Showing 12 results

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry that the journey to Rounton was 'so agitating'. Mary has written to say the wedding went well; Elizabeth's account is amusing. Expects she misses Julian, but they are glad to have him for a little longer at Wallington; he has been playing with his toys then was happy for Hearne [the butler] to carry him upstairs. Hopes Elizabeth and Robert have a good Christmas Day; asks to be remembered to the Enticknaps; hopes Gussie got home safely. Will be nice if Elizabeth comes to fetch Julian on Thursday. Sir George says there is a good review of Mrs [Janet] Ross in the "Nation"; she hopes Robert will lend her the book ["Lives of the early Medici as told in their correspondence"]

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - He and Bessie are just starting for Ravello, and will arrive tomorrow evening. The last few days' weather has been 'perfect', and they have had a 'very pleasant time with the Berensons'. They do not see much of Florence, since the house is some miles outside, but 'go in sometimes in the morning', and they see 'a good deal of amusing people, English, American, or Italian', who live in or near Florence. One day a 'future Henry James would find an excellent subject in a life of Berenson, after the memoirs of Story's life [a reference to James' William Wetmore Story and His Friends].

Has recently been reading Butler's Way of All Flesh, which might interest his father; perhaps it is 'rather depressing reading', but the 'satire on clergymen etc... is at times masterly. Butler was apt to be perverse and cranky', which comes out in the book, but it is 'very sincere' and has for Robert 'the fascination of a pyschologist's autobiography' as he imagines the book is 'autobiographical to a great extent', though expects 'the incidents... are mostly invented'.

Their [new] house seems to be getting on well; plans are now being made for the stables, which will be 'quite small'. Wonders whether his father's farmers 'will get a visit from the Tyneside wolf'; does not 'quite understand where his haunts are', but he supposes nearer Hexham than his father's lands. He and Bessie are both well, and looking forward to Ravello; mentions the sighting of a wolf by a friend walking in the mountains near there, which 'made off as fast as it could'. The few wolves left 'never seem to do any harm, at least they don't attack people'.

Asks his father to tell his mother that he took Fry's drawing of him to Hampstead, and that Fry 'will see what can be done for it. Mrs Fry seems very well again now'. The other day they went to see Mrs Ross, who 'sang some Tuscan songs on her guitar, with great vivacity and still with a good deal of voice left'. She always asks after his father. He and Bessie 'find her amusing, and rather like her, in spite of her being rather coarse and often very absurd'. They both send love, also to C[harles] and M[olly] if they are still at Wallington.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Good to hear that Julian is settled in his own nursery again; sure he remembers it 'as he notices so much'. Very glad that nurse [Mrs Catt] is really better, and hopes all will go well now. She and Sir George are settling down at Welcombe; they are alone till George and Janet come on Wednesday. Sir George says Elizabeth 'must not mind about paying'. Sends love to Bob, and says she 'will read the Medici letters [edited by Janet Ross] with much interest'. She and Sir George did not like the Post impressionists [the exhibition organised by Roger Fry at the Grafton Galleries] which 'leave the impression of a bad, & rather nasty dream, though [she] can see how clever some of it is'.

3 Via Camerata, Florence. - Has received two letters from her, one forwarded from 'Varello' [Ravello]. Thinks he will start back on Friday 2nd and reach the Hague on Saturday evening; if his train would get in too late, would arrive on Sunday morning instead. Thinks he may go to the Twee Staden hotel, as was not very comfortable at the Angleterre and it was not cheap. Having a good time in Florence, though he has not done any work. Maeterlinck's "La sagesse et la destinée" is 'surprisingly good', much better than "Le Trésor des humbles" . Dined at Mrs [Janet] Ross's last night; has only just recovered from the 'exceedingly good dinner'. Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] 'very pleasant' and they are good friends again now; she was pleased with his bat ["The Lady's Bat"]. Had a 'little brush with Berenson about the war, as he is frantically cynical on such matters' but otherwise they have got on well. Berenson likes some of his work, but thinks his 'Indian poem dull' and is probably right'; Bob has not yet read him the play. Has to go down to Florence in the rain to lunch with people he doesn't much care for, but Berenson will probably show him some pictures afterwards. The myrtle [see the enclosure with 9/107] is indeed the 'tree of Venus'. Is glad her aunt is better, and hopes her recovery will continue; hopes Grandmont will not be long in bed ill. Is sending him some wine from Ravello, but fears it will not be good enough for 'his fastidious palate'.

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.

Poggio Gherardo, Via Settignanese, Firenze. - Discusses Trevelyan's corrections for her book ["Florentine Villas"] which will not be published till April as 'Miss [Nelly] Erichsen is behindhand with her drawings'. Will be 'very pleasant' to see Trevelyan and make his wife's acquaintance. Afraid he will find Mr Ross 'very much altered and aged'. [Bernard] Berenson is staying with them as the Frullino is let; today Mrs Costelloe [Mary, later Berenson's wife], her mother, brother and two children went to the new villa [I Tatti], which is 'delightful'. Berenson will stay with the Rosses until the marriage on about 16 December. Lina is then probably going to Rome, or to visit the Curries; she was going to go to Egypt, but now does not want to leave her uncle in his illness for so long. Sends love to 'my Poet ([George]Meredith)' when Trevelyan next sees him; he is 'delightful company, when there is not a large audience', though 'apt to pose' when he has one. Feels guilty for taking up so much of Trevelyan's time [with corrections]; is very grateful and wishes she could do something in return.

Is delighted that Trevelyan is on his way and in good company; Lina [Waterfield] may not have seen the article he encloses, he expects she will be pleased with the passage about herself and Mrs Ross. Must see Trevelyan, and would be very pleased to host him and Julian; 'Mr Artuffo', whom he names for the first time [see also 5/118] feels that he must work for the money he received, as suggested 'by some lady-interventionists... afraid of hurting his pride' and mistaking Trevelyan for his brother [George]. A historical work on Piedmont has been suggested. Mrs Waterfield probably knows Artuffo, and may be able to come up with something. He must think he is doing something for the money he has already received, even if the work would be 'quite useless'; this is 'a typical Italian request'.

Florence. - Robert and his friends lunched with them yesterday; Caroline liked Mrs Abercrombie very much; found her 'cheerful & energetic' and expects she has a hard time 'with that sensitive little man [her husband Lascelles] and small means'. They were all happy in Italy, and Bob looks very well; he seems to 'take the party in hand & arrange for them', and she thinks he is 'developing some of Charlie's love of making plans'. Is taking a rest from sight-seeing this morning; Sir George is very well; they have a nice courier who takes great care of them. Appreciates the beauty of Florence more than even; they drove out to Prato yesterday. Hopes she will learn that Elizabeth's interview with the nurse went well when Robert comes to dinner tomorrow. He seems to have many friends here; he is anxious they should call on Mrs [Janet] Ross, but Sir George does not like her so she doubts it will happen. Wonders whether Elizabeth has been to London; if she has to start her search for a nurse again, it might be worth trying Massey's agency, which she has always found good. Thinks Julian's temper must have derived partly from ill health; hopes he will be 'more amiable' now he has seen the doctor. Aunt Annie [Philips] is looking forward to seeing Elizabeth, and will let Caroline know how she is. Caroline hopes Elizabeth has a friend with her. Hears it is very cold at Cambo. Letter originally enclosed a clipping from "The Times'.

The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear she has a cold, and hope by now it is gone. The weather is 'very cold and nasty here today', but everyone is well except May [Enticknap]; she however is recovering, and he does not think she had measles badly. Went to London on Tuesday to dine with his 'friend [George] Hardy the Actuary, who has been working out the Invalidity Insurance scheme for the Government'; wanted him to meet [Ralph] Hawtrey so they arranged a dinner, with [Francis?] Hirst also present. They had a 'lot of political discussion': according to Hirst, if Phil Price had been back, he would have had a good chance of being chosen as [liberal] candidate for the Forest of Dean.

Is very sorry that Aunt Meg is not recovering more quickly. Supposes his father has finished his [jigsaw] puzzle by now. Says they should 'keep the Medici book [Lives of the early Medici as told in their correspondence, by Janet Ross?] as long as Papa wants it'. Saw Charles and George 'at breakfast' yesterday; both seemed well, and 'Charles quite cheerful'. Hilton Young has got the 'city Editorship' of the Morning Post, so will 'give up the Economist: his new job is 'well paid, £800 a year, and he will be able to say what he likes, though of course politics won't come in much anyhow'. People such as Hirst and George 'seem to think it is a good thing', since Young will be 'much more able to afford the expense of standing [for Parliament] a few years hence'; Robert hopes they will not have another election for 'four years or so'.

A Spanish musician they do not yet know is staying at the Shiffolds this weekend: [Benvingut] Socias, a friend of Röntgen and Casals; he does not speak English, so Robert will 'get some practice speaking French'.

Il Frullino, San Domenico di Fiesole, Florence:- Recent rainstorms have put off their planned 'expedition' to San Gigminano; does not think he will start back to England before 8th [March], but 'should be back soon after that'. Would 'like to stay in London for a few days before going to Welcombe', which he thinks might be in mid-March; does not mind where he sleeps and 'the night nursery would be very nice', but would like to 'sit in a room looking out onto the garden'. Hears they have been having 'severe snowstorms' which may have caused harm 'after the early Spring'.

Has just finished the first scene of his libretto [on Theseus and Ariadne], 'or rather Mrs Costelloe's': she 'seems very much pleased with it, and thinks it will sing well', but they will have to see 'what the musician [Emánuel Moór] thinks of it'. Is using 'almost all the metres in the world, and inventing some'.

Encloses 'a receipt for gnocchi' given to him by Mrs Costello which they have had a couple of times: 'it is very good indeed'. Has been 'seeing Mrs Ross, who used to know Papa'; she 'remembers him as a young swell about town, and he was her partner in her first dance'. She 'tells wonderful stories' about her mother Lady Duff Gordon and grandmother Mrs Austin; her niece Miss [Lina] Duff Gordon is coming on the San Gimignano expedition.

Is sorry his mother did not get tickets for [Wagner's] Ring: 'it was not a thing to be missed'. If he had heard about it sooner, he would 'have wired for a seat in one of the sets', but fears it is too late now, and he will 'have to go to the gallery'. Is glad his father is well. His parents must go to see Mrs Ross next time they are in Florence. Mrs Ross says the cook will probably understand 'how much flour to put into the water [for the gnocchi]'.

Il Frullino, Via Camerata, Florence:- Is 'settled here very comfortably' and will certainly stay 'well into January', when he may 'perhaps go on to Ravello'. Mrs Costelloe is still here, though will go to England soon; nobody else is here but [Bernard] Berenson at present. Sees few people but the Rosses; Mrs Ross was pleased Robert's parents found her book 'interesting'. She is 'very amusing and gives wonderful lunches, having a genius for [a] cook'; Robert likes 'the old boy [Henry Ross' too]'. There is also Janet Ross's niece, Miss [Lina] Duff Gordon, whom he thinks he told his mother about last year. She is 'a great beauty, and very charming though a trifle dull', and Robert 'should have been bound to fall in love long ago' if he had been 'given that way'; but his mother 'need not be afraid'.

Has done some work recently, mainly on his 'book of translations'; gives his translation of Catullus 34. Acknowledges that this does not have 'the charming simplicity of the original', but doesn't 'think it half bad' metrically; must 'try and do something... like it' of his own. Is 'beginning at the play [his Cecilia Gonzaga?] again'. Hopes his mother is having a good winter, and that 'Papa will have some fun among the pheasants'. The weather here is 'quite cold... but fine'. Berenson says they should send [the picture of Sir George Trevelyan by Holl, see 46/64] to Dyers of Mount Street, as Agnews 'would only send it to somewhere of the kind and charge more' and 'Dyers are quite safe'.

The 'danger of the mutilation of Florence has been postponed but not averted'; fears 'they want to pull down a lot in order to make a grand modern street up to the Ponte Vecchio, and then put a grand new iron bridge in its stead, which may the Gods, or rather the Saints avert'.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Starting South this afternoon after ten days with the Berensons; B.B. is anxious and not sleeping well, but seems more cheerful since their arrival; his wife also seems to be in poor health and when she returns B.B. hopes to go to Sicily for a holiday. Asks whether Fry will be in Italy in March, the probable time of their own return, and whether Daniel will accompany him. Glad Fry's watercolours were successful and that he likes the [Band of Hope] banner. He must not forget his picture of H[elen] and J[ulian], and Helen her 'Bronzino infant'. Has seen Moore's young brother [Bertie] who paints in Italy; hopes Fry might be able to give him advice. Has heard about 'Lina's artist' [Aubrey Waterfield] from her, the K[err] Lawsons, and Moore who knew him at the Slade: tends to think that Lina is right about Waterfield, 'the Oxford manner' makes him a little difficult at first but he is fundamentally decent, and that [Lina's aunt] Mrs Ross has treated her very badly; Berenson is also 'perfectly silly' about it. However, Lina is being sensible and they will marry in a year or so. According to Moore, Tonks thought highly of Waterfield's drawings. B.B. 'nicer than ever' himself but much more intolerant of others (not Fry). Is sorry about the book [problems with the reproduction of Fry's illustrations for Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"] but it was not Fry's fault and his illustrations are much appreciated by all there. Bessie sends regards to all.