Trinity Lodge. Death of Andrew Burton, sends George Russell's autobiography.
Trinity [on college notepaper]:- Sees that his father is going to Edinburgh 'to be sworn into something'. Hopes 'all is going well with him in his office'; does not think 'the last election will have much effect, though of course it is bad'. Asks if she is coming South soon, as there is something he would like to ask her to do if she can: Charlie 'has left the books of the C[ambridge] Liberal Club', a list of members and a minute book, in London among his other books, and Robert does not think Anne would be able to find them if he asked since there are only two notebooks. If his mother is not to be in London soon, Robert will wait until he himself next comes up.
Is doing 'a good deal of work now, and getting ahead'. [H.W.?] O'Rorke is visiting for a day, before he 'starts on a journey round the world'. Robert has been to Harrow for Founder's Day, and 'had a good time'; G[eorgie] was well and 'playing footer remarkably well'. Robert 'sent off the plate' to London a while ago; supposes it arrived safely. Charlie seems to be 'enjoying himself', but is 'anxious to hear something about Cambridge'. Robert met G. [W. E.?] Russell at the [Trinity Master's] Lodge last Saturday.
18, Wilton Street, Grosvenor Place, S.W. - Is 'shocked to hear that Bobbie has gone & got married' and he did not know; sends books as a present and asks if she can kindly ensure he gets them.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wonders how Elizabeth is getting on, and whether the 'hunters' have disturbed her; the 'whole family seems to centre at Seatoller now' though expects she does not see much of C[harles] and G[eorge] during the day. Asks if they are going south soon, and how the weather has been. She and Sir George have had some country walks despite the showers. Many enquiries about Elizabeth; tells everyone she is coming in August. Hears the 'school children walked in a procession round the village & the church bells were rung on [the] wedding day'. Had a letter from George [William Erskine?] Russell about a wedding present but cannot find it; Elizabeth will find the present with the other things at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escen]t; will be 'amusing... to sort out all your belongings'. Hopes she has better news of her aunt.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Robert's address 'reads delightfully'; will be glad to see the result of his 'villegiatura'. George Russell and the Harrow masters have found a manuscript of Sir George's Juvenal parodies from 1856, and they are to be printed in the "Harrovian"; will send them to Robert. He had the 'knack of thinking in lyric' then, which he lost completely in ten years; also notable to see how 'outspoken' his attack on the 'cricket clique' was in the second half which is not to be reprinted, and that it was generally popular and brought him nothing but 'adhesion and approbation', at least 'on the surface'. They have heard from Bessie, who seems 'happily settled' at Littlehampton. Likes Robert's 'metal tray' [a gift from his travels?] which will stay at Welcombe.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has had a letter from G[eorge] Rusell asking whether Macaulay was the first English writer to use the word 'tact' 'in its usual sense of a moral quality', rather than to mean 'physical touch'. Asks whether Murray's dictionary [the OED] goes so far, or whether Robert can shed light on the question. Has checked Johnson's "Dictionary", which does not have the word, while Worcester's of 1849 gives no quotations. The hay has been 'piked within the fortnight', a record time, and they are now 'praying for rain'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for having taken so much trouble; wanted to show George Russell that he had looked into his question [about whether Macaulay was first to use 'tact' for a moral quality, see 12/273] properly, and has sent him Robert's letter. Encloses a cutting showing where Macaulay used 'cabful'; cannot yet identify the other quotation. [Walter] Runciman, his wife, and Edward Grey drove over yesterday for the day. Grey is 'tranquil and not unhappy in his retirement'; has had great trials, including the 'violent deaths of such a wife, and such a brother', his ill health, failing eyesight, and the destruction by fire of the house he loved; he is now 'most eager about books'
Letters from Oscar Browning, Sir Geoffrey Butler, H. M. Butler, Randall Davidson, Lord Durham, George W. E. Russell, G. P. Gooch, J. L. Hammond, R. G. Longman, Charlotte Lilas Ramsay, George Trevelyan and including a letter to Gordon Butler from A. W. R. D.
"Responsive plea to a simplex querula by H M Butler" relating to Russell's life of Edward King.
Letters dated 30 Jan. 1906 and 26 June 1908. Accompanied by an offprint, "Three Sisters" by The Right Hon. G. W. E. Russell, reprinted from "The Commonwealth".
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Got Elizabeth's card this morning; almost hoped it would 'summon' her back [since the baby is due]; she and Sir George go [to Welcombe] by the 12.15 train. London is 'most gloomy' and the streets and shops are unpleasantly crowded. All that needs to be done is for Mckenzie to come and 'look down [Sir George's] ear'. Charles came yesterday evening; looked tired; hopes to leave on Thursday. Pauline 'can just walk'; Mary is well. Originally encloses a letter from Lady Rendel which 'may amuse' Elizabeth. Has seen nobody in town but H[umphry?] Ward and 'G. Russell' [George W. E. Russell?] whom she met whilst 'rushing about all day'.
18 Wilton Street, S.W.