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Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, prov. di Salerno, Italy.- Is writing to her instead of to his father, as he intended, since 'Bessie has rather a chill' though he thinks not a serious one, and has gone to bed. She 'often has these feverish chills, and if she goes to bed in time they seldom become serious'; Mrs Reid's doctor will see her tomorrow and Robert will let his mother know how she does. He has a chill himself, though not severe enough to send him to bed. Since the weather is 'very fine, though still a little coldish out of the sun', he expects Bessie will recover soon. They have had 'dreadful weather until two days ago, in various forms'.

Asks her to thank his father for his speech, which they 'both appreciated very much'; will write to him about it soon. The Booths [Charles and Meg] are arriving on the 29th. Some 'rather nice people' are here, the Omonds: 'free-churchers of Edinburgh', though they no longer live there' thinks he [Thomas] was until recently a don at Oxford, and he has written a book 'on the theory and science of metres, a dull enough subject to most people' but of 'great interest' to Robert. Finds him 'practically the only theorist on metre' he agrees with, so of course has much to discuss with him. Tells his mother that 'the fiscal question is nothing as compared with the great metrical question, in difficulty and intricacy,' though he will not claim in importance.

His play [The Birth of Parzival] comes out soon, and the publishers have sent him a copy, which seems alright; his mother may think 'the print a little too high up the page', has doubts himself, but would rather that than too low. The price is to be three shillings and sixpence, as two and sixpence would not cover costs. Has dedicated it to Bertie Russell, who has given him 'much advice and encouragement'; Russell has been 'very critical', too, but so is Robert 'now at least'. Expects people will say that 'though in form a play, it is not really dramatic, and perhaps should have been treated more frankly as a poetical narrative'.

Has no message from Bessie, as he has left her to sleep, but his mother must not be anxious about her; thinks she will only need a day or two in bed. Will write again tomorrow.

Ravello. - Thanks his mother for her 'kind letter' about his book [The Birth of Parsival]; discusses the book and the legend of the Grail more generally. Does not intend to continue the story of Parsival at present, if he did would follow the legend more closely, but 'have a different ending, an anti-Grail one'.

They have had 'pretty bad weather again here'; will probably leave next week, perhaps on Tuesday with the Booths; will stop at the Berensons' for a few days on the way back. He and Bessie are well, though 'tired of the bad weather. Charles Booth is much better', though still not allowed to walk much. Sees from the paper that his father 'was [at?] the Irish debate', and from the Italian paper today that it had a 'good division - 42'.

They were 'delighted to hear from George [about the birth of his and Janet's daughter Mary] and also most pleased by the names chosen'; hopes Janet and baby are still doing well. Sends love to his father.

5 St Mary's Passage - stay at Gracedieu Manor with Charles and Mary Booth, Figgis has brought Francis Cornford a photograph of Botticelli's Venus, difficult to start work again:

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Thanks her for her instructions about Bobbie's journey [home]. He 'looks much better now than he did and his work shows a corresponding improvement'. Bobbie is 'very industrious' and willing to learn 'grammar and the like'; he 'fails most in applying his knowledge' in translating, but Arnold expects this will improve in time. In general they have 'every reason to be well satisfied with him, and he deserves a most happy holiday'.

It has also snowed at Wixenford, though much more lightly than in the North. He and Mrs Arnold both send regards. Adds a postscript saying that 'Little Tom Booth is flourishing', and they hope to see his father and sister in 'our little crowd on the 12th'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Likes to think of Elizabeth in Ravello. Has been very busy since coming to Welcombe on 3 January; has been arranging a room for her own use in the mornings, which is 'quite comfortable' though has 'no view' and, currently, a 'hideous paper'. The Arthur Sidgwicks and their daughter [Ethel] came on Monday, Sidney Lee joined them. On Wednesday the library opened; has sent Elizabeth a Stratford paper with a report. The ceremony was 'nicely arranged' and went well; likes the building, which is in keeping with the surroundings. [Andrew] Carnegie gave the building and fittings, which are 'in good taste', then maintenance of the building will come from rates, and there is a subscription fund for buying books. Hopes it will 'do good': there is 'room for "sweetness & light" in Stratford'. Miss Corelli did not appear but 'must be very angry'; is sure she will 'do something malicious'. Mary Booth says in a letter that Charles will probably bring Meg to Elizabeth; gave a 'cheerful' account of the family. Is going to London on Monday, and will spend the evening with Janet. Pleased to hear Mrs Enticknap has had a little girl [named May]; has sent her a coat and hood. Has never read [Stendhal's] "Le Rouge et le Noir", but knows "La Chartreuse [de Parme]". Has Madame [Juliette] Adam's memoirs, and has been 'delighting in Burne-Jones life [by his wife]'. Hope Robert's work is going well; asks whether they are continuing their translation; whether the road is mended yet, and whether the Capucini Hotel at Amalfi goes on 'as before'. They are taking a trip to Rome next winter. Sir George is well; he took a week's break from his book, 'travelling & doing his speech', and now happily at work on it again. C[harles] and M[ary] are at Cambo; they celebrated their wedding anniversary by catching the train to Woodburn and walking back by Sweethope Lake, and enjoyed this 'immense expedition' very much.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very glad to hear that Elizabeth is better; does not think she 'made a fuss' at all about her chilblains; tells her to always let her know when she is low so they can try to cheer her. Hopes the Italian winter is over now. They were 'deeply interested and moved by the Revolution in Russia'; longs to help them; 'wonderful' how the writers have 'made one care for the Russian people themselves', as well as feeling the 'abstract love of seeing Tyranny overthrown'. Hopes the Booths [Meg and Charles] have reached Ravello by now, and that the other lodgers are pleasant; Sir George 'thinks Omond is a literary name' [perhaps Thomas Stewart Omond?]. Thinks she will sell the big piano in London, buy a small one for Welcombe, and hire a small one for London. Asks if the Grandmonts are well; supposes Elizabeth will not go to see them [in Sicily] this year. Wants to see the translation when Elizabeth returns. Hopes Robert is writing well, and that his play ["The Birth of Parsival"] will appear soon. Sir George is a 'little rheumatic' but otherwise well; they have 'very good accounts' of Janet [due to give birth soon].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to get Elizabeth's card and find she was out again; she must take care of herself; glad the weather has improved. Herbert Paul, Theodore [Llewelyn Davies], and Mr [J. W.] Mackail are staying with them; Mrs Paul and Mrs Mackail are ill. They make an 'amusing trio, & the talk is very good'. Hopes the Booths will reach Ravello soon; Theodore has seen some of the family and thinks Charles plays to stay at Ravello with Meg for a while; he will be good company, but they 'must not let him convert [them] to Protection[ism]!'. Very pleased by the North Dorset [by-]election; thinks the country is 'heartily sick of the Tories' but that they will keep hold of office for 'some time longer'. Sir George does not know Mr [Thomas Stewart] Omond, but he seems to have written many things as well as his book on [poetic] metres. She and Booa [Mary Prestwich] are pleased the shoes fit Elizabeth. Planning to go to London on 16 February.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Bobby 'arrived this morning, looking very well'. Is glad Bobby was happy with his 'new bed-room companions'; thinks Trevelyan will know that one, 'little Tom Booth', has been kept away from school this term with ringworm. In his place Arnold has put 'a little new boy called Alexander', with whom he thinks Bobby will also be happy; Gerard Sellar will remain in the room. Alexander is the 'cousin of the boy who was recently with us and came through Mr R. Palgrave; he seems a very nice little boy'. Unfortunately, has heard from Mr Booth that Tom 'is not yet much better': this is 'most distressing' as the 'malady is proved to have had its origins here', with four other boys from the school ill with it at home, two slightly and two 'rather badly'. They blame themselves for 'having allowed the common use of brushes'; there were nine brushes, washed weekly, so he thought there was no danger; new arrangements have now 'of course' been made, and they have tried to 'correct any flaw'. They are unsure how the infection reached the school; 'none of the common children in the village are known to have had it', and each member of their household, 'including servants', have been examined by a doctor without any light being shed on the matter.

Trusts they 'now know the worst of the trouble, as all the boys here have been passed by a doctor'; he intends for the whole school to be examined again in a few days. Is 'ashamed to trouble [Mr Trevelyan] in such a matter', but feels that he and Mrs Trevelyan 'would wish to know the worst', and that the school are doing all they can to prevent 'the mischief' from spreading or recurring.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear that Elizabeth is well and that Robert is losing his cold; hopes the Booths [Charles and Meg] arrive safely. Sir George has been troubled by rheumatism for a while; thinks he is recovering but he is 'low & out of sorts'; he has been able to work and take walks everyday, not liking to stay in bed which she thinks may have been best. S[idney] Colvin and Morton Philips are coming on Sunday, alone as both their wives are ill; they have also had neighbours visiting for tea. Has been busy with things in the village; Mr Clarke was here this week. They are expecting news from Cheyne Gardens [of the birth of Janet and George's child]; the preparations were made long ago. The ["Independent] review" is 'in a bad way' but George 'has made up his mind to it'. Meggy [Price] has sent her a very amusing letter from Phil [Morgan Philips Price], who 'led the interruptions' at [Henry] Chaplin's meeting at Cambridge in 'a most intelligent & effective way'. Sir George enjoyed Robert's letter about classics and 'keeps it as a marker!'; sends love from him and Booa [Mary Prestwich], who was 'quite anxious' about Elizabeth.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Delighted that Elizabeth is 'enjoying the Booths' company'; very sorry that C[harles] Booth is so unwell, as heart problems are hard to deal with. She and Sir George agree with what she says about him: it is 'extraordinary' that he has such a 'knowledge of the working class' and yet 'his conclusions are so vague & formless, & so absolutely unsuited to practical politics'. Thinks something must happen soon at Cheyne Gardens; Janet [due to give birth] is well, but when Caroline took her on a drive yesterday she 'seemed less comfortable'. Charles and Mary are well and come to dine tonight. Politics very interesting: the Government have 'got into another disgraceful mess about Ireland' but obviously 'intend to stay in as long as possible'. She and Sir George went to a Court last night; she had a new grey dress, and Pantlin 'made up [her] last years train with grey chiffon'; they saw many friends and left early. Went to Broadwoods about pianos; they say they pay little for grand pianos since 'no one buys them now', so she thinks they must put up with the size of the piano in London and buy a small upright for Welcombe, in light oak to suit the room; Elizabeth can choose it. Asks if she will return to England much before Easter. Mr Gow [Thomas Gow, a Northumberland neighbour?] is very ill and may die; he is eighty-seven. Has written to Robert about his book ["The Birth of Parsival"?]. Janet likes it and quoted a passage she found beautiful. Annie [Philiips] is coming up this afternoon. Good that Elizabeth and Robert's new house is nearly finished; it has been a 'wonderful winter for building'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will send this letter to Florence as expects Elizabeth and Robert will leave Ravello today; sorry that they have not had good weather. Has been very busy this week visiting Cheyne Gardens: [George and Janet's new baby Mary] is very sweet and Janet is doing well; George was worried until it was over but now is cheerful. He and Sir George, and perhaps Charlie, are going to Cambridge next Friday to vote against compulsory Greek; they do not expect to succeed but there is 'a great rally on both sides'; it is said it would be carried if it depended on the residents. The Watts and Whistler exhibitions [at the Royal Academy and the New Gallery, Regent Street] are both 'most interesting collections', and there is a 'wonderful show of Oriental China in Bond Street'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert will prefer to go straight home or stay the night in London; is anxious to see them again. It will be interesting for them to see the [new] house and the Enticknaps' baby. Sorry that Charles Booth is still so unwell; has not quite understood whether Mary and Imogen joined them. Glad Elizabeth is not going to Holland; thinks it would be too cold and damp. There is much illness about here; Uncle Harry has bronchitis, and Nora [Trevelyan?] a bad cold. They have decided to keep the old Broadwood piano in London, and want Elizabeth to choose a little one for Welcombe before Easter. Has heard no music, but they have been to a Bernard Shaw play ["John Bull's Other Island"]. Booa [Mary Prestwich] cheerful and looking forward to seeing Elizabeth; Janet much pleased with her letters. '"Mother" [possibly Florence Bell?] is very active and... good on such an occasion'.

c/o Messrs Fs & W, New Bank Building, 31 Old Jewry, EC; addressed to Trevelyan c/o C. P. Sanger Esq., 3 Hare Court, Temple EC. - Is going to Gracedieu [home of Charles James Booth] next Saturday; asks if Trevelyan is coming.

29 Beaufort St, Chelsea:- Thanks his mother for her letter and the MS; is glad she likes it. Hopes to finish it when he is 'next in the country [Italy?] where alone it can or ought to be finished'. Roger [Fry] has had a bad cold 'at a most unfortunate moment', having gone to Ipswich to lecture 'against [Robert's] advice, which of course made him worse' and has had to keep to his room for two days. Roger must send in his pictures to the New English Art Club tomorrow, and 'will not have time to do all he would like', though he is well enough to work today.

Is 'getting on well with [his] Jacobean reading'; has now got the play he told her about [Cecilia Gonzaga] 'into final shape' in his mind, and has written a 'good deal of Act I', but it will need 'recasting' as he has 'altered the whole idea and proportion of the plan to some extent'. His own cold has been entirely gone for several days: the walk he took 'so unwittingly' with her was the 'prelude to its departure'.

'Hungry Bumpus shall be fed': asks his mother to thank Bo[o]a [Mary Prestwich] for the butter she sent. Is 'wearing the thick vests now' and 'hopes to keep colds at a distance' now the weather is much warmer. Has just had a 'cheerful letter' from George, but has not seen Charles since his mother left; expected he 'would be at the Booths' [Charles and Mary?]' at their 'Sunday evening meeting yesterday', but was not; must 'look in at G[rosvenor] C[rescent] to see how he is faring'.

Adds in a postscript that he will be 'glad to go with Papa to the play when he comes, either Pinero [The Benefit of the Doubt?] or the Mikado'; hopes his father is well.

28 Campden House Court, Kensington, W. - Is writingto say how much they have enjoyed 'the false Parsifal' [Bob's "The new Parsifal"]; her husband read it first, 'laughing over it all by himself'; when she read it she also 'had a laugh that really did [her] good'. Would not have thought have telling him about her 'unintelligent enjoyment' had George not told her she should. Has passed it on to Imogen and [her husband] Eric, who as 'more of a scholar... will taste its special qualities better', though she does not think he will enjoy it more.

2 Cheyne Gardens. - Asks Bob to send him 'a dozen notices' for the "New Parsival" to give to 'shops or persons'. Saw Mrs Charles Booth who said she and her husband had been 'laughing aloud over it and though it perfectly splendid'. Bain's [booksellers] knew about it. Wants to order it now from a few other shops. Adds a postscript saying that the 'Tramp' will be from Baker St to Chorley Wood on Sunday, leaving at 10.15. Expects Bob has sent the book to the M.G. ["Manchester Guardian"], "Times" and so on for review.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Very sad news about the nurse [Mrs Catt]; hopes Elizabeth will be able to find another as nice; asks if Mrs Catt has a home to go to for a chance of recovery. Good that Julian is so well. George came yesterday with 'a nice young Huxley', with whom he had walked 'over mountains from the Lakes 94 miles in 3 days'. The A[ndrew?] Langs are here, and Mrs Lang asks about Elizabeth; Mrs Pease and the Hunsfields are coming to lunch, and the Booths for the night; Janet and the children come tomorrow. Sending a brace of grouse; asks whether the last ones arrived. Lucky that Nurse Shephard can come; it will give Elizabeth time to find another nurse. Booa is very sorry [about Nurse Catt?]