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'La Signora Van der Hoeven' is written on the front of the card in pencil; a pencil note on the back by Robert Trevelyan informs her that he has given something to [Giuseppe?] Bruno.

8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Rather 'wonderful how many liberals' Elizabeth and Robert have had in 'such a small party' [of fellow guests at Ravello]: Mr [Henry John?] Roby is 'a fine old fellow'; knows who Miss Williams is. Hears of many people going to Rome and Sicily now. Understands that Elizabeth wants to stop in Holland while Robert 'joins the Easter party [organised by George Moore]'. Has reserved tickets for the Joachim concerts; would very much like to go with Elizabeth and would be able to find other takers on occasions when unable to attend. Elizabeth was elected to the [Grosvenor Crescent] club and Caroline has paid her sub. Sir George is talking to Mr Longman downstairs now; Caroline is glad the play [Robert's "Cecilia Gonzaga"] will soon be out. The Bertie Russells visited on Sunday; she is 'much better, & looked quite different'; they are moving soon to Churt, a neighbourhood Caroline likes but supposes Elizabeth and Robert prefer Haslemere. She and Sir George are anxious they should find a nice house this summer. Asks for news of the Cacciolas; sends love to Florence and 'kindest regards to the Signor', as well as remembrances to the Grandmonts and Marie [Hubrecht].

Pension Palumbo, Ravello:- Has little to say, as life is ‘quite uneventful’. They [he and the Frys] usually have the place entirely to themselves. Visited Mrs Reid’s garden the other day: it is ‘not so fine and big as the Cacciolas’, but has some nice trees’, and he will go to sit there occasionally. Mrs Reid has said he can go whenever he likes, though she herself is too ill to be called on at the moment. Believes the ‘present Lacaita [Charles Carmichael Lacaita]’ is her nephew. There are ‘many other places’ he can go, ‘especially a garden at the top of the cliff’.

The Frys ‘usually spend their day in their studio’; Roger has just had ‘rather a bad cold’, but Robert thinks Helen ‘is all right’. They ‘read Don Quixote aloud in the evenings, having first read ‘the beginning half of [The Casting Away of] Mrs Lecks & Mrs Aleshine [F. R. Stockton]’ which they found here. Robert has done a lot of work since coming here; there has been good weather, except for ‘three wet days last week’.

Has received her letter, and the bills: it was quite right of her to open those. His letters have now begun to ‘come direct’. Is glad his father is ‘keeping well’, but wishes ‘he would not go back [to London?] too soon’. Does not yet know when he will go to Florence, but does not think it will be for some time; expects he will not stay there long. He and the Frys may visit Naples soon; does not know how long George will be there, but expects he will have left by the time they go.

Hotel Timeo, Taormina:- The Frys have been here a week now, and Robert will stay ‘a little longer’ than he had intended, though he hopes to start back ‘some time next week’. Most of the time the weather has been ‘very fine’; in fact, ‘rather too dry’. Today they are going, in the boat of ‘the Cacciolas’ fisherman’, to see ‘the grottoes under the cliffs, which are very wonderful, something like the Capri grottoes’. They will then spend the rest of the day on ‘the Cacciolas’ island [Isola Bella] which contains everything, from rabbits and a ruined chapel to corals and Leonardo “Madonna of the rocks” sort of places’. Roger Fry is painting ‘a picture of the theatre and Aetna’, but Robert does not think ‘the place inspires him much for painting, though they both enjoy staying here very much’. They ‘looked in at an Italian carnival dance yesterday evening’; the Frys ‘danced a polka’ and Robert watched.

There is ‘great indignation here about the bombardment of the Greeks [in the conflict with the Ottomans over Crete]’; expects there also is in London, as ‘Public feeling seems to be entirely with the Greeks in England, France, and here [Italy]’. Sees Colonel Hay is the new ambassador [of the US in London?]. Will try and get Il Capello del Prete [by Emilio De Marchi] for her on the way back. Is not yet certain about coming down [to Welcombe] for the ‘Shakespearean week’, so she should not get him tickets; would most like to see As You Like It. Does not think [Frank] Benson ‘would do the Tempest very well’: his Midsummer Night’s Dream was ‘not altogether good’. Is glad Fairweather is ‘strong again’. Supposes his mother will be in London when he returns. Will go to Haslemere and ‘get settled there as soon as [he] can’; thinks the Russells are there now. Hopes his father is ‘still well’.

Hotel des Palmes, Palermo [on headed notepaper for the Grand Hôtel Central, Palermo:- Has come to Palermo for a few days to meet the Frys, who have ‘just come over here from Tunis’; thinks they are coming to Taormina later. Has just found them, after ‘a search of some time’, and is writing this in their hotel on ‘their royal sized paper’; his own hotel is the Hotel des Palmes, but she need not write there as he will soon be back in Taormina. The ‘pens of the Grand Hotel are as execrable as their paper is glorious’.

Was very pleased with the Daily News article [on his father?], which he has given to the Cacciolas. The Doctor [Salvatore Cacciola] has ‘always had an admiration of Papa… now strengthened by the sketch of his life’; he is a ‘great admirer of the English character, and rises at 3 or 4 in the morning to study Smiles’ Self Help and so improve his English’; he is currently ‘Syndic and autocrat of Taormina though he has bitter enemies, and even dangerous ones’ . Cacciola's father, ‘the avocat’, was ‘murdered by some offended client’, but Robert reassures his mother that ‘Taormina is not a place where murders are frequent'. Has been satisfied with his work, and ‘even rather grudge[s] this expedition to Palermo’, though ‘it is a wonderful town, and Fry is just the person to show it one’.

Thinks he will return around the end of the month, when ‘England ought to have become habitable’. There have been ‘no interesting guests ‘this year at the Timeo, and the only friends he has besides the Cacciolas are the Gramonts [Grandmonts], an ‘old Belgian savant and his Dutch wife who paints’, the ‘old man is very musical, and he and an Italian play violin and piano duets twice a week… They read Mozarts and Beethovens sonatas without having always played them before, and certainly perform excellently’.

Hôtel Timeo, Taormina:- Has ‘found fine weather and comfort at last here’, and will stay for the rest of his time abroad. Has got to work already on his first day here; the weather is ‘perfect, and rather cold’. Came straight here from St. Raphael, stopping a day at Naples to see if going to ‘Corpo di’ Cava, but thought he would have been ‘washed out’: was not till he got past Messina that it stopped raining. Most of Italy has been ‘flooded this winter’, though it has not been very cold; Taormina ‘seems to have escaped’. The hotel is very quiet, and only half-full.

The Cacciolas are ‘very glad to see’ Robert; their house is quieter since the ‘lunatic German governess’ has left. Cacciola suspects she took opium, if not her behaviour was ‘almost inexplicable’. Floresta, the ‘padrone’, has had a letter from [Roger] Fry saying that he and his wife are coming soon. Robert hopes they will stay for a while; believes they are currently at Tunis but has not heard from them recently. Hopes his family are all well. Hears the Russells [Bertrand and Alys] have returned from America; hopes he will ‘find them settled at Fernhurst’ when he returns. Does not think he will stay longer than a month. It is an ‘almost perfect place’ for his work, with the Cacciola’s garden and books; expects he will get ‘much more done’, as last spring he ‘was more uncertain as to what [he] wanted to do’.

Palermo:- Has come here for a few days to ‘draw on [his] bankers’ and see some more of the place; will return to Taormina tomorrow or the next day. Is well; the weather ‘has become Italian again, after nearly a week of continual wind and rain’. The rain was ‘sadly wanted’: the Cacciolas say that there has not been a ‘proper downpour’ for three years, so that citrus and other fruit trees are ‘quite backwards, and the blossoms unhealthy’. The Cacciolas have been ‘very kind’, allowing him to borrow books, but still he does not thinkTaormina can ‘hold a candle to Corpo di Cava as a place to stay’, and he would definitely have gone there had it not been for the cold. Has not yet received her second letter, but thought he would write since he may not return to Taormina till Tuesday. Is just going for a drive with the Hodgkins, whom he found in Palermo to his ‘surprise’. When the ‘old boy is at Syracuse’, Robert will go there for a day: Hodgkin has ‘an exaggerated idea’ of Robert’s knowledge of Thucydides, and wants him to ‘demonstrate the military topography’; Robert is however confident that he knows the ‘“siege” pretty well’. Will write again from Taormina.

Hotel Timeo, Taormina [on headed notepaper]:- There is 'beautiful weather again', though the nights are rather cold. Everything is 'rather backward this year, and the almond trees are only just beginning to blossom'; there are many in the Cacciola garden, which 'will be a very Eden in a day or two'. Is still living a 'studious and simple life, not cottoning' to any other hotel guests, but occasionally taking meals with the Cacciolas. They have many books, and a 'really fine collection of illustrated books of all kinds, Nashes, Bidas, Dorés etc'.

Is going to Syracusa for a day on Thursday or Friday, to 'go over the place with Dr [Thomas] Hodgkin, and to listen to long-drawn comparisons between the Syracusan and Crimean campaigns'. Will 'remember and compare the Greenleighton Epypolae [Greenleighton was a moor with a prominent hill in Northumberland near Wallington, Epipolae a fortified plateau near Syracuse]' when he visits its 'prototype', though he fears the animals 'that browse about its foot will be a sorry lot and nothing to compare to MacCracken's prize sheep'. But 'the genuine Theocritean shepherd still survives here, still plays on a συριγξ (or reed) and still calls out σιτθ to his goats'. Surprisingly, he was as unable to buy a text of 'the great Sicilian poet [Theocritus]' in the capital of the island, Palermo, 'nor even a Thucydides'; he did manage to 'rout out an Odyssey' to re-read the story of the Cyclops, which is set 'in a cave a few miles south of this place'.

Her 'P. M. Budget [a newspaper his mother has sent to him?] is 'very welcome'; also sees Truth, which someone at the hotel takes. Has had a cold, but got rid of it; otherwise has been in 'first-rate health'. Hopes his family are 'all enjoying life, and not suffering too much for being London-pent'.

Written 'in train Amsterdam - Hague'; addressed to Bob at The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. - Has had a nice day at Amsterdam and good first lesson with [Bram] Eldering, who is a 'charming man and excellent teacher'; will go again soon as next Saturday there is a Brahms concert to which she will go and stay with her sister. Her aunt has been much better recently. Is just passing 'the famous bulb fields', although there are no colours yet except some yellow and purple crocuses. Has been talking with the Röntgens about the wedding day. Tells Bob off because she finds no letter from him when she arrives home. Tomorrow is going to see her sister [Maria] at Rotterdam, the district nurse, who came once to dinner when Bob was here; will also go and see 'old aunt of theirs... whom [she] hasn't seen for ages' and will show her and her sister their photographs. Has begun "Wuthering Heights", which is 'curiously fierce and bloody' but has not yet got far. Has just found a letter from Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht], asking her when she ought to come home; she will certainly return before mid-May when Bob may come. Tuttie says [Salvatore] Cacciola has 'made himself tremendously unpopular' with lawsuits against someone he accuses of lie; feels sorry for his wife [Florence Trevelyan]; Cacciola will probably come out of it badly but 'one can never tell with these Sicilians and bribery'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Caroline is coming to Robert and Elizabeth in much better health; the change of air is just what she needs. Sympathises with Robert's 'electioneering experience', which is a 'living case of the widespread influence which has perverted this appeal to the country'. The government must now direct what 'after all, is its great majority to the question of the Lords'. Hears from George that Philipson and Cacciola are still 'pottering' [over the matter of Florence Trevelyan's will]. Glad Robert saw George before he started. 'Three cheers for the comet!' though he did not manage to see it; there is 'something very romantic about the history of the reappearances... of Halley's Comet' [actually the Great January or Daylight comet of 1910, at first confused with Halley's Comet].

Hallington Siculo, Taormina. - Is mindful and grateful of all the good which Sir George did him after the death of his 'poor Florence'; assures him of good feeling and sends best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all his family. A pencil annotation from Sir George says that he has replied 'in an appropriate fashion'. Would be glad to see [Flaubert's?] "Trois Contes", but does not care for [de Maupassant's?] "Une Vie".

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks for the two letters; is glad that Janet is coming to see Elizabeth and will be very pleased if they can be real friends; hopes Robert will like her too. Elizabeth need not go to Pen Moel if she does not want to; sure Aunt M[argaret Price] would understand. Sorry to hear about Dr Cacciola's illness; Florence will be 'much alarmed'; good the nephew Elizabeth mentions is nearby. Booa [Mary Prestwich] thinks the picture must be at Elizabeth's house. Very hot here. George is coming back on Monday, quite suddenly, so 'everyone can be told [about his engagement]'. Very glad Elizabeth is having music; 'fancy quartettes in Dorking!'. Mrs [Kate?] Courtney asked her to meet Mrs Pierson, but she could not go that afternoon ; Sir George met him there at breakfast. They return to town on 8 June; asks if Robert is coming to the [Apostles'] dinner on 17 June. Wants to have a family party with all the Wards; asks if they could come on the 15th or 16th.

Cambo (on headed notepaper for the Board of Education, Whitehall, London, S.W.) - Enjoyed reading Bob's "Sisyphus" during Christmas week, and congratulates him; found some of the metres difficult. Expects Bob will be feeling little 'enthusiasm for becoming a Taormina landlord just now [he had been left property in the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan'. Hopes [Salvatore] Cacciola has not 'perished in the general wreck' [the huge Messina earthquake of 28 December 1908]; asks if Bob has heard how much damage Taormina has suffered, and whether it is true that Sydney Kitson has built himself a villa there; only sees a reference to a relation of Kitson [Robert?] being there. The family have just got home and all are 'very flourishing'; sends love to Bessie and Paul.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his parents for their last letters. Interested to hear about his 'New Year's gift from America [a silver cup from Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge, see 12/123] which shows that her best statesmen appreciate your history at its true value'. Perhaps today 'the lessons it has to teach would be more useful for English statesmen', but he does not expect that Chamberlain, Balfour and Milner are likely to present his father with a silver cup.

Thanks his father for returning the '"opinion" [on Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's will': no new developments, but Withers begins to think it would be better to 'make some sort of friendly bargain with Dr Cacciola', who 'certainly has the interest on the £20,000 during his lifetime' if it passes under the will, which seems clear. The weather has been 'very unpleasant' recently, but Bessie and Paul are well.

Has been reading several plays by Aristophanes in B[enjamin] Rogers' recent editions: these have good notes, and 'a first-rate verse translation opposite'. True that 'one does not often want a translation's help' for Aristophanes, but thinks that if he did not read Greek he would prefer this translation to any other he knows. In the introduction to the Wasps, Rogers 'pays a compliment' to Sir George's Cambridge Dionysia, saying there is 'considerable Aristophanic spirit in it'. Rogers has 'just called Racine's Les Plaideurs "a feeble and insipid play"': Robert does not know how justly, as he has never read it.

The Devonshire election [the Ashburton by-election of 17 January, in which the Liberals lost the seat to the Liberal Unionists] was 'unpleasant', but he expects it will 'do good indirectly by making Liberals feel less secure'.

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.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear they are all well; Caroline sends love; a 'cuckoo for ever calling here' makes him think of 'the dear little boy' [Paul] and of 'Will Shakespeare'. They have just finished Hogg [his life of Shelley], and thinks more of Hogg 'in his queer way' than ever; has been reading a Macmillan edition of Shelley: 'What a poet!'. Has read [Roger] Fry's article in the Burlington Magazine, and paid a second visit to the illuminated manuscripts [exhibition at the Burlington Fine Arts Club] yesterday before leaving London; has also looked through the British Museum facsimiles here and at Grosvenor Crescent. Hopes Fry's wife will 'go on satisfactorily'. The 'Doctorate business' [his forthcoming honorary degree at Cambridge] is 'very plain sailing': Lord Halsbury, Lord Rayleigh, and Sir James Ramsey will also be staying at [Trinity College] Lodge; they lunch at [Gonville &] Caius, whose Master [Ernest Roberts] is Vice Chancellor. Others receiving honorary degrees are: the Duke of Northumberland; Admiral Sir John Fisher; Charles Parsons; Sir James Ramsay; Sir W[illiam] Crookes; Professor Lamb; Professor Marshall; Asquith; Lord Halsbury; Sir Hubert Herkomer; Sir Andrew Noble; Rudyard Kipling; Professor Living; they will 'advance on the Senate House...like the English at Trafalgar'. in two columns. Is looking forward to dinner in the hall at Trinity. Went to Harrow on Tuesday and will tell Robert about it and about the 'Cacciola affair'.

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. - 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. - Janet has shown him a copy of a letter by Mr Withers to Philipson forwarded to George; has written to Withers that he inclines towards enabling Robert and Elizabeth to pay the death duties if [Florence Trevelyan's] will was proved; would also make sure they could settle any other claims in case they could not come to an agreement with Cacciola, and would consider any money spent to be on George's behalf as well.

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. - 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].

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.

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. - 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, 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'.

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.

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'.

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/77] and for sending the second five hundred pounds: his and Caroline's 'kindness will have been of great importance', as without it he and Elizabeth would 'not at all have been able to build the house as [they] wanted'. The weather remains good, which is favourable 'as the roof ought to be begun in a week or two'.

They are going to spend tonight with Mr [Ernest Penrose] Arnold, who has lately retired to Godalming; has not seen him 'for years' except very briefly this year, and will be glad to see him and his wife again. Bessie is 'playing the viol d'amore in two pieces at a Dolmetsch concert here next Wednesday'. She is not going abroad at the end of the week: she did not think it worthwhile, since 'the Grandmonts are leaving Holland on the first of October'. They are disappointed that Bessie's friend Miss Halbertsma cannot come abroad with them this winter; maybe it will be possible another time, as she would have liked to if she had been able.

Has just received his mother's letter; sends thanks. Is glad 'little Cacciola [presumably a relative of Salvatore Cacciola, husband of Florence Trevelyan; perhaps Cesare Acrosso?] enjoyed his visit at Wallington'; they 'like him better than his uncle, though no doubt he is not such a character'. The eruption of Vesuvius seems 'very bad': if the cone falls in, as is feared, there 'may be some great catastrophe, as it will block up the crater, and have to be blown out again somehow or other, and nobody knows what might happen then'.

Hears his parents had a 'large dinner party' recently; is 'sorry to have missed [Herbert] Craig', whom he used to know 'quite well'; hopes he will win his seat, which he thinks is Sir George's old one, as he 'ought to be a very good Member of Parliament'. Supposes George's book [England under the Stuarts] will be out soon; looks forward to reading the 'last half'. Sends love to his mother, and will write to her soon.