Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Had planned to write her next letter to Bessie, but will write instead to Bob as she wants to thank him for [the new edition of] "Windfalls"; has much enjoyed reading her 'old favourite, "Simple Pleasures"', with much else that is new. Geoffrey and Gillian are here, and they will read some of the book aloud after supper. Hopes Bob will be able to come to Wallington in either August or September, whichever suits him best. Phil [Morgan Philips Price] and Lisa will be here on 12 [August], though she believes there are no grouse; Kitty and her children go south on 9 August and will return early in September; Pauline and her children will be at Cambo all holidays; Marjorie will come for a week on 14 August then again on 28 August. Does hope Bessie will be able to come at some point.
[On headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, SW]. Is 'so very sorry to hear about Uncle Willie [Price}'s death. It is very sad for Aunt Meggie and Morgan'. Asks if she still has the papers for the [Harrow?] scholarship which C[harles] did; they would be 'very useful' as practice. Mr Arnold has been iller than expected; he is now 'getting steadily better' but 'still very ill, and will not work for some time', mainly as he has 'overstretched himself'. Robert hopes Charlie will be all right soon. Is working with Mr Jones for Latin, Mr Gowering for Greek, and doing Homer in his 'half-holidays' with Mr Cole. Is sorry to hear about the 'riots in London'.
Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very glad to hear' he has a 'new cousin' [Morgan Philips Price?], and wonders what he is like. Has 'got the money from Booth': twelve shillings and fourpence; has recorded it and his ticket in his account. Sends love to all. Hopes 'Georgie's leg is getting better', and that Sophie [Wicksteed?] is also better. Is 'getting on very well'. This morning it rained so they could not go to church. Wilson mi[nor] has 'got the Chicken Pox'; Robert has had it before and does 'not think one can have it twice'. Asks if his mother can send him 'a few crest and autographs, not the whole letter but only the signiture [sic] (anybody will do)' for 'a boy who is collecting'. 'Stamps' is written below Robert's signature.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth and Robert are coming on 20 August; sure it will do her good. There will be lots of guest at first: two girls [Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburn], Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], and Edgar and Baffy Dugdale., who all go on Monday the 24th. The party for the tenants and workpeople is on the 26th; good that Elizabeth and Robert will be there, and hopes it will not be boring. Asks if they can arrange to go away from the 27th, when Charles leaves, to 1 September as she has promised Sir George he can have some entirely quiet days to recover from the guests. They could go and see Durham, Richmond and York on the way if their friends were not ready for them. Would very much like to go to Holy Island with them if the weather is suitable. Charles looks much better; Hilton Young is shooting with him; Sir George has not felt up to it yet but 'will go next week, when they drive the birds'. Sorry that Elizabeth does not feel well; she needs 'some bracing air' and three weeks in the north will be good for her. Believes it will be a family party only in September; will get Elizabeth to help with a garden party. The exhibition at Cambo is on Saturday; Annie [Philips] is coming today, bringing Phil [Morgan Philips] Price. Meggy [Price] is taking Robin to the sea in South Wales; she is still anxious about him, and though he is recovering he does not seem well enough to return to Harrow. Hopes they will have good news about the house when they come, it 'must be worrying'. Supposes Robert is 'quite well again'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - All pleasant here so far; the only people here are Phil and Liza [Price], Hugh Bell's son [Hugh or John] and a friend of his who are 'quite nice boys', Kitty with her children, Marjorie and Patricia. There had been a shooting party, and he saw George and Janet for a minute before they left; thinks he will cycle over to see them soon. Glad he went by the early train from Ockley, as it meant he was in time to get a 'corner seat' on the Kings Cross train; his compartment was full throughout the journey, with 'quite nice people' including soldiers and later several merchant-service sailors; the corridors were 'rather crowded' so although he could have got to the restaurant car he was glad to have a packed lunch. Thinks Bessie had better go by train from Newcastle to avoid the 'long cold wait' he had in the Haymarket for a bus, reading Anatole France. She need only bring his small scarf. The school-children are 'very quiet'; the Bell boy plays piano in the evening '(not very brilliantly)' and Marjorie the oboe, but apparently Charles usually reads "Vanity Fair". Last night, however, he had to 'put on his general's uniform' and go to dine at Morpeth with 'a lot of Officers and the Duke of Gloucester - rather dull, C. says'. Hopes Bessie is also having the fine weather. Has not yet been round to see the woods and fallen trees. Will be very glad when Bessie comes on Tuesday.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad Elizabeth is seeing some friends, and that the '[house] business is moving on'; advertisement from "Country Life", showing prices usually asked in Surrey, originally enclosed. Went to Newcastle yesterday to hear Mrs Ward 'speak at the opening of some "Special Schools"', which she did 'very well. Saw various 'Hodgkins & Peases's', and brought Mrs Ward and Dorothy back to stay at Wallington. Next week they are expecting Aunt Annie [Philips], Phil [Morgan Philips] Price, Hilton Young, Eleanor Cropper and Cicely [Frances?] Wedgwood; next week Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburnl. Elizabeth and Robert will see them if they come on 20 August, though they do not have to decide yet. The weather is so windy she has to tie on her hat. Keith [the head gardener] is sending some more fruit today. Sorry that Mrs Fry had 'the trouble of writing twice'; it was 'such a pretty letter, in picturesque handwriting'.
On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Is returning her shawl, which he took 'out of the basket', and forgot to put back. Georgie 'probably cannot come up till the ten train', so does not think it 'worth while to go to breakfast'; they will write again if they find it possible. Robert will be in the Harrow stand at eleven, or any time his father means to come; does not know yet where it is, but will tell him before Friday.
Asks if she thinks his father would mind a friend coming to breakfast on Saturday, as Robert proposed; does not know if Stow could come, as he 'lives a long way off', so if not would ask Phelps, who lives nearer. Robert would 'love to go off early with him [Phelps] to Lords, as he is playing, so he would not stay long'. However, his parents must 'not mind saying' if they 'prefer being alone'. Will 'not want the birds or the butterflies': Phil [Price] and the baby will like them.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Interested to hear about the Hunt; read something in a London newspaper about a hunt at Wastwater, but it mentioned undergraduates and may have been an 'imitation party'. Amused to hear about Phil [Morgan Philips Price], who is a 'Trojan'. Very pleasant about the [Lascelles] Abercrombies whom Bessy has written more about. Has enjoyed a three night visit from [Lord] Welby and Courtenay Ilbert. Ilbert is 'wonderful company', having the 'vigour and vitality' of his 'Alpine comrade' [James] Bryce, but also 'something more ideal about him'. Both good and bad for 'a very able man to be under authority to the last'.
Marine Hotel, Criccieth. - Was 'very grieved' to hear from Bessie yesterday of Aunt Meg's death: had 'felt it was likely, but did not know it was so near'. Is 'very sorry for Phil and Robin'; wrote yesterday to Phil. She was 'always very kind and affectionate' to Robert, and 'very kind to Bessie from the first'; will 'always think of her most affectionately'.
Hopes his mother's stay at Eastbourne [with Bessie] has made her 'really better, and that this trouble won't undo any of the good'. Bessie reports that Julian is well, and that nurse [Catt?] 'seems on the whole better'; she will have gone home yesterday. Encloses George's article, which is 'very well done'.
Is staying here until next Wednesday; will then go to Malvern for a week or two with [Will] A[rnold] Forster. Robert's friend here, [Gordon] Bottomley, is 'rather better, but it is a bad case [of TB]'. Sends love to his father.
The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear she has a cold, and hope by now it is gone. The weather is 'very cold and nasty here today', but everyone is well except May [Enticknap]; she however is recovering, and he does not think she had measles badly. Went to London on Tuesday to dine with his 'friend [George] Hardy the Actuary, who has been working out the Invalidity Insurance scheme for the Government'; wanted him to meet [Ralph] Hawtrey so they arranged a dinner, with [Francis?] Hirst also present. They had a 'lot of political discussion': according to Hirst, if Phil Price had been back, he would have had a good chance of being chosen as [liberal] candidate for the Forest of Dean.
Is very sorry that Aunt Meg is not recovering more quickly. Supposes his father has finished his [jigsaw] puzzle by now. Says they should 'keep the Medici book [Lives of the early Medici as told in their correspondence, by Janet Ross?] as long as Papa wants it'. Saw Charles and George 'at breakfast' yesterday; both seemed well, and 'Charles quite cheerful'. Hilton Young has got the 'city Editorship' of the Morning Post, so will 'give up the Economist: his new job is 'well paid, £800 a year, and he will be able to say what he likes, though of course politics won't come in much anyhow'. People such as Hirst and George 'seem to think it is a good thing', since Young will be 'much more able to afford the expense of standing [for Parliament] a few years hence'; Robert hopes they will not have another election for 'four years or so'.
A Spanish musician they do not yet know is staying at the Shiffolds this weekend: [Benvingut] Socias, a friend of Röntgen and Casals; he does not speak English, so Robert will 'get some practice speaking French'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Lord Wolseley and his daughter [Frances], 'one of the C. Booth girls [Imogen]', Henry James and 'the L Courteneys [sic: Leonard Courtney and his wife?] have been staying at Welcombe; the weather is glorious. Expects the next month will be trying for Bessie; hard to leave 'such a kind home'; everyone will try to make it up to her. The Trevelyans are 'not very demonstrative' but already feel that Bessie is one of them. Charles and George have spent some time at Welcombe, but left yesterday; Sir George goes to London on Tuesday; she herself is staying till the 26th as her sister Mrs Price and her boys are coming to see some of the Shakespearean plays. Charles and George both hope to come to the wedding. Robert will be in London before long to settle some 'law business'. Thinks Bessie will be able to get Robert 'gradually into more regular habits', and he will see that 'batchelor [sic] habits cannot be continued'. Wise to choose the long sofa; will tell Mrs Enticknap when the things are to be expected. Has had a 'nursing meeting' and bazaar opening this week. Sir George is writing to Bessie's uncle. Asks whether it will be hot in the Hague in June.
The Shiffolds. - Has been away, or would have answered her note with his father's questions earlier. Cannot find a reference to 'levying an indemnity' in Murray or elsewhere; '"requisitio"' is used as a substantive in that sense, but may be general a word', as is probably the case also for 'fine' and 'tribute'; both 'ne'er do weel' and 'ne'er do well' seem to be 'used as nouns by quite good writers, such as Dickens'.
Paul 'seems quite well again now', though last week he was not so well; Bessie also seems well: she went with Robert to the Speyers' last Sunday, where Hausmann, Frau Soldat, and and Leonard Borwick were staying 'so there was a lot of music' and several pieces were rehearsed for next Wednesday's London concert.
Is glad Phil [Morgan Philips Price] is now recovering; Bessie has had 'a nice letter from Aunt Meg'. Has not had much news about the Frys recently, as Roger has been in Italy for the last three weeks; expects he will soon return. Imagines Helen 'is much the same, perhaps rather better in some ways', though 'doubt[s] whether there is any real improvement'. Robert's play [Sisyphus: An Operatic Fable] should be out this week, though he has not yet heard anything about it.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking; sent to Lady Trevelyan at Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Bessie is 'going on very well still' [after labour and the death of their new-born daughter Susan Caroline in September]; the doctor came today and 'seemed quite satisfied'. Has not yet replied to his father's last letter but will do soon. They are glad to hear Paul is 'so well' despite the heat; has been cooler here recently though still fine.
The Chiswick Press [printers of his new book Sisyphus: An Operatic Fable] seem 'very dilatory', and will not send a 'specimen page': until they do he cannot begin getting proofs. Expects he will not be able to get the book published until December now. Hopes Aunt Meg 'will find Phil's case is not a serious one', and that his parents are well.
The Grove, Taynton, Nr Gloucester. - Thanks Robert for the 'little Xmas gift' of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]. Since they last met he has been to Persia, visiting Persepolis and Shiraz and paying 'respects to the tomb of Hafiz', which he had 'longed to do' since his youth. His book on Russian travel, "Russia, Red or White", will be published next week after over a year's delay, by Sampson Low.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very interested to hear Elizabeth's account of Mary, who says she enjoyed staying at the Shiffolds very much; when she was here alone last year, she tended to get 'very low-spirited at bed time'. The little boy [Humphry] is 'pretty and lively'. Seems a good idea for Elizabeth to go to the sea; would probably benefit Julian as well. Annie [Philips] stayed a week; feels 'quite dull without her'; the [Francis Wrigley] Hirsts and Phill [Morgan Philips Price] came for Sunday. Mrs Hirst is in better health, and 'very good fun'.
Kings Coll. Camb. - Did not see how many votes Bertie [Russell] got [in the General Election of 15 Nov, where he stood for Labour in Chelsea] but he supposes not many; relates an anecdote told to him by Moorsom, who was at the announcement of the results. Phil Price [M. Philips Price?] did not get in, but he finds it amusing a communist got such support in an English county. Is consoled by the fact that the leading members of the UDC [Union of Democratic Control] have been returned, as has Jem Butler. The political opinions of his college bedmaker, who votes Tory. Brief discussion of [Woolf's] "Jacob's Room". Moorsome [sic] is attending psychology lectures.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear that Elizabeth is well and that Robert is losing his cold; hopes the Booths [Charles and Meg] arrive safely. Sir George has been troubled by rheumatism for a while; thinks he is recovering but he is 'low & out of sorts'; he has been able to work and take walks everyday, not liking to stay in bed which she thinks may have been best. S[idney] Colvin and Morton Philips are coming on Sunday, alone as both their wives are ill; they have also had neighbours visiting for tea. Has been busy with things in the village; Mr Clarke was here this week. They are expecting news from Cheyne Gardens [of the birth of Janet and George's child]; the preparations were made long ago. The ["Independent] review" is 'in a bad way' but George 'has made up his mind to it'. Meggy [Price] has sent her a very amusing letter from Phil [Morgan Philips Price], who 'led the interruptions' at [Henry] Chaplin's meeting at Cambridge in 'a most intelligent & effective way'. Sir George enjoyed Robert's letter about classics and 'keeps it as a marker!'; sends love from him and Booa [Mary Prestwich], who was 'quite anxious' about Elizabeth.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - News of Julian, who is well and does not seem to be too much disturbed by teething. He is always very excited when he sees Hearn [the butler] and 'insists on his lifting him up to look at the pictures'. Took him for a drive to the village yesterday, and now he has gone for his 'last poney [sic] cart drive'. Elizabeth's dinner on Monday will be very amusing; hopes she will not get tired out with her busy fortnight. Annie [Philips] is coming from Monday till Thursday; expects she will be in an 'over-energetic mood'; she must have helped the two young men [her Price nephews] very much as they have been making inventories. Has had no more letters from George, but C[harles] says he is quieter [after the death of his son Theodore]. Sends love and a "Times Literary Supplement" for Bob.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad that Elizabeth is comfortably settled in her lodgings [at Eastbourne]. She and Sir George went to the Burlington Hotel there a while ago; she was not impressed by the food but expects the Grand is worse, 'it certainly looks seedy'. Is not sure when they can come, since she has been ill and it is still very cold. Was glad to see Robert, though he 'seemed tired and out of spirits', hopes he is better; very sorry for Elizabeth's 'domestic worries'. Longs to see Julian; hopes Mrs Catt [the nurse] will soon be better. Wants to take Booa [Mary Prestwich] to stay with Miss [name illegible] while they are at Eastbourne, which would 'do her good'. Annie [Philips] is coming on her way to Pen Moel; the news of Meggy [Price] is bad and Phil [Morgan Philips Price] has 'not been heard of for some time'. Newspapers very interesting at the moment. Asks if there would be room for her and Sir George at Elizabeth's lodgings.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - The Interludes [in Prose and Verse, by G O Trevelyan] arrived this morning, and they look forward to reading it; Bessie will write soon to his father to thank him for it. Robert has 'just read most of Horace [at the University of Athens], which seems just as good as it ever was', and he expects the whole work will be improved by 'the slight alterations and 'the unimaginable touch of Time" [a quote from Wordworth's Mutability]'.
They have had a 'pleasant visit at the [Augustus Moore?] Daniels, and found all well at home'. George Moore has been for a short visit; now [Donald] Tovey is here for a week and there is 'an immense deal of music'. Bessie likes Tovey's playing as much if not more as anyone's, and he is 'very interesting when he talks about music, in a way few musicians are'; he plays 'a great deal of Bach' on the Trevelyan's clavichord, and their piano 'has a beautiful tone'.
Aunt Meg [Price] will visit in October and they hope also [her son] Phil. The Grandmonts are coming for a few nights next Monday. Does not know whether they will like returning to Taormina 'while the earthquakes still continue'; supposes 'Taormina is untouched, as it usually escapes', but Messina suffered greatly. Hopes there will not be a bad earthquake near Vesuvius, which 'is in great activity just now'; everyone near Naples seems 'very much frightened'. Will not be sorry if 'Cook's railway gets demolished', as long as nothing worse happens.
Hopes his parents are well, as well as the 'Cambo household [Charles and Molly]'; G[eorge], J[anet] and M[ary] C[aroline] seemed well when they dined with them in London; Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] was there 'and seemed fairly cheerful, though looking rather tired and worn perhaps [after the death of his brother Theodore in July].