11 Walton Str[eet], Oxford. - Thanks Bob for his book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; read it in the Christmas 'rush', then lost it; has found again and enjoyed re-reading 'so much'; apologises for his delay in thanks. Enjoys the "Moretum" especially, which is a 'wonderful picture of the Dutch school'. Very kind of Bob to remember him. Clara [his wife] is well; four of the children are at home with whooping cough. Saw 'Aunt Molly McCarthy' recently when she was staying with the Cecils, and saw something of Betty [Muntz] when he was in Dorset in August, but otherwise has not heard news of Bob; looks out for him at the London Library, where they last met. Had a letter at Christmas from Oliver Lodge, now living in Gloucestershire; would like very much to visit him but it is difficult to leave home. Expecting David from Athens later in the year. Goes to London to teach each week; hopes he may see Bob there one day.
11 Walton Street, Oxford. - Thanks from himself and Clare for Bob's poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; they congratulate him on the birth of a grandson. Lists his favourite poems; also has Bob's epistle to Lady Allen, which he 'reread with pleasure'. Asks whether he ever hears from the Lodges; has had no news from them since they left the country, though received a copy of Oliver's "The Candle". They have had 'a Christening and a Christmas', and all the children but the baby have 'gone to stay with Hester in the country'. Clare recovered well [after the birth] and is 'back in her kitchen'; they find that 'just looking after ourselves takes up almost all our time', though he still works a little in his studio, and has Bob's Ward's "Anthology" [of English verse] and other books 'for recreation'. Tells him to let them know if he is ever in Oxford. Uncle Desmond and Aunt Molly [MacCarthy] are here staying with the Cecils, and Belloc came down early in the year.
The Green Farm, Timworth, Bury St. Edmunds - Is sorry that he will not be able to come to Seatoller: originally enclosing a notice of a lecture he is to give on 14th July; he is also to 'dine with the Erewhonians' the following night, and had hoped to see Trevelyan there. Rachel [his daughter] is beginning to put on weight. Enjoyed the [Apostles'] dinner. Is working on his lecture, his first to an informed audience, and hopes to raise some money and impress an agent. Believes Robin Mayor is going to send him an article on the 'comico-poetic' about Trevelyan's "Sisyphus".
Life & Letters, 21 Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W.1. - Is sorry that he has not sent back Irene's book [Irene Cooper-Willis?] and will do so at once; did broadcast it, and meant to make the Hawk [the 'Affable Hawk', his pen-name] write about it: it is not too late for this, and was glad that the Times Literary Supplement complimented her recently. Liked Trevelyan's "Willow-herb" very much, asks for more time to make his mind up about. Is sending this letter to Welcombe to be forwarded to Rome. Enjoyed his trip to Paris and Chartres. They must take another trip together soon. Micky has returned to Africa; Molly is going to Westgate 'to Wright [sic]'; he has to look after Rachel. Apologises for the dull letter: he has not yet got used to dictating.
25 Wellington Sq. - Is seeing the specialist tomorrow, and if pronounced well enough will join Molly in the Isle of Wight or Rachel at Rockbourne, then is giving a lecture on Lytton Strachey at the Royal Institution on 13th March. After that he may take a long holiday, since his spitting of blood is not tubercular but put down to exhaustion: would very much like to take three months, divided between a voyage and long stays with his friends, and asks if Trevelyan and Bessy could put him up for about three weeks. He would watch them working, play chess, and remember: 'remembering is now an important part of my life'. Begs Trevelyan to start the work which would delight him and is needed since 'classical education is losing its grip': a sort of 'literary Plutarch' giving lives and portraits of the Greek and Roman writers, in prose and verse. Would 'do much to keep the European tradition alive'. Is sorry Logan's [Pearsall Smith] pamphlet is aggravating.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Cannot get away for the weekend, as Rachel is acting Harpagon [in Molière's L'Avare] in her last term at school and she was distressed at the thought of her father missing it. Is very sorry; wanted some literary advice. Has promised to go to Moore for Commem next Saturday, but then has no engagements.
Long Barn, Weald, Sevenoaks. - This house has been lent to them [by Vita Sackville-West] and they are living there 'on ham amid a thousand roses'. 5 Hyde Park Mansions has been abandoned, and there was a muddle about forwarding letters. Is very disappointed that he cannot come on Monday and stay over [G.E.?] Moore's visit, but he does not like to leave Molly; only visited her once a week when she was at Highgate, but does not like to spoil her enjoyment of this 'peaceful old house' where Caxton 'warmed his shins at the fireplace' by leaving her for more than the occasional night in London to review a play. Asks if there is any chance the Trevelyans could have them both for a long weekend over August bank holiday (the 4th till the 8th); they then go to Rachel, and then possibly to Oxford for the rest of August.