Showing 161 results

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Asks if he and a poet friend - 'auch ein Dichter' - can visit, and whether he has returned "The Arabian Nights". Sends punning greetings to Paul in Latin.

Hampstead. - The rain on Sunday made it too uninviting to bicycle on Sunday: they stayed in the shelter of Shulbrede Priory and rode back some of the way this morning. He had written to Helen about Paul [Trevelyan]; the letter from her, originally enclosed, is a response. Would be good if Bessie could write a little note about Paul and other 'domesticities', but the doctor does not want her to have much strain from correspondence; the doctor seems to think she is getting on slowly. They enjoyed their stay with Bessie and saw some good sights on the way to Petersfield, including Bedales where he hopes Paul will go one day with Julian and Pamela. Is going to Failand to see his children soon.

Postmarked Abinger Hammer. - Is sorry that he has not been able to visit while staying at his aunt's; but 'of all human beings a baby keeps the longest' so he will have to leave Paul 'in his Tarsian stage' for a few months more. Is arguing with Blackwood 'over the colonies' and thinks he will have to go elsewhere [for the publication of "The Longest Journey"]. Has received "The Arabian Nights."

Postmarked Oban. Sent to Trevelyan at the Shiffolds but forwarded on to Central Post Office, Marlborough. - Has finished Act I [of "The Bride of Dionysus"], leaving a blank space for Minos' new lines. It lasts an hour and twenty minutes, so unless the long speeches of the rest of the play go quicker than this 'very chopped up' act, the opera will be over four hours long: 'quite Wagnerian'. Asks if [Trevelyan's] "Sisyphus" could be called an 'Operatic Drama', implying 'a play tinged with operatic extravagance (if not one that might be set to music)'; if there was classical precedent for calling a play a fable, 'Operatic Fable' might sound well. Would be good if they could run through the first act together more than once: would like Marie Joachim to hear it, and to play it to his parents at Worplesdon, and to Paul [Trevelyan's son?]. Asks Trevelyan to forgive his 'rude remarks about the pied fawn skin' - the line is beautiful, but will not be set to music.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Congratulations about [birth on 20 Dec 1906 of the Trevelyans' son] Paul. Has been ill but now seems to have recovered after being sick twice: 'bis vomui' [Latin].

Lamb House, Rye, Sussex. - A 'great shock' to get Lady Trevelyan's letter and hear about the 'sorrow that has overtaken Robert and his wife' [the death of their son Paul]; knows that she and Sir George will have had their 'sad share' of this. Offers his sympathy to them all, particularly to 'admirable & devoted Mrs Robert', whom he can 'scarcely bear to think of'. Remembers the 'delightful little boy' well at Welcombe, and what he obviously meant to his parents. Is especially touched by her consideration of what he told her in his last letter about his 'then rather poor & slightly scared self'; he is now much better and likely to improve further. Had the kind of crisis for two or three weeks after which 'one is never... quite the same' but has 'emerged into quite decent conditions'. Is intending to spend May in London, and hopes to see the Trevelyans there.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Is being given the 'N.Q.' [New Quarterly], and finds it splendid. An essay on Poggio [Bracciolini], which MacCarthy encouraged him to send to the United States, has been rejected. Is going to Founder's Feast soon. Thanks Trevelyan about Stokoe, who must have moved. Lady Holroyd (who knows Trevelyan] has called, as has Mrs Barnes. Sends love to [Trevelyan's son] Paul.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Has been visiting the Dakyns family and is 'so sorry to hear about [Bob's son] Paul'; hopes that he will get well soon at Broadstairs. Has been meaning to write for a long time to say 'how good' he thinks "Sisyphus", and how much it made him laugh; liked Hypnos's appearance best; thought his remarks 'seemed so true' that those of Thanatos - [annotation above, perhaps in Trevelyan's hand, 'Time?']- which were 'presumably meant to be more true... did seem deal and second hand mahogany in comparison'. Calls Aphrodite and Artemis 'two dears'; the chorus made him 'faint with joy'. They are returning the 'Italy book', which his mother 'could scarcely bear to part with', and 'have put "Don't forward"'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad to hear Julian has gained so much weight, and that Elizabeth has recovered her strength so quickly. Interesting that Elizabeth's sister and [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen are coming. She and Sir George are leaving this morning 'in truly patriarchal fashion' since the 'Chelsea nursery' [George and Janet's children: Mary, Theodore and Humphry] join them at the station. Is thinking of Paul today: believes they will 'see him in Julian', who will therefore be 'doubly precious'.

Robin Ghyll, Langdale, Ambleside. - Thanks Bob for his writing, and for going to Swanage [due to the fatal illness of George and Janet's son Theo]; sorry this journey was 'in vain'. Did not write or wire to Bob as he knew he would have left the reading party for Will [Arnold Forster]'s and did not know where that was. [Theo's death] is a 'very great blow indeed' to George and Janet, but Bob and Bessie's courage at that which reduced them 'from the state of having offspring to the state of having none at all' [the death of their son Paul] is an 'example'.

Chantry Dene, Guildford. - Wishes he could get to the concert: he is an admirer of 'orange jelly' [Jelly Arányi], whom he heard at Haslemere a while ago, but he has promised to take over MacColl's lectures at the Slade this term and travelling to see Helen at Crowborough takes up much time. Asks Trevelyan to apologise to Miss Weisse. Goes Paris after his lecture on Friday to meet Burroughs and see things for the [Metropolitan] Museum. Helen seems to be doing well, but is anxious to return home. His show [at the Carfax Gallery] a qualified success, with rather poor notices of his new style but a good review from Claude Phillips. Hopes Bessie is better for their time in Holland [after the death of the Trevelyans' son Paul].

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.

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.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very grateful to Bob for the trouble he has taken 'about the Hugh Price Hughes letters', as well as to Mr Maxwell; George will 'try [his] luck in the matter' when they get back to London on 1 Feb. The family are all 'flourishing'; glad that Bessie and Paul are too. Met Bob's friend [Edward Anton?] Speyer in the Lakes at Christmas.

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.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Elizabeth has got to Broadstairs and is in a hotel, which is much more restful; the weather is also improving, after being very bad. G[eorge] and J[anet] came from Leamington in a snow storm on the 15th; they are enjoying themselves and resting here, though Janet has been to London for the day; she seems to have many 'irons in the fire' and never gets tired. Sir George got a bad cold at the end of last week, perhaps because they are 'of course economising fuel'; the doctor came and he is nearly recovered. Wonders whether Elizabeth 'would think him much older'; she does sometimes and then he is 'quite himself again'. Supposes Julian will got back to school early in May; Hopes Elizabeth will come and visit before they go north; they will stay here through May. Asks if Bob shows 'any sign of coming home'. Keeps thinking of 'that sad time at Broadstairs' [the death of Paul Trevelyan?] and is very glad Elizabeth has Julian with her; sends him 5 shillings to spend, as 'seaside shops are always rather fascinating to children'.

L.B.S.C.R [London, Brighton and South Coast Railway?]. - Apologises for not writing: has been very tired and Helen 'in the difficult exalted mood'. Is going to Paris for two days, 'museuming' with a Trustee [of the Metropolitan Museum of Art]. Is sorry not to have seen Trevelyan; hopes Helen's phase will pass soon as it is 'far more trying than the depression'. Asks to see Trevelyan's "Sisyphus". The Frys have taken a house at Guildford for nine months, then hopes their own will be built. Hopes Paul is well again.

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.

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.

Mantua. - Was very pleased by Bob's letter. The printers [of George's book "Garibaldi's Defence of the Roman Republic"] 'seem to have run short of '"f"s, after the final proof stage'; George was particularly annoyed by 'four cannon' being thus rendered 'our cannon' [1st ed, p 273], but now makes up a 'patriotic romance' in which 'young Buonaparte... swears to send the first English cannon which he captures to the Sanmarinesi'. Agrees with Bob about the Introduction, but, given the 'present state of history in England', his book must 'violently proclai[m] that it regards itself also as literature and appeals to the general public' if it is not to be 'treated as an historical monograph and consigned to "historical studies"'. Glad Bob perceives 'a nearer approach to chastity in the style'; thanks him again for his 'kind and painstaking efforts over "[England under] the Stuarts". Having a 'splendid time' in Italy; glad to hear Booa [Mary Prestwich] is better; fears she was very ill. Sends love to Bessie, and to Paul 'in whom, having not seen, I yet believe'.

The Reform Club. - Looks forward to seeing Trevelyan in town, though he cannot make the Joachim [Joachim Memorial Concert]. Jokes about his title [at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]: 'I'm European adviser... (to the whole United States of course)'. The children are very well; he goes to see Helen often and can't feel hopeless yet though Savage is pessimistic. Is glad Paul is well and hopes Bessie is too. Met "the dear [Julius?] Röntgen" who 'plays divinely'.

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.