The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Desmond's article about Bob in today's "Sunday Times" is beautiful. Had a 'very good week of seeing him in the nursing room here' after Desmond left, when he still talked 'so clearly and well about books' even though he could not be clear about anything else. Bob's death is a 'merciful release': George does not 'pity old people who die - particularly nowadays'; George had 'many hours good reading' in his life. Thinks the poetry of his middle and later life was better than that of his youth, when he was 'obsessed by theories of what poetry ought to be and so missed expressing himself [emphasised]'; was both a strength and weakness that he was a 'learned poet'; needed to be to produce his translations, which 'all scholars praise'. Wonders if Desmond knows the work of two other poets of their generation who have been overlooked: Geoffrey [Winthrop] Young (who has found fame as a mountaineer) and Margaret Cropper (whose Westmorland poems he thinks 'much greater than the Dorset and other dialect poems the world has acclaimed').
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - There was a strong hot wind last night; Mary and the children's journey north by sea from London must have been rough. Supposes Julian will be home [from school] this week or next. Annie [Philips] is here; was happy to rest for a while, but now wants to be more active; is going to Newcastle for the day tomorrow. Letter is continued next day: Annie has gone by the early train; she is lunching with Mrs Wild. Originally enclosing a letter from M. C. [possibly Margaret Cropper?] which 'shows that she appreciated Surrey'; a pity she is 'so grave'. Will soon start to think about Elizabeth's visit. Sir George is 'fairly well', but needs much looking after and is 'easily tired & fussed'; Caroline says ruefully they are both 'getting really old!!!'. A postscript on a second sheet says that Mary and the girls got home last night; the sea trip was enjoyable but they are very tired; Marjorie looks thin and as if she has suffered from the heat.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Happy to have a good account of Julian will be glad to see him. 14 or 15 [August] will suit them for Elizabeth's arrival; hopes Bob will also come for a few days. Will take lodgings for a week from 22 August at Whitley Bay for Elizabeth if she likes; it is nearer Tynemouth than Newbiggin, probably a little larger with more trippers, but a nice place and more convenient for getting to Newcastle to catch the express. Originally enclosing a letter from Mrs Aynsley [?], the widow of a farmer, who has gone there for a fortnight; they can give Elizabeth a hamper of food to take.