Rapallo. - He and Janet are very glad to hear that Julian has put on eight ounces. They are having good weather and walks here by themselves, before 'going on south to join the Hammonds' [John and Barbara]. Thanks Bessie for sending 'Madame Scocco's letter' [sic: Irene Zocco]; fears he will not be able to go to Palermo again; would have called on her last month if he had known she was there.
Postmarked Ravello. - She and George are in 'Bob's own room opening on the terrace' at the Pension Palumbo, a 'sudden bound into civilisation' for them after some 'very indifferent Italian inns'; they are staying there two nights while the Hammonds [John and Barbara] have 'sternly walked on to Positano'. Caroline has not given her much news of Bessie, so asks her to write and say when Janet can visit on her return from Italy. They have had a 'splendid time', with generally good weather; the Hammonds are 'excellent companions'.
2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - George's movements recently have been 'meteoric'; he turned up at Charing Cross last night and they do want to visit; asks if Saturday 19th would work. They plan to ride over on their bicycles, probably from Dorking. Longing to see Bessie's 'darling babe' [Julian] again; hopes by then he is 'well out of these first troubles', and hears he is improving. Asks how Elizabeth is doing. Great 'fun' to have George back; he is 'so well & jolly after a week's walk in Sicily'. They will probably go back to Italy together next week as planned: George has to go for the Calabrian walk, and they are both 'bound to the Hammonds' [John and Barbara]; otherwise she might have preferred to stay and walk 'among Devonshire primrose-woods!' Calls herself a 'Little-Englander'. Says in a postscript that she is enclosing her 'precious letter about Adult Suff[rage]', which Bessie can burn.
Life & Letters, 21 Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W.1. - Sends thanks to Bessie for her postcard; hopes that Trevelyan's is indeed suffering 'little pain or discomfort' and asks to be let known when a visit is possible. He and Molly spent a 'cold and happy' weekend with the Hammonds. Wants Trevelyan to read "A Voyage to Arcturus" by David Lindsay, which he will send in a day or two as a change from Trollope. Encourages him to write a 'great straggling untidy work', which would bring him to a greater public and also give him much pleasure in composition.
Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - He and his wife much appreciated Trevelyan sending them his 'sheaf of little poems' ["From the Shiffolds"] and much enjoyed them. He and Trevelyan were 'born within a few weeks of each other', so "Sometimes in happy dream", 'touches [him] closely'. The Hammonds have had 'unlimited opportunities during the last forty years of studying and in certain repsetcs [sic: respects] trying to control the habits of cats' so "Pusska" is 'very vivid'. Hopes that Trevelyan has long recovered from his accident. Used to have news of him from Mary Moorman when they were in Manchester; their 'long exile' there ended last summer. Best wishes to both Trevelyans.
Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - Thanks Trevelyan for the 'delightful gift' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?]; 'especially refreshing' to read these poems as they 'take one away to such peaceful scenes and memories' and it is good to forget the world as it is for a while. However, the 'year is ending rather less hopelessly than we should have expected a few months or weeks ago'. The Hammonds send 'warmest wishes' to the Trevelyans for Christmas and the New Year.
Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - Thanks to Trevelyan from both Hammonds for the 'Christmas gift' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?], which gave them 'great pleasure'; the poems' 'grace and charm are specially agreeabl[e] at a time when politics are so depressing and alarming'; they 'bring real peace and comfort'. They will soon send him a 'shillingworth of Hammond in a Pelican ["The Bleak Age"], but are waiting for copies. Asks Trevelyan to forgive the 'behaviour' of the letter el on his typewriter [in fact the letter I] , which has 'nothing to do with Xmaa' but is 'unfortunately organic'. Sends best wishes to both Trevelyans; hopes Robert 'live[s] long' to send out his Christmas greetings. Adds a postscript noting that Bertrand Russell was born in May 1872 while Trevelyan was born in June and he himself in July; when they were 'all young men together in the days of the "Speaker"', they little 'dreamt of the sort of world' they would live to see.
Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - Addresses Trevelyan as Bob since 'tough life has not brought [them] often together' they are 'very old friends in spirit'; remembers well calling on him 'early in the century' while doing a walking tour in Surrey, and Bob 'escorting' him for some miles on his way to [Arthur] Clutton Brock at Farncombe; hopes the first name is therefore not 'too familiar', and invites Bob to call him Lawrence. The Hammonds are 'delighted' with their Christmas present [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; it is a 'great pleasure to read beautiful poetry these days'; the poem to [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson is 'very moving' and fills him with nostalgia. They send best New Year wishes to both Trevelyans.