Showing 14 results

Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Has been 'out composing verses in a tempest'. Glad she is having happy dreams; suggests analyses for her one about the cicalas [9/26]. Quotes from Moore on sleep [Thomas Sturge Moore, "To An Early Spring Day"]. Sorry that her aunt's recovery is not speedier. Will send a letter to her tomorrow. Does not like Mrs Costelloe 'in many ways', but does not condemn her for 'refusing to live with Costelloe' who seems to have been 'almost impossible to live with', though she should not have been 'taken in' by him; thinks her and [Bernard] Berenson's relationship is 'as nice as those sort of relations can be'; discusses her influence on him. Supposes he will see Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] at Florence; explains the nature of their friendship further. He and Lina are on 'very good terms' again, and she likes his poem about her pet bat ["The Lady's Bat"], though it is not yet finished.

Continues the letter next day; has read most of the editor's letter in the paper sent by Bessie's uncle [in a Dutch paper, to the Duke of Devonshire, see 9/26]; thinks he is 'in the main right' but knows 'little of the facts, except what he has gathered from English writers who disapprove of the [Second Boer] war' such as Bryce, Hobson, Lecky and Courtney; since he has 'ornamented his columns with many not very apt quotations' Bob as a poet ought not to be too hard on him. Thinks he will spend two days with Berenson at Florence, since it is unlikely Mrs Costelloe will be back; has not yet heard from his mother about crossing with Bessie and the letter may not have reached her. Asks him his plans suit Bessie. Is torn between Venus and Apollo, and 'Apollo has all the nine young ladies [the Muses] on his side'.

Trinity, Cambridge [on college notepaper]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Is glad that Charlie is well and returning tomorrow; his 'Tripos [result] is published next Wednesday'. Robert finished his 'Mays' last Friday; does not think he has done very well in all of them, though has 'done some of the subjects carefully'. He and his friends have decided to go to 'a place called Seatoller... in the centre of the Lakes'. [Robin?] Mayor will 'come and coach for the last three weeks'.

[Arthur?] George Peel is in Cambridge, and Robert has just given him lunch; Muggins has also been here for most of the week. The [boat] races are taking place, and 'there is great excitement' about whether '1st Trinity will bump the Hall and become head of the river'. The Duke [of Devonshire] has been here to be installed [as Chancellor of the University]; he 'looks very wicked'. Morley, Chamberlain, Roby and Webster are here as well to take honorary degrees. Hopes his father is well, and that 'everything is going well in Northumberland' [for the general election?].

Adds a postscript saying that he expects to go down next Thursday, possibly Wednesday; is sorry his mother cannot go to Welcombe.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Much enjoying their time with Elizabeth and Julian, who is very dear, 'the six year old child whom Southey says that everyone should have in the house'. Caroline is not much better; they gave up going to London some time ago and he hopes very much that she will be able to travel to Welcombe. The correspondence between [Joseph] Chamberlain and [Henry] Labouchere is 'most curious'; discusses Chamberlain's split from Gladstone. The correspondence between Lord Hartington, Balfour and others in the biography of Hartington from Balfour's premiership is also 'extraordinarily interesting' and revelatory as to 'the difficulties which preceded that utter rout of the Tory party in 1906'. It is Charles's birthday.

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Thinks her aunt is very slightly better; her uncle also seems a little less nervous; they have had the satisfactory news from Florence that Bramine [Hubrecht] arrived last Wednesday to find Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] had no fever and is improving fast; they are thinking of going to Taormina together on 15 [Jan]; a shame it is not a little later, otherwise Bob might meet them at Naples on the way back. Tells Bob to spend a few days at Florence if he likes to see [Bernard] Berenson; asks if Mrs [Mary] Costelloe is not back then; saw a picture of 'the late Mr [Frank] Costelloe the other day and wondered if he was a relation; thinks it must be 'a curious & rather distorted kind of relation' between Berenson and Mary Costelloe. Asks if Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] is back in Florence; very glad that Bob is relieved about her after her nice letter; does want to talk to him about the matter since he says there are 'reasons why he ought to have told [Lina about his engagement]' and she wants to understand. Her uncle has sent Bob a Dutch paper containing a letter from the editor to the Duke of Devonshire; is not sure why exactly, but Bob might study some Dutch in it, in order to be 'quite prepared to Vondel' her on his return. Her aunt's birthday is on 15 Jan; would be good if Bob wrote to her, especially as he hasn't wished them for Christmas or New Year. Had a lovely dream last night, in which she and Bob were at Ede and heard a 'wonderful concert of cicala's [sic] in the trees' with which her uncle was quite unimpressed. Returns to the letter next day; really thinks her aunt has improved. Finishes the following day, apologising for having so little of interest to say.

Nine letters.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for his letter [46/333]and discussion of [Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke]: Sir George has never alluded to Dilke's action [refusing the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland], and the journalists have noticed his silence; quotes Robert's letter on Dilke's possible motives, and notes Dilke himself said he would not take the post unless in the Cabinet. Spencer [Cavendish?] was in the Cabinet, but 'Freddy Cavendish' not. Dilke was always friendly, though Sir George does not remember him 'taking any part whatever about Ireland'; Dilke's close ally [Joseph] Chamberlain was 'conspicuously helpful and loyal' to Sir George throughout his time in Ireland, showing 'much delicacy, and self-suppression'. Agrees completely with Robert's praise of George's book [History of England].

Julian, and the family, are lucky to have 'such books, read by such a reader' [Elizabeth]; Great Expectations is a 'striking' result of a return 'to legitimate methods of authorship'. Grouse-shooting today for 'practically' the first time this year, since Charles has been very busy; will make sure that Robert and Elizabeth get some birds. Last Thursday marked the sixth full week of his medical treatment; the 'local injury' [to his hand] is almost better, but he is in general much weaker. Is reading through [Xenophon's] Hellenica for the first time, after finishing Thucydides.

The University Senate can expect a speedy response to its question relating to one of the University statutes.

Letters, from both scholars and members of the public, regarding W. Aldis Wright's editions of Shakespeare (including collaborations with W. G. Clark) as well as notes on the texts and suggested emendations. Some letters with no addressee may have been written to W. G. Clark. Correspondents include E. B. Cowell, F. J. Furnivall, C. M. Ingleby, H.A.J. Munro, W. W. Skeat, Duncan Tovey, and the 8th Duke of Devonshire. Some notes by Julius Lloyd and Lionel Booth.

Arrangements for a visit by Aldis Wright to consult books at Devonshire House.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - He and Caroline are very pleased with what Robert says about Charles's intended marriage [to Mary Bell]; they are 'delighted' by Charles's happiness and 'freedom from restlessness'. [All their sons] are 'very nicely settled now'; hopes the plans for Robert and Elizabeth's new house come about. They have Sir John and Lady Evans, the [Thomas?] Hogkins, [Herbert Woodfield?] Paul, and the Henry Gregs; Greg is their trustee, 'a very nice, clever fellow, and a good liberal'. Went to put out his 'best blue tie' in their honour, and was reminded of Elizabeth by 'a faint, delightful fragrance'; regrets not having asked her to play for him more often. Glad Robert saw Arthur Coleridge, 'the most pleasant - perhaps the most characteristic' of a large family in which each generation is 'pervaded with a certain intellectual and emotional flavour'. Is anxious about politics: fears the Duke of Devonshire 'may have a great deal to answer for' and the 'end of his career may be very disgraceful to his glorious name'. Is reading the fourth book of [Cicero's] "De Finibus" and wishes to discuss some ideas about ancient philosophy with Robert.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes Elizabeth has had a good crossing, and will be 'all the better for her tour'; glad she enjoyed it; they are 'nothing but a sop', like the rest of the world, because of the 'deluge'. Is glad that Charles is 'speaking so boldly and closely on this great question [of tariff reform]' and wishes some of his 'elders' would do the same; the Duke of Devonshire behaved 'honourably, but most stupidly', and the way in which he was 'taken in' by Balfour and Chamberlain was well foreseen; he could have stopped Chamberlain 'capturing the Cabinet' if he had acted promptly and sharply. George went to town today; Charles left yesterday.