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Flora's postcard came when he was away for two months in the north, but he still should have replied sooner. Does indeed remember the 'expedition from Burrows Lea with the Russells to Leith Hill Tower'; he must have been about six, and chiefly remembers eating 'as many bilberries as [he] could' and being 'shamefully sick'. Would like to visit her soon, but they have guests at the moment; would much like to see Flora's French [lead] soldiers. She may have heard that Julian and Ursula have had a son, Philip, and all seems to be going well; Erasmus, his middle name, is a Darwin family name.

Thanks Flora for sending her verses, which are 'not doggerel; they are much too delicate and graceful for that, and have too much feeling'. Must be a 'very real recompense, to be able to call up the "pattern and the vision"... and still enjoy seeing it' though she no long tries to 'draw it'. Sorry he missed seeing her at the 'Maxes' [sic: Maxses?], who seem to have made themselves 'comfortably at home in Tillies cottage'; it is 'very pleasant having them as neighbours'.

Thinks the enclosed Epistle is self-explanatory; should 'deposit a sealed copy in the bank' to be 'delivered to Philip Erasmus [Julian and Ursula's son] when he reaches a philosophic age', but they should look at it now to be sure 'it contains no dangerous doctrine' or that 'the metrical license and irregularity is not likely to bewilder Philip's taste and corrupt his style'. Quotes an alternative reading which Bessie prefers, mentioning George Moore. Unsure whether the 'quasi-lyrical ending is in harmony with the rest', but does not want to add anything if he can help it; already afraid it is 'scarcely worthy of its theme'. Glad Julian's show has had such a deserved success.

19 Lord North Street, Westminster, London. - Kind of Trevelyan to send his "[From the] Shiffolds" poems, which have 'all the nostalgia we must feel who have known that other world'; but as he notes 'Sorrow vanishes, the joy endures'; hopes that will be true for the grandson to whom that is addressed and for all the 'young born now'; also hopes 1945 will be 'better for all'. Hears that Mary [Berenson] is 'fading away': Ben Nicolson, Harold's son, who has been to stay at I Tatti for four days, writes that she is 'pale & still beautiful... her mind quite clear'.

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'.

Lt. J.M. Luce c/o Grindlay's Bank, Bombay. - Has been ill and in hospital, followed by three weeks 'glorious' leave at Darjeeling. The view of Kanchenjunga is superb, Everest by comparison disappointing; had he been fit he would have gone trekking to Tibet. Is now back at his depot but expects to go to a unit in the west of India soon. Has sent some tea from Darjeeling to Trevelyan and Bessie and hopes it arrives safely. Hopes Ursula and Julian's baby has arrived. Has been reading Hazlitt's "Table-Talk": the kind of essays Trevelyan would write 'equally well if not better'.