8 Grosvenor Crescent. - Is delighted by the news from Bob: [his engagement to Elizabeth] sounds like a 'very good match for him'. Had hoped that Bob, having 'got through his first youth', would find someone 'really nice', as he is 'so attractive in many ways'. 'After [Sir Charles?] Dalrymple's', is at Wallington until Friday 8th [December]; has engagements which will keep him in Yorkshire till the 15th or 16th though he could get back on the 15th if necessary; then has almost no engagements till the end of January and intends to keep clear of political ones. Has promised to lecture at Cambo on 22 and Rothbury on 27 December. Due to its extreme opposition to the government [re the Second Boer War] the circulation of the "Daily Chronicle' has fallen by half, and 'Lloyd's have had to give [Henry] Massingham his conge [the sack]!'
Monk's Walk Cottage, Much Marcle, Dymock, Gloucester. - Is pleased that Trevelyan liked the "Hymn [to Love]", which another friend had criticised, and has sent it to Massingham. Is interested by the resemblance to Persian poetry, of which he knows little (he praises Fitzgerald's "Salaman and Absal"), and should like to see the poets mentioned by Trevelyan, particularly the Hafiz. Keen to know what Persian metres are like, especially after reading Headlam's belief that Aeschylus was indebted to them for some of his choric measures. Discussion of Japanese poetry, with a "Hokku" composed by himself, and of the "Song of Songs". Expresses the belief that this is a collection of songs rather than a continuous poem. His approach to his book reviewing; is a little concerned that Trevelyan has been guided by it to buy books. Discussion of their sons: hopes David might have "music in him".
Monk's Walk Cottage, Much Marcle, Dymock, Gloucester. - Has left town and "settled on a precarious income in the country": draws attention to his new address and hopes Trevelyan and his wife will visit. Returns Sturge Moore's play ["Mariamne?"]; asks if he can have Trevelyan's "Lucifer" copied before he returns it. Sends his "Mary and the Bramble", which [Henry William?] Massingham has just rejected; asks if Trevelyan can return it soon as he is going to try "The English Review". If no magazine will accept the poem, he will publish it himself; asks if Trevelyan will take a copy for one shilling. Will be in London soon and hopes he may find Trevelyan at his "Whiggery" [the National Liberal Club].
Pixton Park, Dulverton.—(8 Dec.) Her party [see A1/179] left London last night, after rushing from a matinee in which Diana was appearing. They slept at Taunton, and arrived at Dulverton to find Mary and Goonie there. The men have gone shooting.—(9 Dec.) They are all feeling ill, and have spent the time working and being read to. Duff and Michael have gone.
[24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.] —(10 Dec.) Diana has the measles, as has Letty. Has been shopping for Christmas presents. Conrad, who called, is ‘utterly gloomy about the war’. Even the fall of Jerusalem is, she admits, little consolation, but she hopes Scatters will send a ‘souvenir’ from there. She dined with Hazel and John Lavery and Ivor Wimborne and they went to the cinema. The Roy made ‘ “hand” advances’ to Hazel in the motor there and back. Hazel claims that when she repulsed him on a similar occasion in Ireland he said, ‘Why do you come and stay here if you mean to do nothing?’, but it is doubtful whether this is true.—(11 Dec.) She went to a ‘ghastly’ lunch at Mrs Lionel Guest’s: ‘all Americans and consequently a noise that entirely bitched one’s powers of hearing or speaking’. She was planning to have only twelve to dinner tonight, but Patrick has asked her to have the ‘coons’ in as it is his last night, so an extra party will be coming.—(12 Dec., 3 a.m.) The evening was a nightmare. There was no piano for the ‘coons’, and everyone crowded into a little room, which became even more congested when others arrived. Eventually two bridge fours were arranged and the rest went to Goonie’s for stunts and dancing.—(Later.) Diana is very poorly. Has just dined at Mrs Keppel’s.—(13 Dec.) Has received his telegram. She dined at the Islingtons’.—(14 Dec.) This afternoon’s party for Indian officers at the Islingtons was a failure, as they chose unsuitable films for them. She dined with K and Frances, who were both off to Hackney after a night shift, then went to a party at Cardie’s flat. After stunts and dancing, they played chemin-de-fer. Duff lost £1600 and, to add to his miseries, has a poisoned finger.—(15 Dec.) Diana is rather better, but her Grace [the Duchess of Rutland] is pretty bad. This afternoon she went to a concert at the Albert Hall to commemorate the First Seven Divisions. After dinner at Ivor W.’s, she came home to find Nancy, Sydney, and Olga with Hugo disguised as a woman, and they spent a couple of hours dressing him in her own clothes.—(16 Dec.) She didn’t go the hospital, as the Duchess was worried she might be carrying measles. They spent the afternoon dressing Hugo up again, and took him to see Diana and Duff. In the evening she saw her mother and others.—(17 Dec.) Has received his letter. Insists that his mission is a success. Diana is much better. Has received a letter from Alan.—(Later.) Constance Rich[ardson], Eric, and Hugo lunched with her. Progress on his curtains is slow. Has received a note from Scatters.—(18 Dec.) Has bought most of the Christmas presents he asked for. When he returns they will have a long party at Breccles.