Florence; addressed to Bob at The Mill House, Westcott, Nr. Dorking. - Leaving on Saturday or Sunday for Siena, where they do not expect to spend more than a week, before going on to Pisa and Milan. His book ["Giovanni Bellini"] has been attacked by '[Charles] Loeser & Co who think they will be dealing a blow at B.B. [Bernard Berenson]'; it seems to be 'humorous'; though the point they make is 'ridiculous'. He and Helen went on an expedition with Mrs [Janet] Ross, whom they like very much. Bob must tell them when and where to expect him.
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.
22 Lungarno Acciajuoli, Florence. - Is glad Trevelyan is coming out to Italy: they must meet. Trevelyan must not be discouraged by his current difficulties. When B.B. and he were discussing Moore's book [Thomas Sturge Moore's "The Vinedresser and Other Poems"?], Berenson said he found 'far more poetry... and sense of beauty' in Trevelyan's. Has had letter from Binyon: hopes Trevelyan will see him before he comes abroad, as the 'whole business' [the quarrel over the publication of Fry's book on Bellini, see 4/28] must end soon. The 'Frullinites' are being 'chary': it's best to visit them rather than stay; has met Loeser whose personality makes Berenson's attitude understandable.