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Ajanta. - Is not actually at Ajanta, but has recently been there, thinking about Trevelyan and Goldie [Dickinson]. Was successful, on his third attempt, in seeing the caves and spent a whole day there with the curator. Discusses the paintings. Wonders whether [Ghulam] Yazdani's books about Caves 1 and 2 are in the London Library; the illustrations much better there than in Lady [Christiana] Herringham's. Is grateful for Bessie's 'affectionate enquiries', about which he has heard from Aunt Rosalie. Is enjoying his visit to India very much. Only managed to talk to Suhrawardy briefly, at a buffet dinner: liked him very much. Liked Chanda less, as he found him 'inclined to score off other Indians', but found him 'very pleasant and amusing'. Chanda's brother [Apurba] is Principal at [Visva-Bharati] at Santiniketan, which Forster visited and found 'less shriney' than he expected, with 'some sensible remarks about Passed Master' [Tagore], though he was not impressed with educational standards there. Found Calcutta dreadful, and was very glad to arrive at Hyderabad and find five old friends to meet him. Bombay is improved; he writes from there; is staying with Madame [Sophia] Wadia, who runs the Indian P.E.N. [Hermon] Ould has had two spells in a Delhi hospital and is still ill; he is currently with a "Bombay Chronicle" journalist who will also want to talk to Forster. Hopes to be home around Christmas and to avoid Christmas at home, to help Agnes [Dowland, the maid at West Hackhurst].

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is glad that both Trevelyan and Bessie like the Notes [see 3/72] and think they will do for the Abinger Chronicle. R.B. is Reggie Bray. Wishes the Trevelyans had always edited the Chronicle; previously did not like the 'critical standard that controlled it' and found contributing 'uphill work'. Florence [Barger] is away with Evert; no doubt she will ring Bessie soon. Forster would like to come over too. Glad Trevelyan has seen Bertie [Russell]. The P.E.N. flyer on which the letter is written is 'an indication not an invitation'.

Invites him to attend the 61st World Congress of the International P.E.N. in November.

2 Garrick's Villa, Hampton-on-Thames. - Has dictated a short letter to B.B. [Bernard Berenson]. Hopes Trevelyan's journey did not tire him too much; a 'great thing to have Julian as a courier'. Has been re-reading Trevelyan's translation of Horace with the dialogues ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal, & Montaigne: With two imaginary conversations", published 1941] which he thinks the best he has written; the translations are also very good. Has been comparing them with Eddy Marsh's, which on the whole are not as good as he first thought them. Appreciated the dedicatory verses to B.B; envies Trevelyan being at I Tatti again; sends love to B.B. and Nicky [Mariano]. Was sorry to hear about Miss Simpkins, has missed her on his last few visits to the Shiffolds. Is due to attend the P.E.N. International Congress in Zurich in June, supposes he will have to make a speech.

Postmarked Venezia. - Everything is all right for the Deuchars: asks if they can wait [to meet him] till 3 Oct, when he would prefer to return to Rome. If they have already left, arrangements could be made in Florence with Nicky [Mariano]. Desmond [MacCarthy] hasn't come [to the PEN Congress] and all are sorry.

'as from W[est] H[ackhurst] (actually on the way to River)'; postmarked Putney. - Not sure when he can see Trevelyan, as he will be busy with a talk on E[dward] Carpenter and a five day conference on 'the Economic and Spiritual Future of Mankind' [the P.E.N. Areopagitica].

Rome. - Is passing through London again twice this month, before and after the PEN Congress in Edinburgh, and will be staying c/o Enid McLeod on the way up. Would very much like to come to the Shiffolds, or see Trevelyan in London. Will stay a night at Casa al Dono before he comes.

Metelliano. - Is happy to say that he is coming to England for the Executive Committee of the International PEN, taking place between 25-27 April. Is also planning to visit Roger Hinks in Holland. Must see Trevelyan, either in London or at the Shiffolds; is glad he is recovering, did not know he had been low. Saw a notice in the "Times" about [Reginald Popham] Nicholson's death, which must have affected B.B. [Berenson]. Will visit I Tatti just before coming to England. Has seen Raymond Mortimer, but missed [Stephen] Spender and Humphrey Sumner who were in Rome while he was in Paris with the W.F.U.N.A. Is very sorry about Trevelyan's sister in law [Janet: her illness]; would like to write to Trevelyan's brother [George]. Is almost sure to go to Edinburgh for the PEN Congress at the end of August.

Rome. - Hopes Trevelyan has received his previous letter saying that everything is all right about the Deuchars; he just needs to know whether they should be met in Florence by Nicky [Mariano] or whether he should meet them later in Rome. Will be in Venice from Sept 5-7 for the PEN Congress. Is very sorry about Trevelyan's sister-in-law [Janet: news of her chronic illness]; appreciated her 'kindness and good natured intelligence'.

Casa al Dono, Vallombrosa (Prov. di Firenze). - Is here for a brief holiday; returns to Metelliano today then will go to Rome on the 17th. All fine about Trevelyan's friends [the Deuchars]; asks if they should be met in Florence, in which case Nicky [Mariano] can manage like last year, or if they can wait till Rome where he would be pleased to meet them. Will see Desmond [MacCarthy] in Venice for the PEN Congress; regrets he will not see Trevelyan or his brother [George]. Was not able to finish his letter at Casa al Dono and signs off from Metelliano.

Società Italiana per la Organizzazione Internazionale, Roma, Palazzetto di Venezia, Via S. Marco, 5. - It is all right for the Deuchars to come in spring; Trevelyan just has to let him know what they will need. Is almost certain to come to England around 15 May for the Executive Committee of PEN, to attend to business relating to the PEN Congress in Venice this September; would be pleased also to see Trevelyan in Italy, as this would indicate his health was getting better. Is permanently attached now to WFUNA, 'the old League of Nations Union'; their headquarters were once the beautiful private home of Mussolini's chauffeur.

Società Italiana per la Organizzazione Internazionale, Roma, Palazzetto di Venezia, Via S. Marco, 5. - Writes from the office for his new position, which corresponds to the W.F.U.N.A., that is, the continuation of the League of Nations Union. Was pleased to receive Trevelyan's good news, and the gift of his publication; hopes he will be well enough to come to Italy in the spring. He is almost certain of coming to London in May, to join the Executive Committee of the International P.E.N, as the P.E.N. Congress will be in Venice in September and he is pushing to be sent to continue preparation. Sends greetings to the Trevelyans and hopes for 'a peaceful and stabilised 1949'.