Showing 57 results

10 Prinsegracht, The Hague. - They have not yet retired to their 'Retraite Edéniencee [ie, at Ede]', as her cousin calls it; does not think they will go before early June. The Grandmonts are still where she left them at Rocca Bella [Taormina, Sicily] at the end of April; they are travelling back with an English friend, stopping only briefly at Florence and Bâle. Was sorry to leave Italy 'like that' but it could not be helped; made her all the more anxious to return another time. Wrote to her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht] and sent her Trevelyan's messages, but does not know whether she will go to England this summer; he does not seem anxious to go and she supposes 'the husband's opinion has great weight in these matters!'. She herself will not be able to; is currently here alone at home with her uncle and aunt [Paul François Hubrecht and his wife Maria] and would not like to leave them when she would have to go 'to fit in with Senior's week at St. Andrews'. Thanks Trevelyan for his letter and the trouble he took with the list of books, though she has not yet got all those he suggested, in part because the library is currently closed. Fortunately the director is a friend of the family and can be persuaded to break the rule forbidding books to be taken or sent into the country, so they sometimes get a good selection sent to Ede; however spring-cleaning is 'a holy business' in this country so she must wait. Asks if Trevelyan could possibly send some of the books he listed: something by Henry James; his father's book; [Robert] Browning's letters; she will get [William?] Morris's "Life" [by J. W. MacKail and his brother's book from the library. Has been reading [Elizabeth Barrett Browning's] "Aurora Leigh" for the first time; asks whether Trevelyan likes it. Will be curious to see Trevelyan's friend [Thomas Sturge Moore]'s poems which he sent to her cousin; wonders whether they will appreciate it; does not think Mrs Grandmont has 'specially classical tastes'. Would be very nice if Trevelyan could come to Ede this summer; unsure still of when exactly would be the best time as she knows nothing of the Grandmonts' plans; thinks probably late August or early September. Is longing to get to fresh air in the country; town seems oppressive after Taormina.

They all feel 'greatly honoured... with all these noble peace delegates' being at the Hague; the Congress was opened yesterday; one of the Dutch members told them 'what a feeble old president Baron de Staal seemed to be' and that 'the first meeting did not promise much'. Is sending some Taormina photographs; the one with Mrs C [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan?] is 'funny but too indistinct'; [Giuseppe] Bruno took the same view which better shows Mrs C. 'like some curious prehistoric Juliet on her balcony'; she has it and will show it to you, or Trevelyan could write to Bruno and ask to see the several pictures he took in her garden of her 'constructions'. Glad Trevelyan has heard some good music in London; she feels out of practice and is looking forward to playing with her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] again. Knows her aunt is giving her the biography of Joachim by Moser for her birthday. Will also have to 'make special Vondel studies this summer'; feels she knows very little about him.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - He and Bessie are just starting for Ravello, and will arrive tomorrow evening. The last few days' weather has been 'perfect', and they have had a 'very pleasant time with the Berensons'. They do not see much of Florence, since the house is some miles outside, but 'go in sometimes in the morning', and they see 'a good deal of amusing people, English, American, or Italian', who live in or near Florence. One day a 'future Henry James would find an excellent subject in a life of Berenson, after the memoirs of Story's life [a reference to James' William Wetmore Story and His Friends].

Has recently been reading Butler's Way of All Flesh, which might interest his father; perhaps it is 'rather depressing reading', but the 'satire on clergymen etc... is at times masterly. Butler was apt to be perverse and cranky', which comes out in the book, but it is 'very sincere' and has for Robert 'the fascination of a pyschologist's autobiography' as he imagines the book is 'autobiographical to a great extent', though expects 'the incidents... are mostly invented'.

Their [new] house seems to be getting on well; plans are now being made for the stables, which will be 'quite small'. Wonders whether his father's farmers 'will get a visit from the Tyneside wolf'; does not 'quite understand where his haunts are', but he supposes nearer Hexham than his father's lands. He and Bessie are both well, and looking forward to Ravello; mentions the sighting of a wolf by a friend walking in the mountains near there, which 'made off as fast as it could'. The few wolves left 'never seem to do any harm, at least they don't attack people'.

Asks his father to tell his mother that he took Fry's drawing of him to Hampstead, and that Fry 'will see what can be done for it. Mrs Fry seems very well again now'. The other day they went to see Mrs Ross, who 'sang some Tuscan songs on her guitar, with great vivacity and still with a good deal of voice left'. She always asks after his father. He and Bessie 'find her amusing, and rather like her, in spite of her being rather coarse and often very absurd'. They both send love, also to C[harles] and M[olly] if they are still at Wallington.

Thinks Julian will like to see this letter from Eddie Marsh, originally enclosed; he need not return it. Hopes Julian, Ursula and [Philip] Erasmus will have a good time at Gorringes. They have got and will read 'Bernard's Club book', which 'begins very well', but he is wrong to think there has 'never been a Breakfast Club'. Bob's father belonged to one - is unsure whether it still exists - along with 'various brilliant or interesting people' such as Wolesley, Grant Duff, Henry James and [Lord] Rosebery too he thinks; they 'breakfasted somewhere about ten o clock and went on talking for hours'.

Penmenner House, The Lizard, Cornwall. - Likes the sketch of Bessie's wedding costume; quite Watteau-esque as she says. He is 'no judge of silks' but the piece she sends looks good; encloses samples of cloth for his trousers and for a tweed suit and asks her opinion. Will probably stay in Cornwall till next Wednesday; [George] Moore and MacCarthy are the only others there at the moment; [G.H.?] Hardy left yesterday, and he hopes both 'Llewelyn Davieses' [Crompton and Theodore?] are coming tomorrow. Describes the place; Moore 'played a lot and sang yesterday after tea', then they played cards and talked. Is reading James's "Daisy Miller", which is 'charming'. Discussion of the music box; has written to his mother to suggest having the partitions taken out; it is from both George and Charles. Expects it would be best to invite the consul [Henry Turing, at Rotterdam, to the wedding celebration]; he may not come. Did not mean that Sir Henry [Howard] would arrange all the legal marriage business, but he offered to arrange the ceremony and invitation of the consul; expects he could do this most easily but it would not matter if they or her uncle should arrange it. Will write to Sir Henry or Turing when he hears from her uncle, though is not sure what to say. Would prefer to invite Sir Henry to the wedding, especially as Bob's father and mother are coming, feels he should ask his parents what they think. Sir Henry is a relation, and has 'shown great good-will and readiness'.

Does not see why Bessie should cut herself off completely from her Dutch musical friends; she will 'often be in Holland', and will 'surely stay at Mein's [sic: Mien Rontgen's] in Amsterdam'; in England, she will of course have 'complete freedom to make her own friends' and must keep up and develop her own talents as much as she can; he will enjoy hearing her play, but also going to hear others and getting to know her friends, but that does not mean she should not have independence of interests and friendships. Thinks that women 'have not enough respect for their own intellectual lives' and give it up too easily on marriage, through their husband's fault or their own; she should 'quite seriously consider going to settle in Berlin for 5 or 6 months' for her music. Mrs [Helen] Fry's marriage has made her more of a painter. Her pleurisy is better now; thinks Bessie exaggerates the importance of her cigarette smoking, and that any ill effects it does have are balanced by the help it gives her to create art. Has never 'been in danger of being in love' with Helen Fry, but always found her 'more interesting and amusing than any woman [he] ever met... with a completely original personality', and would not think of criticising such a person's habits but would assume they are 'best suited to their temperament'; in the same way, Moore probably 'drinks more whisky than is good for his health, and smokes too much too', but he would not criticise him. Bessie is also 'an original person' with a 'personal genius of [her] own', but in addition he loves her; has never felt the same about any other woman.

Continues the letter next day. Has finished "Daisy Miller"; and is doing some German, getting on better than he thought he would. Part of the reason for saying he would 'never learn German' was an 'exaggerated idea of the difficulty', but more because he thought, and still thinks, it will be less of a 'literary education' than other languages; is chiefly learning it for Goethe, though being able to read German scholarship will be useful. Has read Coleridge's translation of "Wallenstein", which Schiller himself claimed was as good as the original; thinks English and [Ancient] Greek lyric poetry is better than the German he has read. Very sorry about Lula [Julius Röntgen]; asks if it [his illness] will do more than postpone him going to Berlin. Has heard from Daniel that Sanger is 'getting on quite well'; hopes he will return from Greece 'quite himself again'. Will be nice for Bessie to see the Joneses [Herbert and Alice] again; he has 'become a little parsonic perhaps' but very nice; has seen little of him for the last few years. Bessie should certainly get [Stevenson's] "Suicide Club" for Jan [Hubrecht]; will pay half towards it. Will certainly come before Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] returns. Has grown 'such a beard, finer than Moore's and McCarthy's, though they have grown their's for weeks'. Describes their daily routine. Is encouraged that Moore likes several recent poems he himself was doubtful about; is copying out the play and will show him today or tomorrow. The Davieses are coming this afternoon. Signs off with a doggerel verse.

Lamb House, Rye, Sussex. - Sorry that Sir George had the trouble of his 'kind letters' about James's brother and his wife [William and Alice?], when he and Lady Trevelyan had family trials; particularly that any concern about 'this so sadly impracticable visit' should have troubled them when they were anxious about 'Mrs Robert' . Pleased to think that should now have passed, as he has just had a 'reassuring word' from Robert, having written as soon as he heard of their 'misfortune [Bessie and Robert Trevelyan's daughter Susan was born on 16 September, but died soon afterwards; the anxiety may have been about Bessie's own health]. William and Alice were uncertain about their sailing date for America; fears this made them 'rather thankless subjects of offering hospitality' but 'meant intensely well' and have just left James 'full of good wishes' to the Trevelyans and 'regrets for the pleasure they awkwardly lost'. He himself will 'subside here' after a rather 'agitated summer'; autumn is the time he most enjoys here. Expects the Trevelyans have plans to travel, though is very glad he himself does not.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Concerned to hear of Robert's accident, and much relieved by Elizabeth's accounts of his convalescence; praises their clarity. Sends latest correspondence; Philipson has still not had [Florence Trevelyan's] will proved; expects the affair will drag on. Has been re-reading [Henry] James's 'Life of Storey' [sic: "William Wetmore Storey and His Friends"] with 'extreme delight'.

The Shiffolds. - Is alone here until Wednesday, since Bessie is in Cambridge; she hopes to see Caroline in London during her return, and seems well, apart from a cold. The weather is 'beautiful again today, and the woods are full of bluebells'; this is the best time of the year here, before the trees are fully in leaf.

They are currently 'very anxious about H[enry] Fletcher's wife', whom they hear from Mary Fletcher to be dangerously ill: if she can 'get through this crisis' she may 'get fairly well again'. Sturge Moore, the poet, and his wife are coming to the Shiffolds for two days on Wednesday; then Moore's brother [George], the philosopher, comes till Monday. On Saturday night, Denman is bringing Tovey over in his motor-car, and Arthur Dakyns will also be here. So on Sunday they will be 'quite filled up', with four guests, but he thinks they can manage.

Expects to be in town one day next week. Will try to see Pelléas et Mélisande if they perform it a second time. Hopes his father is well. Wonders how she thinks Henry James was looking when he came to lunch: does 'not think he looked at all well at Eastbourne'.

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.

Long's Hotel, New Bond Street, London, W. - Bob's fiancée's name [des Amorie van der Hoeven] is a 'mouthful but... a delicious one'; likes 'those old French Dutch names in all their romantic associations', and tells Bob not to 'swallow it completely but just add to it [his] own charming patronymic'. Has always liked Dutch women, and has known two 'beautiful in body & soul in a very special way'; one married an Englishman and died five years ago in Java, the other he loved 'as a boy at Heidelberg' but has heard nothing of for many years; they 'stand in [his] memory as beautiful shades', so Bob has 'nothing to "overcome"' in him, and he also has 'faith' in him. Looks forward to meeting Bob's fiancée and trying to 'make her "see" [him] -"J.S." - a poor thing but his own'. All the more pleased at the news as Bob has been for some months 'blown upon by many rumours' about his 'dark purposes' from friends whom he will not name; is glad their 'tips' did not come off and that he was right to keep 'putting [his] money' on Bob's connections in Holland. Also distrusts the same friends' reports of 'McTaggart & his Daisy Bird' that on arriving in England, McTaggart sent his wife to stay with his aunt at Guildford and went himself to Cambridge, where he 'plunged into a prolonged debauch of philosophical conversation' and showed no sign of wanting to 'resume his conjugal duties'. Alys Russell was so sorry for Daisy that she went to see her and told her that 'if she had the slightest spirit she would return to her profession as a nurse'; Mrs Whitehead then invited her to stay with them at Grantchester, where 'McT was induced occasionally to come out and dine', though he said it was too far to come to sleep; it seems he is also reluctant to take a house but wants to keep his college rooms. Even if this is not true it is 'very comic': as is Constance Fletcher's new play, which he went to see recently with Henry James. 'Mrs Pat [rick Campbell]' played the heroine 'admirably'; they were in the front row and 'H.J. fairly blushed at the languorous glances she cast upon him!'; the play is very funny, but since it has 'no art in the great sense, cracks of course in its solution, which is only arrived at by turning it into farce'.

Has not read St[ephen Phillips's play ["Paolo and Francesca"], and is unlikely to, being put off by the 'too unanimous' praise and having read the extracts. But the 'B[ritish] P[ublic] must have a poet, and since W[illiam] Watson's correct attitudes in the Dreyfus case... could not make them forget his wickedness in the Armenian business', S. Philips seems likely to fill the bill'; he is also prolific. The [Second Boer] war sickens him: though if England got into a 'really tight place' he would turn about and become 'violently pro-British', he cannot help looking at the Boers as 'antique heroes'. Hears that Frank Costelloe is dying of cancer and has left a 'perfectly hateful will'; knows the details but has promised to keep them secret. Sees John Waldegrave a great deal, and becomes fond of him; was sorry to miss [Desmond] MacCarthy when he came to see him. Waldegrave wants him to visit his father's after the New Year, but he thinks that if he is able to leave Town his best Christmas proposal is from the Thorolds at Torquay.

His own 'poor old father' has written imploring him to spend the winter with him at St. Augustine in Florida; there is a 'Turgeneffian melancholy in the thought' that he cannot really explain to his father why it would 'kill' him. Bob has chosen the 'only true solutions... of our vital problems' and he is sure that in the 'limited & human sense of the word' Bob will be happy as it is unlikely he himself 'ever shall be'. The '"man of feeling", the man with an ear for life, can only find the rhythm of it in Love or in the Church; for Art, which busies itself (in spite of Logan [Pearsall Smith]) with life so directly' cannot take its 'acolyte far enough away from joy & sorry to make him self-sufficing'. Apologises for growing 'platitudinal'. John Waldegrave tells him his 'preference for memoirs to works of fiction is as certain a sign of old bachelordom as [his] cry of "Cras amet"!'

The Shiffolds. - Her 'delightful present' came this morning with her letter: the letters [of Robert Louis Stevenson?] are 'indeed a charming book in every way, both inside and out', and he has 'long wished to have a good edition', since he has only read them 'in a desultory way'. Of course 'this edition with the new letters must be far the best': he and Bessie are looking forward to reading it this summer, and Robert is 'very grateful... for so delightful a present'.

Is glad she has had a good time abroad; supposes the weather has 'changed for the worse now', and it is still 'very unsettled' here. Julian has taken to the new nurse 'without much difficulty'. He can now walk very well, and his cold seems almost to have gone.

Robert has been to two funerals recently: on Saturday he went to Haslemere for the funeral of 'old Mr [Henry Graham] Dakyns', who 'died suddenly', and on Monday to Eastbourne for Jonathan Sturges' funeral. Will 'miss Sturges a good deal' though cannot regret his death, since 'he had a very lonely life, and was usually more or less ill'. His death will be sad for Henry James, 'who was perhaps more intimate with him than with anyone else'. Mr Dakyns will also be 'much missed' by Robert and Bessie, and many of their friends.

Saw Charles briefly in London yesterday, who 'seemed very well, and cheerful'. His mother must go to the Grafton Gallery exhibition ['A Century of Art, 1810-1910'] when she returns: the 'Preraphaelites are especially well represented'.

Tovey now seems to be getting on well with 'Ariadne' [The Bride of Dionysus]; they hope he will be able to come to the Shiffolds near the end of July and stay for August. Röntgen has been setting several of Robert's poems for a chorus of women's voices; he has not sent them yet, but. 'they are sure to be interesting, as everything he does is'. Robert hopes to assemble a book of short poems and translations this autumn; thinks he has enough, especially if he includes the first act of his and Bessie's translation of Vondel's Lucifer.

Is very glad his parents have had 'such a restful time at Mürren'; lucky that the H[enry] Y[ates] T[hompson]s happened to be there as well. Sends love to his father.

Casa Boccaccio. - Thanks his mother for her letter; asks her to tell Bessie that he will write to her tomorrow. Is glad to have a good account of her and Julian. The weather here is 'now quite hot again'. Is getting on 'fairly' with his work, and is having a pleasant time. The Abercrombies seem to enjoy it here very much, and Lascelles has got on well with his work. They are 'very pleasant companions'. [Will] Arnold Forster has not yet arrived, but they expect him next week.

Has a 'very uneventful' life here, and has not yet been down to Florence. Occasionally dines with the Berensons, and met Edith Wharton 'the novellist [sic] there' last time; she 'seemed clever', but he did not see much of her; she says [Henry] James is 'very much better'. Hears James is coming to Welcombe at Easter. Wharton does not think James' 'last book [The Outcry], about picture-dealing, one of his best; and it seems anyhow to have been originally designed as a play'.

Must finish now, as the weather is so good. Expects it was 'too late for the Grafton to ask for the picture'; she should see the show if possible. They hear nothing about the [Italo-Turkish] war here, and he does not take an Italian paper. Sends love to his father, Bessie and Julian.

Hotel Bristol, Rome. - Has received Robert's letter with 'the ominous date of the Deux Decembre' [a reference to Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz, and the coup by Louis Napoleon in 1851?. Letter is TRER/46/37]. Describes his view of the Piazza Barberini and its 'bad but cheerful' Triton [fountain] by Bernini; it is the scene of one of the conversations in [Browning's] "The Ring and the Book", he thinks that of the 'Tertium Quid'. Did not go by moonlight to think about the man in "The Madonna of the Future" [by Henry James; Robert asked this question in his letter of 2 Dec], but thought of him there by daylight; curses those who had [Michelangelo's] "David" moved to the Academy [Galleria dell'Accademia]. Is going to buy a panorama of 'old Rome, under the emperors' by a German, which he is told is very good. Agrees with Robert about the Armenians [the massacres by the Ottomans], about which Lord Salisbury cannot get anything done, and about 'Valima' [Robert Louis Stevenson's letters to Sidney Colvin], which he cannot read. Is reading [Ferdinand?] Gregorovius with great interest: Caroline has sent for the two last volumes and a friend has lent the second. They have both read Robert's Sismondi carefully. Was much amused by the hustings speeches at the University of Dublin. Since beginning the letter he has received the panorama, and key in German; it was actually made into a panorama and set up at Munich, he supposes 'as a sort of centre of the Suevi and Teutones'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Discussion of a passage of [Ruskin's] "Praeterita", of which Sir George has the first edition. They have heard from Mr Dear [?] that it rained for seventeen hours at Welcombe; fears a catastrophe as bad as that 'which started agricultural depression in 1875'. Thanks Robert for sending [Henry] James's "Confidence; glad he liked it.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S. W. - Saw [Edward] Chandos Leigh recently, 'a sad wreck after some terrible medical experiences'; he is old enough 'to have played against Winchester at Lords, when the Winchester eleven wore tall white beaver hats!', and spoke in a most friendly way about Robert. The "Manchester Guardian" praises "Winter", by C[harles] Shannon, at the Academy; does not know whether it is he who is Robert's 'principal friend' or J. J. Shannon. Had a 'famous' lunch at the Courtneys' on Saturday: Lord Courtney, Henry James, Lord Welby and himself, as well as 'the grand figure of old Lady Airlie'. Caroline looked 'quite juvenile', as she always does to him. The Sargent portrait of Henry James is 'very fine indeed'. They look forward to seeing Elizabeth.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is 'here in force'; envies him his delight in the railway journey. Liked Robert's account of his local countryside, and its literary associations. Has also read [Elizabeth Gaskell's] "Wives and Daughters" and agrees with Robert that it is excellent. Has received a typewritten letter from Henry James, a 'really wonderful bit of stylistic literature'. Very pleased with the letters he receives from America [about the last volume of his 'American Revolution].

1 rue Budé, IVième, Isle Saint-Louis. - Is 'ashamed' not to have answered Trevelyan's 'two kind letters' for so long a time, and 'very grateful' to him for taking so much trouble; Trevelyan's second letter reached Du Bos on the 'very day Pearsall Logan Smith [sic: Logan Pearsall Smith] was here'. Still hoped then that he might be able to carry out 'so very pleasant a plan' [see perhaps 4/195, a postcard from E. M. Luce suggesting that Du Bos could stay in her room in London while she is away in June] but regrets that he will be 'tied down to [his] work all through summer' and cannot hope to get away. Will keep Trevelyan's 'invaluable indications' and hopes he will be able to use them one day. Much regrets that Trevelyan will not, as he offered, be able to introduce him to Desmond MacCarthy: admired MacCarthy's 'article of Souvenirs on Henry James' very much; if MacCarthy ever comes to Paris, asks Trevelyan to give him his address. Was unable to go to Jelly d'Arányi's concert due to 'pressure of work'; heard through some of his friends at "La Revue Musicale" that the Bela Bartok concert was very successful, and hopes she will come to visit Paris for a longer time one day, and will 'then report herself to the Ile Saint-Louis'.

Asks if Trevelyan's article on Shelley's "Epypsychidion" has appeared in the "New Statesman": is 'very impatient' to read it. Their conversations 'two years ago and the other day' on the 'tempo' of both Keats and Shelley were 'very interesting and fruitful': is increasingly interested in that subject and feels 'starved' of it when Trevelyan is out of Paris. Is sending a 'little notice' of his "Collection d'Auteurs Etrangers" [series published under his supervision]: now seems decided they will also publish either "Heloise and Abelard" or "The Brook Kerith" by George Moore. Has seen the Countess de Rohan-Chabot; is revising B.B.s translation [into French: of one of Berenson's books on Italian art] with her and has just written to him about it. Heard an interesting lecture by Valéry at Adrienne Monnier's recently on the 'ideas of Edgar Poe'; wishes Trevelyan could have been there. [John Middleton] Murry was there and 'enjoyed it greatly'; he is 'kindly' trying to get Du Bos 'regular employement [sic]' at the "Times". Sure if Trevelyan hears of anything permanent at the "New Statesman" or elsewhere he will remember Du Bos. His wife sends 'many messages' [of regard]. Adds postscript saying they lunched with [Edmond] Jaloux recently, who asked lots of questions about Trevelyan.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear of Robert's return to 'his Penates [home]'; his friend [George Hanley] Hallam cannot go back to his; encloses Hallam's account of his Italian visit, which Robert may know; does not think himself that Horace had any villa near Tibur other than at Licenza, and expects that the name comes from the 'same funny awakening of classical interest' which gave rise to the naming of the 'Tower of Nero', 'Grotto of Egeria' and so on. Is reading [Henry James's] "The Aspern Papers" to Aunt Annie [Philips], which is 'a poem in prose' and gives him 'a horror of this body-snatching gossip'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter; sorry she 'came in for fogs'; he does his best to avoid them now. They are glad she is back home again now. Not surprised she admired "The Aspern Papers" and "The Tragic Muse"; she has 'the best of reading' before her until she has read 'the pick of [Henry] James several times'. Is now over his rheumatism, and 'shot a duck before breakfast this morning', but is 'rather over-worked' after a spell of eight months writing and is going to 'take it easy' for a few days. Returns the bills; they were very glad to be able to help them both; has written to Drummond [the banker?] instructing him to pay the money for Elizabeth's time in London [in the nursing home] and for the watercolour Robert got for Caroline into Robert's account.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his 'kind letter [12/344]'; though it is his fiftieth birthday, he does 'not yet feel as if [he] were getting old, less indeed perhaps than two or three years ago'. Cannot help his father about the missing books: neither he nor Bessie has ever read Barnaby Rudge, and he is sure he 'never took it away, with or without leave'; has also not taken the 'ancient Atlas', as he still has [Heinrich?] Kiepert's 'ancient Atlas', which they used at Harrow in his own school-days. Wonders whether they 'might have found their way into the museum to be used to make hills for the soldiers'.

Julian 'writes cheerfully [from school]', and begins his letter 'Many happy returns of your birthday' with a series of dots above the 'many': Robert explains that the dots mean 'recurring for ever... From which I infer that he is now doing decimals'. Has not read Conrad's Rescue; does 'not much care for his later novels' and agrees that Conrad 'has been rather over-rated', though 'in spite of his peculiar way of telling them', he much enjoys Lord Jim, Chance, and several of the short stories such as Youth. The Shadow Line is 'the only one of his later books' which Robert has 'cared for, and that perhaps not very greatly'. Think he is 'a case of a man with a great talent who has made for himself an over-elaborate method, developing it during the time that his inspiration was beginning to fail him - rather like Henry James perhaps, though Henry James's later books are more successful in their queer way than Conrad's in his'.

Sends thanks to his mother for her letter: will write to her tomorrow. The weather is 'unpleasant': wishes it would 'rain properly instead of only pretending to'.

Ma Retraite, Ede. - Is returning two of the books lent her by Trevelyan, both of which she much enjoyed; had no idea the "Odyssey was 'such a wonderful human poem', and wishes she could read it in Greek; the translation is 'very melodious', asks whether Greek scholars approve of it. Found Henry James's "In The Cage" most amusing, though she asks whether 'the subtle suggestive analysis of the emotions & situations sometimes leads to a little mannerism in style'; thought it very clever, and 'a very English book'. Asks if she can keep [Sir George Otto Trevelyan's] "The American Revolution" longer as she has not yet begun it. Expects her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?] has told him they will be glad to have him as early in September as he can come. Her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] is currently here; goes with her to Denmark for a month at the end of a month which will be 'a delightful dip into music again' as their Danish friends [the Noordewier-Reddingius family?] are very musical. Asks if Trevelyan has heard much this spring, and whether he has decided about Beyreuth. Trevelyan has been neglecting to mention [his own] "Mallow and Asphodel", which she has been enjoying very much; looks forward to reading his friend's poetry which he gave her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht?]. Is reading Keats' letters, through which '[o]ne gets to know the man very well'. Encourages Trevelyan to read a book translated from Swedish into English called "Antichrist Miracles" ["Antikrists mirakler "] by Selma Lagerlof; has 'heard it praised very much' and it is 'all about Taormina, though with different names', fears Mrs Cacciola [Trevelyan] is 'treated rather badly' but has not yet read it. Beautiful hot weather this week, 'just fit for lying in hammocks and reading' though it is easy to get last and 'even a little bicycling seems too much!'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear good news of Elizabeth and Robert and especially that there are 'pleasant friends to take walks with'. Would have liked to join them on the trip to Amalfi and have 'seen the lovely pergola again'. Glad the rumour about Mr Fry [that he had died] was not true; wonders how it started. More people drop in for tea than at Wallington, which is good for Sir George in the winter as it stops him getting 'too absorbed in his writing'. Henry James is coming for a few days on Saturday, and Dorothy Ward 'to help amuse him'. Is writing an interesting 'Life of Mazzini' by Bolton King, which is 'very well written'. The local recollection of their parties last summer is 'still vivid'. The weather is fine and mild, though TInson 'remarks that "we shall have a pinch for it, later"'. Wishes she had seen Ravello and Amalfi in the sunshine. Tells Elizabeth to find out about the homeopathic cold medicine; has often heard it to be 'very efficacious'. Asks if Elizabeth would like to join the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club; Caroline must arrange it before 20 February if so. Charles has gone to Paris with introductions to politicians. Sends love to Robert, and is glad his play 'prospers'.

The Shiffolds. - Returned yesterday after a 'very wet hunt [the Lake Hunt], though they had a 'good day on Monday, and plenty of fun', which partly made up for the wet weekend. They went out on Saturday despite the rain, but it was 'rather poor sport'; they stayed at home on Sunday, and walked to Lodore after tea. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, but it was 'disappointing only to have one good day'.

Bessie seems very well; the Sangers and 'Mrs Clifford Allen with the baby', are here till Sunday, and the weather is fine but cold. Julian writes 'quite cheerfully'. Remembers liking James's The American Scene, 'especially the chapter about Richmond. They have heard of 'two promising couples, that may do as successors to Alice and Bert [Elms], but nothing is yet settled. Thought Charles and Molly 'both very well, and in good spirits'. Has been translating much of Theocritus' poetry, and hopes to bring it out in a book this autumn or next spring; perhaps also a book of new poems, but he 'must try to write a few more this summer'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit to Chillingham, and that Mrs Cochrane plays well; seems to remember she is a 'better musician than Mrs Saxton Noble'. Hopes that the three weeks in the north have done her good. A 'big gathering of Liberal women' here yesterday, with a meeting then tea 'in the tent'. The shooting on Thursday was spoiled by a wet afternoon; Sir George has rheumatism in his hand. Janet 'very funny about the forgotten photograph'; she is 'a dear affectionate little person'. Keen to hear that 'the house business is prospering' and that the building of Robert and Elizabeth's house can start soon. Misses Elizabeth very much; was so nice seeing and 'nursing' her. Wants to hear about her trip to Holland, and what she decides about the violin.; also how the Enticknaps were. [John Joseph?] Nixon was 'much distressed' to miss Elizabeth and Robert. They have not yet finished [James's] "The Tragic Muse" as there has been little time for 'long reading'; has quite forgotten it and is interested to hear how it ends. Alone now till 21 September; Charlie leaves on Monday.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for letting him see Julian's book, and for the 'very interesting [Henry?] James article enclosed in it'. Has written to Birmingham for the 'large volume of Meryon' [see 12/342]; doubts he will get the Whistler but would like to hear about it.