Endpapers used for lists of poems [perhaps for Trevelyan's "Collected Works?]; another list inside. Notebook filled in from both ends, with contents including: essay on translation of Lucretius; dialogue between Septimius and Cinna ["Maya"], "Beelzebub"; dialogue between Thersites, Cressida and Poet; dialogue between Cressida, Lady Pandar, and Troilus; prose narrative about Abdul and Hasan; dialogue between Coryat [a name used for a Trevelyan-like figure in Lowes Dickinson's "Modern Symposium"] and Miranda on the subject of Love; text for lecture on Chinese poetry, containing praise of the translations by Arthur Waley; a prose narrative about a young man thinking through his ambitions in life, another version of this with Coryat as the young man; list of decisions about the future, for example, 'C. decides to be a prophet. A. " " " a poet..."; list of characters/names in two columns, 'Gigadibs, Puce, Prof Bruce? [circled], Apollinax? / Percy Smith?, Cynicus? [struck through], Panurge? [circled], Thersites? [struck through]' - these could be intended as pseudonyms as a third column contains names of friends, 'C.A [Clifford Allen], Goldie [Lowes Dickinson], (Klingsor), [Bernard] Berenson'; dialogue between 'P.' and 'D.' regarding a conversation D. and 'R.H.' have recently had with Coryat [see 29/2]. Loose sheet with verse dialogue between 'Father' and 'Child'.
Lists (of Coryat pieces, "Prayers to...", and other pieces) on verso of front endpaper and first page); dialogue between Hope and Memory; Coryat and Miranda discuss love and illusion; lists of names; précis of/plan for piece about Percy Smith walking through a wood and thinking about his own name; another Coryat piece; Coryat on the subject of names; notes on various myths; discussion of Arthur Waley's translations of Chinese poetry; précis/plan for piece on "Sleep"; essay on Horace, methods of translation; piece about Coryat and his nephew Oliver; introduction to reprinting of earlier works [for his "Collected Works"?]; introduction for his translation of Sophocles' "Ajax".
Book also used from other end: dialogue between Coryat and 'Ph.' ['Philos': Friend?]; dialogue between Coryat and 'Spirit'; first lines of a verse epistle to [Umberto] Morra; dialogue between Coryat, 'C.A' [Clifford Allen?] and Morra; translations of Horace "Epodes" I.2 and II.17, and "Satires" II.8; notes under headings such as 'Literature', 'Visual Art'. 'Technique'; Coryat wondering 'what is the good of me?'; draft verse epistle to Gordon [Bottomley]; verse dialogue between Coryat and his Muse; list of poets with poems; translation of first lines of Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura"; notes for an autobiographical piece, with dates.
35 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Very much liked Bob's poem [in the "New Statesman" about Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson]; was staying with Barry [Alfred Barratt Brown?] when it appeared, who read it out. They are coming [to Surrey?] tomorrow until Sunday night; asks if Bob is coming over; they will suggest going to the Allens' for tea on Sunday.
Woodhill Cottage, Shamley Green, Guildford. - They consider themselves 'among the lucky ones' to get a copy of Bob's Christmas poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; these are 'doubly welcome this time' since they were 'rather bowled over by that bitter weather after Christmas'. Marjory [Allen?] helped them by 'renting out one of her old-time housekeepers', Miss Johnson, whom Bob might 'remember from C[lifford] A[llen]'s time': Bob's poems have given them 'great spiritual refreshment', and with 'Johnny' [Miss Johnson] here they have been able to 'enjoy them unhurriedly'.
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.
Hyderabad Deccan. - Cannot say how grateful he is to Trevelyan for enabling Andrusha [Andrew Kalitinsky] to get through his school. India, and the Indians, feel very strange to him, and he misses Europe very much; there is so much careerism at Calcutta and politics does not 'seem to touch the lives of people', while elsewhere 'the Fascist methods of the Govt. of India have cast a gloom on things'. He decided to sacrifice his individual happiness to save his friends from 'never-ending worry' by taking up permanent work in India, but there seems nothing to be had. Lacks influential support: his father has retired and knew few people; his uncles want to make names for themselves. Wishes he might find something at the League [of Nations] but the 'axe' is in operation there too. Asks if [Clifford] Allen might mention him to some people at Geneva; sends congratulations to him [on his peerage] and is glad he will play a role in public life again. Hyderabad is 'romantic' and he likes it better than any other Indian town, but it is getting hot and he finds it difficult to breathe. Is trying to get an interview with Sir A. Hydar, 'the Dictator of the place' [Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII?] but has not yet succeeded. His book on Islamic art in Spain is doing well here; will give a few lectures on modern English poetry and European literature, for which he is being paid badly. Will go to Delhi and try there for the Leaue. Sends love to Bessie and Julian.
Hyderabad DN. - Received Trevelyan's 'beautiful letter in verse' a few minutes ago: encourages him to put it in his book if he wishes. Was touched by it and feels nostalgia again for Europe. Seems he has no chances here, and would have preferred to stay in this 'beautiful, gentlemanly town'; fears he will not get a continuation of his grant. Will leave soon for Delhi, via Ajanta, Ellora, and Gwalior. Will be speaking at the university here about modern English poetry; the most recent writer they have heard of is Tennyson. Cannot remember if Trevelyan has been to Hyderabad; wants to see the Tombs of the Kings here. His heart has not been well enough for him to make many excursions, but he has been on a few and seen some good examples of 'late Muhamadan architecture'. Sends love to Trevelyan's family. Andrusha is 'already away to school'.
Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey. - Trevelyan's 'very lovely poems at Christmas' ["From the Shiffolds"] will be a 'lasting joy'; has never read a more beautiful 'In Memoriam' than his to Lowes Dickinson, who, to her 'lasting regret', she never met in person but has 'known him through his books' like many others. Dickinson is one of those who restores her 'faith in the nature of man', and it seems natural that he is the 'guardian angel' of Trevelyan's words. Knew C[lifford] A[llen], and Robert's poem 'strikes the note' which she responds to; realises how much she and Trevelyan have in common; also praises his translation of a Pindar fragment.
61 Ripon St., Calcutta. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter: thinks the changes have improved the lines [of a poem?]. Berenson is right about the pronunciation of Yudhishthira. Is very grateful to Trevelyan for having spoken to C.A. [Clifford Allen]. Is finding life hard in India, faced with the 'Victorian dogmatism' which most of the intellectuals affect, with a 'kind of religious mysticism for the sake of the reputation of the country'; human beings are not valued as human beings. Finds the country itself very beautiful though: has been to Ajunta, Ellora, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow; likes Hyderabad best. Is currently with the Singhs at Bahagalpur, since his father is away from Calcutta. Sees the League [of Nations] as his 'only salvation'; supposes that Allen is right and after the Reparations Conference there will be less economic tension and more posts available. Was nearly appointed to a post in the Information Department of the Secretariat in 1929, supported by Lord Lytton and Harold Williams of the "Times", a close friend because of 'shared Moscow experiences'; Williams' untimely death meant that the High Commissioner's brother got the post. Since then every post has gone to Indians in Geneva, even if they are less well qualified. Feels he will have to stay in India and get some temporary post, to lift cares from his friends in Paris [the Germanova / Kalitinsky household]; hears Julian is going to paint a fresco in their rooms, 'with Osny as the background and Rex [the dog] as the chief motif'; is so glad he visits them.
Calcutta. - Apologises for typing - it is 'too hot and clammy' to write by hand. Glad to hear that Trevelyan has invited his friends [the Germanova/Kalitinsky household] to visit the Shiffolds; it will be very good for Andriusha to come to England, and perhaps Trevelyan might have time to take him to Cambridge to see the University. He feels very far away, and fears that the reference Trevelyan made to Ulysses and his dog [Argos] in his poetic epistle to him may come true: feels Rex [his dog]'s reproach keenly, but does not see how he could return to Europe with no work. Talk of offering him a University Professorship in Indian Fine Arts; is not particularly keen, but would get a year's study leave at once to spend in Europe. Sure Trevelyan will do all he can to fix him up at the League [of Nations]; it would be useful if [Clifford] Allen could talk to Albert Thomas or other Secretariat official.
Trevelyan must have heard of Andriusha's 'wonderful success'; a shame he cannot go to see Madame Germanova play at the Pitoëff's. Sometimes has news of Julian from his friends in Paris; worries that he might not make as many friends there as in Cambridge, he is 'really much too nice and clever for the ineffectual Monte[p]arnasse set'. Is looking forward to Trevelyan's next book of poems ["Rimeless Numbers"]; has been talking to mutual friends about him, such as his old Oxford friend [Apurba Kumar?] Chanda, Principal of Chittagong College, and Arun Sen, a barrister who knew Lowes Dickinson at Cambridge. There is also Abany Banerjee, also a barrister, who used to be prominent in the 1917 Club. The reading of post-Tennysonian English poetry he had to do for his two lectures at Hyderabad has inspired him to write some poetry again, 'under the influence of such diverging people as Kipling, Housman and Yeats'; will send them later. Encloses two photographs taken at the Singhs' at Bhagalpur.
Letter to Trevelyan, dated 10 Feb 1935: 21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Is still suffering from liver trouble and sleeplessness. Has applied to the League [of Nations] for a post which Lord Lytton and Harold Williams of the "Times" recommended him; the man appointed, the High Commissioner's brother, returned to India recently and was killed. There is no age barrier for this post, and the previous objection, that Suhrawardy was 'not in touch with Indian feelings', can no longer be claimed; as 'no Mohamedan has yet been appointed to a League post' he feels his chances are good. Asks Trevelyan to do what he can, and speak to [Clifford] Allen asking him to put Suhrawardy's case to people in London and Geneva.
Encloses a copy of his application letter to the Secretary General of the League of Nations [Joseph Avenol], dated 11 Feb 1935, for the post in the League Secretariat vacated by the death of Amulya Chatterjee.. Sets out his career and qualifications in detail.
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.
Prose note on 'religious and aesthetic emotions'. Verse, 'This love disease is a delicious/delightful trouble'. Translations by Trevelyan of the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter", fragments from tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus, an extract from Virgil ["Aeneid"] Book VI, Leopardi's "To his Lady" and "Canticle of the Wild Cock", Simonides 37, an extract from [Homer's] "Iliad" Book 24. Draft essay on aging and desire. Notes, in the style of Trevelyan's "Simple Pleasures". Autobiographical piece about a reading party at Blackgang Chine almost fifty years ago, with Cambridge friends such as Lytton Strachey, Roger Fry, Desmond MacCarthy and George Moore. Draft of "On Inspiration", published in "Windfalls". Translations of Catullus 2, 7, 12, and 50, Tibullus I.1, and Montaigne III.11 and III.6. Dialogue between 'Child' and 'Father'. Note on Saint Augustine's "Confessions". List of contents for the 1948 "From the Shiffolds" pamphlet. Notes for topic 'What does England mean to me?' and on old age.
Notebook used from other end in: list of books including [Beerbohm's] "Zuleika Dobson" and Ransome's "Great Northern?". Draft letter regarding the [re?] printing of Trevelyan's "Collected Works". Passage headed 'p. 15'; since this is followed by a review of Judson's "Life of Spenser", it may be an extract from that book. List of titles of essays, prefaces for translations, biographical pieces (Donald Tovey and C[lifford] A[llen], etc; perhaps future projects for Trevelyan. Draft piece on poets and poetry. Dialogue on the subject of translating poetry; piece "On Translating Greek Poetry", with notes on individual authors and quotations of passages. Pieces on translating Lucretius and the Greek Anthology; notes on translating Homer and Catullus; observations on a 'friendly critic' pointing out that 'too many' of Trevelyan's poems and essays begin with a scene of someone, usually the poet, 'walking meditatively in a wood' or lying beneath a tree. Translation of Tibullus III.19. Draft essay on Trevelyan's feelings about spiders, insects and other small creatures, and snakes; includes mention of a 'great philosopher' [Bertrand Russell or G. E. Moore?] disliking ants immensely.
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.
Postmarked Cortona, Arezzo. - Alex. [Passerin] d'Entrèves writes that he will be back in Oxford in a few days and hopes to see Trevelyan. Morra writes that he is waiting to see Trevelyan and the [Clifford] Allens.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Has received the air-mail post card. dated 19 July, which Trevelyan sent to an old address. Had thought that his poems should be printed one per page as it is a small collection, but since Trevelyan writes that continuous printing would save four or five pounds, will leave it up to his judgment and S. M. [Sturge Moore]'s advice. The job he was hoping to get [see 6/121] is to be given to an Englishman; a 'quite uneducated' Durham man, with Methodist training, the special education minister here, has been sent to England to find a candidate. If Trevelyan is surprised that after popular government the English are being employed in greater numbers, it is because each minister wants his regime to be a success and 'in spite of nationalist avowals feels in his heart of hearts that no Indian is really efficient'. Wonders if those who proposed the Act had this 'Machiavellian purpose in view'; it will come as a surprise to those like [Clifford] Allen who really want gradual transfer of administration to Indian hands. So Trevelyan need not hurry with the publishing of the book: any time in autumn will do. Suggests a revision to the first poem in the China Sea series, in case this can be made without expense and inconvenience. Was touched by [A.E.] Coppard's remembering lines he had written twenty-two years ago: he quotes from a poem printed in the "Oxford Anthology 1915" and another, which Suhrawardy had totally forgotten, in the "Palatine Review"; this was an 'ephemeral venture', edited by Aldous Huxley, intended for the poetry group of his time at Oxford. Has found a 'faded copy' and is sending Trevelyan the poem for inclusion if he sees fit. Is not in good health; after four years he has not managed to 'identify [himself] with the country' and remains an 'alien'. His chances of coming to Europe in autumn are remote, as his father does not like leaving 'his house, his servants, his masseurs'.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is giving five pounds to the Harrow fund. Glad there is still a chance of Bob coming to Hallington; asks him to let them know by the end of the week, Hopes Bob gets his copy of the '["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A] Memoir" soon: the letters from Sir George to Bob and Bessie provided material he is 'more and more glad [he] used'. Glad that Clifford Allen is better, and hopes he remains so. Much looking forward to Bob's new poems ["Rimeless Numbers"]. Notes in a postscript that John Buchan's new book on [Sir Walter] Scott is good.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for the paper, though he does not know Gribble [?] either and will not sign. Hopes that Bob will come to stay when he is in Cambridge for the "Medea". Wishes good luck for the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. Was glad that Clifford Allen was in better health when he visited. Has been much enjoying Bob's "Rimeless Numbers"; thinks he writes 'better and better" as he gets older, like [Robert] Bridges; 'loves' Bob's letters to his 'initialled friends' and some others 'very much indeed'.
Postmark London; forwarded to Trevelyan from the Shiffolds to c/o Mrs Russell, 11 St Leonards Terrace, Chelsea, S.W. - Has seen S.S. [Siegfried Sassoon?] and is 'entirely to blame and to blush' over a poem of his which is intended to be satirical; others have made the same mistake, such as a headmistress at Brighton who ordered a complete works on the strength of it and was so shocked she burned them all. His mother has talked to Mrs M. about whether G's coat was put into the car. Enjoyed seeing Trevelyan, and also C.A. [Clifford Allen?]
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - Has not heard from Trevelyan for six months: received no reply to the letter he wrote from the boat. Was saddened by a reference to [Clifford] Allen in the "Statesman of Calcutta" due to Allen's kindness to him and what he knows his death will have meant to Trevelyan. He too has been 'much in contact with death' recently. Has received the first volume of Trevelyan's "Collected Works", which is a magnificent book; was proud to see his name above the letter printed in "Rimeless Numbers". Needed to read 'pure and straightforward poetry'; realises more and more the 'trumpery in modernistic verse'. Was happy to think the book might have kept Trevelyan's 'mind steady' at the time of Allen's death. Is looking forward to the second volume. News from Europe is very worrying; Allen would have been 'invaluable' at this time. Clings to the hope of peace, but asks 'if bullies should not be punished'. Very hard to be away from Europe, which he feels to be his real home, and has no share in the exultation of many Indian nationalists at the idea of 'a new Pacific culture on the debris of Europe'. Hopes to come over, if only for a few weeks, in the autumn. Andriusha [Kalitinsky] and his wife have decided to move to the USA, and Suhrawardy worries about his friends left behind in Paris.
40 Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Has sent many letters to Trevelyan to which he has received no reply; hopes that he and Bessie are well and have not suffered during the war. He is well but has changed profession: now is a member of the Public Service Commission, Bengal, selecting candidates for government posts in the region. Is glad to leave teaching, but has very few holidays; is saving these up so as to be able to come to Europe. Has only had one letter from Trevelyan, saying he was sending a recent book, which never arrived. Had no news of [Alexandr] Kalitinsky nor Andriusha [his son] and his wife, but has recently received an air mail letter from Bev. She has gone there from the US as she is expecting a child. Andriusha has been working in an aircraft factory and is now an American citizen; was recently appointed a naval lieutenant, in engineering, and is posted in France. He found his father still alive but looking much older due to his sufferings during the occupation. Andriusha wants to take him back to the States, but as well as visa difficulties he is reluctant to leave the place where Maria [Germanova, his wife] is buried. Hopes he will be able to see Trevelyan next summer. Very excited about Labour's victory in the elections; only wishes Lord [Clifford] Allen had been alive to guide the party. Relieved at the news of the defeat of Japan: passages will be much easier now.
King's Coll. Camb. - Should like to visit at Whitsun if he is back; expects he is going to Greece. Has finished 'my version or our joint version of [M]elian's book ["Goethe and Faust: an interpretation"]; thinks of the 'gulf' between the young and himself. Has not read House but wants to. Hopes Clifford [Allen?] will be able to keep out of politics a little, but the crisis looks dangerous. Expects the miners will turn down the report of the [Samuel] commission.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is glad Bob likes the 'little book' ["The English Revolution, 1688–1698"]; he is right that George has 'kept off the "high lights"'; this is deliberate, both because there is not enough room to develop them here and in order 'not to attempt to rival Macaulay'. Knows any attempt would be a failure, and was keen 'to strike a different note from Macaulay, to secure confidence for [his] general views, which... are not really very different from Macaulay's after all' since he was right on the 'big impersonal issues'. Is very concerned about [Clifford] Allen: hopes Switzerland will give him some happiness and health. Glad to have better news about Bessie.
The Manor House, Garsington, Oxford. - Thinks that Unwin may have sent a bill with his book: if so, it should be ignored. Enjoyed his weekend with Lytton [Strachey]. Enjoyed his stay with the Trevelyans as ever. Wants to know if Clifford [Allen] manages to 'escape from the upheaval'.
Will be happy to meet Trevelyan's friend Sir Augustus Daniel, and will make sure he is at home whenever he chooses to come. If Trevelyan knows which hotel Daniel is staying at in Siena, will write to him there in case it suits him to stay on his way from Siena to Perugia. The Clarks are spending Easter with Morra, though Kenneth has caught flu in Naples. Will not see Desmond [MacCarthy], which he regrets. Hopes Trevelyan will come down with the [Clifford] Allens in summer or in autumn: better to visit the Isola Maggiore in that season as the landlords are there. Describes the island's vegetation. His [article on George] Moore 'falls flat' because the journal Pègaso is 'breaking down'. Trevelyan should not bother about the Salvatorelli. Is very distressed about the news from Germany. Alberti and Moravia are here and send love; Alberti is 'free of his job'.
Kings Coll Cam. - A 'wretched ending to the business' [involving Clifford Allen]: is sorry for the Allens, and for Bessie and Bob who will miss them; thinks that if the Allens go to London it will kill Clifford. Was at Mrs Waley's last weekend and met Arthur there. Asks if he might visit in September: is not sure what to do after his niece's wedding on the 8th. Hopes this will be a success. Asks her to tell Bob he is trying to rework the dialogue.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Fears Bob is 'having a sad time' with the death of [Lascelles] Abercrombie and the serious illness of [Clifford] Allen: he and Janet know how much Bob's friends mean to him. He will be very welcome whenever he comes to Cambridge.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for the references; has altered the sentence [in his "English Revolution"?]. Sure he will 'run down the A.S. [Algernon Swinburne?] poem'. Glad that C.A [Clifford Allen] hopes to leave [for Switzerland?] on 1 Dec. Thanks Bob for Allen's letter: agrees with it all, but 'alas we are further off than ever from the prospect of a colonial settlement with Germany'.
61, Ripon Street, Calcutta. - Apologise for not writing sooner: has taken him a long time to settle down, but his books are still packed up as he cannot afford shelves. Has brought back Trevelyan's copy of [Arthur] Waley's book by mistake; will return it soon. Dull in Calcutta, but [Apurba?] Chanda is currently posted here so he has a friend; as he is a widower he does not go like the others do to the zenana [women's quarters] at dusk. Longs for Europe; went to a cinema to watch a film showing Paris, which made him very unhappy. It is very warm, though others find it cold; Bessie must have suffered during the cold, though he knows Trevelyan is 'impervious' to it. Has eight M.A. students, to whom he teaches History of Classical Art and its relations to Indian and Central Asian Art. The only break in his routine has been the visit of the M.C.C.: did not know which side to back. India 'very slow politically'. His friends [Germanova and Kalitinsky] write him distressing letters: they are very worried that they cannot pay Trevelyan off. They have been trying to sell the flat to return the money, but have not succeeded; they must have written to suggest Trevelyan taking it over. He should do what he thinks best; they are very worried that his money is 'tied up & so badly invested' in the depression. Has done no literary work, and is getting to be a 'narrow specialist'. Asks to be remembered to the [Clifford] Allens.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Received Bob's postcard 'with great sorrow' that '[Clifford] Allen's most noble life is indeed drawing to a close'; asks Bob to give Allen his 'warmest sentiments of admiration and sympathy'. Knows that Allen's death will mean more to Bob than that of any of his own dearest friends would be to George, since Bob has been 'so closely associated with him in daily life'.