Showing 27 results

Cadenabbia. - Got engaged this morning to Janet Ward. Everyone 'who is most nearly concerned is very pleased', and when they meet her Elizabeth and Robert will be no exception. The wedding will not be until next spring, and the news will be a secret for a month or so; they can, however, ask his parents and Charles more about it and about Janet since he himself must be away for the next three weeks. His housemates Hilton Young and Robin Mayor also know about it, as do 'dear Theo [Llewelyn Davies] and Booa [Mary Prestwich]'. He and Janet are very much in love.

Box Hill, Dorking, addressed to Trevelyan at The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Will be in on Sunday and glad to see Trevelyan with Mr Davies [Crompton or Theodore Llewelyn Davies?] around 4 in the afternoon.

1. Envelope, labelled in Elizabeth Trevelyan's hand ' Some Autobiographical dates rlg [?: relating to] R. C. T.', containing: one sheet and four fragments of paper with autobiographical dates in pencil in Robert Trevelyan's hand, and an ink copy of the complete sheet in Elizabeth Berenson's hand; an obituary ["Times", Jul 31, 1905] of Theodore Llewelyn Davies, including comments from Henry Montagu Butler, as well as another cutting about Llewelyn Davies's death; several pages of the September 1905 issue of "Land Values" containing an obituary of Theodore Llewelyn Davies.

2. Six copies of a tribute by 'M.N.' to R. C. Trevelyan, under the title "Love of Nature and of Literature", "Times", 4 April 1951.

3. Three copies of an article by Desmond MacCarthy about the poetry of R. C. Trevelyan, under the title "Overlooked", "Sunday Times, 31 Dec 1950

4. Three copies of poem, "In Memory of R. C. Trevelyan", by Kenneth Hopkins, "Everybody's Weekly", 14 Apr 1951 [date and magazine title written in by hand, on two copies probably by Elizabeth Trevelyan].

5. Three copies of "An Appreciation" in the "Manchester Guardian", 24 Mar 1951, by 'S.S' [Sylvia Sprigge?]; the last copy perhaps sent by Johannes Röntgen, as per the annotation.

6. Six copies of an obituary of R. C. Trevelyan by Desmond MacCarthy, "Sunday Times", 1 April 1951, including the text of Trevelyan's last poem, sent to MacCarthy 'a few weeks before his death' [see 16/76]

7. Review in "Time and Tide" by C[icely] V[eronica] Wedgwood of F.L. Lucas's "Greek Poetry for Everyman" and Trevelyan's "Translations from Greek Poetry", published under the title "A Foreigner in Arcady".

8. Appreciation by Desmond MacCarthy of "The Poetry of Robert Trevelyan", "Empire Review" [undated: 1924?] pp 412-423.

c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - Thanks his father for his 'very kind letter' [12/93], and for the 'most generous arrangement on making good the income tax' on his allowance, which the previous arrangement was enough to cover; he and Bessie wish to thank his parents 'for this and other constant kindnesses of the same kind'. Wonders whether the Chancellor [Asquith] will 'introduce a graduated tax of some kind': the debate would 'give Charles an opportunity, as it is one of his subjects'. Thinks Theodore [Llewelyn Davies] 'was in favour of graduation in principle, though admitting the practical difficulties'; it is at times like this that he will be much missed. Robert used to get him to 'discuss politics at great length' about once a year, usually at their Cambridge Easter parties.

There has been 'thick snow' which has kept them in for several days, but it is beginning to disappear today and they are all going out: Robert by himself, the others [Bessie and the Waterfields] visiting the country villa of the Admiral who is 'the head of the arsenals at Spezzia [La Spezia]'. Last week they went to Lerici and saw Shelley's villa; the outside has recently been 'spoiled with hideous decorations' but the interior is 'very interesting and even beautiful'; some of the furniture is quite old and might well be from Shelley's time.

Today news has come in the Italian newspapers that Balfour has '"surprised the world by surrendering himself con armi e bagagli to his great amico nemico [friend enemy] Chamberlain'". It is a pretty end to the whole story'. Hopes a few of the 'late Balfourians will have the courage to stand out and... form the nucleus of a Conservative free-trade party'. Discusses the Pervergilium Veneris, a 'curious poem' for which he has 'always had a weakness'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/94?]. Bessie 'seems to have enjoyed her stay in London' and had a good journey to Holland. Is very glad his mother has recovered; expects she will soon be 'entirely well' after a stay at Welcombe in this 'fine weather'.

Has found organising the 'Easter party' rather difficult, involving much 'writing and telegraphing', but thinks all will 'come right'. George Moore usually organises it but 'gave it up at the last moment' and left everything to him. Has got the 'two latest elected apostles' to come: [James] Strachey and [Harry] Norton; they are both in their first year, so 'the destinies of the Society will be in their hands for a long time probably'.

[Ralph] Hawtrey, a Treasury official, is staying with Robert for his holiday; he is a 'nephew of the actor', whom Robert supposes his father will have seen in The Man from Blankney's [actually Blankleys: by Thomas Anstey Guthrie]. Theodore [Llewelyn] Davies 'insisted' on Hawtrey's transferral from the Admiralty to the Treasury, as he 'thought he was the kind of man required' there; this was an 'exceptional step', and Robert believes 'much criticised at the time', but he supposes it 'quite wise'. Hawtrey is 'a man quite of Theodore's type of mind'; expects he has less of his 'power of influencing and directing others', but still 'with the fine common sense and intellectual power, and the same good political tradition', since like Theodore Hawtrey is a Home-ruler as well as a Liberal.

Will write to Welcombe from the Swan Inn, Fittleworth to say how the gathering goes; will go there tomorrow, but how long he stays depends on what the others do. The 'Vesuvius eruption seems very bad'. Lord Rosebery is at his villa now: Robert hopes he will not 'act the part and meet the fate of the elder Pliny'.

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.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Not surprised that the Apostles are considering whether they should 'take notice of JECW' [James Edward Cowell Weldon, who had cancelled the annual dinner with little warning], but expects there is 'something to be said on both sides'. Is interested in both [Crompton and Theodore Llewelyn] Davies, and hopes they will both get fellowships next year; supposes postponement is 'not as bad a thing' as it was in his time. Glad that George is doing so well. Is rather busy; has never seen less game around the lower estate, but does well without it.

Penmenner House, The Lizard, Cornwall. - Likes the sketch of Bessie's wedding costume; quite Watteau-esque as she says. He is 'no judge of silks' but the piece she sends looks good; encloses samples of cloth for his trousers and for a tweed suit and asks her opinion. Will probably stay in Cornwall till next Wednesday; [George] Moore and MacCarthy are the only others there at the moment; [G.H.?] Hardy left yesterday, and he hopes both 'Llewelyn Davieses' [Crompton and Theodore?] are coming tomorrow. Describes the place; Moore 'played a lot and sang yesterday after tea', then they played cards and talked. Is reading James's "Daisy Miller", which is 'charming'. Discussion of the music box; has written to his mother to suggest having the partitions taken out; it is from both George and Charles. Expects it would be best to invite the consul [Henry Turing, at Rotterdam, to the wedding celebration]; he may not come. Did not mean that Sir Henry [Howard] would arrange all the legal marriage business, but he offered to arrange the ceremony and invitation of the consul; expects he could do this most easily but it would not matter if they or her uncle should arrange it. Will write to Sir Henry or Turing when he hears from her uncle, though is not sure what to say. Would prefer to invite Sir Henry to the wedding, especially as Bob's father and mother are coming, feels he should ask his parents what they think. Sir Henry is a relation, and has 'shown great good-will and readiness'.

Does not see why Bessie should cut herself off completely from her Dutch musical friends; she will 'often be in Holland', and will 'surely stay at Mein's [sic: Mien Rontgen's] in Amsterdam'; in England, she will of course have 'complete freedom to make her own friends' and must keep up and develop her own talents as much as she can; he will enjoy hearing her play, but also going to hear others and getting to know her friends, but that does not mean she should not have independence of interests and friendships. Thinks that women 'have not enough respect for their own intellectual lives' and give it up too easily on marriage, through their husband's fault or their own; she should 'quite seriously consider going to settle in Berlin for 5 or 6 months' for her music. Mrs [Helen] Fry's marriage has made her more of a painter. Her pleurisy is better now; thinks Bessie exaggerates the importance of her cigarette smoking, and that any ill effects it does have are balanced by the help it gives her to create art. Has never 'been in danger of being in love' with Helen Fry, but always found her 'more interesting and amusing than any woman [he] ever met... with a completely original personality', and would not think of criticising such a person's habits but would assume they are 'best suited to their temperament'; in the same way, Moore probably 'drinks more whisky than is good for his health, and smokes too much too', but he would not criticise him. Bessie is also 'an original person' with a 'personal genius of [her] own', but in addition he loves her; has never felt the same about any other woman.

Continues the letter next day. Has finished "Daisy Miller"; and is doing some German, getting on better than he thought he would. Part of the reason for saying he would 'never learn German' was an 'exaggerated idea of the difficulty', but more because he thought, and still thinks, it will be less of a 'literary education' than other languages; is chiefly learning it for Goethe, though being able to read German scholarship will be useful. Has read Coleridge's translation of "Wallenstein", which Schiller himself claimed was as good as the original; thinks English and [Ancient] Greek lyric poetry is better than the German he has read. Very sorry about Lula [Julius Röntgen]; asks if it [his illness] will do more than postpone him going to Berlin. Has heard from Daniel that Sanger is 'getting on quite well'; hopes he will return from Greece 'quite himself again'. Will be nice for Bessie to see the Joneses [Herbert and Alice] again; he has 'become a little parsonic perhaps' but very nice; has seen little of him for the last few years. Bessie should certainly get [Stevenson's] "Suicide Club" for Jan [Hubrecht]; will pay half towards it. Will certainly come before Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] returns. Has grown 'such a beard, finer than Moore's and McCarthy's, though they have grown their's for weeks'. Describes their daily routine. Is encouraged that Moore likes several recent poems he himself was doubtful about; is copying out the play and will show him today or tomorrow. The Davieses are coming this afternoon. Signs off with a doggerel verse.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - [The death of Theodore Llewelyn Davies] is 'indeed the most tragic event', and his family, friends and country will all miss him; he was 'one of the ablest & most useful of men'. Can tell her nothing more than the 'scraps' appearing in the newspapers: that he 'went out on Tuesday & was found drowned in the stream on Friday'. [Ralph?] Wedgwood wrote to Janet saying that the funeral was on Friday; none of his friends could have been there as it was so soon. George feels it 'most terribly'; Caroline is sure Bob will also miss him, and he is a 'great loss to Charles, as he was of the greatest help to him'. Everyone is thinking of [his brother] Crompton. She and Sir George feel it very much: Theodore 'seemed in a way to belong to the family' and he had great hopes of what he would do when the Liberals came to government. Hoping Charles and Mary will come for a couple of nights while their servants settle at Cambo; Charles may see Crompton before he comes and hear more, but 'there is evidently nothing to be found out'. Janet and the baby leave today. Is trying to discover whether the Carr Bosanquets are in the north, and will invite them if possible.

Rounton Grange, Northallerton. - Apologises for writing in such haste; must 'share grief' with Bob [on the death of Theodore Llewelyn Davies]. He and Charles went to K[irkby] Lonsdale yesterday, 'uninvited but welcome'. The funeral, to which no one but the family were invited, was over. The grave is next to his mother's, 'opposite the Rectory, in full sight of the windows'. Desmond MacCarthy was there 'looking after Crompton who is very broken, his physical weakness becoming apparent, not any mental or spiritual'. He himself is not finding Theodore's loss any easier, and it seems greater 'the more one thinks... both to us all and to the world. He was so much the best of us all', as well as one of the ablest, certainly easily the ablest in the 'political world'. He and Jan are coming South tomorrow; they will stay at Stocks until 6 [August], then London for the rest of the month. Must see Bob, and will come down if Bob can put him up, or is not coming to London. Sends love to Bessie, who he knows 'shares our love and grief for him'; Theodore often used to talk to him about her, and was very fond of her, 'as he was of much more unworthy people like me your brother'.

1, Garden Court, Temple, E. C. - Originally enclosing [Warre?] Cornish's article; asks Bob to acknowledge receipt if he does not send it back at once; if Bob could give his opinion this might help them [the editors of the "Independent Review?"] to form their judgment. Sends love to Bessie. Postscript on back of the letter informs Bob that Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] has gone to France with [Bertrand] Russell; he seemed 'much better [emphasized] before he left' [referring to Crompton having recently lost his brother Theodore]. The Sangers are expecting the birth of a baby in around October.

Stocks, Tring. - Thanks Bob: will be very glad to come [to the Shiffolds] and not need to be met. Likes what Bob says about [Theodore Llewelyn Davies] very much, and agrees completely. Did not write the article in the "Manchester Guardian" [1 Aug 1905, pg 7], but it must have been someone who knew Theodore well; is told it was someone at the Treasury, but not of their 'set or acquaintance'.

Trin[ity College] Cam[bridge]:- Is 'sorry to hear about Georgie's misfortune' and supposes 'gas did not agree with him'; will write to him soon. Is sending some 'old or temporarily valueless clo[th?]es' to London, to be kept at G[rosvenor] Crescent; some are Charlie's. Is 'clearing all rubbish' from his room. Has bought a new account book, and is recording accounts 'on a royal seale. {Receipts (Class I), Expenditure (Class I, Cheques), Receipts (Class II), Expenditure (class II, cash)}.

Is glad that there has been a complete thaw in Cambridge; the weather is now very good. Has 'read A's speech' and thinks it 'powerful'. Theodore L[lewelyn] D[avies] is 'looking rather ill, and has very sunken cheeks'; does not know what he has been doing. Wonders 'whether Charlie's season has begun'. Has just got a new book of selected 'speeches from the revolutionary orators' with an 'interesting introduction from Morse Stephens; much worth reading, particularly the Mirabeau. Is 'greatly annoyed by mice, and perhaps rats', and is 'thinking of making a complaint to the authorities'. Hopes his father is well. Does not think he can come on Monday: expects it will be Tuesday.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit of her friend [Miss de Natrys]. Sorry to hear she has nettle rash, which is a 'horrid thing'; she herself had it for several weeks on her return from therr travels this year. Glad Robert is better and hopes he will soon make progress; asks if he is working on the novel. Asks if [Roger Fry's] illustrations [for Robert's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"] are finished, and if the arrangement has been made with the publisher [Johnson]. Theo [Llewelyn] Davies is here today, as are Mr [Charles Francis, Jr] and Mrs Adams; the Adamses are American, and he has corresponded with Sir George for a long time so they are keen to meet each other. Tomorrow they are expecting the G [?] Buxtons and two daughters. Asks Elizabeth to write from Pinewood to say how Aunt Margaret [Holland] is. Hopes Robert and Elizabeth will be able to make their landlord do the repairs.

14 Barton Street, Westminster. - Had intended to spend the evening reading Goldie's [Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson] dialogue, rubbing out his first comments and writing some decent ones, but Theo says Trevelyan has the book. Asks if he could return it as he wants to talk to Goldie next Sunday.

5 Barton St. - Bob's 'old woman' [housekeeper] told him when he returned [from Italy?] that a 'young man in a cab with a portmanteau' called when he was away; seems that Edward 'appeared at no 14 [home of Crompton and Theodore Llewelyn Davies] hunting for a lunch'; hopes he found 'a friend or restaurant in time' as he knows his friend needs 'constant supplies... to stave off dissolution', like moles which cannot go without worms for more than twelve hors. Went round to Bruton Street yesterday, but found that Edward had gone back on Sunday; this means he missed meeting 'a rose of Shiraz, the direct descendant of the one which intoxicated Hafiz... You would have had this rose, had you been here' but instead Bob 'took it round to [Roger] Fry, who fell violently in love with it, and fell to painting it' [this appears to refer to the first meeting between Fry and his future wife Helen Coombe]. Supposes Edward is caught up in 'the last act' of his academical careers [final exams]; he should not be 'despondent and doubtful'. Tells Edward to excuse his 'sermons', but not his spelling, as he swears 'never to look at or correct' a letter to him again, 'after the outrageous fables' Edward circulated about his 'beautiful and chaste letters from Italy'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury, St. Mary, Dorking. - They are 'all assembled here again', though Julian returns to school on Friday; he 'seems all the better for his time in the North', as does Bessie. Mrs Holroyd-Reece is staying here, 'finishing her holiday", as her husband has gone to the Netherlands 'on Media Society business, in spite of his collar bone', which is better but 'not right yet'.

Robert is going to London today 'to attend the dinner in honour of Basil Williams, of which George takes the chair'; Charles will also be there, as well as 'many of the [Lake] Hunt'. Robert's old friend Edward Hodgkin, 'Thomas Hodgkin's son', has died, the first of Robert's 'contemporary friends (excepting Theodore [Llewelyn Davies]) who has died' with whom he was 'really intimate'. Robert 'cared for him almost more than any one else' when at Cambridge, 'and for some years afterwards, but had rather lost sight of him of late years'.

Is reading Aristophanes' Ploutos again, which he 'read with Bowen in sixth form pupil room', and has liked since then 'almost as much as his more famous plays. The Chorus isn't much; but the incidents and the dialogue and the ideas' always seem to him 'as good as they can be'. Sends love to his mother.

Trinity [on college notepaper]:- Is 'approaching the rapids [of his Tripos exams]' and has 'reached the smooth water that comes just before the plunge'. Finds it 'rather fun cramming' knowing that about one in ten facts 'you put into you will come out useful if you can remember it': 'much more satisfactory' in that respect than 'the uncertainty of the Classical Tripos'. Theodore [Llewelyn] Davies is here today; he has 'already settled down to his work', in a room overlooking 'the balcony of the Scotch office'.

Is sorry to hear that Aunt Annie is ill; asks if she is any better. Did not infer from George's report that it was more than a 'very serious cold', and asks if that is so. Expects he will be coming to London for a night early next week 'if there is room'; will come 'to eat dinners' in any case. Will probably 'stay in Cambridge till late', though has not decided finally on his 'next move': George wants him to go to 'over the sea to Skye' with him and his friends; whatever he does, Robert wants a chance of 'getting through a considerable amount of reading before settling in London'. Postscript adding how glad he is that his father 'is refreshed by his visit to Welcombe'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad Elizabeth is seeing some friends, and that the '[house] business is moving on'; advertisement from "Country Life", showing prices usually asked in Surrey, originally enclosed. Went to Newcastle yesterday to hear Mrs Ward 'speak at the opening of some "Special Schools"', which she did 'very well. Saw various 'Hodgkins & Peases's', and brought Mrs Ward and Dorothy back to stay at Wallington. Next week they are expecting Aunt Annie [Philips], Phil [Morgan Philips] Price, Hilton Young, Eleanor Cropper and Cicely [Frances?] Wedgwood; next week Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburnl. Elizabeth and Robert will see them if they come on 20 August, though they do not have to decide yet. The weather is so windy she has to tie on her hat. Keith [the head gardener] is sending some more fruit today. Sorry that Mrs Fry had 'the trouble of writing twice'; it was 'such a pretty letter, in picturesque handwriting'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth and Robert are coming on 20 August; sure it will do her good. There will be lots of guest at first: two girls [Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburn], Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], and Edgar and Baffy Dugdale., who all go on Monday the 24th. The party for the tenants and workpeople is on the 26th; good that Elizabeth and Robert will be there, and hopes it will not be boring. Asks if they can arrange to go away from the 27th, when Charles leaves, to 1 September as she has promised Sir George he can have some entirely quiet days to recover from the guests. They could go and see Durham, Richmond and York on the way if their friends were not ready for them. Would very much like to go to Holy Island with them if the weather is suitable. Charles looks much better; Hilton Young is shooting with him; Sir George has not felt up to it yet but 'will go next week, when they drive the birds'. Sorry that Elizabeth does not feel well; she needs 'some bracing air' and three weeks in the north will be good for her. Believes it will be a family party only in September; will get Elizabeth to help with a garden party. The exhibition at Cambo is on Saturday; Annie [Philips] is coming today, bringing Phil [Morgan Philips] Price. Meggy [Price] is taking Robin to the sea in South Wales; she is still anxious about him, and though he is recovering he does not seem well enough to return to Harrow. Hopes they will have good news about the house when they come, it 'must be worrying'. Supposes Robert is 'quite well again'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very sorry to hear that Elizabeth is not well; hope she is feeling better and that they will see her and Robert by Friday at the latest. If they make the journey in one day, she must go to bed when she arrives and 'let Booa [Mary Prestwich] nurse [her] up a little'. Does not think Theo [Llewelyn Davies] will come until Thursday or Friday. Sorry that Robert has rheumatism; hopes the change of air will help them both. The shoot today had to be put off because of bad weather. Annie [Philips] has to leave on Thursday, so they will just miss her. The trains are 'fairly regular' now so they can trust the later one; advice on the journey. Postscript on a separate sheet to say that C[harles] has just got the telegram; they are very sorry that Elizabeth does not feel well enough to travel till Friday; suggests train times.

Rounton Grange, Northallerton. - He and George have been to Kirkby Lonsdale, staying at Sedburgh on Saturday night and walking over to Kirkby on Sunday, getting there about half past ten. They 'soon found' [Theodore Llewelyn Davies'] grave 'in the lime avenue which leads from the Vicarage to the Church, and the end near the house and next his mother's'. They 'rather expected' all the family would be in church, but they were at home. Crompton came out to meet them and they went into the garden; he is 'most dreadfully crushed'. Thinks it will 'take all his friends can do to give him proper heart for life again'. The tragedy came when he was 'already badly overworked' - Theo's 'chief anxiety was about Crompton' the last time he breakfasted with Charles ten days ago - and he is 'thin and shrunken'. Hopes he will 'soon be able to have a really quiet time somewhere'. It is hard for them all, he thinks especially for Margaret, but believes Theodore 'was most of Crompton's life'.

He can himself dwell on Theodore's achievements 'to such an extent that I can almost forget what he might have done. He had bettered and even controlled the lives of so many people, set such a standard, that he almost palpably lives on in all sorts of men and all sorts of ways'. Thinks he 'might feel even more the loss of some charming smaller men, whose force was only in their immediate personal contact, and not in the wisdom and sanity of their whole life and action'. Good to know that Theodore was 'having a spell of exceptional cheerfulness and that he died without pain or consciousness'. But there is still a 'greater blank than [Charles] could have believed'.

Has written mainly as he thought Robert would like to know what happened from a firsthand source. Theodore was staying for a few days with his father at Kirkby; they were due to go to London on Tuesday for Lord Lingen's funeral. He went out for a walk that morning, but did not meet his father at the station; his father went on to London without him thinking he would follow. His father and Crompton began to worry when no message came and Theodore did not return to Kirkby. Early next morning they wired for 'the moors to be searched and to Harry to come from Scotland'; there are 'ugly pot-holes a hundred feet deep' on the moors which people have fallen into. The doctor met them at Crickholme station to say he had been found. Charles may have been the first person to know in London, as Theodore's servants 'in their distress' came to North Street with the news.

On going out on Tuesday morning, Theodore had 'dropped in to talk to a radical shopkeeper about Lord Rosebery's speech'; he also called on 'two old ladies, protegées of Margaret's' but they were too ill to see him so the last person to speak to him was 'their little maid'. He went over the fell to the Leck Beck and to Job's Dub, 'a deep pool where they had bathed since they were boys'. He must have slipped or dived badly and hit his head on a rock; they are sure that he was 'temporarily stunned and was drowned while unconscious'. He was found 'some way below the pool', having been washed along by the stream, and they say 'he looked very beautiful on Thursday when they saw him for the last time'.

It seems to have been a 'calm and happy death', after a life 'perhaps not of turmoil but certainly not all smooth and easy, such as we might all wish to die, and such as we shall none of us deserve as much as him'.

Union Society, Cambridge. - Spent all day yesterday [the beginning of term?] 'seeing people and getting [his] pictures and books in'. Has put Bob's books, 'mostly school classics', in the gyp room. Likes his rooms very much: the two places he is 'fondest of in the world are the old court and the cloisters'. [Maurice] Amos is in [Bertrand] Russell's rooms, [George] Gooch the rooms opposite Collins's, and [Henry Graham] Dakyns in the 'tower by the carriage entrance'; these are 'historical stairs', since Horace Walpole visited a friend in Dakyns' new rooms. MacT[aggart]'s lectures will be attended by 'Amos, Gooch, a lady, and Dickinson and Wedd probably'. Has acquired two statuettes of Assyrian kings, copied from originals in the British Museum, which he thinks are 'very fine' and 'almost as original' as Bob's 'Hindoo god was'. Came by the late train, so had no evening in London to go to the theatre. Amos has heart trouble, 'having overworked himself', and may even be unfit to study this year: MacT[aggart] says he is well ahead with his reading and could do his tripos with not much more work if the worst came; his mother is here and George took tea with her and Maurice yesterday. Asks if Bob has any 'gossip or scandal' from [Harrow] Founder's Day. Notes in a postscript that the 'two fellows who live opposite you [ie Theodore and Crompton Llewelyn Davies]' were here recently 'both in great force', Theodore bathed 'on a raw morning with Moore as usual'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Bob's letter gave George 'the very greatest pleasure'. Will be in the south in the middle of October, and will come to see Bob and Bessie then or as soon as he can, which will be 'great fun'. The 'other poet that inhabits that neighbourhood, Meredith, has invited George to visit him this autumn with Theodore [Llewelyn Davies]; has often discussed Meredith's poems and 'view of life' with Theo, and Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]. When George visits Meredith, he will see what he can do [in terms of arranging a visit?] for Bob and Roger [Fry]; asks Bob not to tell anyone else that George knows Meredith. Sends love to Elizabeth; Bob should tell her 'not to break all the dishes' before George comes in October. Postscript: Tom [Sturge Moore] has sent George his "Altdorfer"

22 Sussex Villas, W. - Glad that Bob and Bessie have got 'such a jolly place [for a holiday]. It is wet hell here'. Agrees that Desmond [MacCarthy] should not take up politics, though [Bertrand] Russell and Theo [Llewelyn Davies] 'urge him on'; at least it would be better if he could concentrate on reviewing for money, which he needs to do to 'keep his mother comfortable (much more ever to marry)' and writing books, his 'end in life'; he should not 'complicate' this with politics, particularly given ill health. If Desmond does go out to join Bob and Bessie, as George will encourage him to do, Bob might 'have some influence'. Desmond wants to make some money 'to enable his mother to stop in London', but 'needs encouragement' or he will not bring himself to do so 'by reviewing books that don't amuse him'; he is not yet 'in a position to dictate to the literary wold and get the sort of reviewing he wants'. Originally enclosing a letter of Tom [Sturge Moore]'s; George regrets that they will not be able to include his article [in the "Independent Review"], so is all the more eager to have Bob's review of Tom's poetry this spring; Tom has 'stood so much... in the matter of the review that [George] fears his honeymoon patience will be exhausted' if as well as rejecting his articles, the "Review" does not discuss his poetry.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - He and Caroline have felt greatly for Robert over the death of Theodore [Llewelyn Davies]: knows how close and long the friendship was, and that it would have continued throughout their lives; also that Robert shared the friendship with Elizabeth. He himself lost five friends by the time any of them were twenty eight; Theodore's loss is even greater. Comments that something like this 'brings home how few the central friendships are that dignify and idealise one's whole circle'. He feels it 'dreadfully, on private and public grounds'; they sent a wreath of 'Scarlet Ramblers' which seemed very appropriate. They are looking forward to Elizabeth and Robert's visit; has prepared the main chapters of the book [the next volume of "The American Revolution"] for him to read. They have had a panel in the hall "beautifully painted by Mrs [Edith] Collingwood, a friend and pupil of Ruskin, and we hope to have the whole painted by her this year’.