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6 Oxford Terrace, Edinburgh. Dated 1913, postmark dated Dec. 17 - Admires his 'new and brilliant version' of 'Paradise Lost' ['The Serpent and the Tree of Life' in 'Essays and Studies presented to William Ridgeway']; many chapters are on the point of writing themselves in the 'apparently endless' 'Geschichte der menschlichen Narrheit', encloses a cutting from the 'Scotsman' about a communion service in the parish of Uig, Lewis attended by a U.F. minister and Free Church missionaries; is glad to hear about Anatole France. With a manuscript note in pen at the bottom identifying the article by Frazer.]

6 Oxford Terrace, Edinburgh. Dated 12th Dec. 1913 - Thanks him for the book ['Balder the Beautiful'?]; is spending the weekend with Laurence Pullar; asks if he saw anything of Anatole France at the dinner they attended; has seen [Sir John?] Murray, who is in good spirits and who is sharing Margaret's happiness; is much recovered from his illness.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Robert for his 'jolly letter'; will re-read [Trollope's] "Framleigh Parsonage" [sic: "Framley..."] again soon, perhaps aloud to Caroline. They are currently alternating between "The Wreckers" [R. L. Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne's "The Wrecker"?] and the "[Roman] Journal" of Gregorovius. Is himself reading Anatole France's "L'Orme du Mail", some of which he thinks as good as Balzac, just as aspects of "La Reine Pédauque" are 'like the best Voltaire'. In a postscript, says that he too voted for Jim Butler [for the Cambridge University constituency] but 'in such a General Election as this an "Independent" has no chance'.

143 Boulevard Raspail, Paris VI [on mourning stationery] - Thanks her for the book, the translation of the 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' by Hyacinthe-Loyson with the preface by Anatole France; has created four panels on Keats and the poem for the Exposition [Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne]; he does not understand what she means about [Émile] Audra, whom he knows only via letters of business, and who is always courteous; he has not been to see Geuthner very recently, taken up as he was with the death of his father-in-law and the Exposition; it is exam time and Janine is a baccalauréat candidate, but without much enthusiasm.

143 Boulevard Raspail, Paris VI [on mourning stationery] - Sends her a copy of 'Les Langues Modernes' in which a lecture by Sir James and two poems appeared in 1935; is glad to have news of de Glehn and Chouville; his wife's father died after a small operation; is working on an exhibit for the Exposition [Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne], on the 'Ode on a Grecian Urn', and asks if she has a copy of the translation by Hyacinthe-Loyson with the preface by Anatole France.

Paris - Antoine Bourdelle is unable to give a set date for sending the bronze bust to Glasgow Art Gallery; they have asked the founder to work as quickly as possible; the price is 100 pounds; 100,000 francs was never in question, that is for millionaires whose busts would not be in museums or libraries; her husband admires Sir James, as he does Anatole France, and is a whole other affair; the five bronze busts are 100 pounds each; she has not received a letter from Lord Crawford.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - All pleasant here so far; the only people here are Phil and Liza [Price], Hugh Bell's son [Hugh or John] and a friend of his who are 'quite nice boys', Kitty with her children, Marjorie and Patricia. There had been a shooting party, and he saw George and Janet for a minute before they left; thinks he will cycle over to see them soon. Glad he went by the early train from Ockley, as it meant he was in time to get a 'corner seat' on the Kings Cross train; his compartment was full throughout the journey, with 'quite nice people' including soldiers and later several merchant-service sailors; the corridors were 'rather crowded' so although he could have got to the restaurant car he was glad to have a packed lunch. Thinks Bessie had better go by train from Newcastle to avoid the 'long cold wait' he had in the Haymarket for a bus, reading Anatole France. She need only bring his small scarf. The school-children are 'very quiet'; the Bell boy plays piano in the evening '(not very brilliantly)' and Marjorie the oboe, but apparently Charles usually reads "Vanity Fair". Last night, however, he had to 'put on his general's uniform' and go to dine at Morpeth with 'a lot of Officers and the Duke of Gloucester - rather dull, C. says'. Hopes Bessie is also having the fine weather. Has not yet been round to see the woods and fallen trees. Will be very glad when Bessie comes on Tuesday.

Manuscript draft, corrected, in Frazer's hand, possibly an homage to Anatole France?

Manuscript draft in Frazer's hand.

Didsbury College, Manchester. Dated 12th Dec., 1913 - Has received 'Balder the Beautiful', has measured his Frazer shelf and sees that he has multiplied it by 3 1/2 times with the second and third editions; paper stated that although no Cabinet Ministers attended a dinner with Anatole France, Frazer was there, 'a nice way of putting it'; is using the GB in his construction of a dictionary, is using something Frazer gave him on 'άγνεια'; would have sent a reprint from the Ridgeway volume with his work in it, but understands that Frazer has written away for it, and he does not want to suggest that he should read it; heard from George Brown, who had tried to contact Frazer but was told by Mrs Frazer that James was 'inaccessible', which he figures was during the final work on 'Balder'; recommends he see Brown as he will probably not be back and has amazing stories, including time with savages who the next day killed and ate a boatful of Germans.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Here they are 'enjoying the most beautiful weather'. Bessie has gone to London to stay with Molly for a night, do shopping and see friends. They had a 'very pleasant visit' from Aunt Annie, who he thinks will now be with his parents; they thought her 'very well and cheerful, and not too tired by her house-moving'.

Has taken his father's advice [in 12/314] and read [Lucian's On Salaried Posts in Great Houses/The Dependent Scholar, which he had forgotten; it is 'admirable', as is The Life of Alexander [the False Prophet]. Notes 'how modern the point of view is; it might almost be Anatole France'.

Was at Haslemere during the [Diamond] Jubilee of 1897, so his bonfire was 'the one on Blackdowne'; it was a good one, but 'not forty feet high' [like the one at Wallington, see 12/314]. Quotes Aeschylus' Agamemnon 270, 280-281 on kindling beacons in Greek; hopes to publish his translation of the Agamemnon, but [Gilbert] Murray is just now bringing out his translation with the same publisher [Allen & Unwin], so Robert must 'wait another season'.

Sends love to his mother, Aunt Annie, and Booa [Mary Prestwich].

Trinity College, Cambridge. Dated 5 January 1925 - Thanks him for his congratulations [on the award of the Order of Merit]; agrees with him concerning the tragedy of the certainty of others in the belief of the afterlife, had a similar discussion with Anatole France.

Manuscript draft with corrections, signed by Anatole France.

House of Commons Public Bill Office. - Apologises for not writing to congratulate Bobby on his engagement; very sorry that he and his wife were away when Bobby's fiancée was in England; has been told how 'charming' she is. He himself has discovered that there is 'nothing quite so good as a happy marriage'; sure Bobby will find the same. Thinks of giving them the works of Anatole France as a present, and asks if that would be welcome.

Booklet printed for Claude Aveline and Jacques Lion as part of the Collection Blanche, on the occasion of the jubilee of Anatole France.

3 Hare Court, Inner Temple. - Apologises for not saying goodbye properly on the boat; hopes the stewardess looked after her, that she had a good crossing, and found everyone well at home. Asks her to thank Louisa [Hubrecht, who was staying with her uncle and aunt]. His hotel was very comfortable; had a good journey to London, reading more of "Arne" [by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson?]. Is glad to return to his 'studious habits', but even more so to think that soon she will share them with him. Has enjoyed his day at the British Museum. Had supper with the Sickerts and a 'long talk with Oswald', one of the 'nicest' of his friends whom he thinks she will like very much. Will probably go to Highgate to see [Thomas Sturge] Moore tomorrow, then to Dorking next day. Has not yet seen [Charles] Sanger, who must be out for the evening. Has been to Curry & Paxton, who will have them [spectacles for Ambro Hubrecht?] ready in about a week. Is paying Luzac [?]. Saw his parents this morning; his father has almost recovered. Read the Gospel of Nicodemus and some [Matteo?] Bandello stories at the British Museum. Expects she will soon be discussing their marriage date with her uncle and explaining his parents' plans to travel over. Will write to Sir Henry Howard [the British ambassador to the Netherlands] when the date is settled. Sanger has just been telling the story of his friend Robertson's love affair with an American girl who has just died; Sanger is going to Greece, and has not had 'his bad headaches' recently. Was sent a guinea by the "Manchester Guardian" [for his letter on the Amalfi landslip]. Frank Holland has sent a letter [17/145] promising him a set of Anatole France [as a wedding present]; Bob thinks what he has read of France 'very good'.