King's College Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for letting him know about the "Abinger Chronicle", to which he will subscribe for at least six months. The [Apostles'] Society has met for the last time this term, probably for the duration of the war. [Matthew?] Hodgart has been called up: he read a very good paper on 'Truth' from the Marxist angle, at the meeting when Wallich and Hobsbawm were elected; G. M. Trevelyan was there, in fine form. Now only Luce, Champernowne and the two 'newly-born' are left: Andreas Mayor is training for the infantry; Wilfrid Noyce is the only active member of the society to object, and with a Quaker ambulance in Birmingham; Oliver Kisch is working for his final law exam in London and waiting for a commission in the Tanks. A postscript records that he has met [Hugh] Sykes Davies in a pub, who took him to a far corner to talk 'sedition'.
King's College Cambridge. - Apologises for not returning Trevelyan's Apuleius: will send it tomorrow. Has been allowed to stay in Cambridge for a while and is doing some research into Byzantium. Had an interview last week with the recruiting board and has been recommended for a commission in the Artillery (anti-aircraft), though conscription will probably not come until February. Still hopes the war 'will peter out' before then, though he supposes that is impossible. His father is thinking of joining Ethel in America next year, but Luce expects his mother will stay on in Burma. Sandra has been trying to get a teaching job in Iran, but that seems to have fallen through; she is still at Henley. Ethel and Sam often talked about Trevelyan, and were planning a reunion in Scandinavia .next summer. It was almost decided at a meeting of the [Apostles'] Society last night to wind it up for the duration of the war, since most of the active members have gone: Andreas Mayor went yesterday, leaving only Champernowne, Mat Hodgart and Luce. They have just decided to 'give birth' to Eric Hobsbawm and Walter Wallich
K[ing's] C[ollege] C[ambridge]. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas greeting: Shepherd admires it greatly too. The [Apostles] Society is going strong: it meets in Forster's room and the papers are excellent, though sometimes overly 'concerned with the Communist interpretation of history'; the brethren are keen on tradition. Has most in common with [P.N.] Furbank of Emmanuel. Is going to give a talk on criticism at a musical conference at Harvard in May. Has been much affected by the loss of West Hackhurst, and finds it painful to visit Abinger Hammer: a few lines are scribbled over, as 'unnecessarily peevish'. Is very touched by the kindness of Patrick Wilkinson and his wife, with whom he lodges. Is on friendly terms with the undergraduates; has done some supervision but no regular teaching. If Trevelyan is visiting Cambridge and wishes to come to an Apostles meeting, Forster can let him know dates; [Eric] Hobsbawm has a job at Birkbeck so will no longer be secretary.