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On headed notepaper for Kings College Cambridge, with note 'Coventry actually, where I am spending Christmas and New Year with the Buckinghams. - Thanks Bessie for her card and letter; is glad she is 'as comfortable as these uncomfortable times allow. The Suez imbecility has robbed us of both comfort and honour, and I do resent being deprived of both'.

Is well in himself, and still has 'enough money to stem the rising tide of prices', but is unsure how long that will continue; the 'transport problem is an immediate vexation'. Is very glad to have 'got to Greece in the spring', and Leiden for a week more recently.

Unfortunately Florence [Barger] 'lacks her old strength, and has to live more quietly'; Harriet 'looks after her splendidly', and Evert has 'a good and totally new job in London' so will settle there. Has 'satisfactory news of G. M. T. from [George Trevelyan's son] Humphry.

Had a 'charming and unexpected invitation' to eat Christmas dinner with George Moore and his wife; could not accept as he was going to Coventry. 'Various other professorial or semi-professorial lame or semi-lame dogs' would also have been there, 'an unusual and probably most agreeable occasion'. Kings 'seems to have started off well under its new Provost, Noel Annan. Provost [J. T.] Sheppard is in Texas!'

Encloses a Hungarian Relief card, which he 'only got by writing direct to the Lord Mayor [of London, Sir Cullum Welch, who launched the fund]. The Trash [perhaps the Times?] has boycotted it - really disgusting'.

Sends much love, and hopes to see her 'when things get easier - and may they!'.

17 Magdalene Street, Cambridge. - Thanks for the parcel of body belts: thinks Nicholas now has as many as he will need. His vaccination has taken well, though he has got another cold. Hopes they are keeping well at the Shiffolds; there is trouble with coal supply in Cambridge and they are all living in one room; Moore cannot smoke much because of the baby but this is probably good for him.

17 Magdalene Street, Cambridge. - Thanks for the binder: it is a little big for Nicholas but he will soon grow to fit it; it is kind of Elizabeth to offer to knit more, perhaps one about an inch and a half less in circumference would fit. Nicholas was circumcised last Thursday; alarmed them by being sick and a short spell of limpness yesterday, but otherwise he has been well. Letter originally enclosed a photograph of him taken on Christmas Day.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Would like to see Bob's collection of Desmond [MacCarthy]'s reviews, and would be able to send them back quite soon. Does not know who Desmond's literary executor is, but gives his son Michael's address; they see him occasionally as he usually visits when he is passing through Cambridge. His arthritis is still very bad; an X-ray has found that it is osteo-arthritis, which Dorothy says is incurable. He has no pain but is 'badly crippled'; it has affected his arms as well as his legs, and he is liable to fall asleep in the day. Hasn't yet read Forster's book ["Marianne Thornton, A Domestic Biography"?] as he discouraged Dorothy from getting it at first, but it has just arrived and they will read it soon. Saw Forster himself at an exhibition of Gwen Raverat's oil paintings. Always pleasant to hear of Ralph Wedgwood; is sorry to hear from Bessie that he looks older; hopes Veronica is not over-working. Hopes Tim will enjoy his visit to the States and get some good work done; Tim has always liked jazz, which is Moore's 'only reason for thinking that there must be some good in it.'

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Kind of Bessie to send extracts from her letter about his first visit to the Trevelyans after their marriage: he and Dorothy found them very interesting. Is ashamed to say he has forgotten completely what the house looked like. Not offended by her criticism of his piano playing, which he knows was not at all good; remembers Oliver Strachey being shocked at the way he 'scrambled through a piece'. Tim is appreciated at Dartington and also likes it very much, though he is very hard worked there; spends a lot of time when he stays with them in the holidays practising and composing, as there is little time to compose in term. They have unfortunately not been able to play duets together for four years, as Moore is thought not to be well enough. Ralph Wedgwood came to visit earlier in the summer, but Moore doubts whether he will ever go to Leith Hill Place again.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - He and Dorothy were very sorry to hear of Molly MacCarthy's death: they had found her charming when she stayed with them for two days in July. She wrote to them that she was very ill and did not really wish to live, but they did not hear the news until Michael MacCarthy came to tell them about the funeral as they take the "Manchester Guardian", which did not report it, not the "Times". She made the decisions about Desmond's grave when she came, and composed the inscription; the Moores saw the tomb when it was finished and wrote to tell Molly it was just as she wished. Molly's hearing seemed much better on her visit: Moore supposes she had a better hearing aid. Michael brought his wife and daughter: the little girl seemed very attractive; he and Dorothy were struck by how like his father Michael was. Mary Fletcher had written to let him know she was relieved she did not need to have any operations or other hospital treatment; was glad to hear from Bessie that she was a little better now. Is sorry that he forgot the date of her birthday so was unable to reciprocate for the eightieth birthday telegram she sent him. Has read Virginia Woolf's diary: does not quite agree that she was more affected by bad reviews that she should have been, in fact had rather the opposite impression. Never saw much of her but 'always admired her greatly' and the diary left him 'admiring her as much as ever'. Neither he and Dorothy were able to make much of "To the Lighthouse" and "The Waves", but the library made him think he should try again. Enjoyed the "Common Reader" very much.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Apologises for not replying sooner 'time does seem to go so quickly now!'. Glad to hear the news about [Bob Trevelyan's] library, and that she has found the librarian so amiable. Also good to hear about [George?] Birkbeck, of whom he knew nothing. Bad luck that both of her readers had laryngitis; does not know how he would get on if he could not read a great deal. Also sorry that Mary Fletcher could not come to visit because of her brother's illness. He is keeping well, though he cannot do many things he once could he is still 'as capable as ever of having good talks on philosophy'. Dorothy is also keeping well, though says she is starting to feel old. Encloses a letter from Bob to Desmond [MacCarthy], which Molly sent in a 'sheaf' of his letters to Desmond.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is glad she liked the Gainsborough card, which he thinks is charming and worth keeping; Dorothy disposes of most of their cards, perhaps to hospitals, but he always keeps a few; reminisces about the scrap-books he and his siblings used to make while his father read aloud to them; he still has his books. His health was good enough for him to go to Buckingham Palace three weeks ago to get his 'badge and ribbon from the King' [the Order of Merit]; he also took Tim to the Christmas Feast at Trinity and saw George [Trevelyan] for the first time since he had retired as Master. Is hoping he will be able to come to Leith Hill Place next summer: was very disappointed not to be able to come. Also thinks well of Britten: very much enjoyed his "Let's Make an Opera", and Tim thought well of "Peter Grimes" and other things by him; not sure about "Billy Budd" when he heard it on the radio, however, thinking it 'scrappy' and full of what Vaughan Williams calls 'wrong notes'. Thought [Roy] Harrod's life of [Maynard] Keynes was not well judged, but he had not noticed exaggeration of the influence of Bloomsbury. Had forgotten that Norton stayed with the Trevelyans when he was ill; was very fond of him. Bessie seems to imply Bloomsbury harmed him; asks if this is what she thinks. Agrees that it is a good thing that [his niece] Riette has gone to live at Well Walk; Tim went to see them there and had a nice time; thinks Riette very charming. Is sorry Bessie has been laid up by neuralgia, but is glad Dr Bluth's treatment seems to have improved it.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - The doctor came yesterday and was pleased with George: it is not a coronary thrombosis, as feared, but just a 'tired heart-muscle' and he will soon recover. George has been up since breakfast and won't go to bed until after dinner; he is not to go to Trinity on Thursday for the presentation of a silver inkstand and Sheffield tray with silver tea service to the Master and Mrs Trevelyan [on G. M. Trevelyan's retirement as Master of Trinity], but will sign the address which the Vice-Master will bring round tomorrow. Has been very busy herself: her father was here for a month and needed much attention, so it is probable she did not keep an eye on George. There has also been the excitement of the O.M. [Order of Merit] which thrilled her father, although the boys have taken it casually; there have been lots of letters of congratulation, and people coming round for tea. George is looking forward to seeing Bessie when he goes to Leith Hill Place next month.

Garricks Villa. - Very sorry to hear from Bessie that he is ill, and has been worse; however, George got over his far worse pulmonary attack, and the Trevelyans are tough, like 'not a few of the old families in England'. Wants more news, but is writing to Bessie and Catherine Abercromby [sic: Abercrombie?] so Trevelyan should not trouble to write himself. Discusses the pleasure he gets from Trevelyan's writing, which if 'civilisation founders' due to expanding population, 'sentimental humanitarianism... coupled with practical callousness' and 'scientific technology' (television, for instance, is an 'asinine invention') has been loyal to the 'sinking ship'. Met a friend of Julian's recently, who told him that Julian is happy and has found a partner [Mary Fedden], and that Ursula has also found 'consolation' [Norman Mommens]; Trevelyan and Bessie must be relieved. Had a letter from Dorothy Moore yesterday, with two pots of marmalade, saying that Moore was well. Molly wants to 'hoof him out of England' for a while for his health, so he plans to stay with Somerset Maugham at Cap Ferrat in March, and would like to see Trevelyan before he goes; thinks he will ask to Iris and Ralph [Wedgwood] to put him up so that he can visit without being a strain at the Shiffolds.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Will suit him well to come on the 28th and stay till the 2nd July; hopes he will overlap with Mary Fletcher. He and Dorothy are both very well and enjoyed the heat.

The Court Lodge, Chelsfield, Kent. - Has just read Trevelyan's poem ["To G. Lowes Dickinson"] in the "New Statesman" [22 Oct 1939, see 2/177]; has 'often' heard of him from the Moores in Cambridge and wants to say how much she enjoyed it, though he does not know her. Her husband died suddenly last Monday; he was a 'beautifully clean thinker & an optimist', and much of what Trevelyan says [of Dickinson] 'fits him'.

c/o Mrs Wilson, Myers Farm, Silverdale, near Carnforth. - Was very glad to hear, from Bessie and his mother herself, that his mother is 'much better' and will probably be able to travel to Welcombe early next week. Also very glad that Julian will be going there with his grandparents for a while, and that he 'makes himself sociable' so that his grandparents like having him. Bessie seems to have had a 'very busy time at Cambo, while Mrs Clarke was away and Mary ill'.

Robert's friend George Moore has announced that he is to marry 'a young lady who recently went to his philosophical lectures at Cambridge. The difference of age is considerable, but such marriages seem often to be very happy'. There is a similar age gap between Crompton [Llewelyn] Davies and his wife, and that 'has been a singularly happy marriage in every way'. Almost all of Robert's 'contemporary friends are now married'.

Has never known 'such continuously bad weather' as there has been since he came here; it is very bad for Robert's 'invalid friend [Gordon Bottomley]', though he is 'better than might be expected'. Will send his father a copy of the new Annual [of New Poetry] when it is published; has ended up having 'practically to do all the business with the publishers, and a good deal of editing too', but it is 'quite interesting work, and Constables so far have been remarkably pleasant to deal with'.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is going to stay with Desmond [MacCarthy] at Garrick's Villa this weekend; asks if it would suit Bessie for him to come straight on to them on Monday. Dorothy thanks Bessie for the invitation, but she cannot get away since their American friends may be arriving at any time. Tim has finished his three years at Trinity and is now a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts; he will be living in London next year to attend the Royal College of Music. His teacher Patrick Hadley, Mary Fletcher's friend, is now Professor of Music at Cambridge, in succession to Dent.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Tim is to stay at the Hague with the family of Mr. W. F. Wery, lawyer and attorney; the son wrote to Tim, is a student, nearly nineteen, and had heard of him from Marinus Pické. Marinus and Tim have corresponded about stamps, as did Dorothy and Marinus' aunt Baroness van Isselmuden, who was at Newnham. The family is not very musical, but Tim will be able to hear good music at Scheveningen.

Harkstead Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas present [Trevelyan's "Collected Works"]; his wife objects to the fact that he keeps leaving the books around so that there are always handy. Is 'animal-hunting in them at present', enjoying Pusska and 'a perfect bat'; thinks there is something Buddhist about Trevelyan's ability to distil the essence of such creatures and that one day he should make a book of animal 'reincarnations only'. Hopes Sturge Moore has recovered from overexertions on Leith Hill; got through 'that Cambridge business' though has now been 'let in for Oxford as well'; liked Mrs [Dorothy?] Moore and some of her young friends, though thinks her taste in poetry 'too fashionable and modern'.

6, Pembroke Villas, The Green, Richmond, Surrey. - Very sorry to hear of Paul Trevelyan's death, which must be 'terrible' for Bob and his wife; glad to hear Bessie is 'bearing it pretty well'. Hettie [his sister] is in Rome, staying with [their brother] Bertie until the summer; will write and tell her. Bob will be missed 'very much' at the Easter [reading] party

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Would very much have liked to visit and bring Dorothy, but the boys are both at home and they have engagements for the last ten days of the holidays. Tim has just got a bassoon and is learning it in addition to the piano and cello.

23 West Road, Cambridge. - Desmond [MacCarthy]'s death is a 'terrible loss to his friends', and to the 'reading public whom he advised so well'; it is much to be regretted that he cannot now 'write that Introduction to the selection of Bob's work'; fears only he could have written it 'to perfection'. Took George Moore and his wife to Desmond's private funeral here; Ralph and Iris [Wedgwood] also came as well as his relations. Only person he is not sorry for is 'Desmond himself'; 'not much privilege' for the old to 'drag on in the present age' and he suffered so much from the asthma 'he endured so bravely'. Janet is much the same, but cannot get about; he leaves her as little as possible. Thanks Bessie for the offer of a book from Bob's library; he does not have a particular one he would like so she should choose one for him.

17 Magdalene Street, Cambridge. - Thanks Bessie for the invitation, but he and his wife will probably have to stay at home over Christmas due to the arrival of the baby [Nicholas].