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47 Greenbank Road, Birkenhead. - Thanks Trevelyan for the proofs of “Sisyphus”, though he has not yet had time to read beyond the first few scenes, and for promising to send him the opera when it is bound. Sends a new poem. Has given up his novel, and is substantially reworking his play. Has taken up regular work on a “local newsrag” which is taking up much of his time, but novel-writing would be more of a drain. Has an idea for a book in three parts: “A Treatise on Love, in Several Doctrines and Examples in the form of Interludes”; sends the first completed piece. Is to be married in January. Asks how Tovey’s music is going, and when the operas will be given a hearing. Met Binyon recently and was surprised to find he did not like music and so looked askance on Trevelyan’s experiment, but otherwise found him charming. Is sorry to have kept Tovey’s analyses (which he greatly enjoyed) and the Moores so long.

Returns to the letter on 27 Nov and is greatly apologetic for not having returned the books and acknowledged the proofs. Has been very busy with newspaper work, but is also prone to procrastination. Praise of “Sisyphus”. Asks if Trevelyan has seen [? Esmé Cecil] Wingfield Stratford’s book, and whether he knows who the author of “Queen Marianne” and “Borgia” is [Michael Field, pseudonym of Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper]. Sudden death of Abercrombie’s father in August. Asks if the “45” could be returned quite soon, as he would like to get it published.

Grand Hotel, Prades. - Has just received her note and thanks her for informing her of the gravity of the state of their dear friend[Donald Tovey, see 2/2]; hopes he will overcome this new crisis. Will write to him as if he knows nothing of the situation.

Prades. - He understands the joy she takes in her nephew's company: Joachim is 'un garcon et un artiste de premiere ordre', and strongly resembles his father. His feeling for the [Prades] Festival, and his collaboration, are very important to Casals. Is happy about the arrangement for Robert Trevelyan's library [at Birkbeck College, London], it is just the right tribute to his memory. His compatriot Corredor is preparing a book of conversations with him: Röntgen, Tovey and Moór will figure as both great musicians and friends. Thinks Corredor will strike the right note. He is in the middle of preparations for the festival; many of the musicians have already arrives. Knows she would enjoy the music and the atmosphere.

K[ing's] C[ollege] C[ambridge]. - Ironically praises his own typing. Wasn't well when he saw Julian; wonders why he stays in England when the weather is so dreadful. Supposes Bessie will feel Munro's play is 'not a play', though he thinks it is good; certainly it is 'good propaganda'. Is going to Bob's opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] in April, but otherwise has no firm plans. Roger [Fry] has gone to France. Danille [?] came to Cambridge yesterday and is 'very friendly and nice.'

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Left Rome a fortnight ago and has been settled at home for ten days, so is afraid she cannot help Bessie's 'singing friend' [Jeanne Salomonson Asser?]. Does not think she knows any musical people in Rome, and would not have thought it a very promising place to go, but expects the friend has 'good introductions'. Found it 'simply splendid' to return to her babies; Theo's talking has come on a great deal. Would love to see Paul again; thinks he looked 'too duckish' in the picture Bessie send to Caroline at Christmas; jealous that his hair seems to be curlier than Theo's. Mary is becoming 'more & more of a personage', and turns three next month; Janet exclaims she will 'soon have to be thinking about religious instruction!' Asks whether Bessie and Bob are both coming up for Donald Tovey's first concert on 12 February; would be good if they dined at Cheyne Gardens first; sure George will want to go - or she will make him want to. He returns next Friday, having had to stay on to work. Sends love to Bob and 'a kiss to the Dutchman' [Paul].

Originally enclosing some stamps, many given to him by Nicky Mariano at Florence; some of the unused Italian 'Croce Rossa / Red Cross' ones are war-time stamps no longer in circulation, which may do for 'swaps'. Elizabeth will have told Julian that they are delaying starting for the Netherlands for a few days, as the [Donald] Toveys are visiting.

Furzen Wood, Abinger Common, near Dorking. - Has been sent some money for Julian's furniture, which he has paid into the account at Drummond's. Elizabeth has had to put off her visit to the Netherlands because of her 'nose-bleeding', which is 'not serious but a nuisance'; expects she will be able to go in a week or two. Is 'fairly right again' now himself, though gets tired if he does too much. They went to London on Wednesday for Donald [Tovey]'s first concert with Adila [Fachiri], who played a Bach sonata with Donald's new Dolmetsch harpsichord - though this could not be heard at all, 'as Adila would not play softly, though she said she did', and the Wigmore Hall 'swallowed up the poor harpsichord's jangling in its unacoustic maw'. The rest of the concert went well. Sorry to hear that Shahid [Suhrawardy] is ill and hopes it is not serious; supposes this may prevent him going to India. Hopes [Aleksandr] Kalitinski is better. Is going to see his [translation of Sophocles'] "Antigone" 'performed, or misperformed, by Terence [Gray]' at Cambridge; has kept away from rehearsals so is 'not responsible'. Has begun work again on an epistle to [Arthur] Waley and 'plugging away at [translating] Lucretius'. Must write to [Hugh?] Sykes soon to see when he can come to talk about it. He and Bessie are 'both quite cheerful, in spite of noses and operations'; the Allens [Clifford and Joan] also seem all right, though they have to take [their daughter] Polly up to London every other day for eye exercises. Hopes Julian's 'frescoe [sic] project will flourish'; warns him not to fall off the scaffold 'like Barna [da Siena] at San Geminiano [San Gimignano]'. Asks to be remembered to [George] Reavey, and hopes he has recovered.

Sends the address of the hotel where B.B. [Bernard Berenson] and Nicky [Mariano] are staying in Paris, though Julian may not return soon enough to see them. [Hasan] Suhrawardy is in Paris so Julian will see him; gives his new telephone number. Originally enclosing a cutting from the "Man[chester] Guardian", though Julian has probably heard more about it. Expects he will go abroad early in December. [Donald] Tovey is better; may come to the Shiffolds for a while with his nurse next month. C.A. [Clifford Allen] is 'also fairly well', though he has 'become very critical of the P.M. [Ramsay MacDonald] and will soon probably criticise him openly'; all this though is too complicated for a letter. Hopes Julian's film is going well and that the weather will allow him to finish it this year. He and Bessie are both 'quite well'. Has not been able to get an answer from [Hugh] Sykes Davies, so will have to go to Cambridge soon to see him.

If Julian is back in Paris, he should try to see [Bernard] Berenson at once, as he will be leaving soon. Also hopes he will soon see [Hasan] Suhrawardy, who has been back in Paris for a while. Wishes that Suhrawardy could come to England, as he is not sure when he himself will go abroad but it might not be until almost Christmas or later. Fears Suhrawardy might not have enough money to visit, and would be glad to send him some but does not like to ask, especially as he sent some for Andrusha [Kalitinsky]'s expenses at university in Zurich. Might be best to wait until he can see Suhrawardy in Paris, but would be glad to hear how he is. Would be delighted to put up Julian at any time. Donald [Tovey] has just come with [his wife] Clara and a nurse, and will stay for at least two weeks; he is much better, but not well enough to return to Edinburgh this winter. Bessie is well, and C.A. [Clifford Allen] has recovered. Is trying to write a 'prose story, having renounced the Muses for the time at least', but expects they will come back to 'torment' him again; writing prose is 'much more fun than writing verse'', but dialogue is 'the devil'.

Glad Julian is having such a good time in Spain. Betty Chetwynd wrote recently saying that she was going to Paris on 1 Oct, so recommends that Julian write to her about bringing the parcel of drawings and canvasses. Betty Muntz's sister Hope is also going to Paris soon, so Julian could write to her; recommends he meet her, as they should get on. [Lascelles] Abercrombie is still 'rather well', as is [his daughter] Elizabeth. Donald [Tovey] is finishing scoring his cello concerto, and will leave on Tuesday. C.A. [Clifford Allen] is very well but [his wife] less so. Had a 'pleasant' week at Wallington and Hallington. Bessie is well, but 'a bit over-driven with all our guests and invalids'.

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.

The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Sorry to miss seeing Julian and Ursula; hopes they will have a good time at [?] Grunnock. He and Bessie had a good time at Wallington. Has not yet 'carried off the Botticelli Dante drawings' [see 12/28], though spoke to Charles; he was 'quite nice about it' though Bob thinks he rather likes the book being there. Has taken measurements to see if it will fit on the shelves at the Shiffolds, which he doubts; doesn't want to put it out on a table, and wonders whether Julian would like to have it in London. It had better stay at Wallington for the moment. Bessie comes home tomorrow, but will probably go to Wallington again in September. Wonders whether Julian has seen [Maria] Germanova again, and if he has found out if she is having difficulties with her rent. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy has written him a 'disconsolate letter'; seemed to think it was unlikely he could come to Europe this year. Hopes to see Julian when he comes South. He and Bessie are probably visiting the [Donald] Toveys at Hedenham around the 25th. Thinks Bessie is 'very well'; she takes her breakfast in bed at half eight; Julian will have to have the '8 o clock breakfast at Wallington' if he goes there.

Addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Thinks Bessie has let Julian know by telegraph that the Toveys [Donald and Clara] are leaving on Friday morning, so if he wants to see them he would have to cross to England on Wednesday to be at the Shiffolds for Thursday afternoon; this may not be possible. Glad Julian has seen the Waterfields [Lina and Aubrey]. Heard from [Maria] Germanova last week. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy seems 'all right'. Afraid Julian missed B.B. [Bernard Berenson] at Florence and Paris too.

Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Sorry to have kept [Peter] Rybar's "Prelude and Fugue" for so long, which shows a 'great natural talent for counterpoint in a classical language'. Wishes he could give 'more definite advice': Rybar shows no sign of a liking for modern music, but would need 'a lot of the dullest grammatical training before his work could become masterly', which at his age he would find 'disgusting', yet Tovey doubts whether he could 'assimilate a training in a modern style'. If at the age of twenty-four his 'mind is as 18th-century as this composition', it is too broad 'for the narrow modern disciplines that are the only alternatives to anarchy'. Thinks he himself could keep him interested if he could teach him at Edinburgh. [Paul] Hindemith has the 'most disciplined mind in all modern music', and Rybar should definitely study with him 'if politics permitted', though Tovey does not know what the result would be; Rybar seems to have an 'excellent violinist's ear, but a mere pianoforte-keyboard ear for fine detail in polyphony'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Elizabeth for her 'affectionate letter'; they enjoyed her stay very much' and miss her and Julian. Kept careful watch the day Elizabeth was away, and does not think she needs worry about 'the management of the child'; he is happy with her [Miss Evans?] and 'not a bit frightened or suppressed'. True that her manners are 'bad, & very worrying', but she recommends putting up with them until 'a change of regime is desirable'. Julian is very well behaved, and only 'talks too continuously'; fears it runs in the family. Did not see anything in the papers about the concert, so was glad to hear the symphony was a success; things are difficult for composers at the moment, and she hopes Mr [Donald] Tovey will be recognised in the future. A postscript notes that they are looking out for Robert's book ["The Foolishness of Solomon"?].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is glad Elizabeth thinks Julian better for his visit; he and Miss B[arthorp] were very happy. Sure his stories are funny, as he '"recounts" very well indeed'. Hopes it will be cooler by Tuesday, when they go to The Park; will go to Wall[ington] on Friday. Annie [Philips] seems to be getting better. Thinks Elizabeth's illness may have been gastric influenza, which she hears is going around; hopes she has recovered now. Sir George is 'not very bright' and needs a change. They went to the village yesterday to pay some goodbye visits; people seemed 'genuinely sorry' they were leaving. Glad Mrs Tovey is better; asks if the Toveys will go north soon. Mary is in London; Booa [Mary Prestwich] is away, she hopes she is resting and enjoying herself. Sends a message to Julian that she will look at the linnets [?] this evening when it is cooler.

Palace Hotel, Rome. - Very glad Elizabeth has found a suitable nurse; was sorry to see Nurse Withers has not yet found 'an infant' to go to; it has all been very troublesome, and 'the little scamp' [Julian] will never know. Hopes the new nurse will be firm with him; does not think Nurse Withers had any 'personal influence'. Caroline is recovering quickly; she still coughs and cannot do much, but has 'insisted' on going out once a day since the weather is 'glorious'; they went to the Forum yesterday morning, and today plans to go out for a drive and walk after lunch. They have a 'nice "apartment"' on the fifth floor with a fine view. Mrs Severn writes to ask if Elizabeth 'would be interested in a young lady violinist'; Caroline is sure she will not, but encloses Mrs Severn's letter anyway [no longer present]. The concerts are over. Glad Mr [Donald] Tovey is well; hopes 'the great [Sophie] Weisse is behaving more easily'. Aunt Annie [Philips] enjoyed her visit to Elizabeth and thought Julian looked well. Robert will soon be back; hopes Mr and Mrs [Gordon] Bottomley are 'comfortably settled', and asks if Bottomley is better than last year. She and Sir George expect Charles and Mary, who are staying at a small hotel nearby, on Friday; is disappointed that she will not be able to 'scold' Mary for 'doing too much, and making herself ill' as she supposes she has done the same. Asks her to tell Robert they are glad he went to Casa Magni [the Shelleys home at San Terenzo, Lerici]; the three poets [Bob, Abercrombie and Gibson] 'should all have written a poem on it, that evening!'.

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.

Y.M.C.A. postcard, no address given. - Has posted the Bach volume back to her today, and thanks her for the loan; the 'soldier boys have loved the pastorale' [see also 18/11] which he has played for them four times. They 'do not entirely lack discrimination, as certain purveyors of cheap and nasty music (?) [sic]' would claim. Sends regards to the Trevelyans and to [Donald] Tovey.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Mr [William] Hadow of Oxford, and their 'very musical friends' Mr and Mrs Napier Miles of Kings Weston are visiting for the weekend of 14-16 August, when Donald [Tovey] is staying with the Trevelyans; Donald has encouraged him to invite them to join the party. Knows she will be pleased that he has arranged for Madame Noordevier to sing at the concert on 24 November. His wife may possible have to 'prolong her stay over there [at Bad Schlangen for a cure, see 18/27] beyond the middle of August' and would be sorry to miss Mrs Trevelyan if so.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Has a 'great favour to ask': as Donald [Tovey] knows, Beethoven's arrangement of a string quartet from his C minor Piano Trio is to be performed in a forthcoming concert. Would like to include a 'most amusing and interesting story' relating to the piece, which can be found in Thayer's "[Life of] Beethoven" and of which he encloses a typed copy [now no longer present]. As explained to Donald, would like to include a 'translation or adaptation' of this anecdote in a leaflet for the performance, and asks whether she, Bob and Donald could 'get the whole thing into shipshape' for him; another enclosure [also no longer present] is a 'rough translation' by him of Beethoven's 'amusing inscription on the title page' which might be a guide, though it needs improvement. Needs the translation before Donald goes abroad, as it must be printed in September. Love to all from Tonia and himself.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sorry that Elizabeth is having such a long wait (before giving birth); glad she likes the nurse. Has been busy talking things over with Booa [Mary Prestwich]; went for a long walk with Sir George yesterday afternoon. Brief discussion of blanket patterns and knitting stitches. Glad Alice went to the dance, 'as now both the girls have had an outing'. Thinking having a tea party for the 'gardiners [sic] & people close here about' but they have not yet settled this; the 'school tree [or treat?]' is on 4 January. Sir George began work today; he is well, but whenever she returns after being away she 'can't help seeing how old he looks!'; he keeps up too many fires for Caroline's comfort. Hope Robert could talk to Mr [Donald] Tovey; supposes he will take on the work [the libretto for Tovey's "The Bride of Dionysus"?]. Hearne [the butler] went to a concert in the village last night 'with the girls' and says it was 'very good'. Sir George very indignant with the Lords; she is sure it is 'the beginning of a long struggle'. Glad Robert is reading aloud to Elizabeth.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad that Elizabeth has heard of some nurses who may suit her, but sorry that she has this trouble. Good that Julian is so well; she and Sir George hope to visit in October and see him. Thinks [E. M.] Forster must be interesting, since his novels are 'so clever & original', though she does not think he manages plot well. Has been reading [Myra Kelly's] "Little Aliens", about 'the little Jew children in America', which is 'pretty & funny; but quite slight'. Sorry Mr [Donald] Tovey is not progressing quickly, but it must require much work to write the music for an opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]; probably best that it will not be put on next summer, as 'the world will be simply mad over the Coronation'. George's children are 'much improved': Mary has shown no signs of temper; Theo is 'passionate occasionally' but still young, and a 'very nice boy'; [Humphry] seems quite strong now.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sure Julian, and Humphry, will be better for losing their curls, though this is always a 'sad change'. Caroline has 'left him in charge' of Molly, and Charles, who is enjoying a 'very long weekend, while the Constitution is crashing in London'. Very interested in the score of the opera [Robert and Donald Tovey's "The Bride of Dionysus"?] and book of poems, whenever it comes out; doubts the autumn is a good time for publishing poetry. Wrote a long note on the Montcalm letter in the 8th volume of [Carlyle's] Frederick, but is not sure whether to put it in his book. Is reading [Albert] Vandal's Avènement de Bonaparte, which is 'most admirable'. Sends love to Elizabeth; dreamed recently about the Queen of the Netherlands.

Garrick's. - Thanks Trevelyan for sending the manuscript: she liked the piece on the Wallington Ponds, as well as that on the making of the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] which captured Donald's [Tovey] personality vividly. Recommends him to dwell more on the story and the characters of the opera. Desmond has been 'beset' with things he has to read, so she is sending the manuscript back for now. Currently has no servant, who is ill in hospital but will return in July, and is tired. Is enclosing subscription money for the "Abinger Chronicles".

7 Longwall, Oxford. - Thanks the Trevelyans for their invitation: would very much like to stay the night. Asks if Trevelyan has a copy of the poem which he could spare for a few days, since she would like to show a friend who would be a good judge of her translation [of "The Bride of Dionysus"]; if so, asks him to send it c/o Dr Hoernlé, 8 Northmoor Road, Oxford. Agrees it is 'extraordinary' how differently the work goes from day to day. Will send Trevelyan the M.S.S. Lucky that Tovey is able to come at the beginning of August.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Asks Trevelyan to let her know what he and Tovey thought of Act III [her German translation of their "Bride of Dionysus"]; supposes Tovey will be soon starting his term at Edinburgh. Wonders what he was working at when staying with Trevelyan, and whether Miss Weisse has returned or if they have received news of her. Has received some news about her own mother and niece and so is less anxious about them for the present. Is staying with Mrs Sickert, who is not very well; it is a 'comfort' to be with friends whose hearts, like hers, 'are so much in both countries'. Robert is also ill; hopes they will both recover soon. Leonhard is a special constable and 'takes his truncheon for a walk' for four hours each morning.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Her friend in Berlin, Anna Henschke, does not feel she can 'undertake the musical part of the opera' [Trevelyan and Donald Tovey's "The Bride of Dionysus"] so she would like to suggest Marie Busch: Oswald agrees she is very promising. Will write to her if Trevelyan is happy with the idea. Agrees that the translator must be musical and able to follow the score; it would be good to be able to consult Tovey as well, and she believes that Marie Busch knows him. Hopes Anna will return the copy from Longmans which she sent to Berlin.

Does not know why Trevelyan has not received the enclosed [now missing: an invitation for Fry's exhibition at the Alpine Club?]: Trevelyan's father says he cannot come but has the dates wrong. Is fascinated by [Forster's] "The Longest Journey": reminds him more of Gorky than anything else. Logan [Pearsall Smith], however, 'kicks at it'. Is going to Perugia tomorrow for the Exhibition ["Mostra di antica arte umbra"]. Helen is much better. Does not think they will manage the Tovey concerts this time. A postscript notes that [William John?] Evelyn will not agree to the necessary improvements, so the Frys are still househunting.

Hôtel de Londres, 3 rue Bonaparte, Paris. - The hotel is near Luce's École des Langue Orientales and Collège de France; it was good of Bessie to send the addresses, which they may use after Christmas, but none of them are as convenient as the hotel. Expects Trevelyan to stay several days with them on his way to Italy, and asks if he should engage a room. He and Teetee entreat Bessie to come as well. Is glad the Aeschylus is to be performed [Trevelyan's translation of the "Oresteia", performed at the Cambridge Festival Theatre]; hopes Tovey's score arrived. Asks in a postscript if Trevelyan could bring him some Murray's Mellow Mixture tobacco.