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Contains: poems, "There Must Be Time For Grief" and "Spider", by Ursula Wood; "Mon Camarade est Anglais" by E. M. Forster; poem, "Homo Sum", by Anthony Wilson; "The Wallington Ponds" by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "To a Friend", by Logan Pearsall Smith.

Intended to send a small book of his "Translations from Leopardi", but then decided to wait until Julian and Ursula next come here, as they 'might easily lose it moving about'. Pity they cannot come now, when the flowers in the woods are at their best. All quite well here; the [Sturge] Moores will return in a month. Originally enclosing, on Bessie's request, a photograph of 'the street in Forest Green that [Julian] used to admire'. The Bluths and Tet Htoot were here at Easter, but otherwise they 'seem to see nobody'. Hopes that Tet Htoot will bring two Chinese friends to visit. A 'bad London raid last night'; hopes he and the Bluths are all right; Irene [Cooper Willis?] has fortunately been away. Has very few friends in London now besides these, Logan [Pearsall Smith] and Alys [Russell]. Virginia [Woolf]'s death 'a great blow'; she 'felt she was going out of her mind again and could not face it'. Is re-reading "To the Lighthouse", his favourite of her books; is writing something on her for the "Abinger Chronicle", but it is 'impossible to say anything adequate in the way of criticism'. Forgets whether Julian knew her. Is continuing to translate Montaigne and getting 'a little bored with it'; 'much more fun writing poetry, even if it is not worth much'. Hopes Julian has managed to see Ursula at Taunton, and that she is well again. Has heard from G.M.T. [his brother George] that Charles is giving Wallington to the National Trust now instead of leaving it in his will; he will continue to live there, and one of the family (probably his son George Lowthian) will stay there after his death; this will save on death-duties so there will be much more money for the children. Supposes this should not be discussed until it is announced. Hopes Bessie will go with Miss Simpkins for a few days to George and Janet next month; otherwise she never 'goes away from here, which is not good for her'.

Thanks Trevelyan for his letter revealing that he, Pearsall Smith, and others had considered nominating Abercrombie for a prize [the Nobel]. Is overwhelmed by the compliment, and is inspired to try poetry again, having previously given up his ambitions in that regard. Delighted to hear the news of Julian's engagement [to Ursula Darwin].

Poggio Gherardo, Via Settignanese, Firenze. - Discusses Trevelyan's corrections for her book ["Florentine Villas"] which will not be published till April as 'Miss [Nelly] Erichsen is behindhand with her drawings'. Will be 'very pleasant' to see Trevelyan and make his wife's acquaintance. Afraid he will find Mr Ross 'very much altered and aged'. [Bernard] Berenson is staying with them as the Frullino is let; today Mrs Costelloe [Mary, later Berenson's wife], her mother, brother and two children went to the new villa [I Tatti], which is 'delightful'. Berenson will stay with the Rosses until the marriage on about 16 December. Lina is then probably going to Rome, or to visit the Curries; she was going to go to Egypt, but now does not want to leave her uncle in his illness for so long. Sends love to 'my Poet ([George]Meredith)' when Trevelyan next sees him; he is 'delightful company, when there is not a large audience', though 'apt to pose' when he has one. Feels guilty for taking up so much of Trevelyan's time [with corrections]; is very grateful and wishes she could do something in return.

Metelliano. - Has been unable to write to Trevelyan, who has been to Wallington, sooner due to travel and congresses. Was a pleasure to spend time at the Shiffolds with him and Bessie, and to find him better than expected; also enjoyed his time in Edinburgh and Holland, though nothing about his three days in Belgium pleased him. Was summoned home due to a sudden deterioration in Ebe's sight; is afraid she is going blind. Going to stay with B.B. [Berenson] at Vallombrosa, where he will see Kenneth Clark, then will go to Rome. Has read Gathorne Hardy's book on Logan [Pearsall Smith]; thought it interesting and probably truthful, but that Gathorne Hardy did not come across very well, and that there was 'something peevish and not quite crystalline' in his attitude.

11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Thanks Bob for sending the 'charming' book ["Aftermath"]; already knew and admired many of the poems, but 'admire[s] still more' the new poems, and thinks Bob is 'perfecting the mellowed, meditative expression of [his] wise & beautiful vision'. Wishes that Bob could write his "Prelude", but he should not feel too frustrated, but '[g]ive us the pleasures of our lovely occupation', which he knows he 'taste[s] to the full'. Bob is 'becoming quite famous as a sort of modern Epicurus on the wireless', and his picture appears in the [Times] Lit. Sup; he is 'finding many readers'.

11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W. - Thanks Trevy for sending him "[The Foolishness of] Solomon", which he is 'very glad' to have in print and re-read 'with pleasure'. Thinks it is 'real literature, which is a rare & precious thing just now'. Tells him to look him up if he comes to London: thinks he will need to stay here almost all summer. Has just read 'a wonderful book by a new writer - "Du Coté de chez Swann" by Proust', which is 'extraordinarily subtle & fine & profound': Trevy should read it.

Court Place, Iffley, Oxford. - Thanks Trevy for "Sisyphus"; is 'delighted to have the villain in print form'. Thinks the book is a 'masterpiece in its way', and that Trevy has a real gift for 'comedy & irony'; hopes he will write more in this vein. Is himself 'getting together a little collection of verses ["Songs and Sonnets"]', which he will show Trevy some time; is finding it 'great fun' and has a 'half pleasant naughty sense' he ought to be doing something else.

Ford Place, Arundel. - Trevy should not have sent his book ["The Bride of Dionysus"], but Pearsall Smith is glad to have a presentation copy, and is ordering some more for friends. Thinks it is a beautifully produced book; knows almost all of the poetry already but it is good to have it in print. Was sorry Trevy could not come to Greece; sure he would have enjoyed it as much as he himself did. Got Miss [Jane] Harrison to come with him; there were 'a number of charming people on board'; lists the places they visited. Trevy must come next year if he is not 'navigating the world' [a reference to his trip East with Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson]. Is settling here now for a few months; has much material for 'a bigger book on '"Words", since the... faithless Muses' have deserted him; Trevy should come and stay for a couple of nights if he likes.

Chilswell nr Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for sending a copy of his "Antigone"; has not yet read it but comments on metre. Pearsall Smith mentioned that Trevelyan had read Bridges' poem in November's "Mercury". Thanks for subscribing to the present Bridges received for his birthday, which is very beautiful.

King's College Cambridge. - Thanks Bessie for giving him the title of the book, which he could not remember: he has lost Logan Pearsall Smith's copy and wants to replace it. Is going to reprint [?] the M[anchester] G[uardian] articles ["Appearances"?]. Asks when she is coming to Cambridge: [illegible] can come over when she does.

Chilswell nr Oxford, Boars Hill - Had hesitated to send his poem [the first book of "Testament of Beauty?"], but Logan [Pearsall Smith] assured him Trevelyan was keen to read it. Trevelyan should keep it as long as he likes, and pencil any thoughts directly in the margins. Values his criticism very highly. Hopes to print the '2nd Bk' next month.

Long's Hotel, New Bond Street, London, W. - Bob's fiancée's name [des Amorie van der Hoeven] is a 'mouthful but... a delicious one'; likes 'those old French Dutch names in all their romantic associations', and tells Bob not to 'swallow it completely but just add to it [his] own charming patronymic'. Has always liked Dutch women, and has known two 'beautiful in body & soul in a very special way'; one married an Englishman and died five years ago in Java, the other he loved 'as a boy at Heidelberg' but has heard nothing of for many years; they 'stand in [his] memory as beautiful shades', so Bob has 'nothing to "overcome"' in him, and he also has 'faith' in him. Looks forward to meeting Bob's fiancée and trying to 'make her "see" [him] -"J.S." - a poor thing but his own'. All the more pleased at the news as Bob has been for some months 'blown upon by many rumours' about his 'dark purposes' from friends whom he will not name; is glad their 'tips' did not come off and that he was right to keep 'putting [his] money' on Bob's connections in Holland. Also distrusts the same friends' reports of 'McTaggart & his Daisy Bird' that on arriving in England, McTaggart sent his wife to stay with his aunt at Guildford and went himself to Cambridge, where he 'plunged into a prolonged debauch of philosophical conversation' and showed no sign of wanting to 'resume his conjugal duties'. Alys Russell was so sorry for Daisy that she went to see her and told her that 'if she had the slightest spirit she would return to her profession as a nurse'; Mrs Whitehead then invited her to stay with them at Grantchester, where 'McT was induced occasionally to come out and dine', though he said it was too far to come to sleep; it seems he is also reluctant to take a house but wants to keep his college rooms. Even if this is not true it is 'very comic': as is Constance Fletcher's new play, which he went to see recently with Henry James. 'Mrs Pat [rick Campbell]' played the heroine 'admirably'; they were in the front row and 'H.J. fairly blushed at the languorous glances she cast upon him!'; the play is very funny, but since it has 'no art in the great sense, cracks of course in its solution, which is only arrived at by turning it into farce'.

Has not read St[ephen Phillips's play ["Paolo and Francesca"], and is unlikely to, being put off by the 'too unanimous' praise and having read the extracts. But the 'B[ritish] P[ublic] must have a poet, and since W[illiam] Watson's correct attitudes in the Dreyfus case... could not make them forget his wickedness in the Armenian business', S. Philips seems likely to fill the bill'; he is also prolific. The [Second Boer] war sickens him: though if England got into a 'really tight place' he would turn about and become 'violently pro-British', he cannot help looking at the Boers as 'antique heroes'. Hears that Frank Costelloe is dying of cancer and has left a 'perfectly hateful will'; knows the details but has promised to keep them secret. Sees John Waldegrave a great deal, and becomes fond of him; was sorry to miss [Desmond] MacCarthy when he came to see him. Waldegrave wants him to visit his father's after the New Year, but he thinks that if he is able to leave Town his best Christmas proposal is from the Thorolds at Torquay.

His own 'poor old father' has written imploring him to spend the winter with him at St. Augustine in Florida; there is a 'Turgeneffian melancholy in the thought' that he cannot really explain to his father why it would 'kill' him. Bob has chosen the 'only true solutions... of our vital problems' and he is sure that in the 'limited & human sense of the word' Bob will be happy as it is unlikely he himself 'ever shall be'. The '"man of feeling", the man with an ear for life, can only find the rhythm of it in Love or in the Church; for Art, which busies itself (in spite of Logan [Pearsall Smith]) with life so directly' cannot take its 'acolyte far enough away from joy & sorry to make him self-sufficing'. Apologises for growing 'platitudinal'. John Waldegrave tells him his 'preference for memoirs to works of fiction is as certain a sign of old bachelordom as [his] cry of "Cras amet"!'

Chilswell, Boars Hill. - Pearsall Smith writes and mentions 'the increase of [Trevelyan's] name and fortune' [he had been left some money on condition he change his surname]. Delays in progress with 'Bk III' [of 'Testament of Beauty']; it is unlikely to be done before Easter.

Old Church House, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas gift of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]. Notes that Trevelyan has a 'grandson still a baby' [Philip Erasmus]; his two youngest were born in France and the United States in 1942. Has not seen either of them, though he has good news of Janet and her family; wishes he could get news of 'poor Alice' and her family in the Hague, and hopes Mrs Trevelyan does not have the 'same anxiety' about relatives; the 'want of food and fuel must be very great' and the Germans are 'merciless enemies, so wanton in cruelty & destruction'. A long time since he has heard from Trevelyan, but has some news of him through [Logan] Pearsall-Smith. [Thomas] Sturge Moore has died since Grierson saw Trevelyan and [Gordon] Luce; followed his advice and had his 'arthritic joint bolted by Messer [?] in Edinburgh', which required two operations; took a long time to feel 'any great benefit', but does have less pain. Walks with two sticks and needs help to dress and undress. Has just published a book with an 'old Oxford friend' ["A Critical History of English Poetry", published with J. C. Smith], of which the reviews are 'divided about it - & ask its purpose'; would say it had two: to 'keep our minds off the war' and perhaps provide 'a little money for our children after we have gone'. Also completed and printed lectures he had given on rhetoric in Aberdeen and Edinburgh as a small book, which seems to have sold well so far as well. Was feeling a little run down so came south with his eldest daughter [Molly]; stayed with her at Leeds for over three weeks then came here ten days ago; will probably go home after Christmas. Read Trevelyan's brother's "Social History of England" with 'great interest'. Heard only 'by accident of the death of Lady Tovey' as her brother 'had not thought fit' to send a notice to any Scottish paper, and 'we do not all read "The Times"'; liked her very much. [Donald] Tovey was a 'great loss'. Hears 'nothing' of Miss Weisse.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks Bridges for the kind letter about his book. Sends a "New Statesman" which contains an article he has written about Bridges' "Mercury" poem. Is not sure how well he has analysed Bridges' metrical method. According to Pearsall Smith, Bridges has said he was working without using a caesura, but Trevelyan himself detects a break in most lines. Gives examples where he has had difficulty with the scansion. Hopes Bridges will write more poetry of this kind.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking.- Pearsall Smith has sent the proof of Bridges' new poem ["Testament of Beauty"]. Trevelyan is very grateful to be allowed to read it, as it seems 'exceedingly fine', and glad to hear Bridges intends to continue it. Would like to keep it for another week, re-read it carefully, and send it back with his thoughts. Mentions a few lines where he has had problems with the metre.

11 St. Leonard's Terrace, SW3. - Should have thanked Bob before for the 'charming Vergil' [his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics"], which he loves; thinks the introductory verses 'one of the best things' Bob has 'ever written'. The gods could not give a 'pleasanter gift' than 'mellowing such Hesperian fruit on autumnal boughs' as Bob is doing. In return, would like to send him 'another Hesperian apple': Grierson's 'altogether delightful book on "Rhetoric [and English Composition]", if he doesn't have it. Is sending copies to his friend; it was published in an 'out-of-the-way corner' and he only heard of it by chance.

58 Southwood Lane, Highgate. N. - Logan Pearsall Smith gave her "The Bride of Dionysus" recently; the 'impulse to thank' Trevelyan is very strong. Read it herself with 'keen enjoyment', then aloud to her thirteen year old daughter [May], who loves poetry and 'would hardly consent' to her mother dividing the reading over two days. Ada also likes the shorter poems a great deal.

Ford Place, Arundel. - Thanks Trevy for the 'brilliant & delightful book' ["The New Parsifal"]: found it 'witty beyond words, dramatic & exciting' with the 'rush of splendid verse; of which Trevy is the 'only modern master'. Believes there is a 'lot of fine aesthetic thinking' in it as well. Was even more impressed when reading it than he was when he heard it read: all the things he criticised then 'justify themselves in print'. Has ordered some copies and will do what he can to 'make it known'. Asks if he should write to the 'editor of the Webb's paper, the "New Statesman"' [Clifford Sharp]; has 'no influence with the "Nation"', and supposes the "Times" is 'all right' [has been communicated with].

11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Thanks Bob for the book [his "Collected Works"], in which he has been 'browsing'; knew most of the poems already, but thinks they 'gain by being all put together', as well as showing that Bob's 'talent has many facets'. Some poems were new to him, such as the 'exquisite translation from that naughty old Strato of Sardis'. Bob should be 'cheered' that his most recent work is his best: the last epistle to Desmond [MacCarthy] is 'perfect in tone and diction', while he finds everyone thinks the elegy on Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] is 'the finest elegy written in this century'. He would have said so if he had been writing Desmond's review. Hopes Bob will 'be up soon'; congratulates him on his 'oeuvre', the 'fine mellow fruit of the ripening years'.

11 St. Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Praises Bob's 'beautiful' poem to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson, published in the "New Statesman"], and thanks him for expressing what 'we all felt for him'. Asks when he is coming to stay for the night; L[ogan] is better, though has not yet come downstairs.

11 St. Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Congratulates Bob for his 'really noble poem' about Goldie [Lowes Dickinson, published in the "New Statesman"]; does not think anyone else could have written it. Hopes Bob will come and visit soon.

1 rue Budé, IVième, Isle Saint-Louis. - Is 'ashamed' not to have answered Trevelyan's 'two kind letters' for so long a time, and 'very grateful' to him for taking so much trouble; Trevelyan's second letter reached Du Bos on the 'very day Pearsall Logan Smith [sic: Logan Pearsall Smith] was here'. Still hoped then that he might be able to carry out 'so very pleasant a plan' [see perhaps 4/195, a postcard from E. M. Luce suggesting that Du Bos could stay in her room in London while she is away in June] but regrets that he will be 'tied down to [his] work all through summer' and cannot hope to get away. Will keep Trevelyan's 'invaluable indications' and hopes he will be able to use them one day. Much regrets that Trevelyan will not, as he offered, be able to introduce him to Desmond MacCarthy: admired MacCarthy's 'article of Souvenirs on Henry James' very much; if MacCarthy ever comes to Paris, asks Trevelyan to give him his address. Was unable to go to Jelly d'Arányi's concert due to 'pressure of work'; heard through some of his friends at "La Revue Musicale" that the Bela Bartok concert was very successful, and hopes she will come to visit Paris for a longer time one day, and will 'then report herself to the Ile Saint-Louis'.

Asks if Trevelyan's article on Shelley's "Epypsychidion" has appeared in the "New Statesman": is 'very impatient' to read it. Their conversations 'two years ago and the other day' on the 'tempo' of both Keats and Shelley were 'very interesting and fruitful': is increasingly interested in that subject and feels 'starved' of it when Trevelyan is out of Paris. Is sending a 'little notice' of his "Collection d'Auteurs Etrangers" [series published under his supervision]: now seems decided they will also publish either "Heloise and Abelard" or "The Brook Kerith" by George Moore. Has seen the Countess de Rohan-Chabot; is revising B.B.s translation [into French: of one of Berenson's books on Italian art] with her and has just written to him about it. Heard an interesting lecture by Valéry at Adrienne Monnier's recently on the 'ideas of Edgar Poe'; wishes Trevelyan could have been there. [John Middleton] Murry was there and 'enjoyed it greatly'; he is 'kindly' trying to get Du Bos 'regular employement [sic]' at the "Times". Sure if Trevelyan hears of anything permanent at the "New Statesman" or elsewhere he will remember Du Bos. His wife sends 'many messages' [of regard]. Adds postscript saying they lunched with [Edmond] Jaloux recently, who asked lots of questions about Trevelyan.

25 Wellington Sq. - Is seeing the specialist tomorrow, and if pronounced well enough will join Molly in the Isle of Wight or Rachel at Rockbourne, then is giving a lecture on Lytton Strachey at the Royal Institution on 13th March. After that he may take a long holiday, since his spitting of blood is not tubercular but put down to exhaustion: would very much like to take three months, divided between a voyage and long stays with his friends, and asks if Trevelyan and Bessy could put him up for about three weeks. He would watch them working, play chess, and remember: 'remembering is now an important part of my life'. Begs Trevelyan to start the work which would delight him and is needed since 'classical education is losing its grip': a sort of 'literary Plutarch' giving lives and portraits of the Greek and Roman writers, in prose and verse. Would 'do much to keep the European tradition alive'. Is sorry Logan's [Pearsall Smith] pamphlet is aggravating.

Garricks Villa. - Is looking forward to visiting and playing chess. His address until Monday will be care of Sir Roderick Jones at Rottingdean. Wants to talk about Trevelyan's book. At least one page appears to be missing. Has seen Logan [Pearsall Smith]. Thought Trevelyan's letter to B.B delightful.

c/o Mrs Berenson, I Tatti, Settignano, Florence [headed notepaper]. - Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'living in a little villa a few hundred yards above the Berensons'; the weather is 'now perfect' after a few stormy weeks. The 'cuckoo is singing', and he heard a nightingale for the first time today. Has 'never been in Italy so late in the Spring' and finds it 'very delightful'.

Bessie and Julian seem to be having a 'very enjoyable time' in the Netherlands, with Julian making 'great friends with his younger cousins, one of whom is interested in architecture, 'Julian's chief interest just now'. Is going now into Florence for the day, to 'lunch with Loese[r], who has a villa near San Miniato, and a lot [of] beautiful things in his house'. Will 'look in on the Uffizi on the way', though it will be 'crammed with people' since it is its 'free day'.

Maynard Keynes will come here for a few days on his way home from Rome, as well as Logan Pearsall Smith (brother of Mrs Berenson) on the way back from Palestine. Everyone seems to be 'travelling about just as much, and even further than ever', so he feels 'almost a stay-at-home here'. Will spend a few days at Paris on his way home, as he has several friends there whom he would like to see.

29 Beaufort Str[eet], Chelsea. - Hears that Marsh has done well [in his civil service exams] but not 'what particular function' - colonial, military, or financial, he will choose; hopes he is 'satisfied and happy'. Sorry that Marsh could not come to Wallington, and hopes he has good hunting and fishing in Scotland. Asks what he thinks of the Czar; would like to meet 'a live deer-stalking tyrant'. Has taken Copse Cottage, near Friday's Hill [home of the Pearsall Smiths]; Bertie and Alys [Russell] left for America today, and Logan is soon leaving for Italy, so Bob will be glad of occasional company. Intends to hire a piano for Marsh and [G.E.] Moore; has four bedrooms, three sitting rooms and four sculleries. Tells Marsh to return from Scotland 'not too religious, and... without loosing [sic] your artistic instinct' as he is 'required as a patron and lover of young art to guarantee a guinea of the... fund for Roger [Fry's] exhibition at Cambridge, which will include works by Conder, Ricket[t]s, Shannon, Steer, W[alter] Sickert, Rothenstein, Maccoll, Savage, Houseman and Tonks [emphasised]. Also wants Marsh to get [Desmond] MacCarthy and [? Francis] Balfour, for whom he himself does not have addeses, to contribute; promises to do so should be sent to A[rthur] E[verett] Shipley at Christs [College Cambridge]. Has been writing letters all morning, imagining what he will look like in the new frock-coat which he is having made for the wedding of Roger [Fry] and Helen [Coombe], at which he is to be best man.