2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Is sending the nine nightgowns she promised, since 'Theo has now been promoted to flannel ones' and his happy to pass them on to his cousin Paul [not yet born]. Hopes that Bessie is still 'quite well & jolly'; she herself feels very proud going out with her 'huge double pram full of babies', getting new clothes, and enjoying life again; feels 'so superior' to Molly, Bessie, and Eleanor Acland who are 'lagging so far behind'. Hears that Caroline is going to stay with Bessie for the birth, and that 'the faithful Miss Martin' will go to Wallington; hopes that the baby will not keep Bessie waiting, as Mary did Janet. Sorry that she will not be able to visit until she is 'free of Theodore', about the end of January; encourages Bessie to arrange to come to Welcome at the same time as she and George goes, about 7 January; they have not 'stayed with the parents together' since the time at Wallington after Janet's engagement.
2, Cheyne Gardens. - Has signed the transfer and sent it on to Maurice Bell. Has seen [Ralph] Hawtrey 'about the B.M. [British Museum] salaries question' [see also 14/65]; seems that the pay scale is the same as 'for the majority of the Civil Servants', though 'the Treasury, Home Office, Education, and India' and perhaps another earn more. George thinks the British Museum employees should be on this higher scale, but fears 'the Treasury would be stiff'. Charles is going to enquire how the pay of the 'higher posts' at the Museum compare with that of those 'the ordinary Civil Servant rises to', so Bob should 'prod him about it' when he sees him; he is 'quite sympathetic'. Waiting for news about Bessie [due to give birth]; sends love to her and Caroline; leaves England on Friday morning.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - She will already have received his telegram [46/118] and know that 'everything [the birth of his son Paul] went off well'. Bessie is 'doing very well, and had a fairly easy time, it seems'. The baby is 'quite strong and healthy, and seems a good size'. Doctor Clark arrived at about 7.15 pm and the baby arrived around 8pm. It was 'very good' of his mother to offer to come back if they wanted; luckily this was not necessary. Her staying for such a long time was a 'great help and comfort for Bessie'. Is glad to hear his father is well.; will write to him. Since it is 'rather late', will go to bed now.
Handed in at Holmbury St Mary; sent to Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - 'Son [Paul] born [yesterday] evening both doing very well indeed Trevelyan'.
Sent 9.50 am, received at Stratford on Avon office 10.52 am.
The Shiffolds. - Is writing before he goes to bed to let her know that all is well; the telegram from Welcombe came this morning and they were glad that their wire [46/118] had reached her. Bessie is 'really very well, and very little tired'; the baby [Paul] is also doing well, 'sleeps a great deal, and does not cry much when he is awake'. Robert 'cannot say he seems... beautiful exactly, but on the other hand he is not ugly, and at least he has plenty of hair'. The Enticknaps say he is like Robert, but he can't judge. The nurse is 'very satisfactory' and Bessie likes her.
Sent 'the little sweets [muisjes]' to his father and Booa in the last post; it seems to be an 'old Dutch custom' to give them to friends and relations, and they should be 'eaten sprinkled on bread and butter'. Has been busy sending 'post cards and telegrams etc', will probably have more time to write tomorrow.
Tovey's concerto was 'splendidly played by Richter's orchestra'; Richter seems very pleased with it and wants to do it again. Robert 'found it rather difficult, but liked some of it very much'. Bessie sends her love and Pauls'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Writes to express his and Caroline's 'thankfulness and joy' over the news they have just received [of the birth of Robert's son Paul]. This has been 'intensified' by the time Caroline recently spent with Elizabeth.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Delighted to have the news of the birth of Elizabeth and Robert's son; wants to know how much he weighs and so on; hopes the labour was not too hard. Wonders if Robert 'has ventured to hold the baby'; he must start when it is small. The hounds [the local hunt] have been here this morning and she and Sir George went out to them; looked 'very pretty'. Asks whether they have decided the baby's name is to be Paul; Sir George likes it. Amusing to think of the 'three boy cousins' [with Theodore and George Lowthian Trevelyan] so close in age.
The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.
Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.
Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.
Zoölogisch Museum en Laboratorium, Utrecht. - Sends congratulations on Paul's birth; as far as he can see this name was 'not familiar' in the Trevelyan family, but it has 'a very marked "home" sound" to them. Hopes mother and son keep doing well; will be glad if Robert can let them know when Elizabeth is up again. Their P[aul] and A[nna] are staying at the moment with them at the Janskerkhof; next month Anna 'hopes to follow B[essie]'s good example' [their son Tom was born on 23 January], so it will be a 'merry Xmas to you all'.
Higher Coombe, Haslemere. - Sending congratulations to Trevelyan on the birth of their son Paul. Henry and Winifred [her son and his wife] are here and also send best wishes. Sends love to Bessie; is very glad to 'think of her happiness'; hopes that she and Paul will 'get on excellently always'.
Wyddrington, Edgbaston. - He and his wife Katie have been waiting to hear news of the Trevelyans; does not know if he can 'yet offer... congratulations' [on the birth of their child]. Sends Christmas greetings; [originally] enclosing some small photographs of the 'Seaton Delaval statues' he took with Bobby a few years ago, as promised. Is here to spend Christmas with Katie's family; there is 'always a jolly oldfashioned gathering' with nephews and nieces 'galore' around.
Crom-a-boo, Heavitree, Exeter. - Congratulations on the 'safe arrival of Paul the first'; they only heard this morning as they left home on Thursday morning. Glad Bob's wife seemed to have 'suffered so comparatively little'. Paul weighed a little more than Dan did on his birth; they did not measure Dan. Has finished his comedy ["Two Ugly Men"?] and is very pleased with it. Dan is 'picking up nicely' since they got here. George is here and ;seems well & happy'. Has an article to write for the "[New] Quarterly" on all the new books on [William] Blake which he thinks he will do well; asks if Bob has seen [Frederick] Tatham's "Life" of Blake, edited with the Letters by A. G. B. Russell, which he likes more than anything else written about Blake. Would have put the story about Blake 'singing in bed just before his death' into his own ode "On Death" if he had known it before. Is also reading [John] Donne, but is 'rather disappointed with him'. Sends best Christmas and New Year's wishes.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Has received Paul's present of 'muisjes' [sugared aniseeds given in the Netherlands after the birth of a baby] from Elizabeth and Robert; Caroline has told him about them; Booa [Mary Prestwich] was 'immensely pleased with hers'. They are now settled down; thinks he and Booa want some 'rest and quiet'. The hounds came yesterday, which is very different in Warwickshire from in Northumberland as it is 'one of the famous "Shires"'; the hunt 'made a gallant show in the amphitheatre of the home park'. Would be 'bad hunting' at the Shiffolds, but he would still enjoy it.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Bessie and Paul are both very well: Bessie was pleased to get his mother's letter this morning - she is 'allowed to read all letters that come' - and is 'looking forward to writing herself'. The doctor called today, is quite satisfied, and will not call tomorrow. The frost has gone and they have 'stormy warmer weather'.
The V[aughan] Williamses at High Ashes are 'very kind', and ask him to lunch: went on Sunday, and will go tomorrow 'for the Xmas dinner'. Has had a nice letter from C[harles] and Molly [16/165]. Is 'rather tired', so she must not mind him not writing more. Sends love from all the family.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his 'very kind letter' [16/172], which came yesterday afternoon. A 'great pleasure' to him and Bessie that his parents share their happiness [on the birth of their son Paul] 'so fully'. Bessie is still doing well and the doctor is 'very satisfied' with her and the baby. Sends thanks to his mother for a 'very nice letter' received this morning; will write to her every day for now; her visit was 'a great pleasure' to them both, and 'of the greatest help to Bessie' during the unexpectedly long wait to give birth, is 'very grateful to her for all her kindness'. Encloses a letter from Keith [gardener at Wallington]; it is very kind of him to send flowers for Bessie, which she mostly has in her room during the day.
Did not want the Education Bill to be lost: the loss 'will not weaken the Government, but rather the contrary' due to the 'general indignation', not only amongst Liberals, but it would not have been worth 'sacrificing the bill if it could have been saved', even for this 'useful tonic effect'. At least the Government 'seems to have a good hand to play'; hopes they will do so 'in the best way possible, whatever that may be'.
Bessie sends her love to his parents, and so do he and 'Paulus (modern Apostulus)'.
Stocks, Tring. - Has just had a 'charming letter' from Bob about 'Paul's weight, height, colour & general accomplishments', so should really reply to him, but wants to write to Bessie instead, knowing how fun it is to hear 'what a great man one is'. Bessie seems to have managed [the birth] 'splendidly all round'; hopes she is starting to enjoy herself by now. Longs to visit but does not think she will manage before returning from Welcombe, about the 18th [Jan]. It is 'rather splendid' that Bessie had a boy on her first attempt; it puts Molly and Janet to shame. Good that the 'three boy-cousins' are so near in age, 'how they will quarrel & make it up again, & quarrel again'. Sure it is a good omen that Paul 'came on the solstice night': she will expect him to have 'more sparks of genius in him than the other two'. Hopes Bessie did not have 'a very beastly time', and that she could have 'some nice whiffs of chloroform'; she did better than Eleanor Acland, whose labour lasted forty-eight hours. Asks Bessie to thank Bob for his letter, which she will send on to George; also to say Janet knows they do not have a copy of "Dmitri Roudine" [Turgenev's "Rudin"] and they will be delighted to have it; it is the one she especially wants to read.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - They are having a 'very pleasant Christmas'; everyone is well. His father's 'kind letter' to E[lizabeth: 10/69] came this morning, and 'gave her much pleasure'. The baby seems to 'thrive'. Since it is Christmas today, Bessie 'had him dressed in an old Dutch dress, made 70 years ago, in which he looks very Dutch and pretty'.
Is going out to dinner tonight to High Ashes for the V[aughan] Williams' Christmas dinner; does not mind leaving Bessie as she is 'really so well'. She sends her love, says she 'thinks a great deal' about Caroline, and is much enjoying getting letters from everyone. Paul got his 'first letter this morning in the shape of a Christmas card from Pauline and Georgdie' [Charles and Molly's children].
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes Elizabeth has a good Christmas day with her baby; she should 'feel it a duty to be quite idle'. Sir George is recovering; will take him for a walk this morning; was 'a feverish cold... like something caught in a London fog'. They have had many congratulations on the birth of Paul. Sure Gussie [Enticknap] 'would be astonished to see another baby quite suddenly appear'. She and Sir George are having lunch early, so the servants will be able 'to sit over their dinners' and 'have dessert & crackers &c' and have fun. Thanks Robert for writing twice, though his letters arrived together; the post is 'most erratic' and the postman needs a cart and horse as there are so many parcels. Has started the year's accounts. Sir George was amused by the muisjes [see 10/69]. Asks whether Jan [Hubrecht?] has been to see Paul yet.
Bagley Wood, Oxford. - Glad to hear of the birth of the Trevelyans' son [Paul] and that all was going well; feels that those who have no children have little share in the life of mankind and 'no link with the future', so is always very glad when his friends have children.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Apologises for not writing for a few days: they 'missed a post by mistake', and this afternoon Roland [Vaughan Williams?] called wanting him to go for a walk just as he was about to write and Bessie thought he should go. There is not much news: Bessie and Paul are doing well. Bessie has 'already seen several people', and Lady V[aughan] Williams will probably visit tomorrow.
Thanks his mother for her letter, which came this afternoon; Bessie thanks her for her last letter and was 'much amused to hear of the muisjes-rite'; she is 'shocked' that Robert is 'refusing the sacriment, because it contains carroway seed [sic]' - he does however think they 'look very pretty'. Bessie says the 'nursing' [breast-feeeding] is going well, and 'the supply and demand question, which often seems the chief difficulty, has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties'.
There has been heavy snow, but the 'Doctor still comes out in his motor'. Will give Gussie [Enticknap] his Christmas card. Robert has had a 'letter of congratulation' from A. G. Watson. Supposes there is snow at Welcombe too.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sure Elizabeth is glad to be in bed in this cold weather, though since there was sunshine yesterday and today she and Sir George have taken some walks. The nurse has kindly written a long letter with much she wanted to know about Elizabeth and Paul. Is very glad to hear the nursing [breastfeeding] has begun so well; Mary and Pauline were both 'troublesome' though the boys [Theodore and George Lowthian] were not. Longs to see Elizabeth and Paul but must wait, as both she and Sir George are going to be careful not to catch chills. Has been busy with the accounts, and has 'embarked on another large Vol. of Sorel'. Asks if Elizabeth has had visitors yet; sure Miss Noel will be delighted. Janet is coming on 7 January, and her mother the next day; 'rather alarmed' at the thought of having Mrs Ward for 'two whole days'. Asks if Paul has been out yet; likes the idea of him 'being carried up and down the Tannhurst [sic: Tanhurst?] Terrace which is so sheltered & sunny'. Long holiday at Stratford, with Christmas, bank holiday and local holiday; there has been tobogganing on the hill behind the house, and the pond will soon be frozen enough for skating.
22 Willow Road, Hampstead, N.W. - Delighted to hear the news from Helen about the birth of the Trevelyans' son Paul; is not sure he will fit into "Ariadne" ["The Bride of Dionysus"] but perhaps Bessie won't allow his use in poetry: he had 'to behave very well to be allowed to draw Julian'. Possible arrangements for meeting; has to go to Munich for a day but otherwise is free. Jokes about all babies' resemblance to McTaggart. Asks Trevelyan to get tickets for the concert on February 11th.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - All well: Bessie is 'getting stronger quickly' and the boy [Paul] 'usually sleeps and feeds well'. Thanks her for her last letter, and Bessie thanks Booa for her letter. Lady V[aughan] Williams called yesterday and 'admired Paul very much'. Does not think the snow here is as bad as in many places: it is only about 3 inches thick. Encloses G[eorge's] letter, which is 'very interesting'. Is 'glad Aunt Annie is enjoying her travels'.
Bessie would like to know how long his parents will be at Welcombe. She says she is 'perfectly happy being quite idle in bed, and feels very warm and cosy'. Thanks his mother for suggesting he comes to Welcombe: might do so for a 'day or two in January', but since their plans are unsettled will 'leave it now'. Sends all love from all of them to his parents.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Wishes Elizabeth and Robert a happy New Year; hopes Paul will be everything to them that those who love them can wish. Sure she is glad to be in bed in this cold weather.
Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana, Italy. - Sends a 'thousand congratulations on the happy event'; they [he and Lina] were glad to get Bob's letter with news of Paul and Bessie. Glad the Enticknaps approve. Is following Bob's plan and goes for walks with 'pockets full of books' everyday, but rarely reads them, instead sits 'basking in the sunshine & the stillness'; describes the surroundings. Lina is 'doing away with the pigions [sic] because they don't pay'; he objects, but will have their tower room for 'a study from which to wander in the roof garden' as compensation. Needs Bessie 'badly to paint the ringhiera [banisters or railing]'; sends love. They miss the Trevelyans both very much this Christmas.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Bessie is doing well, and 'sits up in bed a great deal'; Paul is also well. The thaw 'set in last night', and Robert hopes it will continue. Sees in the papers that Wallington is 'cut off': that is 'unpleasant' but may not matter so much, but it could be 'serious for some of the scattered farms' and he hopes it will not last long. Bessie says that 'but for Paul' his parents might both be snowed in at Wallington, so 'in spite of all the inconvenience he has caused' he may at least have saved them from that.
They have not suffered much here as the snow was never too deep. Some of the neighbours have influenza: both at High Ashes [home of Sir Roland and Lady Vaughan Williams] and Mrs Vaughan Williams at Leith Hill Place, so they 'must take care not to let it come here'. Has 'Sent Jim [? Conrad's Lord Jim, see 12/105] by this morning's post': it is Tom [Sturge] Moore's, but he 'won't want it back yet'. Wonders whether his father will 'make anything of it': Robert 'found it tough at first, but afterwards was quite held by it'.
The doctor has just come and says Bessie is 'doing very well indeed'. Has been writing many letters recently, some at Bessie's dictation. People have been 'most kind in writing', some have sent presents for Paul. Hopes his parents and Booa are well; sends love and 'best wishes for 1907' from him and his family'.
Grand Hotel Boulouris, St Raphael, Var, France. - Congratulates Trevelyan [on the birth of his son Paul]. Apologises for not writing sooner; has had a 'sprained arm & consequent rheumatism'. Is not an expert on the 'statistics of infancy', so does not know whether what Trevelyan says is good, but it sounds so. Trevelyan has now 'a still firmer anchorage in the old house', and with the new house and new baby he supposes he will not see him here for some winters to come. Glad the child is a boy, and hopes he will keep up and add to the reputation of the family name. Sends regards to Elizabeth Trevelyan.