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The Shiffolds. - Came back from the Lake Hunt on Wednesday; it 'rained a great deal, and there was a lot of mist', but they still 'went out each day; and had some very good hunting'. Was 'very pleasant' to have George back, and 'young George for the first time', who 'distinguished himself by being faster than anyone else, and caught most of the hares'. This included Robert, though he had his revenge in catching him in turn 'by running him among some rocks'. The last day, he 'fell when just catching a hare (a civil servant from the Education Office)' and cut his hand rather badly; he is now writing with a bandage on, 'which makes calligraphy impossible'; it is now however healing well.

Spent a pleasant half-day at the Park on his way north, finding 'Aunt Annie very well and in good spirits'. Hopes his parents have both recovered from their journey; the weather here is still 'very bad'. Is going to the [Apostles] dinner next Thursday; George will preside and 'is sure to make a very good President'. Forster's new book Passage to India has come out; is just beginning it. Bessie has read it and found it 'very interesting'. Forster spent a year 'as political secretary to Rajput Maharajah of Dewas' three years ago' so 'he has lived a great deal among Indians'. Bessie sends love. They hope his parents 'found Booa [Mary Prestwich] fairly well'.

Dewas, C. I. - Thanks Trevelyan for the letter and book, and for the information about Benares: he plans to go their shortly, leaving Hyderabad to the end if at all and missing out Southern India. Goodall will be in Calcutta from 7th January: would like to see Trevelyan and Dickinson and has their address. Indore 'pleasant but not striking'; the Luards very kind. Dewas is charming; the Raja, whom Forster met briefly at Indore, returns this evening and is 'a dear and a competent dear'. Luard thinks the colours in Forster's Jeypore landscape are all preliminary, which is disappointing, and that both pictures are 19th century at the earliest.

Chhatarpur, Bundlekhand, C. I. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter of 6 February; is 'greatly flattered' by the memories [of Trevelyan's visit with Lowes Dickinson and E. M. Forster in 1913] which it brings back 'with their original charm and sweetness', though he wonders whether it would be possible to relive that time. Glad that Trevelyan has 'introduced into English Poetry those scenes wh[ich] are dearly cherished in every Hindu heart' [a reference to Trevelyan's verse drama about Krishna, "The Pearl Tree"?]; if he ever comes again to India the Maharaja will have the play translated into Hindi and acted for him. Read Dickinson's "Magic Flute" with 'unabated interest': thinks it very characteristic of Dickinson, and well depicting 'the modern idea of truth', while Dickinson's 'pacifist views have come in very appropriately in that Drama'. Trevelyan's letter hinted that Forster intended to return to India, and the Maharaja 'naturally thought' he would come to him: he counts 'you people to be of my dear Tutor Sir Theodore [Morison]'s circle'. However, he learns with 'great surprise' that Forster has accepted a position at Dewas; does 'not know how he got there!'. Sure that Trevelyan, if Forster had consulted him, would have advised him to come to Chhatarpur; the Maharaja wanted Forster to 'correct the mistake' and come to be his 'companion', but he has refused. The Maharaja is 'greatly in need of a loyal [emphasised] & sympathetic companion of literary tastes - & practical experience of the World' but does 'not know how to find one!'.

Asks where 'our friend' Bertrand Russell is: his Christmas card was returned. Asks if Trevelyan ever sees Theodore Morison, or his friend T[homas] W[alker] Arnold; asks what Arnold's address is nowadays. Mr Haq is still at Chhatarpur, but Mr Mina has 'reverted to his British India service' and is working in an U[ttar] P[radesh?] D district. Received Trevelyan's Christmas card with the 'nice & promising attempt of the young Painter [Julian]'; hopes he will be like his father.