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With flysheets and drafts of flysheets accompanied by three letters from Ramsay MacDonald, and a draft of another from J. R. M. Butler to MacDonald.

P & O. S. N. Co. SS 'The Malwa', Marseilles. - Is leaving France in a few hours. Apologises for not replying to Trevelyan's letter of farewell; he was too on edge due to his departure. Now he feels 'better & reconciled', though would be happier if he were coming back to some work in Europe. The man who got him his job at Geneva is also on the ship, and has been telling Suhrawardy about other Indians who have got permanent work there, and he is an 'ignoramus' who does not know the difference between Victor Hugo and 'the man who has written a book on French without tears'; this is bitter to him. Supposes it is too late to convey his views on the minority question to Trevelyan, but will try, hoping that some of it 'might appear plausible to Clifford Allen'.

Believes that the British government really are determined on 'putting India on her feet and help[ing] her in her logical constitutional - & not revolutionary - development'; has faith in [Ramsey] Macdonald, who should not be doctrinaire, and approach the India question as 'terre vierge'. The 'Muhamadan' wish for a majority of seats where they are the majority of the population, and 'weightage' seats in other areas due to their historical importance, should be refuted; they are not really worried about 'tyranny' by majority Hindu rule, as they pretend, but that other Muslims who will not adopt their intransigent position will be let in. Reservation of seats is sufficient, the idea of separate electorates is retrograde, and Suhrawardy is personally against reservation though realises it perhaps should be conceded. Gandhi is astute and even concedes the point of separate electorates, so they will 'rally to his view about obtaining virtual control of government at the centre', but not to the 'depressed classes & the Indian Christians'. A helpful politician would support him in this, and resist the 'cynical principle of divide (in partibus) et impera'. Supposes Macdonald will have to allow the principle of separate electorates, since the Moh[amedans] are 'fanatical' and have 'worked up their community to such a frenzy'. The Punjab and Bengal present special difficulties, where the Hindu minority demand 'weightage'; Sir Geoffrey Corbett has suggested a redistribution of the Punjab to create a substantial Muslim majority; Suhrawardy does not think this necessary. His view is that separate electorates might be granted, to the Muslims and Europeans only, and only in provinces where they are in a minority, while introducing the principle of joint electorates for all majorities to encourage them to create national programmes. Believes this should be combined with adult franchise, despite the opposition there will be from Anglo-Indians, Muslim leaders in London and other groups, as from his experience in Russia, despite his hatred for many things under the Soviets, he thinks this will create a 'consciousness of political self-respect' and allow for the provincial and central legislatures to be 'the culminating rung in a ladder of smaller representative bodies'. Sends love to Mrs Trevelyan; asks to be remembered kindly to the Allens.

10 Downing Street, Whitehall - The Prime Minister has asked her to enclose a cheque for two volumes of the bibliography.

Montepulciano (Prov. di Siena). - Thanks Trevelyan for his gift of [Woolf's] "Waves". Is here till tomorrow and saw Iris Origo last night; appreciates her all the more as he comes to know her; hopes to take Walker to stay with them for a few days. Heard 'the pathetic voice of Lloyd George' [on the radio?] a few days ago; did not think what he said 'first-rate' or 'accurate'. Asks where Julian is; was expecting to see him in October. Nicky [Mariano] said there is no water at I Tatti, but expects it will be better now due to recent heavy rain. Was amazed that Clifford A[llen] supported MacDonald [over the National Government]; asks for Trevelyan's opinion. Was in Arezzo recently for a commemoration of Petrarch; the foreigners he met there were 'all very gloomy'. Asks if Trevelyan has received the Baudelaire which Alberti says he has sent him.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Robert for his 'marks' [suggested corrections to "Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A Memoir"]. Originally enclosing a copy of some excerpts from their father's letters to Bob, asking for comments; intends to print them at the end of the memoir, before "Horace at Athens", if Bob does not object. Very glad that C.A. [Clifford Allen] is better; agrees with him that 'the PM [Ramsay MacDonald] is cutting the best and most dignified figure of the lot', though does not know wheter that will 'save our unfortunate country and world'; hope is necessary.

13A Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove W.11. - His sister Janet's courage in the face of illness, and the role of religion. May finds it very difficult but he thinks she will pull through. Is keeping himself occupied with 'that political stuff' [his book "The International Anarchy"?] Hopes the Labour rank and file will not prevent the government achieving what it might in foreign policy: fears strikes and other trouble. MacDonald has a difficult task.

c/o J.H. Stone, Warden's Lodge, Chepauk, Madras. - Have been here since 10 January, staying with Dickinson's old Cambridge friend [Joseph Henry Stone] in the educational department. They have lunched with the Pentlands, and he called again on Lady Pentland this morning; they seem to like it here, and have been 'very busy entertaining and seeing people'; their children also seemed well. Lady Pentland sent 'many kind messages' to Robert's parents, and to Molly, Charles and their children. She showed Robert the banquet hall where there was a picture of his grandfather [Sir Charles Trevelyan], though he did not think it very good; there are some 'quite good earlier portraits of Governors', and a 'rather dull Watts'; also an 'ugly one of Grant Duff', and a good one by Dickinson's father of Lord Napier. Robert and Dickinson have been to hear the commission [the Royal Commission on the Public Services in India] and may go again today; it is 'almost impossible to hear anything' due to bad acoustics, but they have met several of the commissioners. Likes R[amsay] Macdonald 'very much'; he and [Gopal Krishna] Gokhale seem the 'ablest men on the commission'. Have also met Sir T[heodore] Morison and Sir V[alentine] Chirol, both seem 'sensible men'. H[erbert] Fisher has not yet arrived; fortunate for him, as 'the commission must be a great bore'. Wishes they did not have to see so much 'second rate Anglo Indian society here'; their host is 'amiable, but rather dull'. Going to see the Seven Pagodas [at Mahabalipuram] tomorrow, before joining 'a Mr Bedford, a civilian, in his camp near Salem'; will stay several days before going on to Trichinopoly and Madura[i?], then to Trivandrum in Travancore and on to Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. They will probably leave Colombo for Java on 14 February, a week later than he had hoped. The post and where to write next. Will finish packing now and go for a 'last look at the sea'; as it is a holiday, 'everyone is strolling about in their most brilliant shawls and dresses; the Madras crowd is 'the most picturesque' he has yet seen. Finishes the letter on the evening of 15 January. Is quite looking forward to a week in camp. Has been to dinner with the Pentlands, who are 'admirable hosts'.

Kings Coll. Cambridge. - Hopes to be able to come and stay. Comments bitterly about the political situation: '"national economy" is going to mean everyone to pay except the rich', and Ramsay [Macdonald] is in a 'wretched position'. Is spending time with Raisley Moorsom, then may go to the Bells. Encloses something which he thinks will please Bob: the result of him sending "Solomon" ["The Foolishness of Solomon" to [Charles-Marie?] Garnier [perhaps see also 2/156].

24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.—(21 Nov.) Breccles needs a new hot-water supply, so she has planned to go down with Lutyens to the Nobles’ [Wretham Hall] to investigate. Will consult Surtees about further mortgages. This afternoon she went with Phyllis to see Viola's first night, and dined at home with guests.—(22 Nov.) She lunched with Nancy and Sydney, whom she dislikes. She dined [at home] with guests, including Coates, who is still in love with Diana.—(22 Nov.) Is dining with Cardie, K, and Asquith, which she thinks is a good sign. After the hospital she played tennis with Edgar and lunched with Hankey and Masterton, who is increasingly ‘soppy’ about Winston. Both seemed disappointed by the failure of the latest attack. Has just heard that Edward has been killed. Reflects on the number of friends who have been, and may be, killed.—(24 Nov.) Has not seen Diana yet, as she was at K’s and did not come to the hospital. Last night she dined with only Cardie and the Old Boy, and she and Asquith reminisced about Sicily. Today she lunched at the Curzons, where Hardinge and Curzon made friendly remarks about Montagu. She had tea with Viola and Hugo, who plans to start a small theatre with Nigel Playfair. She dined with Duff, and Patrick and Phyllis arrived later. Patrick is worried that he may have to marry Phyllis, but she has a new lover, Edgar Vincent.—(25 Nov.) After the hospital she saw Diana, who is wretched but determined to give Duff as much fun as possible. She lunched and dined with Pat, Duff, and Diana, and were joined by Phyllis and Hugo came in later.—(26 Nov.) She lunched with de Noailles, and went to see K and Frances. Discusses the effects of Edward’s death. She dined at Mansfield Street. Refers to the progress of Montagu’s bed.—(27 Nov.) She lunched at home with guests, including Birrell and Freyberg, whom she could not get to talk to each other; then, after visiting Frances, she went to the cinema with her ‘futurist friend’ Wyndham Lewis, and then to Cardie’s for a farewell party for Oc, though he has now got a fortnight’s extension. It is rumoured that he is engaged to Betty Manners.—(28 Nov.) She had lunch with Waxworks and Mikky, then sewed and read with Diana and Duff. She dined at Claude Lowther’s with Goonie, the Duke of Marlborough (who Duff thinks may be Goonie’s lover), and others. Lowther’s house is lovely, but his bedroom is ridiculous. ‘If you had wanted to caricature a bugger’s bedroom you couldnt have done it differently.’ She returned home to find Diana, Duff, and Pat reading.—(29 Nov.) Lord Lansdowne’s letter [to the Daily Telegraph, calling for a negotiated peace with Germany], more because she doesn’t want to lose anyone else than because she thinks it right. K[atharine] and Viola, who, with Diana, dined with her, disagreed violently on the subject.—(1 Dec.) The King and Queen visited the hospital yesterday and asked after Montagu. The King referred to Mrs Besant as an ‘odious woman’. Afterwards she visited Montagu’s mother and went to a party at the India Office to meet some Indian officers. Birrell, Phyllis, and Blanche dined with her. She and Lutyens are lunching together today, then going off with the Nobles.

Wretham Hall, Thetford.—Describes Wretham Hall and its estate.

24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.—(2 Dec.) She drove with Lutyens to Breccles and they examined the house and discussed what needs to be done. They returned to Wretham for lunch, and are now off to London. (3 Dec.) Has received his letter from Aden [B1/146].

(The first sheet was rewritten on 1 December, the original having been lost.)

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Bob's letter [14/203] 'moved [him] very much'; is too distressed to answer it properly, and 'the mugwump is not morally in a position to hold his own against either side'. Has 'never admired Charles more', and thinks he and the anti-war side have a 'most useful part to perform', but can currently go no further. Sets out his own position: since Britain in the war, he believes that it is vital to win it, and therefore does not want to say publicly what he feels about the policies which led to it since this would be discouraging; feels quite differently than Charles and Bob about Belgium, being 'thrilled' by the heroism of its people, and appalled by German forward planning and railway building; also cares more for France than Bob does, thinking 'the German nation and culture and soul can survive a beating' but it France has 'another 1870... they will never hold up their heads again', and the fear of German hegemony is enough to overcome even his 'great fear of Russia'; objects to the systems of entente and alliance as much as ever, which have created this 'universal catastrophe... out of a genuine local quarrel'; fully recognises the danger of Russia ending up as the strongest power, but the German threat is a 'more pressing and locally nearer danger', and though the Germans are 'no doubt afraid of the Slavs' the course they have followed to protect themselves - the partition of Poland, the 'land policy in Prussian Poland', and the attack on France through Belgium - is 'to say the least, unfortunate'.

Does not think the British are blameless, but believes that they are 'on the right side' and must win, or the 'world will be far worse than it was before, and even worse than it will be when we have won!'. Agrees with much of what Charles and his friends say and thinks someone should say it, but does not believe it is 'any more the whole truth than the Wells point of view', though Charles, [Edmund] Morel, [Ramsay] Macdonald and Norman Angell are each 'worth 20 of Wells'. May be going out to Greece and the Balkans with Noel Buxton and Basil Williams next week, as Britain is trying to 'reconstitute the Xtian Balkan League', though in some sense he feels 'it hardly matters what one does or thinks in this doomsday'. Asks Bob, however much he disagrees with George, to believe he is 'absolutely heartbroken and think it far the greatest catastrophe in human history', and that his feeling about 'the Sartor passage' ["in Carlyle's "Sartor Resartus" against war] is 'even stronger than it was; however, unsure whether the world can truly 'adopt complete pacifism and survive' when there are 'devils' like the Russian and German militarists in power. Greatly admires Bob's letter and respects his views, and 'despise[s]' his own, but 'can't help it'.

The Old House, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire - Arrangements to attend the annual dinner of the Scottish Clans Association; the Prime Minister will attend.

Ewelme Down, Wallingford.—Is sorry he couldn't go to Penrhôs. Refers to his companions at Ewelme. Discusses Asquith’s speech on Home Rule, as well as the general political climate, and asks for Venetia’s views. Sends her a present.

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Transcript

Ewelme Down, Wallingford
April 14th 1912

My dear Venetia

I was so sorry that I could not come to Penrhos this week. It was most kind of your mother to ask me and even though I was engaged here, I believe I should have rushed to Wales if I had not had to be in London yesterday.

I like this place tremendously but I am not calling this a very good weekend. The Prime is not in the best of form yet, I’m afraid and it makes poor Margot just a little —. Violet has Cys and Bongie and I want to talk to you. So beware of next time we meet.

Home Rule (I wish you’d been there) was a great day. The Prime expounded with great vigour and often with a first class phrase a really good bill. It was delightful to find his voice was very strong and that he lasted without visible effort for two hours.

I dont think he was quite appealing enough, if I may make criticism.

It was not merely a licensing bill or a budget it was a transcendent constitutional reform, great than the Parliament Bill because irrevocable and final. It had been attacked in the abstract by a large number of people whose alternative was nothing, so it wanted commending not only in its provisions but in its principles. I suspect because he did not want to speak too long, and also because he was determined not to try to bend the bow of Ulysses he was determined in his conciseness. And of course of its kind it was wonderful, never faltering in its strength, never lacking in its courage and above all never flickering in its dignity.

And there was the usual display of Conservative littleness, of meanness, of caddishness and rather a poor performance of Carsons. Both Redmund and Macdonald were good and so in his sincere stupid way was Capt. Craig.

For myself I feel that Home Rule is the most unarguable proposition in politics. For Imperial and for Irish reasons its not only inevitable but its opposition cannot be based on logic. Nevertheless in application like so many other unarguable axioms its very very difficult and all sorts of criticisms will be levelled at the workmanship.

So that what with an overloaded programme and no signs of House of Lords reform, the political horizon is by no means rosy. Edward Grey is very gloomily prophesying opposition before the end of the year because he predicts more strikes.

Dear Venetia, if you will do me the great favour of answering them, I should like you to tell me what you think about these things. You have a wonderful faculty of producing from me frank expression of views without qualification. You have a power even at this most damnable distance of convincing me of clear vision and and† thought. But you are most frighteningly reserved about yourself. All self contained people are and the greater they are the more frightening it is. And asking isnt much good but I sometimes feel rather mournful when I reflect that the inner you is as hidden from me (except at moments oh so rare) as it was a year ago.

And now do you remember that I could not find a Xmas present for you and you were generous enough to say that I might give you one when I found one.

Well I couldnt so I had one made and its rather a failure in colour and weight. Nevertheless in principle it fulfilled all the conditions I postulated and if its not turned out as I had imagined it, its there and will reach you—together with the drawing from which it was designed tomorrow.

Yrs ever
Edwin S. Montagu

Please forgive this letter being hypercritical, boring and I fear a little impertinent.

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† Sic.

29 Beaufort St, Chelsea:- Has just returned from Harrow, where he goes to 'get a game [of football] once a week' to keep himself 'very fit in body and mind'. Bowen had got up a 'team of masters and old boys' against the boys of his house, 'which is very good this year'. Robert's team were 'Somehow' beaten 6-0, but Bowen 'covered himself with glory, playing better than he has done for years'; he also told Robert he 'played like a hero'.

Met Charlie in the morning at the B[ritish] M[useum] Library, 'getting up the question of State Railways'; he is 'much interested in a scheme for a progressive periodical [the Progressive Review] which [William] Clarke, late of the Chronicle, and a young Socialist, [Ramsay?] MacDonald, are going to start next year. It is to be to these dregs of times what the Edinburgh Review was to be to those other dark days'. It 'promises to do well', and Robert wishes it 'God-speed', though they say it 'has as yet no Brougham, much less its Sidney Smith'. Bernard Shaw, whom Robert saw recently in a restaurant, told him 'with his usual superb egotism', that if they had wanted the paper to succeed, they ought to have asked him to 'write a series of articles, as he knew the secret of making a splash and drawing the gaze of the public'. However, 'Clarke cant stand G.B.S., calling him an anarchist and a Jacobin', and Shaw is a 'little piqued at being out of it'.

[Roger] Fry has a cold today and has taken to his bed 'as he always does at the slightest alarm'; this is sensible as 'his colds are both more sudden and more formidable than other people's'. He is doing well otherwise, and has 'just finished some theatrical scenery for a friend [a pencil note suggests this is 'Badley - [at] Bedales']' - the wood in Midsummer Night's Dream] - which is as good as anything Robert has seen by him, 'though you can't get very rich colour effects in tempera'. Their next door neighbours, Ricket[t]s and Shannon, have 'just brought out a magazine... a single Christmas number [The Pageant]' for which they have obtained contributions from 'all the great names in the literary and artistic word' such as Swinburne, Bridges, Maeterlinck, Verlaine, Burne Jones and Watts. There is 'some fine work in it, and some very queer'; Robert's friend [Thomas Sturge] Moore has two short poems included, though Robert does not think them his best. Will show his parents the magazine when they return. Shannon and Ricketts are 'taking to publishing poetry'; he believes they 'make a great success', and hopes that knowing them 'might be useful in the future'.

Is putting this letter into an envelope he finds 'on C[harles]'s table' with his parents' name on it but not yet their address. Expects they will soon be in Rome. Is going to see Aunt Annie [Philips] next week' does not plan to go abroad as he is 'very well, and do not feel the cold'. He will go to Welcombe for a few days, but otherwise stay in London unless 'the frost gives [him] colds'. Is glad their travelling is going so well, and that they like Gregorovius: it is 'always pleasant work welcoming a new historical star', though he doubts this one is 'of the first magnitude'.

Metelliano. - Apologises for not writing sooner: meant to after Lausanne [the Lausanne Conference] with congratulations on MacDonald's achievements, which seemed very important; Ottawa [the British Empire Economic Conference] not so successful but perhaps worse could have been done. Does not know whether to be hopeful; Iris Origo, whom he saw a few days ago, is not. His time at La Consuma was very pleasant; Clotilde [Marghieri?] was more efficient than last year as she did not need to 'lie down all the time' and sleep. Nicky [Mariano] read "Persuasion" and he liked it very much. Dreamt that Trevelyan threw a chair at them for being amused by [Panteleimon Romanov's] "Three pairs of silk stockings". Moravia is at St Moritz re-writing his novel. Has only heard news of the Berensons from Alda, not pessimistic about money but very much so about Mary's health. Regrets not being in England and wonders whether he might join the Berensons in Paris. Asks if he will see Julian on his way back.

8 letters and 2 fragments of letters, from:

• Ramsay Macdonald, 6 Mar. 1914
• James Balfour, 8 Jan. 1920
• Lord Haldane, 4 May 1924
• E. Rutherford, 20 June 1925, accepting congratulations for his Order of Merit
• Albert, the future George VI, 26 Apr. 1926, accepting congratulations on the birth of his daughter Elizabeth
• Lord Cecil, 9 Sept. 1927
• Stanley Baldwin, 30 May 1930
• Lord Halifax, 8 Jan. 1941, will take a letter to Butler's brother, will be happy to see one of the family 'after working with Rab so long'
• two fragments signed by Stanley Baldwin and Lord Grey

Julian's letter from Rome arrived this morning; hopes this will catch him at Poggio and that he found [Umberto] Morra at Cortona. Sends love to all at Poggio [the Waterfields], also to the B.B.s [Berensons] and Nicky [Mariano]. Going to Edinburgh from 9-13 November as he has a lot to do there with Donad [Tovey, re the new production of their opera "The Bride of Dionysus"]. He and Elizabeth are going to a concert at Haslemere involving Jelly [d'Aranyi] and Adila [Fachiri], and are bringing back Jelly for the night; if Julian wants to come to that concert, he should let Elizabeth know, but expects he will not want to return to England so soon. The 'elections are very queer. Labour has made a fool of itself'; hopes it will 'learn its lesson'. Everything depends on MacD[onald], whom C.A. [Clifford Allen] has been 'actively supporting throughout', Bob thinks rightly, though it is difficult. Charles has lost his seat, 'of course'. Will be very interesting to hear Julian's 'adventures'. Has to go to London to have a tooth out now.