86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Kind of Bessie to send extracts from her letter about his first visit to the Trevelyans after their marriage: he and Dorothy found them very interesting. Is ashamed to say he has forgotten completely what the house looked like. Not offended by her criticism of his piano playing, which he knows was not at all good; remembers Oliver Strachey being shocked at the way he 'scrambled through a piece'. Tim is appreciated at Dartington and also likes it very much, though he is very hard worked there; spends a lot of time when he stays with them in the holidays practising and composing, as there is little time to compose in term. They have unfortunately not been able to play duets together for four years, as Moore is thought not to be well enough. Ralph Wedgwood came to visit earlier in the summer, but Moore doubts whether he will ever go to Leith Hill Place again.
Cercle Mohammed Aly. - Asks Trevelyan always to write beforehand saying which books he is going to send, as the anticipation gives much pleasure: he and [George] Antonius have discussed the matter extensively. Unfortunately he is prejudiced against 'the poetry, prose, personality and papa of Edward Thomas', and his aunt has already sent him "Years of Childhood" which he will return for the Trevelyans. Praises 'Askanov' [sic: Sergei Aksakov]: the Stracheys 'never grow up' [cf letter from Trevelyan to Forster, 22 Dec 1917, King's College Cambridge]. Is reading James' "Piddle Years" ["The Middle Years"; discusses James's flatness. Is Glad Trevelyan liked his poem [satire on the Duchess of Connaught]. Is doing some journalism, and reading Racine and Claudel. When he goes for a weekend with Furness at Cairo, is sure Furness will read Edward Thomas to him 'for everyone except me likes him'. Asks for a copy of Trevelyan's Lucretius ["Lucretius on Death"]. In a post-script dated 11 Feb, Forster thanks Trevelyan for the Lucretius and suggests "The Principles of Social Reconstruction" [Bertrand Russell] as another book he would like.