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29 Beaufort Street, Chelsea SW. - Jokes that his treatment of Bob has been 'shameful', especially after the 'splendid sonnet' which he compares to 'a piece of very neat cabinet work, not the highest praise perhaps but just what [he] wanted for an occasional thing like this'. Has been ill since he left Bob at Bristol but is now recovering. Has begun his Brighton lectures [for the Cambridge Extension Movement], with a 'large & enthusiastic audience of elderly ladies who palpitate with emotion'; sometimes stays with his sister [Isabel?] and feels it shows 'great nerve to stay at a girls school [Miss Lawrence's School, later Roedean] & have meals in the common room'. Wishes he were with Bob in the sun though agrees Taormina is not the 'best possible' place in Sicily to stay; warns him not to copy his relative [Florence Trevelyan, who married a Taorminan doctor] and marry the innkeeper's daughter. Remembers coming round a hill onto a terrace by the sea and seeing 'the monster' Etna for the first time. Syracuse is nice but he supposes not convenient to stay at. [Dugald] MacColl has just come for dinner.

Returns to the letter after two days. Went to the Fletchers' last night and heard some good music; [Hercules] Brabazon was there, and 'rather pathetic': has been too much for him to 'become at the age of 70 a great artist & consequently an authority on art has been too much for him'. Some good pictures at the Old Masters [exhibition at the Royal Academy], especially a Tintoretto. Has begun the "Odyssey" with the help of Bob's translation. Has 'some manuscript poems of Gerald Hopkins' [sic: Gerard Manley Hopkins] which would make Bob 'tear his hair'; quotes three lines [the opening of "The Windhover"], but won't disturb Bob's 'Sicilian vespers with the clash of footed metres'.

10 Prinsegracht, The Hague. - They have not yet retired to their 'Retraite Edéniencee [ie, at Ede]', as her cousin calls it; does not think they will go before early June. The Grandmonts are still where she left them at Rocca Bella [Taormina, Sicily] at the end of April; they are travelling back with an English friend, stopping only briefly at Florence and Bâle. Was sorry to leave Italy 'like that' but it could not be helped; made her all the more anxious to return another time. Wrote to her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht] and sent her Trevelyan's messages, but does not know whether she will go to England this summer; he does not seem anxious to go and she supposes 'the husband's opinion has great weight in these matters!'. She herself will not be able to; is currently here alone at home with her uncle and aunt [Paul François Hubrecht and his wife Maria] and would not like to leave them when she would have to go 'to fit in with Senior's week at St. Andrews'. Thanks Trevelyan for his letter and the trouble he took with the list of books, though she has not yet got all those he suggested, in part because the library is currently closed. Fortunately the director is a friend of the family and can be persuaded to break the rule forbidding books to be taken or sent into the country, so they sometimes get a good selection sent to Ede; however spring-cleaning is 'a holy business' in this country so she must wait. Asks if Trevelyan could possibly send some of the books he listed: something by Henry James; his father's book; [Robert] Browning's letters; she will get [William?] Morris's "Life" [by J. W. MacKail and his brother's book from the library. Has been reading [Elizabeth Barrett Browning's] "Aurora Leigh" for the first time; asks whether Trevelyan likes it. Will be curious to see Trevelyan's friend [Thomas Sturge Moore]'s poems which he sent to her cousin; wonders whether they will appreciate it; does not think Mrs Grandmont has 'specially classical tastes'. Would be very nice if Trevelyan could come to Ede this summer; unsure still of when exactly would be the best time as she knows nothing of the Grandmonts' plans; thinks probably late August or early September. Is longing to get to fresh air in the country; town seems oppressive after Taormina.

They all feel 'greatly honoured... with all these noble peace delegates' being at the Hague; the Congress was opened yesterday; one of the Dutch members told them 'what a feeble old president Baron de Staal seemed to be' and that 'the first meeting did not promise much'. Is sending some Taormina photographs; the one with Mrs C [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan?] is 'funny but too indistinct'; [Giuseppe] Bruno took the same view which better shows Mrs C. 'like some curious prehistoric Juliet on her balcony'; she has it and will show it to you, or Trevelyan could write to Bruno and ask to see the several pictures he took in her garden of her 'constructions'. Glad Trevelyan has heard some good music in London; she feels out of practice and is looking forward to playing with her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] again. Knows her aunt is giving her the biography of Joachim by Moser for her birthday. Will also have to 'make special Vondel studies this summer'; feels she knows very little about him.

Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Expects this is the last letter he will write her from Ravello; will start on the 24th, spend some of that day at Pompeii and take the evening express to Florence, arriving next day. Bessie's last account of her 'patient' [her aunt] was better; hopes she may be recovering by the time he reaches the Hague. Has been unlucky with the weather for the last two years but should not complain, as if the weather had not been bad last January he may not have accompanied his brother [George?] to Sicily and met Bessie. In the same way, if the Grandmonts had had a cook at the start of 1896, they would not have dined at the Timeo so he would never have met them and heard of her; he ought to 'like all cooks for that henceforth'. Bessie's quotation from Dante was 'very charming'; asks if she copied it out at Ede before 2 September or after. Encloses a 'little relic' he found in his waistcoat pocket, which he has kissed; she too should 'put the bits [of the railway ticket] together and kiss them' since they brought her and Bob together and made them kiss each other, though she did not kiss him till November, and he kissed her wrist 'a whole month and more before'. Did not sleep well last night as '"that horrible little dog" Gyp (as Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] would say' was barking; Madame [von Wartburg] has the dog safe in her room tonight.

Finishes the letter next day; the weather is lovely, and he almost regrets leaving, but will enjoy a few days in Florence and seeing [Bernard] Berenson; wants to see what he thinks of his last year's poems, and what he has done on this play. He usually likes Bob's work, but not always. Discussion of how no one person can be relied on to say whether something is good or bad. Hopes to see a few pictures at Florence, though does not mean to do much sightseeing. Sorry that Bessie had to miss Ambro [Hubrecht]'s lecture; thinks she is right that she should not come to England before her aunt is nearly well. Glad that her cousin [Louise Hubrecht] and the Röntgens liked his poems; Bessie is indeed a 'fine advertising agent'. Describes his breakfast here and in England.

Very glad to hear of the safe arrival of Robert (whom she calls 'Calverley')'s son Paul; she has not been well, or would have written sooner, but is now better. Hopes Elizabeth is 'well and strong again' and that the weather is good so she can get fresh air. Sends love to Mary and Charles and thanks for their letter of 20 December. Has 'never known such an unnatural winter at Taormina': there is 'much sickness - diphtheria, scarlatina, meningitis'. Her husband is well, but worried about her; the servants are 'quiet & satisfactory', the animals are all well. Sends best wishes to Paul for a 'long & happy life, full of health & prosperity'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has not yet transferred the second fifty pounds to Bob's account since the lawyers have not yet 'transferred the personalty' [personal property of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan, which has come to George and Bob on the death of her husband Salvatore Trevelyan]. Mary is going to the Netherlands again in the first week of October, to work. He and Janet are going to Cambridge on Monday to look for a house; he will take up 'residence and full work there [as Regius Professor of History] in January'. Their mother was taken 'seriously ill' a few days ago; she has a nurse, but the doctor thinks she is over the immediate danger. George thinks it 'unlikely she will live more than another year' and that she will get to Welcombe again, though the plan was for her and Sir George to go in about three weeks. Their father 'seems fairly well, though on a permanently lower level than last year'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Was pleased to hear from Robert about the [Apostles'] dinner, which seems to be 'almost better an institution than ever'; thinks Robert is right to read aloud 'a long and solid book' like [Macaulay's?] "Frederic the Great". He and Caroline are considering trying Ferrero; agrees with Ferrero's account of Octavius [Augustus], whom he discusses, as given by Robert. The summer has been 'detestable'. They have got some things out of Madame Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan]'s present which 'look well about the house'.

Regarding the will of Madame Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan]: according to Bramine, Trevelyan's brother had some qualms about the duty payable, but Grandmont explains Italian inheritance law; thinks Trevelyan would be able to sell part or all of the estate. Does not believe the widower [Salvatore Cacciola] could create difficulties. Grandmont however does not know the situation in detail, so Trevelyan should not be swayed by his advice to either accept or reject the legacy; he should consult a Sicilian lawyer before making a final decision. Recommends Calogero Galio at Catane and Adolfo Carducci at Messina. The legacy to Mariannina has no validity if the uncle does not execute the clause written by the dead woman.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very sorry about Florence, who was 'a kind friend and relation'; sure Robert and Elizabeth will settle the business resulting from her death 'wisely'. Recommends that Robert bring the will up and open it with Mr Philipson, who is the 'responsible person'; he should of course write to Dr Cacciola.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has received Florence's will and her letter to Robert from May 1906, which show good will and feeling towards the family. Sees a large payment will soon be liable; has written to Mr Philipson to ask for a valuation of Florence's personal property which will come to Robert after Cacciola's death; Robert and Elizabeth need not worry about the money in the meantime [implying that he and Caroline will pay any outstanding sum?]. Presumes Cacciola is the executor.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The lawyers acting for Robert and George [in the matter of Florence Trevelyan's legacy] should see an old letter of 1884 which he has found; has written to George in London, as the lawyers must see Philipson personally. Philipson is 'the most honourable and kindly of men' and Sir George thinks all is going right.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has sent Withers's letter to Robert on to George; sorry about the trouble Robert and Elizabeth are having [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; luckily Sir George and Caroline have plenty [of money] of their own, which will 'all be for [their] sons and daughters'. Discusses a letter he has had from Philipson; does not know the value of the land at Taormina and imagines Robert may incline towards not acting as executor, not paying the sixty thousand francs, and renouncing the property; Withers and Davies are 'wise advisers'. Glad that he himself refused to be a Trustee, which none of the family ought to be 'on any account'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Agrees that Robert should not be in a hurry to act about Taormina [the legacy in Florence Trevelyan's will]. Would like to hear his ideas about anything in the book [Sir George's third volume of "The American Revolution"]; agrees with him in liking the last two chapters best and is prepared to write another volume 'in that style, and on those topics' if he lives another five years. Sends love to Paul and Bessie; very glad they are well.

Grand Hôtel Continental, Siena. - Rather 'arctic' in Siena; Hilda Trevelyan has been staying here a while and will come to tea tonight; she is leaving tomorrow. He and Caroline enjoyed Florence very much; all the new building is in the suburbs so the 'essential part of the city' is not at all spoiled. They had a good visit to the Berensons, whose house must be good to stay in. Supposes Robert is at Cambridge today. Sends love to Elizabeth, with assurances of their interest in Paul and his 'troubles'; made friends with a 'lovely little Italian baby' in a street near the Duomo yesterday. Has read about the Sicilian property [left to Robert by Florence Trevelyan, but only after her husband's death]; does not feel great confidence and dislikes the way the will was arranged in Sicily rather than by the Trustees' lawyer, which benefits Dr Cacciola; however, Robert 'is in good hands,' and his financial prospects mean he need not 'undertake certain worry for an uncertain prospective gain'. Is very interested in the third volume of [Guglielmo] Ferrero's ["The Greatness and Decline of Rome": "The Fall of An Aristocracy"] and has Cicero's "Philippics" with him. Currently reading the "Heauton Timorumenos" [Terence's "The Self-Tormentor"], which is a 'rattling comedy'.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has received a letter from Withers saying that Bob will pay George 1500 francs, which will be 'very useful'; this is a 'very pleasant after-math to the whole of our family business' beginning four years ago [on the death of Florence Trevelyan's husband Salvatore Cacciola]. Has just finished writing a memoir on their father, which he plans to publish 'next spring unless the country has been ruined'; has had copies made and will give them to his brothers; suggests possible weekends for Bob to come to Cambridge, or for George himself to visit the Shiffolds, to discuss it.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks for Robert's letter; has studied his enclosures and now returns them; it [Florence Trevelyan's legacy to Robert] is obviously 'a matter of time, and patience, and confidence in advisers'; would advise getting some 'immediate advantage' if possible but expects he and Caroline would approve any resolution Robert and Elizabeth make when the case is clearer; agrees with Mr Withers that Robert should keep on good terms with Cacciola and act with him if possible; asks if Cacciola has the interest of the twenty thousand lire for his lifetime or whether it goes to Robert. Thinks their ship was the only one to cross [the Channel] without an accident in the 'horrible gale'; Caroline slept all day in her cabin and he 'rather enjoyed' sitting on deck. Glad to be at home again; sends love to Elizabeth and 'Fra Paolo' [Paul].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - A 'very large, and really beautiful silver cup' has arrived as a New Year's present, with the inscription 'Sir George Trevelyan, Historian of the American Revolution, from his Friends Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge'; they are the 'three first men in America'. Lodge has also written a history of the Revolution, and has always shown 'great generosity' about it. Sends the opinion [on matters relating to Florence Trevelyan's will?] in a separate parcel.

36, Chelsea Park Gardens. - Thanks Elizabeth for her 'kind note'; afraid it will 'not amount to much', but will be an acknowledgement on his part that 'Bob has had bad luck in the matter, having been the old lady's real friend' [possibly a reference to the will of Florence Trevelyan; when she died in 1907, her property went to her husband Dr Cacciola then to Robert and George on his death in 1926]; sure he would 'feel a little sad about it' if he were Bob, who has 'never shown it'. Very glad Mary is with Bessie this weekend.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is watching the developments [surrounding Florence Trevelyan's legacy to Robert] 'with a friendly, but not a critical eye'. He and Caroline have also had 'vile weather' but have suffered no physical harm; glad the same is true of Elizabeth and Paul. Agrees with [Benjamin] Rogers about [Racine's] "Plaideurs"; thought it 'very poor stuff' when he read it as a boy 'to illustrate [Aristophanes's] the "Wasps"'. They have just finished the Queen's letters ["The Letters of Queen Victoria", edited by A C Benson]; there is much that is interesting 'embedded in a vast mass of twaddle': too much is included by 'so many royalties... not above the average of their class', and though the Queen's letters are often 'very human and spicy' the book should have been half the length. Agrees with Robert that the Mid-Devon [Ashburton] election should shake the [Liberal] party up. Hilda and Audrey Trevelyan have been staying.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Marked 'Private and Confidential'. Interested to hear about Paul, and 'about the reading room and clericalism'. Wants to write 'a few lines, between which' Robert and Elizabeth may read; has seen Crompton Davies who was 'much alive' to his suggestions, and will communicate them to Withers, that [Florence Trevelyan's] will should be proved and amount and whereabouts of the personal property ascertained. Asks Robert to find out whether Withers is working on this, and who the Trustees now are. Does not understand about the twenty thousand lire; perhaps however information has by now been given to Withers about the property in which Robert and George have an interest. Notes in a postscript that he has had three letters from the Poet Laureate [Alfred Austin], who 'sounds a jolly old chap'; also asks whether Robert knew that the Callias whose 'fine fragments' appear in Bergk ["Poetae Lyrici Graeci"] was the 'coryphoeus of the thirty tyrants [of Athens in the last days of the Peloponnesian War]'; there is an 'evident allusion' to his lines on the cottabus in the story of the death of Theramenes, but Sir George has never seen this mentioned.

Hopes Julian has reached Taormina by now and is enjoying Sicily, though fears the almond blossom may be over. Has just heard from Nicky [Mariano] that she and B.B. [Bernard Berenson] may go to Zürich at the end of March to see the Lombard exhibition, but will definitely be back by 15 April. Sure they would like to see Julian, and would probably ask him to stay at I Tatti if he wrote to Nicky. All well here: Bessie likes Mrs Alexieff and gets on quite well with her secretary. He himself is 'fairly all right, though sometimes a little out of sorts'. Hopes Julian will like Sicily as much as Goethe did; he was afraid to go to Greece because of brigands, so went to Sicily and 'made up his mind' it must be just like Greece. Tells Julian to ask his friend [Daphne Phelps] whether she is related to his own old friend T[homas] T[ettrell] Phelps, whom he has not seen for years. Expects Julian has been to the Isola Bella, which used to belong to Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan]; he used to go and bathe there with Roger and Helen Fry. Roger painted a picture of Mount Etna seen through the Greek theatre, which Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] had in his rooms. Hopes Julian's car is 'behaving itself'. Bessie will write soon.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - The story [surrounding the legacy left to Robert and George in Florence Trevelyan's will] is curious; good that Robert has 'honest people' to look into it, and he is wise to take it as he does. Very interested in Elizabeth's 'account of the reading rooms'; they look forward to seeing 'Paul, and his parents' soon. Is reading Grote 'with great delight'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Understands that Robert has received a copy of Mr Withers' letter [regarding Florence Trevelyan's will]; sends the map, which he discusses. Believes that his own 'renunciation of the heirlooms... seems to have brought them to their bearings'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Marked 'Private and Confidential'. Thanks Robert for his letter, with which he agrees. Displeased by 'the disclosures in the map': seems, on the strength of Cacciola owning 'a house which would have to be pulled down and a half built barrack', the Trevelyans are liable to pay his niece's dowry and the succession duty [on Florence Trevelyan's will]. The property in Sicily would involve Robert in never-ending 'expense and worry'; he and Caroline would much rather help them to have financial benefits now, and he suggests raising their allowance. Suggests Robert should write to Mr Withers saying that he cannot make a final decision until the question of the personal property is settled; they must not allow themselves to be 'hustled'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Further discussion of whether Robert should accept [the legacy in Florence Trevelyan's will]; would like to discuss this at tea on Wednesday.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Encloses a copy of a letter he has written to Withers (which should be returned); they must not allowed themselves to be 'hustled for the death duties' [involved in Florence Trevelyan's will].

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Encloses a copy of a letter he has written to Withers (which should be returned); thinks Robert has received copies of Withers' side of the correspondence. They are acting in Cacciola and the other legatees' interests by insisting on the will being proved.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - They are very pleased about Mary [and Charles]'s baby, who is to be called Katharine; Caroline is going to see 'the little ones at Watford'. Interested in what Robert says about the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; asks him to send it to them and let the London Library know. Loves reading about the classics, such as books by Grote and Ferrero, when he is writing himself; supposes it is a sign of growing older that he does not then feel inclined to read the classics themselves. Attempts being made to buy Coleridge's cottage at Nether Stowey; he himself does not 'value his poems quite enough... to condone him, as a man'. They are reading [Thomas Jefferson] Hogg's life of Shelley; Hogg was a 'wonderfully clever man' and it is a 'marvellous picture of Shelley'. Withers is getting 'very angry and blunt with Philipson' [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; will write to him when he gets an answer from Sir [Arthur] Middleton.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.; addressed to Robert at Seatoller, Borrowdale, Keswick. - Thanks Robert for sending the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; Sir [Arthur] Middleton lunched with him yesterday and they talked [underlined: about Florence Trevelyan's will?]

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for her letter and the cutting about Taormina: 'the place is certainly being rapidly spoilt, and the funiculare will complete the process'. There has been little recent 'development of the "affaire" [of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's will'. They were very sorry to hear of the death of Lady Trevelyan, Audrey's mother; saw in the papers today that it was due to a 'fall in her room'.

Happily, Enticknap has recovered quickly: his wife has gone up to London today to bring him back, though of course he will not be able to work again yet. Bessie and Paul are well: Paul 'takes more solid food now'. They are staying with the Russells in Oxford next Saturday to Monday; next week the Whiteheads are staying with them for a few days (Whitehead is 'the mathematician at Cambridge with whom Russell collaborates').

Glad she is having 'so pleasant a time' in Rome, and that his father is enjoying himself; will write to him soon. Weather recently very stormy. Sorry they have 'made the viaduct into the Borghese': fears it 'will go a long way to spoil it... but the fashionable world were determined to be no longer confined to the Pincian for their evening drive', he supposes.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Encloses letters he would like returned; is still sure that Cacciola is 'looking for the death duty' [on Florence Trevelyan's will to be paid by the Trevelyans]; has directed Withers to draft a letter to Philipson. Cannot undertake to go further in the matter if Robert wishes to take the property, and will stop after paying legal expenses incurred so far, but expects he will keep to his resolution not to take it. Looks forward to the "English Review"; tells Robert to read [Arnold] Bennett's "[A] Great Man", which he himself currently has out from the London Library.