Iles Farm, Far Oakridge, Nr. Chalford, Glos. - Much 'confusion' at home due to building; they were meant to have moved in for Christmas but he is 'still playing the part of an amateur clerk of the works' and does not think he will be able to get away. Has not 'touched brush or pencil' for a fortnight but not felt guilty at all, since he has been so absorbed with 'the work & the interest in the new relationship with the local workpeople'. Has always thought that 'the big firms like Maple & Harrods were doing untold harm to the country' and now knows that to be true; the workmen here are 'quite remarkably efficient'. Glad to hear news of Robert Trevelyan; sure he will have been 'as amused... at Chhatarupur' as Rothenstein was. Hopes the 'physical beauty of India has opened his heart to the people' as it did for Rothenstein. Would very much like to visit and meet the Gordon Bottomleys, but does not see how he can accept Mrs Trevelyan's invitation; hopes the Bottomleys will stay with her a little longer and that he can come later.
Iles Farm, Far Oakridge, Nr. Chalford, Glos. - Is very glad to hear that Mrs Trevelyan's husband is home [from the Far East] 'safe and well'. Very sorry to have missed the Bottomleys. Will visit when he can, and when Mrs Trevelyan 'care[s] to sit' to him; looks forward to hearing about Robert Trevelyan's travels. Adds a postscript that [Rabindranath] Tagore is reading his play "Chitra" at 21 Cromwell Road at 5 tomorrow afternoon; he himself cannot leave work, but there might be a chance of the Trevelyans being in London.
Originally enclosing a letter to Ursula, marked 'urgent'; was going to forward it to the Darwins but changed his mind; Bessie is not coming home till the evening, and he thought he should send it at once. Has been home for a few days after going to Wallington, the [Gordon] Bottomleys and Aunt Annie [Philips]. Tom [Sturge Moore] is back here, but Marie is in London for the time being. Glad Julian will be able to come during his leave. Went to the Sickert show at the National Gallery; there were 'crowds of pictures, some very good' but in general the show at Agnews a few years ago was 'more select' and gave a better idea of him.
Bankipore. - Received his mother's last letter at Benares, with one written by Bessie from the train to Wallington. They are stopping here for three nights on the way to Calcutta, staying with [Syed Ross] Masood, a 'young Mohammedan Barrister' whom he has met before several times in England, a friend of [E.M.] Forster's, and who is 'clever and artistic'. There is not much to see here; Patna, of which Bankipore is a suburb, is 'the most sordid, horrible and slummy place' they have seen yet in India, with little remaining to be seen of Pataliputra. They will go to Gaya for the day tomorrow, to see Buddha's Bo tree; tells his mother how to pronounce 'Buddha'. They will stay two or three weeks at Calcutta, perhaps visit Darjeeling for a few nights, then go south to Madras. Is very well, as is [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson now; they parted company with Forster at Chhatarpur. Benares is a 'wonderful place', where they made friends with a mystic, 'a charming man, with a charming, but fantastic, philosophy'. Thanks his mother for all the news about Julian, who seems to be doing very well; it was good that he could stay so long at Wallington. Bessie seems to have had a very good time in the Netherlands; is glad that she is getting on so well with the Bottomleys and that the Shiffolds seems to be suiting them. Still quite cold here at nights; rather like Rome or Florence in December, except with no rain. They just missed seeing [Ekai] Kawaguchi, the Japanese traveller in Tibet, who lives in Benares learning Sanskrit but has gone away for a few days; Robert is 'very much disappointed'. Montagu [Edwin Montagu, British Secretary of State for India] arrived at Benares the day they left; they were invited to a party to meet him but could not stay. Politics seem to be going better now; hopes the [First Balkan] war can be settled soon. Always reads the "Manchester Guardian" and "Nation", which arrive weekly; the news is 'stale' but better than the 'very poor telegrams' in the Indian newspapers. Sends love to his father; supposes his parents will be at Welcombe by now.
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Very kind of Robert to send her the 'splendid new edition' of his "Collected Works": it is a 'joy to touch such excellent paper' as well as to read Robert's 'charming' earlier poems again; thanks him for inscribing it to her. Had read about the forthcoming publication of this new edition in the "Times". Asks him to hand an enclosure to Elizabeth: hopes her 'general health' is still good, and wonders when her next eye operation is due. Glad Elizabeth can soon go to Wallington; is sure the 'change & air there do her much good'. It is very kind of Molly to take in the Trevelyans' guests as well; wonders whether they will go north by car or train. If Bob later visits the Bottomleys [Gordon and Emily], hopes they will drive him to The Park to visit her as they did some years ago. Very glad that Alice [Elms?] is 'safe back at the Shiffolds" and can 'move about a little'.
Writing at the desk in his room, where Pusska is pushing against his arm so he finds it difficult to write; expects the cat 'wants to send.. his love'. Soon after Julian left, saw a young fox cub in the wood on the way to Holmbury,; he 'looked very pretty', but Robert expects he will 'have one or two of our chickens'. Mr [Francis] Birrell is coming to stay the night. Tomorrow, will go to the Lake Hunt near Keswick, then to spend a couple of nights with Mr [Frank] Marshall at Hawes End [sic: Hawse End], then for a couple of weeks to Silverdale to see Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley. Has bathed at Tanhurst several times lately, though it was too cold the last couple of mornings; the pond is not quite full, so it is 'rather difficult to climb out'; it has not begun to smell badly yet. Hopes Julian's tame rabbit is well.
Palace Hotel, Rome. - Very glad Elizabeth has found a suitable nurse; was sorry to see Nurse Withers has not yet found 'an infant' to go to; it has all been very troublesome, and 'the little scamp' [Julian] will never know. Hopes the new nurse will be firm with him; does not think Nurse Withers had any 'personal influence'. Caroline is recovering quickly; she still coughs and cannot do much, but has 'insisted' on going out once a day since the weather is 'glorious'; they went to the Forum yesterday morning, and today plans to go out for a drive and walk after lunch. They have a 'nice "apartment"' on the fifth floor with a fine view. Mrs Severn writes to ask if Elizabeth 'would be interested in a young lady violinist'; Caroline is sure she will not, but encloses Mrs Severn's letter anyway [no longer present]. The concerts are over. Glad Mr [Donald] Tovey is well; hopes 'the great [Sophie] Weisse is behaving more easily'. Aunt Annie [Philips] enjoyed her visit to Elizabeth and thought Julian looked well. Robert will soon be back; hopes Mr and Mrs [Gordon] Bottomley are 'comfortably settled', and asks if Bottomley is better than last year. She and Sir George expect Charles and Mary, who are staying at a small hotel nearby, on Friday; is disappointed that she will not be able to 'scold' Mary for 'doing too much, and making herself ill' as she supposes she has done the same. Asks her to tell Robert they are glad he went to Casa Magni [the Shelleys home at San Terenzo, Lerici]; the three poets [Bob, Abercrombie and Gibson] 'should all have written a poem on it, that evening!'.
Rome. - Pleased the nurse Elizabeth has found seems so suitable; hopes she will let her and Julian 'take their own way of settling down'. Her own bronchitis 'drags on' and she finds it hard to keep cheerful; Pantlin is 'extraordinarily good' to her, nursing her with 'poultices & rubs', as well as washing, dressing, and cooking for her. Is starting to feel uneasy about the journey home. Sir George is 'awfully kind & good' but she know it is beginning to 'tell on him' and he must return to his work by the middle of next month. Keeps wondering if she will now be an invalid. Good that Ch[arles] and M[ary] are here, though Mary's energy is 'just a little overwhelming'. Glad Elizabeth is enjoying the [Gordon] Bottomleys' visit and seeing lots of friends. Annie [Philips] offered to come out and help to nurse Caroline; she is 'the most affectionate of sisters'. Charles and Mary are returning on Thursday; Charles is enjoying seeing the Forum and other classical remains. Is reading Miss [Florence] Nightingale's "Life" and finding it very interesting; a 'kind lady' also lends her novels, 'more or less bad'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thinks Elizabeth will have had a good passage [to the Netherlands]; hopes she is quite rested by now. Glad she left her friends so comfortable, and hopes Mr B[ottomley] will recover in the south. The [Richard Durning?] Holts came yesterday before lunch then at 9.30 in the evening drove to Newcastle with Charlie. Julian came down after tea and behaved very well. It is Geordie's birthday tomorrow and there will be 'great festivities'. Charlie looked well and will return on Thursday if possible for the Northumberland County Council. Miss McCrachan [?] is coming to tea today, but in general she now expects to be very quiet. Asks Elizabeth to let her know when she will be back; wants to organise things such as Christmas trees. George 'says "every one ought to have one war they can enjoy in their lives" & that he is having it'. It [the First Balkan War] is 'certainly most dramatic'. Asks to be remembered to Elizabeth's sister [Mien Röntgen] and hopes everyone is well.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad that Elizabeth is having a good time [in the Netherlands]; will send this letter to Amsterdam, and the nurse will write tomorrow to the Witte Huis. News of Julian; he is very interested in a 'motor extra of "Country Life"' which Sir George has given him, and wants to know the names of all the cars. About a hundred and seventy or eighty pheasants were killed at the shoot yesterday, and nineteen hares; Sir George was too tired and says he will not go out again. Caroline and Mary drove, taking Geordie; Mary is well again, and Caroline thinks there is now no cause for anxiety [about her pregnancy]. Interested to hear about Elizabeth's sister [Mien Röntgen] and her life; it must be 'a very good atmosphere for the boys'. Glad Elizabeth will be back on 25-26 [Nov] but she should not worry about staying a few days longer if she likes as Julian is quite well. Hopes her friends [the Bottomleys] at the Shiffolds are well. Has had a letter from Robert on his arrival at Bombay, in which he sounds cheerful and glad to have finished the voyage. Julian has 'a box of large dominoes with which he builds pens for his sheep'; he is 'so nice with his fingers'. A postscript on a separate sheet describes Julian going around with his train upstairs 'talking at the top of his voice' to everyone he meets; she likes to hear him around the house.
100 Weston Rd, Gloucester. - 'Alas! not for me, but I shall get it' [Written while returning a copy of Trevelyan's edition of Arthur Waley's poems, "From the Chinese", wrongly inscribed to 'Gordon and Emily (Bottomley)': see 4/174, 183 and 184]. Apologises for not replying to Bessie's letter. He is spending time in Oxford, getting proofs of his "Inscriptions of Burma" through the University Press. News from Burma 'pouring in'. A postscript says he expects Arthur [Waley?] will tell him the allusion in the last couplet of the enclosed, though he expects Trevelyan will know it.
Written to accompany a copy of Trevelyan's edition of Arthur Waley's poems, "From the Chinese", returned because inscribed to 'Gordon and Emily' [Bottomley. See 4/174, 183 and 184].
Written to accompany a copy of Trevelyan's edition of Arthur Waley's poems, "From the Chinese", returned because inscribed to 'Gordon and Emily' [Bottomley. See 4/174, 183 and 184].
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and the 'adorable photograph' of Julian. Was 'fighting with a chapter of her book' at Robin Ghyll, but now has time to write. Mary [her daughter] has 'appropriated the photograph of Julian', who is looking 'handsome... splendidly big & strong'. Wishes she were not missing him at Wallington, but will probably leave on the 23rd to go the Lakes with her mother or stay with an aunt in Wales [Ethel Arnold?]; she and the children must certainly go to Stocks by the 28th. Arrived at Wallington on Wednesday to find Caroline in bed with a chill and Mrs [Hilda] Runciman in bed after a miscarriage; Molly was also ill in bed at Cambo, so Janet seems to have spent all her time visiting the sick and 'administering spiritual comfort'. though Caroline is the only one to have been really ill; she looks 'very frail' but does seem to have 'an indomitable power' of recovery if she can take her time. George is away till Monday for a walk along the Scottish border; has been working hard at Robin Ghyll and will take this month as holiday to recover. Bessie is going to be a 'lonely little widow' all winter [while Bob is travelling in the East]; wishes she would come and visit them in London, perhaps on her way to the Netherlands. Asks who the Gordon Bottomleys are. Mary very happy to be with the 'Cambo cousins' again, and Humphry is 'happy everywhere', especially 'playing with the big boys in the hall'. She is also happy, except that she 'still can't remember the way to make new little Trevies'; Moll seems to be 'going on really well now', which is a great comfort. Bessie must be very busy 'getting Bob rigged out & inoculated', but may have time to write another letter.
Hard Crag, Cartmel. - The house in which he is staying is quite near where Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley live, and he often visits them; describes a 'wonderful musical box' they have. When Julian's mother was here last week, she played her violin for them. Went for a walk yesterday, in which he found a pond in a field, 'took off all his clothes, and jumped, splash! into the water' for a swim, though it was too cold to stay in long. Sends a picture of a tortoise, bird, and 'funny old train' just like the ones 'when Grandaddy was a little boy'.
Im Gartenhaus [in the Garden House], Well Knowe House, Cartmel, by Carnforth. - Very glad to have "The Bride [of Dionysus"] and sorry to be so late with his thanks. As Bob says, will save most of his comments until they meet, but much admires the book. Some metrical effects will 'always evoke' for him the sound of Bob reading it, and 'between some lines [he will] always hear the Welsh waves'. Mentions a few passages he enjoyed. Found the Labyrinth scene so exciting that it 'nearly turned [him] into a scenic designer, and so also with Phaedra's incantation'. Liked the other poems too, and the Lucretius which was new to him; finds Bob's translations 'remarkable' and 'much more subtle and weighty' than any other English translations; now realises the significance of the originals to their contemporary audience more than ever before. Wishes Bob might at least translate all of Sophocles before Gordon dies. He and his wife have had Bob's letter this morning and are 'mournful' they missed him on his way to Seatoller. Good of him to think of coming later just to see them, but do not want to miss him when he is so near and would 'prefer both times'; they do understand that work should not be disrupted so he should not think about it until Whitsuntide. 'Parents are such [emphasised] a responsibility': Emily's mother took rooms for them at Buxton after Whitsun without their knowledge, but they have told her they cannot come until the week after. Happy to hear that both Trevelyans liked his poems so much. Is not 'made of moods in [his] natural life', but thinks Bob's wife is right and that his poems are his moods. Does not want his poems to be 'illogical', but is 'curst with a natural tendency to explanatoriness [sic]' which he is then 'driven to thought', but never wants to be 'an impressionist', however much he seems to. Is however a 'fortunate fellow' since many writers in England would 'give their heads to be praised by' Bob, [Lascelles] Abercrombie and [Thomas Sturge] Moore - even though Moore's praise is 'in patches': they 'fortify' him against the 'refrigerant reviewers'; supposes Bob has seen the "Manchester Guardian" 'deflating' him last Friday.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Was glad to hear his parents had reached Rome on Saturday, and that his mother is well again; hopes she will now 'keep well', and that they are having good weather. Reached home on Wednesday, and found Bessie and Julian well. The 'nurse problem' seems to have been solved 'quite happily': Julian 'seems to take to the new nurse, and she seems a strong, sensible young woman'. The Bottomleys are staying with them, and are 'cheerful guests'.
Had a 'wonderful five days at Aulla with his friends [Lascelles Abercrombie and W. W. Gibson] at [Aubrey] Waterfield's castle'; thinks it is the 'finest country' he knows in Italy, 'or anywhere almost'. They went one day to Lerici and visited the Casa Magni [the Shelleys' house]; some 'quite terrible houses' have recently been built just beyond it, but 'the bay is too lovely to be really spoiled'. They walked three miles south along the coast to Fiascherino, 'a tiny village where a friend was staying', which was 'as beautiful as anything I have seen on the rocky part of the Mediterranean coast, in France or Italy'. Then they walked back about four or five miles over the hills to catch the train at Sarzana.
His parents will have Charles and Molly with them by now; sends them his love. Bessie saw them in London the day he returned; he fears they 'had a stormy crossing', as he did. Bessie says she will write to Caroline tomorrow; he expects 'chiefly about the new nurse', who came yesterday. Julian woke up at five this morning and asked her to light a candle, as he said he wanted to 'see her face'. Then he said "' Yes, I like your face. That's all right. You can put the candle out now, and try to go to sleep again'. He 'certainly seems satisfied with her, and so does Bessie so far'. Sends love to his mother.
Seatoller House, Borrowdale, Keswick. - Will be on his own here for the next week, as Charles and Molly left for Criccieth on Monday; they were very well, but the weather at the weekend was very cold. Today it is 'lovely', and getting warmer. Bessie has gone to the 'H Davieses at Three Bridges with Julian'; she seems to have had 'quite a gay and social time' since they parted, and has 'been playing with Mrs [Nora?] Streeton, a violinist, several times'. Lily Brookes is coming in a few days, so Bessie will then be 'much freer'.
Had a pleasant visit to Aunt Annie on the way here; she was 'very cheerful', and invited 'a lot of people to tea' the day Robert was there. Is going on to the Bottomleys at Silverdale on Tuesday, probably for a week, before returning home. Gordon Bottomley seems 'quite well, and none the worse for his adventures in London and at the Shiffolds'; they were 'quite anxious about him' for a few days, but he 'recovered very quickly'.
Will write to his father soon.
The Shiffolds. - Thanks her for her letter; she will have heard about their plans from Bessie. Is probably going to Scotland for about a week to join [James?] Strachey, not to Wooler as they had 'first intended'; then Robert can return via Wallington and Cambo for a few days, probably then going on to Silverdale to see the Bottomleys.
Julian seems very well, and 'gets on with Miss Barthorpe [as governess], who is quite good with him'; she is 'perhaps a little wanting in mental energy, but he hardly wants stimulus just now'. Hopes soon to get the agreement with Constables about 'our new Poetry Annual [An Annual of New Poetry], which would then come out this winter'. The negotiations have been 'rather a bother', as he has had to negotiate on behalf of 'all the other contributors'. Bessie is very well.
Epwell Mill, Banbury. - Presumes to "revive a casual & far too exiguous acquaintance' by telling Trevelyan how much he appreciated his poem to [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson [published in the "New Statesman" on 22 October] which seemed the 'noblest remiscence [sic: reminiscence, a mis-spelling for which Withers apologises in the margin]' for a man he 'knew but slightly in the troubled days of 1918' but for whom he has 'always felt the profoundest admiration'. Read the poem a few hours ago over his 'customary bed-ridden breakfast'. The Bottomleys stayed with them last week: Emily was 'jaded & listless', but Gordon 'exuberant & irrepressible, & perhaps more self-engrossed than ever'; it seems that the 'crushing burdens of these days, even the desolation & sorrows of his friends' slip from him 'like water from a duck's back'. Wishes Trevelyan was not so far away, and that there was 'reasonable hope' of seeing him again. Has heard occasionally about his wife's 'failing eyesight' and wished he could tell him how much he felt for her and Trevelyan, though he also hears of 'such fortitude as makes sympathy almost an offence'. Sends his and his wife's greetings to her, and 'remembrances of the happy visit' they paid long ago.
c/o Mrs Hall, Veronica, Silverdale, near Carnforth. - Bessie and Julian arrived yesterday; went with them from Silverdale to Arnside, though returned here later. She seems 'rather stronger than last week', and the 'tonic' appears to do her good; also, her tooth is no longer troubling her. A couple of weeks here may 'make a great difference'. Julian seems very well, and 'very pleased to be at the sea-side, and to be able to watch the trains on the Arnside viaduct'. Will see Bessie again today, when she comes to see the Bottomleys.
Miss Barthorp, despite her mother, 'has determined to stay [as Julian's governess] into July if necessary', to give them time to find someone else. However, Bessie seems to have found a 'temporary governess at Manchester, and engaged her to come in early July'; she will not do as a permanent governess, 'only until J[ulian] goes to the Arnside school. But she seems to be a quite a nice sort of person'. They are sorry for Miss Barthorp, who is 'really very unhappy at having to go'. They will have to find someone else for next year; fortunately, there will be plenty of time.
Has just finished the Swinburne Life [by Gosse]; thinks it 'very well done', but wishes there were 'more details and more letters'; thinks a 'longer book would have been quite legitimate'. Swinburne is 'not... exactly a favourite' of his, but he is interesting. Gosse 'published a fascinating account of him years ago, with [a] delightful story of his drowning adventure in Normandy', which he could well have included. Understands a book of Swinburne's letters will be published separately. Robert's father's 'Appendix is very jolly'.
Furzen Wood, addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Found [James] Joyce's "Exiles" at the Shiffolds and has sent it to [Umberto] Morra, so whatever Julian sends he need not include that. Had a good evening with the Bottomleys [Gordon and Emily] on Sunday. The work at the Shiffolds seems to be 'getting on well now'. The fifty pounds has been paid into Julian's account. He and Bessie both enjoyed their week in Paris very much.
Glad that Julian has recovered from his 'influenza, or whatever it was'. Went to the Lake Hunt at Seatoller at Whitsun; on Friday he, Uncle Charles, Aunt Molly, and two others went for a long walk up Great End, from which on a clear day it is possible to see six old kingdoms: Ireland, England, Man, Scotland, Wales and Heaven; these are now 'all under one king, except for Ireland, which does not yet know what it is, and as to the sky' he has 'not lately heard anything about its politics'. Later, some of them bathed in a pool so deep the bottom can be seen but not swum down to. Describes the hunts: was a 'hare' the first day, and got out-run by someone who was almost half his age; was very stiff the next day as a hound but did help to catch Uncle Charles. [Henri de?] Regnier is staying, and sends his regards; the Bottomleys [Gordon and Emily] are visiting next Saturday for a few days. There is very little water, and 'Seater's [?] men' have been here all day digging up pipes near the stable to see what is wrong; wonders if Julian's school at Mayortorne is running short.
Thanks Julian for his letter and picture; likes the colour and contrast in the picture, though he and Elizabeth differ over whether part of it is a tree root or a rabbit hole. Will be interested to hear the new poems; missed Julian's recital of poems from last term, but expects he has forgotten those by now. Is dining in London tonight with Monsieur [Jean] Marchand, the painter; he may come to visit before his return to France. Still problems with the water supply at the Shiffolds, so they are having to miss out on baths and fetch water from Tanhurst. Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley were here all last week, and Mr [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson is visiting now; can hear his typewriter in the drawing room, and a chaffinch outside.
c/o Mrs Wilson, Myers Farm, Silverdale. Carnforth. - Very pleased to get Julian's letter; Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley were surprised he could write so well already. 'Jack Frost about' here'; the window in his room was open last night, and this morning the bath water was very cold. Hears Julian is at Cambo; hopes he will have a good time with the cousins, and sends love to them, Uncle Charles, and Aunt Molly. Hopes Mrs Boucher is happy at Workington with her parents, which is 'not so very far' from Silverdale - but there are large hills in between which, he has climbed with Charles and Molly, and also with Mr Reade. Has also been there with Mr Reade, and watched him climb 'up rocky places that would have frightened Jacko [a monkey?] even'. This house is quite near the railway station, and he sometimes sees trains with more than fifty carriages and wishes Julian could be there. Not good terrain for 'tractor-engines', though has seen one in the distance, and also a 'steam-roller asleep under a sheet at the side of the road'.
c/o Mrs Wilson, Myers Farm, Silverdale. near Carnforth. - Is staying quite near to the station, and is sometimes woken by the trains at night; thinks then that it would be a good thing if he and Julian had 'flying beds and could... change places for a few hours'; saw a train with sixty trucks the other day. Is about ten minutes walk from Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley's house, and visits in the morning and after supper, when he reads aloud, usually from Shakespeare. Mr Bottomley has a book of [William] Allingham's poems which they do not have; copies out "Four ducks on a pond". There are about thirty turkeys in the fields round the house, and the cock has such a red face that 'there are no paints in [Julian's] box with which you could paint it redder'. Julian's mother has sent his last poem, ending 'the silly brooding cow', which is 'quite a good one'; Mr Bottomley agrees. Sends love to Elizabeth and to Booa [Mary Prestwich], and asks him to tell her he is enjoying her parkin very much; so did Mrs Bottomley when she tried some.
The Sheiling, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancs. - Thanks Bob for his 'Christmas Leaves' ["From the Shiffolds"]; everything is 'engaging, coming to its height in the epistle to Monna Ursula [Wood].. old Aeschylus - and (probably) Dream-Truth'. Says that Bob writes very 'like another Landor' in his 'old age - but more sure footed than Landor ever was'. Knows his 'Reciprocation' [originally enclosed] will not please Bob as much, but it conveys as much love to him and Bessie 'as it would if it were much better'; he and Emily hope to see them in the New Year.