Lanercost Priory, Brampton, Cumberland. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for sending his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; likes several of them 'very much, particularly "The Prison-House" which reminded her of a poem she herself wrote recently that was liked by Frances Cornford. Feels as Bob does about the 'modern poets - sure there is a spring of pure poetry there, but not very successful at making it flow!' Wishes 'somebody would write a book explaining T. S. Eliot, like Daddy did for [George] Meredith'. She 'hardly dare[s] ask, fearing the worst', whether Aunt Bessie has head any news about her Röntgen nephews, or whether Professor [Pieter] Geyl 'survived the ordeals he underwent'. She and her husband are 'very happy here, and thoroughly enjoy country life'; the church is 'superb - the ancient 12th century Augustinian priory'; the house 'partly consists of a tower built by Edward I', who came several times. They are just twenty miles from Hallington, which has been released from use as a hospital; her mother spent a few days there before Christmas organising redecoration, but it is 'still full of hospital furniture'. Saw Aunt Annie [Philips] before October, who is 'very old now, and tired, but her interest in things is undiminished' and she 'much appreciates Aunt Bessie's letters'.
Weybridge. - Is proud that she has translated some of his book, which was written as articles so can be easily be resolved back ["Pharos and Pharillon"?]. Wonders what Professor [Pieter] Geyl will say. Has also had an invitation to an Evangelical Conference at Wittenberg: would she or Bob like to go instead, as he will unfortunately be at Arisaig.
Robin Ghyll, Langdale, Ambleside. - Was very sorry to miss Bessie at Cambo; hopes her 'lumbago is better at last'. Janet has been in bed with a sore throat, but is now better. Glad Bessie saw Mary again at the Park [Anna Philips' house]; she is 'most eagerly looking forward to Holland'. Will see [Pieter] Geyl as soon as he returns to the south, and draft a preface [to Bessie's translation of Fruin's "The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574"] to discuss with her; thinks that Fruin's preface might be dispensed with, especially if he 'quote[s] a few sentences'.
Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Glad there is a duplicate [of the typescript of Bessie's translation of Robert Fruin's "The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574"]; will keep the copy he has and bring it to Northumberland. Is 'most enthusiastic' about it; [John] Motley does not seem to have known about 'the internal situation at politics inside Leyden', and the 'two accounts supplement each other splendidly'. [Pieter] Geyl has sent George his notes; thinks them 'very good, but incomplete'; has sent them back with a few small suggestions. Will write the preface after having seen Bessie at the end of August and Geyl at the end of September.
Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Has got the typescript [of Bessie's translation of Robert Fruin's "The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574"], and will begin reading it 'most eagerly'; the map looks 'just what one wants'; will read it at once; begins his 'peregrinations' to Cornwall, Ireland and elsewhere at the end of next week, so asks if he should return the typescript before he leaves then get it back when they meet in Northumberland at the end of August; perhaps by then he can see [Pieter] Geyl's notes, which he ought to see before writing a preface. She may wish him to keep it if it is a duplicate. Apologises, but he knows no-one connected with Bumpus [John and Edward Bumpus Ltd, publisher?]