letter: is afraid it is not use writing to Donald as 'he no longer cares for such things', though he recognises visitors. Does not think it can be more than a few days [till his death]. He does not suffer, is only weak, and is 'wonderfully patient and good', sleeping a great deal. Is sorry for Bessie's troubles and hopes she will be 'comfortably settled soon'.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Thanks for Bessie's letter. Thinks Dr Thin will write to de Souza. Is 'very puzzled' at what Bessie writes about Dr Bluth: does not understand what sort of treatment he means. Asks if it is 'drugs or... some form of phycoanative [sic]'. Dr Thin is not encouraging, and does not think Donald's condition will change much.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Their current nurse is Australian, and wants to go home; a boat under convoy leaves at the end of the month, which is much sooner than Clara expected; she has been writing to Miss Monks, who cannot come until the end of April or May, so asks if Bessie knows of someone to 'bridge the gap'. Asks if Bessie thinks Miss Monks will like them, and whether she is 'active and fairly strong' as Donald cannot walk without help. He 'overdid things' when they first returned, is a little 'clearer in his mind' but not much improved otherwise.
39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - The Toveys returned about ten days ago, helped by Clara's brother and their nurse; they are living on the ground floor as Donald cannot manage the stairs. He can only give chamber music lessons and enjoys this: 'it still seems to give him a feeling of mastery'. He is giving them at home, and they are arranging for as many chamber music combinations to come and play for him. Thinks he has improved slightly since the return, but he varies a great deal. She herself has not been laid up in bed but has not been well at all; thinks she is now rather better. They still have their Australian nurse, but are not sure how long she will stay; is writing to Miss Monks again as she 'sounded rather unsettled'; asks if Bessie knows of anyone else. Kind remembrances to Dr Bluth.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - They must wait for better weather before starting for Edinburgh: she cannot face the long journey in this cold. Donald's condition has improved over the last few days and she hopes this will last. He is being treated by Sir John Weir and having 'remedial exercises' for his balance, so the time is not totally lost. She is glad this improvement has come before they get to Edinburgh: a week ago he was so bad she thought he would be 'fit for nothing' when they got there, so would make the journey only to have to leave again. The improvement, of course, may not last.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Has written to Miss Monks but received no answer; asks if Bessie could write to find out what she is doing. Nurse Jones will see them to Edinburgh, and probably stay till the middle of February. Asks if Bessie knows of any one else in the event that Miss Monks is engaged. Donald has not been so well for the last few days.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Molly Grierson has been, and the Toveys have decided to return to Edinburgh, if possible, at the end of January or beginning of February. Molly will find them a flat as neither of them can cope with the stairs at the Royal Terrace house. They feel it is 'an experiment' but they 'must take the risk'. New Year's wishes.
Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Donald is much the same, better some days and worse on others; she has been very depressed seeing his lack of progress. Sir John Weir has been treating him for a week, but there is no change so far. Does not know when, if ever, he will be fit to return to Edinburgh. Molly [Grierson] is coming on the 27th, but probably only for one night, which Clara does not think is long enough to judge Donald's condition and how much he can do. Christmas wishes.