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Letter declining invitation to the 1905 Apostles' dinner.

Has mentioned to Nora's sister Alice that he had 'once or twice got letters from [Henry]', which might be of interest to her; one of them related to some difficulties he had raised about women's degrees at Cambridge. Regrets to say that he has not been able to find them, and fears that they may have been mislaid or have perished in the course of various clearances of his house. Undertakes to send them to Nora if he comes across them, and adds that the missing letters only amount to two or three. Remarks that it must be 'a profound satisfaction' to all Henry's friends that Nora has been able to recover so much, and also what a difficult task it must be to arrange the lectures on European politics. Reports that he is 'weathering the winter well', and that they spent 'two delightful Sundays at Whittingehame the previous month. Sends Rose's love.

Announces that his brother William is not coming to them, and states that he 'could probably pursue Truth before Christmas 23rd or 24th if those days were fixed - and equally any days after Xmas.' Asks him to let him know when anything is settled. Announces that he shall see Butcher in Oxford 'on Saturday 14th or Monday 16th and shall urge him to come to [them] on 18th or 19th'. Undertakes to telegraph to Myers when he knows what Butcher is to do.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Would be delighted if Robert could come for Roosevelt's visit from 4-6 June; sorry that they will not have room for Elizabeth. Has been asked by the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge to chair the selection committee for the new professorship of English; [Samuel] Butcher, MP for the University, is vice-chairman; has declined the chair, but joined the committee and sent a large subscription; Lord Tennyson is to be chairman 'as the next literary name to Macaulay'.

Trusts that Myers' impression of Mrs F[ay] is 'the true one', and undertakes to try to clear her behaviour of suspiciousness as far as possible, if 'R[ayleigh?]' asks his advice. Asks Myers if he would like 'R' 'in the other business' if he won't go in for Mrs Fay'. States that he has asked Butcher to sound Leaf. Asks who is the Newcastle party, and how Myers proposes to commence the negotiations. Asks when 'the Indescribable' [Mrs Fay's stage act was 'The Indescribable Phenonemon'] will appear again in public. Reports that there is a Professor [E.H.?] Palmer 'who says he can do all her tricks: and has promised [Sidgwick] that he will...' States that he wishes to go once more 'and see what they are.'

Reports that Butcher has suggested that Walter Leaf would like to join Myers' concern. Claims that he 'would be admirable in every thing except youth', and is 'very thoughtful, clear, unimpassioned; and his father swims in Gold.' Asks for Myers' opinion.

Accompanied by the obituary notice for Butcher in The Times of 30 Dec. 1910.

Sunnyhill, St Stephen's Road, Bournemouth - Thanks him for the first section of the GB, and congratulates both him and Mrs Frazer, for he knows 'how eagerly she watches all that you do'; asks him to attend section II of the British Academy on the 22nd to ensure a quorum for [A. E.] Housman's nomination, in view of the recent deaths of [John] Peile, [John] Mayor, [Samuel] Butcher.

[8 Tavistock Square]. Compulsory Greek, experience of making Greek optional in Scottish schools, Cambridge Ordinary Degree "has fallen lower than any degree in the kingdom".

Invites him, at the behest of friends of T.C.D. in Cambridge, to take the chair at the meeting on 2 March.

Begins mid-sentence stating that [his brother George's book "The Age of Wycliffe"] is 'a good piece of history', which shows up John of Gaunt as 'a sort of 14th century Taman[n]y ring boss'. Also recommends Rostand's "Les Romanesques", which he read recently and things is even better than "Cyrano". Cannot think of any more modern books for the moment; fears his list is 'chiefly composed of friends' and relations' books'; [Roger] Fry is also bringing out his book on Bellini soon, which is well worth getting. Asks Elizabeth to tell Mrs Grandmont that the Frys would like her to visit when she is in England; gives their address. He himself is getting a house near Dorking at Westcott, and will move in September, when he will be within a mile of the Frys; the house he is giving up at Haslemere is, though, very beautiful.

Supposes she has been back from Taormina a while; asks her to send some photographs, especially the ones of 'Mrs. Cacc. [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan] and the dogs' and himself in the loggia. The last few days of scirocco were 'a great bore', but he almost forgives it for preventing the trip up Monte Xerito as it 'made [them] those splendid waves among the rocks'; it also 'put [Elizabeth's] fiddle out of sorts' though, so he could not hear any more Bach suites. Heard Isaye [sic: Ysaÿe] play one yesterday, as well as the Mendelsohn concerto; he was in good form, and he will hear him again playing the Beethoven. Is having a musical week, as he has already seen Paderewski, for the first time, and will hear [Wagner's] "Tristram" tomorrow. 'Paddy was great fun, at all events to look at'; thinks he played a Chopin concerto better than the Beethoven. Spends most of his time at the British Museum library when he is in London; has found a translation of [Joost van den] Vondel there by a Dutch American; it is 'very conscientious and scholarly' but he does not think much of the blank verse; still, he can now go on where Elizabeth left off. Would like to know when Mrs G[randmont] is coming to England, and if Elizabeth is likely to be in London so he can 'make a display of [his] extensive and profound knowledge of Italian painting in the National Gallery'. Not sure whether he is going to Bayreuth yet; discusses times he could come to Holland.

Suggests older books she should read: Keats's letters, most of which are available in Sidney Colvin's edition though he advises getting Buxton Forman's four volume edition with the poetry; Butcher and Lang's translation of the "Odyssey"; Meinhold's "Sidonia the Sorceress" and "Amber Witch", translated by Lady Wilde and Lady Duff Gordon. Could lend her all of these books, as well as [Henry James's] "In a Cage" and his brother and father's books . Asks her to write with news and to say when would be best for him to come to Holland; he will write soon to the Grandmonts when he sends them [Thomas Sturge?] Moore's book. Thinks he remembers Elizabeth said she had never read Jane Austen; she should read them all, especially "Mansfield Park", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma". Breaks off mid -sentence: 'by advising to...': 9/71 forms the rest of the letter.

A portion of what seems to be a poem by Robert Trevelyan based on the "Mahabharata", with some explanatory notes, is found with this letter but not referred to in it

Brookthorpe, Gloucester. Thanks him for her kind words about the memoir; recalls the pride and pleasure F. W. Maitland took in being made an Honorary Fellow of Trinity; is sorry to hear of Professor Butcher's illness; thanks him for his kindness in entertaining Fredegond.