8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Sorry to hear of the mishap; hopes Elizabeth's violin turns up soon; thinks she would have waited at Naples for it but Rome must be charming. Robert's book ["Cecilia Gonzaga"] has come out, 'charmingly printed & bound', and they are all reading it. Thinks it is beautiful, though 'too restrained & measured at the end for the tragic action'. Hopes it will sell; it is well advertised. Wonders whether Elizabeth and Robert will move this year; knows a young couple who she thinks would take the Mill House if they give it up. Many people going to Rome at the moment; hears all the hotels are full. Asks if they will see Gilbert Murray in Florence. Mrs Bertie Russell [Alys] is moving to the country; he is on a walking holiday with George in Devon.
Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi:- Sends best Christmas wishes from him and Elizabeth to his parents, as well as his brothers, whom they hear will be at Wallington. Fine but cold weather since their arrival in Italy until today, 'which is as bad as it could be'. Drove from Cava to Pompeii the day before coming to Ravello; Bessie had not seen it before, and 'was enchanted, especially with the new house, and with the Thermae [baths]'. Everything is 'exactly the same' at Ravello, except that 'Mr Kershaw, the old gentleman, seems a good deal older'; he and a friend are the only others here [at the hotel]. Mrs Reid is not well, and they have not yet seen her.
At Florence they 'met Zangwill, the Jew, who is a friend of the Berensons': they 'liked him very much and found him very witty and interesting', though 'his manners, especially at table, are not perfect'. He spilled his salad onto Bessie's best silk dress, which had to be sent to Florence to have the stain removed - but his 'other merits' make up for such things. The Russells are now staying at the Berensons'; the Trevelyans just missed seeing them. Is glad that [Alys] seems to be 'almost quite well again' now; has seen 'a good deal' of [Bertrand] over the last few months in London and at Dorking.
His parents should look at Murray's translation of Euripides' Hippolytus and Bacchae, which 'in many ways is very well done'; does not think the 'effect is very like Euripides' but that as an 'original poem... it has great merits'. Murray's notes also 'throw great light on the plays from a theatrical and dramatic point of view', and his introduction is 'very interesting'. There is also a translation of Aristophanes' Frogs: 'much of it reads very well', but opinions may differ on 'the possibility of putting Aristophanes into English verse'. Thinks Murray's Hippolytus is better than his Bacchae.
They hope Sir George has had 'no more rheumatism' and will keep well all through the winter, and that his book [the next volume of The American Revolution] is 'getting on well'. Their love to Robert's parents, Charles, and George.
Wallington. - Went to Hallington yesterday for tea; afraid Janet was 'no better, in fact noticeably less well' than when he saw her last, though she tried to be cheerful; she was 'very nervouse [sic] with her hands in a way that was new, and told me the same thing over again'. Clough Williams Ellis was 'very agreeable' and cheered George up a little, he also got Charles to talk; sorry he has gone this morning. The house is not noisy, considering there are 'three or four children in it at present'. Hopes all well at the Shiffolds; asks when the Bluths are coming and whether they are still at Cambridge. No reading aloud here at the moment, so he and Catherine [Abercrombie] sometimes read "Pride and Prejudice". Charles is 'much more affable than he used to be'. It is the Cambo Exhibition, which may involve 'a lot of tiring standing about'. Very glad Ada is at the Shiffolds. Hopes Bessie could make out [Gaetano] Salvemini's address; she should ring up Alys Russell, who will know it, if not; he knows it is 'Miss Massie', but not her initials so cannot look her up.
8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Rather 'wonderful how many liberals' Elizabeth and Robert have had in 'such a small party' [of fellow guests at Ravello]: Mr [Henry John?] Roby is 'a fine old fellow'; knows who Miss Williams is. Hears of many people going to Rome and Sicily now. Understands that Elizabeth wants to stop in Holland while Robert 'joins the Easter party [organised by George Moore]'. Has reserved tickets for the Joachim concerts; would very much like to go with Elizabeth and would be able to find other takers on occasions when unable to attend. Elizabeth was elected to the [Grosvenor Crescent] club and Caroline has paid her sub. Sir George is talking to Mr Longman downstairs now; Caroline is glad the play [Robert's "Cecilia Gonzaga"] will soon be out. The Bertie Russells visited on Sunday; she is 'much better, & looked quite different'; they are moving soon to Churt, a neighbourhood Caroline likes but supposes Elizabeth and Robert prefer Haslemere. She and Sir George are anxious they should find a nice house this summer. Asks for news of the Cacciolas; sends love to Florence and 'kindest regards to the Signor', as well as remembrances to the Grandmonts and Marie [Hubrecht].
Naples. - They go to Rome in two days, and can be reached there by Post[e] Rest[ante]. Bob must be generous to this letter as it was written 'after a day of rain & scirocco and sight seeing'. The news about 'Mrs Bertie' [Alys Russell?] has made them 'pretty indignant, and supports Helen's opinion of the character of 'P. Smith' [housekeeper at Beaufort Street?]. Bob, with his 'horror of moving & doing household things' will suffer; perhaps he should stay at Welcombe. Jokingly suggests then 'retract[s]' the idea that Bob should 'spend three years choosing or educating a wife'. Thanks Bob for all he 'did about the picture'; he and Mrs W[iddrington?] have been marvellous about it. A confusion over Taormina involving [Alfred?] Thornton and [Francis?] Bate. Never got chance to continue with the Galatea picture, but hopes he might yet finish it; has done 'lots of studies of seaweed etc', and Goldie [Dickinson] has seen the painting and likes it.
He and Helen had 'rather a serious time' when his parents came; they arrived a day early with 'all the other people whom we'd offended, including Ezekiel'. The talk was 'geological' rather than 'the wild orgies of the [Terence?] Bourke regime & the fierce gladiatorial shows... of [Bob's] reign'; assures Bob that their arguments do not matter; means to find out 'what it is that annoys some people so much in my way of arguing). His father was 'very nice' and got on well with Helen; his parents took her off on a driving tour of Etna while he himself stayed to work. Tells of visiting 'Mrs C' [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan] with his parents, and being menaced by her dogs. They went several times to see the Gramonts [Grandmonts] and had some 'splendid music', with ' more kindly scandal from Mrs G.'; they are nice people. Not enough time to tell of their 'quaint adventures at Pestum and Agropoli', and Pompeii, 'the apotheosis of shoddy' and so quite loveable, as 'immoral as the Brighton pavillion [sic] and as charming as a Japanese toy'. They stopped there a week at a 'filthy inn' where Goldie, [Nathaniel] Wedd and [Augustus Moore] Daniel came to stay: Daniel great fun, Wedd 'cussing & swearing because its not England'; got on 'splendidly with them'.
He and Helen are now staying in Santa Lucia; he goes out in the morning to buy bread and ricotta at street stalls, and milk straight from the 'street cows'; they have been up Vesuvius. Reassures Bob about his poetry: he and many others have 'betted heavily' on him so he must 'make a success of it'; is sure he himself will, having been just where Bob is; 'one comes though by mere pigheadedness'.
King's College Cambridge. - Has received an invitation to dine in Oxford, and one to stay with the Russells, both in June; it would be good if he could visit later in June, if Trevelyan's visit to the Dales allows.
Hotel Timeo, Taormina:- The Frys have been here a week now, and Robert will stay ‘a little longer’ than he had intended, though he hopes to start back ‘some time next week’. Most of the time the weather has been ‘very fine’; in fact, ‘rather too dry’. Today they are going, in the boat of ‘the Cacciolas’ fisherman’, to see ‘the grottoes under the cliffs, which are very wonderful, something like the Capri grottoes’. They will then spend the rest of the day on ‘the Cacciolas’ island [Isola Bella] which contains everything, from rabbits and a ruined chapel to corals and Leonardo “Madonna of the rocks” sort of places’. Roger Fry is painting ‘a picture of the theatre and Aetna’, but Robert does not think ‘the place inspires him much for painting, though they both enjoy staying here very much’. They ‘looked in at an Italian carnival dance yesterday evening’; the Frys ‘danced a polka’ and Robert watched.
There is ‘great indignation here about the bombardment of the Greeks [in the conflict with the Ottomans over Crete]’; expects there also is in London, as ‘Public feeling seems to be entirely with the Greeks in England, France, and here [Italy]’. Sees Colonel Hay is the new ambassador [of the US in London?]. Will try and get Il Capello del Prete [by Emilio De Marchi] for her on the way back. Is not yet certain about coming down [to Welcombe] for the ‘Shakespearean week’, so she should not get him tickets; would most like to see As You Like It. Does not think [Frank] Benson ‘would do the Tempest very well’: his Midsummer Night’s Dream was ‘not altogether good’. Is glad Fairweather is ‘strong again’. Supposes his mother will be in London when he returns. Will go to Haslemere and ‘get settled there as soon as [he] can’; thinks the Russells are there now. Hopes his father is ‘still well’.
12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very good of Trevelyan to remember him [by sending this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; likes the 'sincerity and simplicity' of his expression and the 'real beauty of the imagery and rhythm'.. Wishes he could reply 'in kind', but has nothing at the moment; hopes later to send what he has been 'amusing' himself with preparing with 'an old House [Christ Church, Oxford] friend, an 'Anthology of Introductions, Prefaces, Dedications' which 'strike a strong personal note' ["The Personal Note, an Anthology of First and Last Words", edited by Grierson with Sandys Wason], such as Johnson in his "Dictionary" or Keats in "Endymion". Would like Trevelyan to read his 'Introductio[n] on Introductions being a Preface to Prefaces'; as he will know, the Preface is 'often or generally the last part of the work'. Has borrowed T. S. Eliot's 'In my beginning is my end' [from "East Coker", the second of Eliot's "Four Quartets"] as a motto; this is 'rather a flippant use of what he treats so solemnly, but the poetry of recurring time or timelessness is beyond [Grierson'; he does however like Eliot's poem 'in a way'. Has heard from Mrs Russel[l] about 'poor Logan Pearsall Smith's illness', though he sounds to be 'rather better' lately; has been re-reading Pearsall Smith with 'equal pleasure on Donne and Carlyle and Milton' and praises his 'good sense and real appreciation'. Mrs Russell says Trevelyan and Desmond [MacCarthy] had visited them recently; he hopes Desmond is well, and will 'soon get a freer room in the S. T. ["Sunday Times"]'. He himself is 'so lame that going round the shops is a duty' he shirks. Has been busy with Dutch poems composed during the occupation mainly by imprisoned young men 'awaiting certain or possible death'; a gread deal has been published and 'the tone is amazing, the tone and the form'. Has only been lent the books, now 'very rare and expensive', or he would have tried to create good translations; has sent an article with 'some quotations and prose' to the "Spectator". Thinks the editor [Wilson Harris] may not accept this: he 'does not care for [Grierson]' as he thinks [his] "English Bible" was not pious enough'. Will broadcast on the 11 January, and may also say a word 'with some application to Scotland'. Wonders how 'poor Gilbert Murray is getting on; 'the "Scotsman" took fright [at a recent illness?] and a friend had to prepare an appreciation to be ready for eventualities'. Has a 'great regard' for Murray himself; they are both turning eighty next month.
Had a visit in June from his 'French daughter' with her youngest son Nicolas, and from his 'Dutch daughter' and her family in November. Alice's daughter from her first marriage [with Alexander Voormolen] has 'grown a lovely young woman;, but was 'seized by infantile paralysis'. She has recovered well, and will now be for a few months at the Wingfield Hospital near Oxford, where Dr [Josep] Trueta is a 'great authority on the disease and its treatment'. Will be alone this Christmas, but his daughters in England may come up for his birthday. Likes Trevelyan's 'cat poem ["Pusska"]; has a 'handsome cat, very independent and superior, but quite friendly'. Hopes Mrs Trevelyan has 'good news of her friends [in the Netherlands?].
The Mill House, Stanford Dingley, nr Reading, Berks. - Thanks Trevelyan very much for his letter [after the death of Logan Pearsall Smith]: 'refreshing & comforting to hear from someone who truly understands the circumstances'. Expects Trevelyan remembers that after the trip to Iceland, Gathorne-Hardy 'printed a little pamphlet with an essay by Logan called "Death in Iceland"', an 'ironically suitable' title. Is trying for his own 'ease of mind' to 'cultivate the thought' that this was true, as 'the old Logan that one could love really did die in Iceland'. After a few years of quiet, 'one could almost believe in the old superstitious fancies about possession', as Logan seemed to be 'inhabited by a devilish caricature of himself, increasingly cruel, sly, treacherous & malicious'. The occasional 'flashes' of his old self became 'rarer & shorter', and the last months were 'ghastly'. Describes his last visits. Keeps telling himself that Logan was 'mad, stark mad', and hopes in time to be able to put this period to the back of his head and 'remember more calmly the happy times before the war'. Alys had 'worse insults & accusations to endure' than he did, but thinks he 'caught it the worst' after her. On comparing dates, they found that Logan's decline seemed to start in 1940, and accelerate in the autumn of 1941; he started by saying things he knew would be hurtful, this turned into accusations, 'lately he had been throwing up the most astonishing grievances - trivial, garbled or downright delusory, & most of them 10 or 12 years old'. Asks Trevelyan to forgive him for this 'outpouring', provoked by the 'kindness & understanding' in his letter. This is all the more appreciated after Gathorne-Hardy has been so 'rude & neglectful' in not thanking him for the poems he has sent ["From the Shiffolds"]; was working hard, thought they deserved a proper letter of appreciation, but never managed to write it.
The most 'remarkable' thing about the poems is the 'spring-like burgeoning of beauty in one who is no longer even middle-aged... one of the most enchanting revivals of art' he has witnessed; Trevelyan has 'caught a lovely & lively tone of voice'. Would make the criticism that Catullus's "Odi et amo" should only even be a couplet; gives his own version; praises the most recent pamphlet. Thanks Trevelyan once more for the kind letter and invitation; would love to accept some time but is busy with a number of things at home as well as helping Alys. Met Trevelyan's son recently when he was staying with a friend nearby.
Hôtel Timeo, Taormina:- Has ‘found fine weather and comfort at last here’, and will stay for the rest of his time abroad. Has got to work already on his first day here; the weather is ‘perfect, and rather cold’. Came straight here from St. Raphael, stopping a day at Naples to see if going to ‘Corpo di’ Cava, but thought he would have been ‘washed out’: was not till he got past Messina that it stopped raining. Most of Italy has been ‘flooded this winter’, though it has not been very cold; Taormina ‘seems to have escaped’. The hotel is very quiet, and only half-full.
The Cacciolas are ‘very glad to see’ Robert; their house is quieter since the ‘lunatic German governess’ has left. Cacciola suspects she took opium, if not her behaviour was ‘almost inexplicable’. Floresta, the ‘padrone’, has had a letter from [Roger] Fry saying that he and his wife are coming soon. Robert hopes they will stay for a while; believes they are currently at Tunis but has not heard from them recently. Hopes his family are all well. Hears the Russells [Bertrand and Alys] have returned from America; hopes he will ‘find them settled at Fernhurst’ when he returns. Does not think he will stay longer than a month. It is an ‘almost perfect place’ for his work, with the Cacciola’s garden and books; expects he will get ‘much more done’, as last spring he ‘was more uncertain as to what [he] wanted to do’.
Madrid, Palaza de Oriente, 8, pral. der, Apartado 847, - Has not been to the apartado since Trevelyan left, but 'the good Mr. Angus' has been twice a day, and Sickert cannot explain 'the hush in correspondence addressed to you and.. the ebb in the tide of Manchester Guardians'. The flat has 'lost some of its style' since Trevelyan left: they 'eat off a table cloth and so never see any news'. Have seen Mrs [Alys?] Russell. They only go to lunch at the Universal, and for theatre, the Argentinita. Did not find [Manuel Bartolomé ?] Cossio boring when they went there, but they have only been once. Mrs Jimenes is a 'dear', she ought to be in Malaga with her husband but is still here with influenza. Has not seen Menendez [Ramón Menéndez Pidal] since Trevelyan left, but he gives Angus a lesson every day. Reports on the progress of the various strikes. The new Minister of War [José Villalba Riquelme] says he will dissolve the Juntas Militares, which Sickert has heard before. Has read only a little Quijote, which he likes better and better. Has had a card from Don Julio [Álvarez del Vayo] in Berlin; recognised his first article from its first word, 'Reinhardt', which might be expected from 'such a theatre-maniac' though it was another Reinhardt [probably therefore not the director, Max]. Ocaña met [Montefiore?] Follick at the club and formed a low opinion of him for thinking Lucretius was Greek. Hopes the lessons suit Julian. His wife 'has reached the advanced stage of not being able to listen to any music', and they have not yet found the Flamenco music Arthur [Waley] talks about, though Duran believes it exists somewhere. Parsifal is on at the Real, would go if a stall cost fifty centimos. A film of [Jacinto] Benevente's is being produced next week; knows Trevelyan claims never to have heard of 'the most famous contemporary Spanish man of letters'. Has an 'extra-ordinary feeling of satisfaction & gratification' when he thinks of Arthur being there [at the British Museum].
Trinity College, Cambridge. - Apologises for not replying sooner to Bob's letter; blames the weather, which 'has brought germs of indolence'; has done no work for a fortnight except reading Euripides' "Medea" and "Electra". Stops writing as his 'hands were dripping with heat'; continues on Monday morning when it is cooler. Has been to breakfast with [Jack?] MacT[aggart], who sold him Dal[housie] Young's "Defence of Oscar Wilde"; this 'makes the mistake of imitating Oscar's style' so readers will 'say that the good sense of it is discounted because it is obvious that the writer was under Oscar's influence'. Says he will not talk about the [General] elections; asks if Charley minds; was very sorry [that Charley was not elected], though he did not want Lord Rosebery to be in again just yet, and expects 'the enormous majority will bring the Tories to grief sooner'. Wonders if Bob is still at Wallington; hopes he was not 'awfully tired' by their trip to Shap. He himself had a 'pleasant journey' reading "Lord Ormont [and his Arminta]"; does not think he has ever read anything 'so exclusively spiritual... nothing of what George Moore calls exteriority, & scarcely any action'; could call it 'the revolt from naturalism' except that [George] Meredith has never been in that movement. Enjoyed their time in the Lakes very much; shame 'we & the weather weren't in better form', but they saw some 'beautiful things'. In London, saw Duse in her 'finest part, Magda' [in Sudermann's "Magda"]. They have been "very frivolous" in Cambridge, and '"Gerald Eversley's Friendship" has been a great delight' and has been read aloud; is afraid their 'brother [in the Cambridge Apostles] Welldon has done for himself.' Is reading "Don Quixote", and finding 'delicious things every now & then, but much dulness [sic]; has a 'wretched old translation', whose only recommendations are that Swift was one of the subscribers, and there are 'some funny old pictures which open out like maps'. Is leaving today; will spend tomorrow night with the Russells and start for Germany on Thursday evening; gives his address for the next month in Hildesheim. Gives a limerick beginning 'There was a young man of Madrid...'
25, Wellington Square, S.W.3. - Looking forward to his visit: will be 'very good and set an example to Bob'. Molly is at Rose Cottage; will soon begin her new book. Thinks he will only be able to come for nine weeks, not ten; will not muddle 'Dorking Town & Dorking Harbour' this time. Their 'little black Tom cat' had seven kittens on Friday night. Lunched today with Alys and Logan [Pearsall Smith]; thinks Logan is better. Will bring down Sarawad's [sic, corrected to Suhrawardy in pencil] poems which Bob gave him, and Irene C.W.'s [Cooper Willis] book on Emily Bronte, if he can find them; says he knows Irene's book 'by heart' and can repeat it if necessary.
29 Beaufort Str[eet], Chelsea. - Hears that Marsh has done well [in his civil service exams] but not 'what particular function' - colonial, military, or financial, he will choose; hopes he is 'satisfied and happy'. Sorry that Marsh could not come to Wallington, and hopes he has good hunting and fishing in Scotland. Asks what he thinks of the Czar; would like to meet 'a live deer-stalking tyrant'. Has taken Copse Cottage, near Friday's Hill [home of the Pearsall Smiths]; Bertie and Alys [Russell] left for America today, and Logan is soon leaving for Italy, so Bob will be glad of occasional company. Intends to hire a piano for Marsh and [G.E.] Moore; has four bedrooms, three sitting rooms and four sculleries. Tells Marsh to return from Scotland 'not too religious, and... without loosing [sic] your artistic instinct' as he is 'required as a patron and lover of young art to guarantee a guinea of the... fund for Roger [Fry's] exhibition at Cambridge, which will include works by Conder, Ricket[t]s, Shannon, Steer, W[alter] Sickert, Rothenstein, Maccoll, Savage, Houseman and Tonks [emphasised]. Also wants Marsh to get [Desmond] MacCarthy and [? Francis] Balfour, for whom he himself does not have addeses, to contribute; promises to do so should be sent to A[rthur] E[verett] Shipley at Christs [College Cambridge]. Has been writing letters all morning, imagining what he will look like in the new frock-coat which he is having made for the wedding of Roger [Fry] and Helen [Coombe], at which he is to be best man.
Written at the Shiffolds, with London address given as c/o Mrs Alys Russell, 11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W; sent to Julian at Trinity College, Cambridge, and forwarded to him at 11 Malcolm Street, Cambridge. - Is coming to Cambridge on Friday morning for a rehearsal [of his translation of Aeschylus' "Prometheus", produced by Terence Gray]. If he finds he is 'useful' he may stay on for the weekend, otherwise, or if he is 'too much out of sympathy with the production', will only stay the night. Will go to the play on Friday evening; perhaps Julian could come with him. Is writing to Goldie [Dickinson] to ask if he can put him up, if not, will go to the Blue Boar. Expects he will arrive by train at 11.38 and go straight to the theatre; could give Julian lunch there if he likes.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks Benn for sending his book ["History of English Rationalism in the Nineteenth Century"; read enough to be sure it was 'even better' than his high expectations, and sent it on to George to tempt it to review it. George 'took the bait very readily' and sent for his own copy from the "Speaker" so he could review it there. Robert is a 'slow reader' and very busy so will not finish it for some time, but is sure he will enjoy it and will write when he has finished; it must be very satisfying to complete 'so great an undertaking' successfully. A shame McTaggart's book on dogma ["Some Dogmas of Religion"] did not come out a little sooner so Benn could have 'included a notice'. [Bertrand] Russell has 'shut himself up for a month or two in a farm-house at Clovelly' to 'solve logical problems in complete isolation from the actual world'; his wife is coming tomorrow to stay with the Trevelyans for a few days.
11 St. Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Praises Bob's 'beautiful' poem to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson, published in the "New Statesman"], and thanks him for expressing what 'we all felt for him'. Asks when he is coming to stay for the night; L[ogan] is better, though has not yet come downstairs.
24 Maid's Causeway, Cambridge. - Very kind of Bob to send her his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; unsure which ones she liked best since 'being so various they are difficult to compare'. Also good to 'have a reminder of civilised life', which she gets 'very little' of here, though she does on Sundays at her Aunt Sophy's, whose friend Maud Allen sometimes reads poetry aloud. They tried to arrange a meeting with Bertrand Russell for her, but she could not make the day when he and his wife had lunch with them; hopes to see him sometime. Recently saw Bob's niece Mary for the first time since her wedding; liked her husband 'very much'. Hopes that all at the Shiffolds are keeping well; hears about them occasionally from her mother and others such as Alys Russell, whose letters are 'always full of news in brief of many people', which is good as 'most people seem to have pretty well given up writing letters nowadays". Her colleague has resigned so she is now the only billeting officer for this ward; can manage as 'so many evacuees have gone back'. Is getting a week's holiday at Christmas which she will spend with her mother.
Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bessie for her letter: great help to have sympathy from real friends [on the Russells' separation] 'especially when it goes equally to both'. Is sure that in the long term the decision is best for both of them, though there is much pain at present; they have come to the decision very slowly. If Bob is coming back soon, asks if he could visit the Trevelyans for a weekend this month; they could avoid talking about his affairs.
Mill House, Grantchester, Cambridge. - Much enjoyed his visit to the Trevelyans' Mill House; despite his one criticism, is delighted with how much Bobby is writing and the progress he has made. Wants to see Trevelyan's fragment about Parsifal's mother as soon as he can send it. Hopes that they will see the Trevelyans at 14 Cheyne Walk: his wife is keen to make Bessie's further acquaintance.
Long's Hotel, New Bond Street, London, W. - Bob's fiancée's name [des Amorie van der Hoeven] is a 'mouthful but... a delicious one'; likes 'those old French Dutch names in all their romantic associations', and tells Bob not to 'swallow it completely but just add to it [his] own charming patronymic'. Has always liked Dutch women, and has known two 'beautiful in body & soul in a very special way'; one married an Englishman and died five years ago in Java, the other he loved 'as a boy at Heidelberg' but has heard nothing of for many years; they 'stand in [his] memory as beautiful shades', so Bob has 'nothing to "overcome"' in him, and he also has 'faith' in him. Looks forward to meeting Bob's fiancée and trying to 'make her "see" [him] -"J.S." - a poor thing but his own'. All the more pleased at the news as Bob has been for some months 'blown upon by many rumours' about his 'dark purposes' from friends whom he will not name; is glad their 'tips' did not come off and that he was right to keep 'putting [his] money' on Bob's connections in Holland. Also distrusts the same friends' reports of 'McTaggart & his Daisy Bird' that on arriving in England, McTaggart sent his wife to stay with his aunt at Guildford and went himself to Cambridge, where he 'plunged into a prolonged debauch of philosophical conversation' and showed no sign of wanting to 'resume his conjugal duties'. Alys Russell was so sorry for Daisy that she went to see her and told her that 'if she had the slightest spirit she would return to her profession as a nurse'; Mrs Whitehead then invited her to stay with them at Grantchester, where 'McT was induced occasionally to come out and dine', though he said it was too far to come to sleep; it seems he is also reluctant to take a house but wants to keep his college rooms. Even if this is not true it is 'very comic': as is Constance Fletcher's new play, which he went to see recently with Henry James. 'Mrs Pat [rick Campbell]' played the heroine 'admirably'; they were in the front row and 'H.J. fairly blushed at the languorous glances she cast upon him!'; the play is very funny, but since it has 'no art in the great sense, cracks of course in its solution, which is only arrived at by turning it into farce'.
Has not read St[ephen Phillips's play ["Paolo and Francesca"], and is unlikely to, being put off by the 'too unanimous' praise and having read the extracts. But the 'B[ritish] P[ublic] must have a poet, and since W[illiam] Watson's correct attitudes in the Dreyfus case... could not make them forget his wickedness in the Armenian business', S. Philips seems likely to fill the bill'; he is also prolific. The [Second Boer] war sickens him: though if England got into a 'really tight place' he would turn about and become 'violently pro-British', he cannot help looking at the Boers as 'antique heroes'. Hears that Frank Costelloe is dying of cancer and has left a 'perfectly hateful will'; knows the details but has promised to keep them secret. Sees John Waldegrave a great deal, and becomes fond of him; was sorry to miss [Desmond] MacCarthy when he came to see him. Waldegrave wants him to visit his father's after the New Year, but he thinks that if he is able to leave Town his best Christmas proposal is from the Thorolds at Torquay.
His own 'poor old father' has written imploring him to spend the winter with him at St. Augustine in Florida; there is a 'Turgeneffian melancholy in the thought' that he cannot really explain to his father why it would 'kill' him. Bob has chosen the 'only true solutions... of our vital problems' and he is sure that in the 'limited & human sense of the word' Bob will be happy as it is unlikely he himself 'ever shall be'. The '"man of feeling", the man with an ear for life, can only find the rhythm of it in Love or in the Church; for Art, which busies itself (in spite of Logan [Pearsall Smith]) with life so directly' cannot take its 'acolyte far enough away from joy & sorry to make him self-sufficing'. Apologises for growing 'platitudinal'. John Waldegrave tells him his 'preference for memoirs to works of fiction is as certain a sign of old bachelordom as [his] cry of "Cras amet"!'
The Millhangar, Fernhurst, Haslemere. - Is 'delighted' to hear that Trevy is engaged; his wife joins in congratulations to him and his fiancée. Hopes Trevy will be as happy as he has been. Asks when the wedding will be, and when they will be able to meet Miss van der Hoeven,
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes his parents continue to enjoy their time in Rome; they have missed some 'very bad weather' in England. He and Bessie went to stay in Oxford with the Russells on Saturday, and the Thames valley was 'completely flooded'; soon after they left Oxford, the wind blew down their finest cedar, at the head of their drive. Fortunately the trunk 'just missed' the stable; the branches did some damage to the roof but this can be put right. The night before, their 'little dog Jan died of pneumonia and jaundice': they are 'much distressed'. Paul is well, though starting to be 'troubled by a double tooth' which has nearly come through. He is 'getting very good at pulling himself up by the bars of his bed or chairs' and stands like this for some time.
They have heard nothing for a while about 'Sicilian affairs [the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan]', but does not doubt the lawyers 'are disentangling the various knots as carefully as they can'. Supposes his parents will soon think of returning. Booa stayed a few days with them last week, and seemed well after her holiday at Eastbourne; thinks she enjoyed herself both there and here. Visited [James Stoddart] Bain the bookseller in London, who said he was 'selling a lot of [Sir George's edition of] Macaulay's notes', and hoped his father might publish more; Robert 'rather discouraged' this hope, though sympathised with it.
Enticknap is recovering well from his illness, though will not be able to do any work for some time. Is glad his father likes 'the continuation of Ferrero'; does not think the Augustan volumes are yet translated into French, but expects they will be soon.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for her letter and the cutting about Taormina: 'the place is certainly being rapidly spoilt, and the funiculare will complete the process'. There has been little recent 'development of the "affaire" [of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's will'. They were very sorry to hear of the death of Lady Trevelyan, Audrey's mother; saw in the papers today that it was due to a 'fall in her room'.
Happily, Enticknap has recovered quickly: his wife has gone up to London today to bring him back, though of course he will not be able to work again yet. Bessie and Paul are well: Paul 'takes more solid food now'. They are staying with the Russells in Oxford next Saturday to Monday; next week the Whiteheads are staying with them for a few days (Whitehead is 'the mathematician at Cambridge with whom Russell collaborates').
Glad she is having 'so pleasant a time' in Rome, and that his father is enjoying himself; will write to him soon. Weather recently very stormy. Sorry they have 'made the viaduct into the Borghese': fears it 'will go a long way to spoil it... but the fashionable world were determined to be no longer confined to the Pincian for their evening drive', he supposes.
25 Wellington Square, S.W.3. - Thanks for the Christmas greetings with the 'beautiful poem & translations' [the latest "From the Shiffolds"]. Has much enjoyed seeing 'dear [Umberto] Morra & having the latest news from I Tatti [home of Bernard Berenson]'.
Hotel des Alpes, Mürren. - Arrived yesterday and plan to stay for more than a week; it is a 'wonderful place' though the air is 'rather fatiguing' at first. She will rest today; Sir George is very well and 'walks a great deal'. The electric railway to Interlaken is pleasant and travels through some fine passes. Very sorry to hear from Elizabeth about the Russells; [their separation] is 'surprising and very sad'; sure Russell is 'difficult, & the family are rather uncompromising' but he is 'a quiet good fellow'; does not know her [Alys] well but thought she seemed 'to belong to another "monde"'. Likes to think of Julian almost walking; asked what is settled about the nurses, and whether Mrs Catt is going to the hospital; it is very sad. People must be very anxious about the weather [for the Coronation]; is glad to be 'out of it all'; Mürren is completely quiet, with no road for carriages, and Bob would love it. Glad Julian likes his cart. George says [he and Janet] are going on 12 July to the Lakes, and would like to come to Wallington in September; asks if Elizabeth and Robert could be there for some of that time. Is glad the [Lake] Hunt was a success once more, it is 'a wonderful institution'. Thinks C[harles] and M[ary] will enjoy themselves at the [Coronation] festivities. Sends love to Robert, and asks if Mr [Roger] Fry is coming.
Intended to send a small book of his "Translations from Leopardi", but then decided to wait until Julian and Ursula next come here, as they 'might easily lose it moving about'. Pity they cannot come now, when the flowers in the woods are at their best. All quite well here; the [Sturge] Moores will return in a month. Originally enclosing, on Bessie's request, a photograph of 'the street in Forest Green that [Julian] used to admire'. The Bluths and Tet Htoot were here at Easter, but otherwise they 'seem to see nobody'. Hopes that Tet Htoot will bring two Chinese friends to visit. A 'bad London raid last night'; hopes he and the Bluths are all right; Irene [Cooper Willis?] has fortunately been away. Has very few friends in London now besides these, Logan [Pearsall Smith] and Alys [Russell]. Virginia [Woolf]'s death 'a great blow'; she 'felt she was going out of her mind again and could not face it'. Is re-reading "To the Lighthouse", his favourite of her books; is writing something on her for the "Abinger Chronicle", but it is 'impossible to say anything adequate in the way of criticism'. Forgets whether Julian knew her. Is continuing to translate Montaigne and getting 'a little bored with it'; 'much more fun writing poetry, even if it is not worth much'. Hopes Julian has managed to see Ursula at Taunton, and that she is well again. Has heard from G.M.T. [his brother George] that Charles is giving Wallington to the National Trust now instead of leaving it in his will; he will continue to live there, and one of the family (probably his son George Lowthian) will stay there after his death; this will save on death-duties so there will be much more money for the children. Supposes this should not be discussed until it is announced. Hopes Bessie will go with Miss Simpkins for a few days to George and Janet next month; otherwise she never 'goes away from here, which is not good for her'.
Geneva. - Came on here from Chamonix yesterday because of bad weather. Discusses arrangements for visiting Elizabeth; would be glad to see B[ertrand] Russell and his wife if they are there. The end of the holiday is approaching and she is in some ways happy to be leaving the mountains, which are 'very, very wonderful' but 'one gets a little oppressed with them'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] was quite unwell at Chamonix, but is better today. Hopes the second concert went well.