Hears Julian is going to Paris, so may see [Maria] Germanova; if he does, wonders if he could, through 'tactful leading questions', find out how her finances and ability to pay for the flat stand; he has been paying the whole rent for about the last year, but she has said that after the marriage of Andreyusha [Kalitinsky, her son], he would not need to do so, as the new bride's father would give the young people enough money to be independent. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy need therefore no longer send a large part of his salary to support Andreyusha, but instead could pay for the flat. She may not need any help from Bob, but he feels uneasy; Suhrawardy's last letter said that he had 'never been so poor as now' so perhaps he is sending more than he can really afford to Germanova. Does not want them to be in any monetary distress, but it is difficult to write about all this directly to her. Went to see Udai Shankar yesterday, and 'delight[s] in him, and the Indian music as much as ever'. Hopes to see Julian and Ursula before too long.
The trustee in [Sir John] Withers's firm is H[enry] G[eorge] A[usten] Duckworth, a cousin of Virginia Woolf's; is sending him the letter from Drummonds [Bank] and expects he will deal with it. Hopes to see Julian at the concert on Thursday; is going with Betty Muntz, and hopes Bessie will also come. Saw Ursula last night. Donald [Tovey]'s symphony at Edinburgh went quite well, though the attendance was not large. Has been 'so rushed with proofs' and his visit to Edinburgh that he has not had time to look at [a book by Georges?] Duthuit; will either send it back soon or bring it to the concert.
Hopes Julian 'escaped flooding by the high tide today'; is writing to ask if Julian and Ursula would like any tickets for the Glyndebourne operas next year as they are selling quickly. Thinks they do [Mozart's] "Entführung" and "Cosi Fan Tutte" very well, but the "Magic Flute" less well, since [Fritz] Busch leaves it to others to 'conduct and even rehearse'. Lists possible dates. A 'terrible thing' has happened: Constance Vaughan Williams has been run over by a motorist.
Asks if Julian and Ursula could come to stay at the Shiffolds next weekend; has to go away to see Donald [Tovey] for the weekend on Saturday the 20th, so Bessie will be alone except for Miss Simpkins; she has to 'keep very quiet' and 'not read at all'. She has had some improvement in her eye, but not enough, so the doctors say she must give it a chance by lying down more. She is also writing to the Sturge Moores, who may be able to help. Tried to call Julian and Ursula and hear they are in Devon; asks if they can get in touch as soon as they return. Supposes they saw the 'Italian pictures' in Paris.
Originally enclosing the Glyndebourne tickets for [Mozart's "Marriage of] Figaro" and "Zauberflöte", as well as the libretto for "Figaro" and a German "Zauberflöte". Roy Randal[l] was at his reading yesterday, the 'only human being there' at what was a 'very seedy hole-in-the-corner affair'. Randall seemed to be expecting Julian and Ursula for the weekend, which 'seems inconsistent' with them coming to the Shiffolds on Saturday, but they would be glad to see them.
12 Holland Street, W.8. - Wonders whether it is still possibly to get Bob's "Lucretius" anywhere: [his son] Jocelin has a 'very selected library, for his years in eastern waters', and since he appreciates Tacitus two people have suggested that the "Lucretius" might make a good Christmas present for him. He and his wife hope that Bob will visit, and also they are now 'near enough to see something of Julian and Ursula'. Their move has gone well, and done them 'both good'.
Originally enclosing a letter to Julian which Bob found on the return home, probably from Nicky [Mariano]. Lina [Waterfield] said in a telephone call that she thought it would be all right even if [her husband] Aubrey had not written to Aulla; he is currently away in Gloucestershire, but [the people at Aulla] will understand Julian's telegram and get things ready [for his and Ursula's honeymoon]. Hopes Julian and Ursula had time for everything in London. Bob and Bessie stopped to see Mrs V[aughan] W[illiams] and Adeline on the way back, and gave them some cakes; Ralph [Vaughan Williams] is 'getting on well'. Glad that everything went so well, and hopes they have a good time.
He and Bessie were both made very happy by the news [of Julian's engagement to Ursula Darwin] in his letter this morning; it is not a complete surprise, but even if they had known nothing about Ursula they would have had 'confidence in [Julian] doing the right and wise thing'; as it is, they both 'know and like' her - Bessie more than Bob, but he is still sure that 'in every way she deserves [their] affection - and he is sure that she and Julian are 'just the sort of persons who ought to make each other happy'. Also good that they 'know and like [Ursula's] family and relations', and that the marriage may mean Julian returning to live in England though again that is 'relatively unimportant'. Sympathises with the wish to have things arranged 'quietly and without fuss'; they can discuss all that when he comes to England. Ought to write Julian a 'letter in verse (and no doubt an epithalamium)' but is too 'busy writing an Ars poetica in the form of an Epistle to Virginia Woolf', and the epistle he had planned for Julian was to be 'about the difference between generations etc and perhaps about art'. The engagement is 'almost too serious for so frivolous a medium as verse'. Would like to write longer, but must catch the post; sends love and wishes for happiness, and will also write to Ursula to send the same.
40 Well Walk, N.W.3. - Must thank Bob 'at last' for sending her his "Windfalls"; was 'very touched' that he sent it to her 'a poor remnant of "we" [Thomas Sturge Moore died in July 1944]' to whom he used to send his works 'so faithfully and generously'; she and her husband used to read Bob's poetry on Sunday evenings when Dan and Riette were children. Had read some of the essays in the book in the "Abinger Chronicle", but the majority were new; mentions some of the pieces she most likes. Asks if Bob could return the two manuscripts she left at his house; had meant to ask Bob for advice on where to send them, having thought of "Criterion" or "English" where Tom had published a few pieces. Postscripts: one sending a 'special message' to Miss Simpkins and 'the Julians' if they are still at the Shiffolds, the other that the 'terrible destructions in Holland' keep making her think of Bessie.
Gorringes, Downe, Kent. - His and his wife's thanks for Bob's 'nice poetical Christmas card ["From the Shiffolds"]; he likes "The Pleasure" and "The Dream", perhaps he likes "The Pleasure" best as he 'likes some rhymes', and 'can't help it' if that is a 'weakness'. Hopes Bob's Leith Hill is not as 'badly scarred' as it was when he described it. The Darwins are looking forward to Ursula and Philip coming on Monday, and Julian on Christmas Eve. 'Poor little Philip sounds wonderfully well' after his illness; expects he is still 'rather weak in the hind legs'. Robin and Nicola are also coming; there is a turkey, 'the first to have occurred for several years', and he thinks 'enough to drink'. Hopes Bob has a good, 'though probably a more tranquil Xmas'.
Gorringes, Downe, Kent. - His and his wife's thanks for Bob's 'magnificent Christmas card ["From the Shiffolds"], which gives him a 'nice Greek feeling' and makes him wish he had worked harder at 'that noble language' when he was young. The Darwins are looking forward to Julian and Ursula [their daughter] coming with Philip on Christmas Eve; thinks they intend to leave early on Boxing Day for a children's party in London. The weather is 'infernally seasonable' here, though the forecast is 'cheering'; hopes the Trevelyans are not 'frozen'.
Poggio allo Spino, Consuma (Prov. di Firenze). - Hasn't been able to see Julian and his wife [Ursula]. Is going back tomorrow after a week at Consuma; Mary [Berenson] came back from Fiuggi today with Logan [Pearsall Smith] in pain, though Elizabeth had written the cure had helped her; her imagination makes her health worse than it is. B.B. [Berenson] is in good health and spirits, taking walks; has put off his plan of going to Austria.
Addressed to Bessie at 36 Brunswick Gardens, London W.8. - Very glad that Bessie is 'going along well'; hopes it will now get less cold. Mr MacEvoy is home for a few days break between treatment. Has not been too well himself, and has stayed in during the bad weather, but is much better today. Ursula [Wood or Mommens?] came to tea yesterday; Dilston [Radclyffe?] has just been to lunch.