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Thanks him for his article on Benjamin Britten on Sunday, for capturing what hasn't been described before, the actual experience of knowing his music and the impact on the musical development of so many people; she was one of the early casts of 'Lucretia' and her son Steuart conducts for Britten.

The White Gates, Dorking, Surrey. - Would like to see Bessie one day when she comes into Dorking; very sorry to hear she has been ill. Went to see "Billy Budd" twice and also listened to it; is 'still quite unmoved by it', though recognises its 'great skill'.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is glad she liked the Gainsborough card, which he thinks is charming and worth keeping; Dorothy disposes of most of their cards, perhaps to hospitals, but he always keeps a few; reminisces about the scrap-books he and his siblings used to make while his father read aloud to them; he still has his books. His health was good enough for him to go to Buckingham Palace three weeks ago to get his 'badge and ribbon from the King' [the Order of Merit]; he also took Tim to the Christmas Feast at Trinity and saw George [Trevelyan] for the first time since he had retired as Master. Is hoping he will be able to come to Leith Hill Place next summer: was very disappointed not to be able to come. Also thinks well of Britten: very much enjoyed his "Let's Make an Opera", and Tim thought well of "Peter Grimes" and other things by him; not sure about "Billy Budd" when he heard it on the radio, however, thinking it 'scrappy' and full of what Vaughan Williams calls 'wrong notes'. Thought [Roy] Harrod's life of [Maynard] Keynes was not well judged, but he had not noticed exaggeration of the influence of Bloomsbury. Had forgotten that Norton stayed with the Trevelyans when he was ill; was very fond of him. Bessie seems to imply Bloomsbury harmed him; asks if this is what she thinks. Agrees that it is a good thing that [his niece] Riette has gone to live at Well Walk; Tim went to see them there and had a nice time; thinks Riette very charming. Is sorry Bessie has been laid up by neuralgia, but is glad Dr Bluth's treatment seems to have improved it.

The Red House, Aldeburgh-on-Sea, Suffolk IP15 5PZ - Thanks him for the 'warm-hearted sincere tribute' of Ben Britten; Ben was touched by it as well, and would join a number of people in his thanks.

Faber and Faber Ltd Publishers - Enjoyed his article on Benjamin Britten in The Sunday Times but wonders he does not mention "Death in Venice".

The Shiffolds [this is an error for Wallington]. - Very glad to hear from Bessie's letter that her 'oily difficulties are solved'. His legs are much better, but there is still some eczema on the thighs and arms. Very glad that Morgan Forster is recovering, if slowly. Does not know if he can find a quotation for him [for the libretto of "Billy Budd", see 3/83], but when he returns home to his books he will try; agrees it should not matter whether it is a real quotation. The paper Bessie sent was not an income tax receipt, but a tithe receipt. Went to tea at the Two Queens' yesterday; Geoffrey and Len [Winthrop Young] were both very pleasant, and they hope to see them again. Catherine [Abercrombie] is going by bus to Edinburgh to stay the night with [her son] David one day next week. Kitty's Elizabeth and Catharine arrived this morning, and he thinks Kitty and Erika come on Monday. Things 'seem to go smoothly here'; Charles is 'cheerful'; Molly's laryngitis is much better; Catherine sends love to Bessie. Hopes the Bluths will be able to come; later on if he [Karl] is not better.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking [headed notepaper]. - 'So pleased' to hear from Bessie; was about to write, partly to ask whether she might like to take on 'one of our pussies' when he leaves West Hackhurst - Bob thought she might. If so, he 'would describe their characteristics and their defects - for cats, unlike human beings, are imperfect. They are of the Tabby habit'.

Looks forward to seeing her, 'perhaps next month'; will bring the 'Tovey volume' [edition of Beethoven's Mass, see TRER/ADD/71], which was 'very helpful'. Is going to Cambridge again this week, to 'make some final arrangements' about his room; his move will probably be 'in two bits, the bigger bit not till October. Much has been done here, much still remains to do'. Has recently sent 'a lorry-load of jumble... off with the Rector's wife built up in the middle of it. She is a darling'.

Glad to hear of the Trevelyans' 'revised arrangements', and hopes they will work well. If Mrs Jane [?] 'is a chatterpie, Bob has only to trot, tell him, into another room. It's a chatterpie in the same room that is so trying'. Has had an 'Excited and delighted' postcard from Florence, who much enjoyed her flight across the Atlantic, and has been 'going round New York with her sister [Margaret?] in a bus'.

Is going to Glyndebourne, 'quite unexpectedly', tomorrow with some Indian friends; he 'rather hate[s] the snobby place, however, dress clothes are out of the question now, and Britten's new opera [The Rape of Lucretia] said to be very lovely'.

1 Kildare G[ar]d[e]ns W2. - Thanks for the book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"], which he found at his father's house last week. Good to hear the 'praises sung' of Trevelyan's woodlands; remembers with 'elation' their visit to the Shiffolds one spring or early summer; also still 'spell[s] out' his Virgil, though he often 'neglect[s]' his contemporaries' verse. He and his wife took their children to Dorset after Christmas, and were 'allowed to leave them there this weekend' to come to London. They have seen 'as many friends and exhibitions as possible', and spent last night with the MacCarthys: Aunt Molly was 'quite well again', and Uncle Desmond 'in very good form'. Went to see [Ronald Duncan's] "This Way to the Tomb" at the Mercury theatre, which was 'awfully good', particularly Britten's music. Hopes that if Trevelyan comes to Oxford he will visit them; they can 'hardly stir from there nowadays' [because of the children].

4 Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh. - Thanks Trevelyan for his translation of the [Homeric] "Hymn to Demeter". Has not answered Bessie's letter about the "Picture Post" article: the libretto [for "Billy Budd"] has reached its final form. Reads to Forster more like a play, but Britten and [Eric] Crozier are satisfied. Asks if Trevelyan can suggest anyone to do the scenery: that for the "Bride of Dionysus" was lovely. Has to have another prostate operation next month; wanted to finish the libretto and have his picture painted for King's. Likes the surgeon, [Alexander] Roche, who is confident; May Buckingham has offered to nurse him after the operation. Is having a pleasant party with Ben [Britten], Peter Pears etc.

4 Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh. - Convalescence [after a prostate operation] has been slow, but he is now improving. Asks for suggestions of a classical author whom Vere could read and refer to in the "Billy Budd" libretto. The opera goes on well. Sends love to Bessie, who visited him in the nursing home. Stayed for a time at the Buckinghams, then Ben Britten drove him and May Buckingham to Aldeburgh. May has now returned.

129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks Trevelyan for his advice on a passage from a classical author for "Billy Budd" [see also 3/83]; Ben [Britten] is also grateful. They have also hunted in vain for a suitable extract from Plutarch, and expect Forster will have to invent one: 'the associations of Aristophanes and the Anthology aren't so correct.' Has had to return from Aldeburgh and goes back to the nursing home tomorrow 'to be overhauled again' [after his prostate operation]. Is glad Trevelyan's troubles are mending.

As from 129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks her for her letter and news; does 'sympathise' with her over 'this miserable upheaval [the possibility of moving from the Shiffolds]. Sorrow in itself is wretched enough' and from it comes 'the necessity for choices and decisions - at a time when one longs to rest and drift'. She also does 'not have the haven Cambridge so miraculously opened for' him. Julian seems the 'obvious person' for advice, but Forster supposes he 'is not what is called "good" at it, and no amount of trying can produce that sort of "goodness".

Is writing partly as he is 'broadcasting on the Third Programme on the subject of the Third Programme on Saturday and Monday. Great solemnity - recording van sent specially to the Buckinghams in case my ankle [which he had recently broken] feels tired'. He 'got out of plaster earlier this month', and spent a 'pleasant week' in Aldeburgh. His ankle has been 'rather troublesome' since then, but he understands this is 'not unusual'. Has a 'most comfortable and genteel shoe', and is seeing the surgeon again next week. Is just about to leave for London now by car, partly so that he can pick up Agnes [Dowland] at Barnet.

Thinks 'the opera [Billy Budd, for which Forster had written the libretto] will be fine'; has now heard it all, and has been 'strumming at' a proof copy of the piano score this morning. They have still not found a singer to play Billy: he 'must look fine, so central European stomachs are unfortunately excluded'. The final possibility is 'a young man who cannot sing all the notes', as the part is a high baritone. Forster is 'all for having him. What do a few notes matter?'.

Has not seen Florence [Barger] since her return, but has spoken to her on the phone, she 'seemed most happy and prosperous'. Is using another sheet of paper to 'urge you, whatever you decide [about her home and future] not to be too unselfish, but to procure whatever money can provide towards the comfort of your body and mind'.

Occurs to him that she might like to see the enclosed piece [no longer present], written for 'a "Reader's Club" magazine in the States which has been founded by Auden, Trilling and Barzun', whom he respects: they have chosen his new book [Two Cheers for Democracy] for this October, and requested 'something for the magazine'; asks if she can return it.

Postcript: 'Unfinished novel [what was later published in short story form as The Open Boat?] in an awful mess I fear'.