I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - First page begins with a list of passages or words from G.M. Trevelyan's "English Social History" which are unclear to Morra; the letter follows with an opening apology for sending them. Had a good journey back from England, arriving on Christmas Eve and finding B.B. [Berenson] and the household well; is going to Cortona tomorrow then on to Rome, where Trevelyan should send his reply. Was delighted to spend two days with the Trevelyans. They are expecting a visit at I Tatti, but Trevelyan must let them know when he plans to come, as they may be moving in the spring. Has been reading the "Journal" of Charles Du Bos for 1921-1923, which is fascinating, sometimes deep and sometimes exasperating; Trevelyan appears more than once.
Hotel Infant Isabel, Burgos. - Is very sorry to miss Trevelyan's friends [Francis] Birrell and [Raymond] Mortimer, whom he met at Lady Colefax's 'famous' garden party; it is, though, pleasant to be in B.B. [Berenson]'s 'train' and to be travelling through Spain to Seville and Granada. Will be home around November, so can meet Trevelyan at Cortona then; nobody will be at I Tatti until late December. Will be delighted to see Birrell and Mortimer if they are still in Italy when he returns. Has heard much from Nicky [Mariano] about Trevelyan, and is glad that Welcombe has been sold as planned. Will be very proud if Trevelyan does indeed address an epistle to him in hexameters. Has written an article on Du Bos, and has now been asked for another on Virginia W[oolf], for rather an important journal; proposes one on any new book she might be writing, asks for details and for the book to be sent when it appears. The Berensons seem to be getting on quite well: B.B. complaining a little about his health, and Mary about 'romanic art' [sic], which is a topic for discussion due to the book about Jerusalem she is writing. B.B. says the countryside is 'more desertic and arabic than Syria'. Has read Trevelyan's letter out to the company: they expect him at I Tatti when Mary and Nicky return in late December, though B.B. will stay with Mrs Wharton until New Year; thinks Ray and Karin and their families will also be at I Tatti.
30 Paulton's Square, Chelsea S.W. 3. - Is sure M. Dubos [Charles Du Bos] would be able to get a room here; she wants to go away in June and he could have her room if the landlady agreed. He should write directly to the landlady: Miss Derby. Very glad Trevelyan saw Gordon [her brother], who has left a parcel of things for him with her. Sends best wishes to Mrs Trevelyan and hopes she enjoyed the Holland trip; has now found her copy of 'Jinny's papers' [?] but expects it is too late to send them.
Grand Hotel du Righi, Boulevard de Righi, Nice. - Gained 'great pleasure' from Trevelyan's letter; asks to be excused for not replying sooner. His wife called at the Hotel de Londres, but they said that no post had arrived for Trevelyan except for some catalogues they had forwarded. His daughter [Primerose] is 'in [a] good state' and has been able to benefit from the 'splendid' weather. They leave for Paris on 27 April, and look forward to seeing Trevelyan when he passes through; gives their address. Spent a few days with B.B. [Bernard Berenson] at Mrs [Edith] Wharton's, and gave him Trevelyan's news. Berenson will leave soon for Florence so they will see each other there; he was in 'very good form', and Du Bos was glad to see him. Very 'touched' by what Trevelyan says about Du Bos's 'little "Merimee"'; he and his wife have begun to read the "Oresteia" and greatly admired Trevelyan's 'skill' in such a 'very difficult task' of translation. Hope Florence is as 'delightful as ever'; wishes they could 'roam together among the beautiful hills'.
1 rue Budé, IVième, Isle Saint-Louis. - Is 'ashamed' not to have answered Trevelyan's 'two kind letters' for so long a time, and 'very grateful' to him for taking so much trouble; Trevelyan's second letter reached Du Bos on the 'very day Pearsall Logan Smith [sic: Logan Pearsall Smith] was here'. Still hoped then that he might be able to carry out 'so very pleasant a plan' [see perhaps 4/195, a postcard from E. M. Luce suggesting that Du Bos could stay in her room in London while she is away in June] but regrets that he will be 'tied down to [his] work all through summer' and cannot hope to get away. Will keep Trevelyan's 'invaluable indications' and hopes he will be able to use them one day. Much regrets that Trevelyan will not, as he offered, be able to introduce him to Desmond MacCarthy: admired MacCarthy's 'article of Souvenirs on Henry James' very much; if MacCarthy ever comes to Paris, asks Trevelyan to give him his address. Was unable to go to Jelly d'Arányi's concert due to 'pressure of work'; heard through some of his friends at "La Revue Musicale" that the Bela Bartok concert was very successful, and hopes she will come to visit Paris for a longer time one day, and will 'then report herself to the Ile Saint-Louis'.
Asks if Trevelyan's article on Shelley's "Epypsychidion" has appeared in the "New Statesman": is 'very impatient' to read it. Their conversations 'two years ago and the other day' on the 'tempo' of both Keats and Shelley were 'very interesting and fruitful': is increasingly interested in that subject and feels 'starved' of it when Trevelyan is out of Paris. Is sending a 'little notice' of his "Collection d'Auteurs Etrangers" [series published under his supervision]: now seems decided they will also publish either "Heloise and Abelard" or "The Brook Kerith" by George Moore. Has seen the Countess de Rohan-Chabot; is revising B.B.s translation [into French: of one of Berenson's books on Italian art] with her and has just written to him about it. Heard an interesting lecture by Valéry at Adrienne Monnier's recently on the 'ideas of Edgar Poe'; wishes Trevelyan could have been there. [John Middleton] Murry was there and 'enjoyed it greatly'; he is 'kindly' trying to get Du Bos 'regular employement [sic]' at the "Times". Sure if Trevelyan hears of anything permanent at the "New Statesman" or elsewhere he will remember Du Bos. His wife sends 'many messages' [of regard]. Adds postscript saying they lunched with [Edmond] Jaloux recently, who asked lots of questions about Trevelyan.