Ajanta. - Is not actually at Ajanta, but has recently been there, thinking about Trevelyan and Goldie [Dickinson]. Was successful, on his third attempt, in seeing the caves and spent a whole day there with the curator. Discusses the paintings. Wonders whether [Ghulam] Yazdani's books about Caves 1 and 2 are in the London Library; the illustrations much better there than in Lady [Christiana] Herringham's. Is grateful for Bessie's 'affectionate enquiries', about which he has heard from Aunt Rosalie. Is enjoying his visit to India very much. Only managed to talk to Suhrawardy briefly, at a buffet dinner: liked him very much. Liked Chanda less, as he found him 'inclined to score off other Indians', but found him 'very pleasant and amusing'. Chanda's brother [Apurba] is Principal at [Visva-Bharati] at Santiniketan, which Forster visited and found 'less shriney' than he expected, with 'some sensible remarks about Passed Master' [Tagore], though he was not impressed with educational standards there. Found Calcutta dreadful, and was very glad to arrive at Hyderabad and find five old friends to meet him. Bombay is improved; he writes from there; is staying with Madame [Sophia] Wadia, who runs the Indian P.E.N. [Hermon] Ould has had two spells in a Delhi hospital and is still ill; he is currently with a "Bombay Chronicle" journalist who will also want to talk to Forster. Hopes to be home around Christmas and to avoid Christmas at home, to help Agnes [Dowland, the maid at West Hackhurst].
Piccard's Cottage, St. Catherine's, Guildford. - Helen is not at all well, but Fry hopes Mrs Herringham's 'kindness and firmness' will cure her; it would be best for the Trevelyans not to visit at the moment; he will probably come over to Dorking first.
High Buildings, Fernhurst, Haslemere. - Will not be able to host the Trevelyans: Helen is 'fearfully overdone' and the family are going to stay with Mrs Herringham at Guildford to give her a real rest. Hopes they might get a chance to see the Trevelyans later at Guildford or Dorking.
22 Willow Road, Hampstead. - Is writing to Bob's mother to say he will do the pastel, but not until the autumn; he and Helen hope to get to Oxford on Thursday to stay with Mrs [Christiana] Herringham and Mrs Flower if Helen is well; she has been 'very seedy' following a miscarriage but is 'wonderfully well in mind'. Has had 'another beastly summer' and cannot leave if she is not allowed to, as Edith [Helen's sister] will leave for her holiday soon. Is starting his article for the "Independent [Review?]" but wishes he had not promised it. Bob's story about Millais is lovely. Etching originally enclosed; 'a first attempt without any lesson so it was all guesswork', but means to return to it later, and to do the picture for Bob this year. Yes, the [book on] Titian is by 'the same [Georg] Gronau'; it is very good but dull to read, and not as good as his later book on Leonardo; is reviewing it [for the "Athenaeum", Sept 10 1904].
Has been to stay with [Neville] Lytton. States ironically that the [Royal] Academy has discovered that the Inquiry [by a Select Committee of the House of Lords into the Academy's administration of the Chantrey Trust] is really intended 'to advertise Lytton's drawings'. His own evidence was not printed in the papers, and lasted only half an hour; Lord Carlisle tried to catch him out 'by quoting the Athenaeum' but did not succeed. The Royal Academicians 'are physically mentally & morally on the level of small tradesmen'. [Dugald] MacColl was 'wonderful': gave evidence 'for 4 hrs without a slip' and would have 'made his fortune at the bar'.