35 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Very much liked Bob's poem [in the "New Statesman" about Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson]; was staying with Barry [Alfred Barratt Brown?] when it appeared, who read it out. They are coming [to Surrey?] tomorrow until Sunday night; asks if Bob is coming over; they will suggest going to the Allens' for tea on Sunday.
West Watch, Ferry Drive, Wraysbury, Staines. - Is sorry to have caused trouble by leaving his rucksack behind, and thanks Trevelyan for rescuing it; would have been sorry to lose the anthologies it contained. The "Beggars' Opera" was great fun and it is a shame Trevelyan could not join them [Waley and John Luce]. Enjoyed the week in the Lakes very much, including the games of chess; trusts Trevelyan did finally beat Ted Lloyd [Edward Mayow Hastings Lloyd?].
Hotel Victoria, London, W.C.2. - Very many thanks for Elizabeth's kind letter. 'Dora has been misrepresenting things'. He and Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] talked last night to Ted Lloyd who now knows everything and can tell her his judgment on it.
Royal Court Hotel, Sloane Square, London, S.W.1. - The Russells will be delighted to see the Trevelyans on Tuesday. They are at the Royal Court Hotel, as there was 'difficulty about Conrad's needs' at the Lloyds' [Ted and Margaret?]. Is sorry that only Bob will be able to stay to lunch.
Little Datchet Farm, Malvern, R.D.1, Pennsylvania. - Agrees that it is difficult to write to distant friends - much unknown and much that cannot be said - but values letters from friends in England more and more. Absurd that Bob's walks on Leith Hill are so restricted. Agrees that ["The Brothers] Karamazov" is a great book, but hates it, and thinks Dostoevsky 'evil': dislikes 'the doctrine that one should sin in order to experience humility'. Has written about John in his letter to Bob [see Russell's "Autobiography"]; Kate is doing very well at Radcliffe, an annex of Harvard; at the moment she is on holiday and they are 'employing her as a servant, because ordinary servants can't be got' (they are all engaged in war work). This is 'terrible slavery' for Peter and she has hardly any time for reading or writing. Conrad is very well, 'a chatter-box, with an enormous vocabulary'; he can read a little, but they have not started him on writing; he is a delight, but it is hard not to wonder 'what sort of world he will have to live in'. Have had a visit from Julian Huxley and several from Ted Lloyd: 'a joy to see friends from England'. Also saw Jos Wedgwood, who was 'quite untamed'. Finds his pupils 'dull', and his employer 'very difficult', but is making a book from his lectures and his research is interesting. Peter 'fairly well', but sad at being exiled from all mental life by house-work'.
c/o G. Bottomley, The Sheiling, Silverdale nr Carnforth. - Is very sorry if her letter gave the impression that she was not in 'wholehearted sympathy' with Russell's anxiety over the divorce; it is 'inconceivable' to her that anyone should wish to deprive Russell of his children. She was under the impression that Dora wanted to share the custody of the children with Russell, having heard this through Ted Lloyd and C[lifford] Allen. Has not seen Dora for almost a year. The 'situation seems full of sadness' to her. Hopes that some solution will be reached; could not bear the thought of Russell being entirely separated from the children.
Has not yet heard from Bessie, but supposes they got seats on one of the trains. Is going to tea at Leith Hill Place [with Ralph and Iris Wedgwood?] then to lunch and to stay the night at Hurtwood House [with Joan Allen?]. Will listen to [Mozart's "Marriage of] Figaro" tonight on the [BBC] third program'. The [A.W?] Lawrences and 'Mrs Anderson (or Edwards)?' came to tea yesterday, which was 'very pleasant'; they look alder, but he enjoyed seeing them. Is well, but cannot work so will read Ben Jonson's "Alchemist'. Feels 'rather lonely' without Bessie. May go to the Deuchars and bathe on Monday if it is still fine. Ted Lloyd has gone to a conference in Switzerland. May visit Olive [Heseltine?] one day. Asks Bessie to let him know when she is coming back, and whether he should send her the "New Statesman" and 'those white trousers which Kitty said she would mend'.
Thanks him for his criticisms (see 2/77), but points out the distinction between the memorandum and the questions, which are merely suggestions to be considered by the committee. Passes on comments on the questions by Lloyd and Wise.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Has corresponded with the Braccis about the Lloyd girl, and Trevelyan will receive a second message from Lulli [Lucangelo Bracci] through Nicky [Mariano] soon. Sprigge [Cecil or Sylvia] has not approached them. The Braccis would like to send their eldest son, who has graduated and preparing to enter the diplomatic service, to England; therefore Miss Lloyd could stay at Montepulciano for a month as an unpaying guest as long as Braccio may likewise go and stay with the Lloyds [Margaret and Ted?] for a month and improve his spoken English. If this is impossible, asks if Trevelyan could suggest another family for Braccio to stay with. Would like to read Virginia's book [Woolf's "Three Guineas"] though expects not to like it much, like "A Room of One's Own]; would be grateful if Trevelyan could send a copy. The Lippmanns' visit has not brought B.B. [Berenson] the pleasure he hoped for: 'something dry... and pedantically moralising' about Lippman; his new wife 'an improvement on the previous one' but hysterical. Returning home today, then will go to Sorrento, then to 'the new Consuma' at Vallombrosa. Trevelyan's friend is welcome if he comes when Morra is at home. Knows nothing about [Leone?] Vivante's book and asks why he ought to read it.