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Contains: poem, "The Flycatcher", by Sylvia Lynd; "Sicily" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; "Intellectual Conversation" by Arthur Waley, which mentions Maynard [Keynes], Francis [Birrell], Hugh Dalton, Roger Fry, Gerald [Shove] and Sebastian [Sprott]; sketch in memory of Edmund [not Edward, as on cover] Gosse by Max Beerbohm; poem, "Lying Among the Yellow Flowers", by Kenneth Hopkins; poem, "Complaint", by Diana Lodge.

For journey by train from Paris-St-Lazare to Le Havre.

Postmarked London E.C; addressed to Trevelyan at 53 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1er. - Sends thanks to Trevelyan, [Antoine] Bibesco, and [Francis] Birrell for the 'charming message'. Wishes he could come to Paris, and will do so as soon as the war is over. Asks Trevelyan to give his regards to [André] Gide if he sees him; is sorry not to have met up with Gide again after they parted at Liverpool Street. If a 'feeling of abstract melancholy' comes over him, Trevelyan will know that Norton's 'heart is near'.

Hotel Infant Isabel, Burgos. - Is very sorry to miss Trevelyan's friends [Francis] Birrell and [Raymond] Mortimer, whom he met at Lady Colefax's 'famous' garden party; it is, though, pleasant to be in B.B. [Berenson]'s 'train' and to be travelling through Spain to Seville and Granada. Will be home around November, so can meet Trevelyan at Cortona then; nobody will be at I Tatti until late December. Will be delighted to see Birrell and Mortimer if they are still in Italy when he returns. Has heard much from Nicky [Mariano] about Trevelyan, and is glad that Welcombe has been sold as planned. Will be very proud if Trevelyan does indeed address an epistle to him in hexameters. Has written an article on Du Bos, and has now been asked for another on Virginia W[oolf], for rather an important journal; proposes one on any new book she might be writing, asks for details and for the book to be sent when it appears. The Berensons seem to be getting on quite well: B.B. complaining a little about his health, and Mary about 'romanic art' [sic], which is a topic for discussion due to the book about Jerusalem she is writing. B.B. says the countryside is 'more desertic and arabic than Syria'. Has read Trevelyan's letter out to the company: they expect him at I Tatti when Mary and Nicky return in late December, though B.B. will stay with Mrs Wharton until New Year; thinks Ray and Karin and their families will also be at I Tatti.

21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - Has tennis-elbow from playing badminton. The books [his "Essays in Verse"] arrived at the beginning of the week: they are beautifully printed and he is very grateful. It is sad they are a little too late to help him get the jobs he wanted, but he may not have succeeded anyway. Is glad Trevelyan has sent copies to the people he mentions: does not see Desmond MacCarthy's name on the list; hopes he will send one, as he would much like to hear his opinion. Asks for copies also to be sent to: [Marie] Germanova: Edwyn Bevan: Brian Lunn: Amelie Brázdová; [Monica] Bridges or Elizabeth [Daryush]; Alison Hooper of Monkswood, Great Hallingbury; Malcolm Muggeridge at "Time and Tide"; Mrs Ikramullah; Simone Téry; and B [Bev] Kalitinsky. Is negotiating with Macmillans to try to bring out the book in India. Would be good if Trevelyan could have a hundred copies sent over; asks what the book should be priced, in shillings. Feels much closer to Trevelyan now there is airmail. Will soon have out a book of essays about art, called "Prefaces" since 'all knowledge we possess is a preface to real knowledge... the Indian idea'. Is also bringing out the first of a series about Bengal folk art which the University is publishing under his general editorship. Saw Tagore a fortnight ago when he came to stage 'one of his new social plays', which Suhrawardy appreciates; he spoke 'very affectionately' about Trevelyan; he is disturbed about Japanese aggression in the Far East, contrasting the Japanese and Chinese instinct to court death like moths to the flame with the Indian 'habit of slow annihilation of self'; he has had to shave his hair and beard after his illness and so sees few people but 'still appears beautiful'. Asks Trevelyan to let him know readers' opinions of his book, particularly Bessie and Julian's.

A postscript notes that he has only received five copies of the book, though Trevelyan had said he was sending fifty; asks if Birrell and Garnett could take some copies for sale to 'curious Indian students'.

Postmarked Camucia, Arezzo. - Has returned after some days in Rome. Everything he needs has now arrived; Trevelyan bought [George Moore's] "Mummer's Wife" for him at Birrell's, so he thinks he is well provided for. Moravia is here, much better than expected. Elsa Dallolio has been seriously ill with pneumonia, but was recovering when he saw her in Rome. Has no news of Mary [Berenson]'s health.

Writing at the desk in his room, where Pusska is pushing against his arm so he finds it difficult to write; expects the cat 'wants to send.. his love'. Soon after Julian left, saw a young fox cub in the wood on the way to Holmbury,; he 'looked very pretty', but Robert expects he will 'have one or two of our chickens'. Mr [Francis] Birrell is coming to stay the night. Tomorrow, will go to the Lake Hunt near Keswick, then to spend a couple of nights with Mr [Frank] Marshall at Hawes End [sic: Hawse End], then for a couple of weeks to Silverdale to see Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley. Has bathed at Tanhurst several times lately, though it was too cold the last couple of mornings; the pond is not quite full, so it is 'rather difficult to climb out'; it has not begun to smell badly yet. Hopes Julian's tame rabbit is well.

On headed notepaper of the National Liberal Club, Victoria Street, S.W.1. - On returning to London, he talked to Ruth Fry, Roger's sister, who is the president of the 'Mission des Amis' [Friends War Victims Relief Committee]. She said that communication with Russia was very difficult at the moment, but that if Marchand wants to arrange to get his niece [actually Olga Lewitska, daughter of Sonia Lewitska -see 22/56] out of Ukraine, it would be best to write to [Maxim] Litvinoff at the Hotel Cosmopolite, Copenhagen, asking for his help and advice as the one responsible for admitting foreigners to Russia and getting them out. Ruth Fry doubted that Litvinoff would consent to helping with such a case, but it might perhaps still be worth trying, and strongly suspected that it would not be possible to get the girl out. Might be possible to send letters to Kiev through Litvinoff.

Trevelyan will write to [Francis] Birrell to go and see Marchand as soon as he arrives in Paris; Roger Fry will also give his advice when he arrives. If it is better to send a letter as soon as possible, advises him to write to Litvinoff and send that letter to Trevelyan, who will ask Ruth Fry to send it as she is in communication with Litvinoff; this may make him pay more attention to the matter. Necessary to decide before writing whether they want to try and get Marchand's niece out of the Ukraine, or simply to send letters. Wishes he could give more definitive advice, but will do his best to help if he sends a letter. Marchand knows how much Trevelyan is sorry for the pain Madame Marchand [Sonia Lewitska] is experiencing at the moment, and how much he would like to help if he could.

Trevelyan has filled in the sections printed on the front: 'Written by' with 'R.C.T'; 'Commenced' with 27 August 1923 [looks like 8]; 'School' with 'Ἡ ΓΗ' ['The Earth' in Ancient Greek]. Notes in his first entry that he has been reading Ponsonby's book ["English Diaries" by Arthur Ponsonby] which has inspired him to start this diary.

Mentions of Mabel [Godwin?], Marian [?], Alice, Bert and Bobbie Elms; Bessie and Julian; his parents; Miles Malleson and his wife [Joan] and uncle [Philip Malleson]; O[liver] Simon at the "Fleuron" (who asks him to translate the "Acts of the Apostles", to be illustrated by Paul Nash); Miss Ewing [later wife of Walter Rea], Nicky Mariano; Bernard and Mary Berenson; Frances and Arthur Dakyns (visiting the Ponsonbys at Fernhurst); his brother George (who has written to the "Times" saying the matter between Greece and Italy should be referred to the Powers not the League of Nations); Margaret and Ralph Vaughan Williams and their mother; Mrs [Jane] Russell Rea; Irene [Cooper Willis or Noel-Baker]; 'Miss [blank left], with whom Rennier had an affair. She is now private secretary to [Henry?] Hamilton Fyfe'; Francis Birrell; Clifford and Joan Allen; 'an Italian-French lady' whom Trevelyan had met at I Tatti; Barbara Strachey; [Simon] Bussy [paintings by]; John Rodker 'and his child [Joan] by Sonia [Cohen]'; a 'nice rather muddle-headed young man.. Labour candidate for Petersfield' [Dudley Aman]; Bertrand Russell.

Works on: translations of Theocritus; his 'Flood poem' ["The Deluge"]; possible continuation of "Pterodamozels"; review of books on metre by Lascelles Abercrombie and E[gerton Smith] (Smith is the first person he has 'attacked' in a review; wonders if Desmond MacCarthy will think his comments 'too strong); review of Sturge Morre's "Judas" for Leonard Woolf at the "Nation"; his 'Pandora play'.

Reads (as well as Ponsonby, and sometimes with Julian): the "Manchester Guardian", Spenser's "Mother Hubbard ['s Tale]", Epicharmus, "Henry IV pt 1", Phaedrus, Macaulay, Aristophanes, the 'Summer number' of Julian's "Hurtenham Magazine", Lucian, the "Mikado"; Ssuma Ch'ien [Sima Qian]; Hastings' "Dictionary of the Bible" [at the London Library]; a "Classical Review" with Duff and Bailey on Lucretius; Molly MacCarthy's autobiography ["A Nineteenth-Century Childhood", 'Very charming']

Paris. - Is glad that his parents 'have made a safe migration to Welcombe', and that his mother is well. Has recently been very busy preparing his catalogue [of books in the Friends War Victims Relief Committee's library], which is 'now printed, and will appear tomorrow as a Supplement to Reconstruction, our Monthly paper'; will send his father a copy. Has bought almost six hundred books for 971.80 francs, and thinks has got his money's worth on the whole. The other books 'belong to various members of the Mission, or to local équipe libraries'. 'Already, nearly a hundred books have been taken out by individuals'; has 'also lent about 350 to the local équipe libraries, and shall lend more from time to time'.

Sometimes sees 'quite interesting people' in the evenings, French, American, and English. Young [Francis] Birrell, his 'chief friend on the Mission', is coming up to Paris from Verdun soon 'to look after our publicity department, the purpose of which is to get money from America and England to carry on our work'. Robert follows politics as closely as he can from the newspapers, but 'of course hear nothing at first hand, except sometimes about French politics'. Does not know 'what will come of it all'; is 'not very hopeful' for his own lifetime, but 'cannot help hoping that the new world will be a better world one than the old one for Julian and his contemporaries when they are men and women'.

Is glad Aunt Annie will stay with his parents 'for some time'; asks his father to give his love to her when she comes; also to his mother, to whom he will write soon.

Addressed to Trevelyan at Hotel Britannique, 20 Avenue Victoria. - Sends Trevelyan 'Many many thanks' for the books; unfortunately will be unable to read it before he reaches England. Has an 'awfully busy weekend', but tells Trevelyan to let him know when he returns from Dôle. Thought [Francis] Birrel[l] was 'very amusing'.

F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Is spending a 'very pleasant Christmas and New Year' in Paris; they had 'plum-pudding on Christmas evening, though only chicken, not turkey'. Generally the food in Paris is 'quite good, though not cheap'. Francis Birrell has come to Paris 'to edit Reconstruction [the F.W.V.R.C.'s monthly] and manage our Publicity department', and is sharing a room with Robert. He is 'very good company', and Robert imagines that he is 'rather like his father [Augustine Birrell]'; certainly he quite resembles him in appearance, though he is 'much smaller'.

Expects his father has seen George by now; spent 'a very pleasant evening with him when he was on his way through Paris'. Is glad to know that Bessie hopes to come to Welcombe soon with Julian, who 'seems to have developed a good deal during his first term at school'. They are having 'very wet cold weather, and the streets are horribly muddy. Also the Seine is very full, and about the colour of the Tiber in flood'. Paris is 'crowded as never before, and it is impossible to get rooms anywhere'; the 'streets and the metros are packed'. No interesting plays on at the moment, except 'a few good farces'. Notes that '[o]ne really never sees bad acting here, as one does in London', and that even the plays, 'though often trivial and incredibly risqué, are at least well written and well put together'.

Went to the Musée Grevin [showing waxworks] recently; the 'old revolutionary scenes were there still, and looked as well as ever. The new war scenes were good enough, but nothing out of the way.' Sends love to his mother and Aunt Annie.

Paris. - Hears from Bessie that she and Julian have 'greatly enjoyed their visit to Welcombe'. Thinks Bessie must have been in need of a rest. Is glad his mother found Julian 'improved'; hopes to be back at home by the time of his next holiday. Has been 'very busy' recently, but has now got things more in order. Expects he will take a week's holiday in February with Francis Birrell, come back to England some time in March, and probably not return here.

The weather is now better, and the Seine 'getting slowly better'; little harm was done, though it may have been serious if the river had risen a foot or two higher. Has 'little time for reading', but sometimes hears music performed in the evenings and occasionally goes to the theatre. Has 'several quite interesting French friends', and understands what they say better than when he came. Owes Aunt Annie a letter, and will certainly write to her soon; she may have sent him a diary for 1919 but he thinks it was his mother - never thanked her for it, 'being much rushed at the time', but does so now. It 'will be most rushed in several ways'. Sends his love to his father, to whom he will soon write, Aunt Annie, and Booa [Mary Prestwich].

The envelope accompanying this letter is addressed to Lady Trevelyan at Welcombe, Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire, Angleterre and also marked 'Service de Santé Militaire, Mission des Amis - R. C. Trevelyan'.

F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Hears from Bessie that she and Julian have returned safely from their 'very enjoyable visit to Welcombe'. Julian has 'just gone off to school, a little reluctantly, but quite ready to make the best of it'. No doubt Bessie will feel 'a little forlorn at first'. Has been very busy recently with the [Friends'] library, on a new list of books for a supplement to next month's Reconstruction; also has many parcels to send and letters to write, since he is the only member of his department. This does have its advantages, since 'one does not depend on any-one else'. The weather has recently been very cold, and he works 'in a great coat to save the mess and trouble of keeping up a fire' in his room. The Seine has returned to its 'normal limits'; thinks 'no great harm was done, but a slightly further rise would have been serious'.

His friend [Francis] Birrell has been away for a week at 'Verdun and elsewhere in the warzone', and should return tonight. He and Robert may go for a week's holiday to the South of France next month. Robert will probably come back to England towards the end of March, but is not yet sure exactly when.

Fears the text of Theocritus [see Sir George's letter, 12/300] is in a 'very bad state'; however, a recently discovered papyrus which contains a number of the Idylls is 'said to have some very interesting readings', which are presumably older than any previously known manuscript. Does not think it has been published yet; it was found at Meroë in Egypt. Likes some of the Theocritus epigrams a great deal; gives example, with quotation in Greek.

Sends love to his mother. A fragment of his Agamemnon translation will appear in next month's Reconstruction; will send it to his father.

F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Thanks his mother for her letter; fears she is having 'a cold time'. It is cold here too, but he does not much mind it; he and Francis Birrell are anyway going to Nice for a week on Friday, where it may be warmer. Hopes to return to England towards the end of March. Julian 'writes cheerfully, and seems to be getting on well so far [at school']; Bessie also 'writes cheerfully', and seems to have been staying with Charles and Molly in London.

The [FRCVS] library 'goes on the same as usual', but soon it will all have to move to the Verdun area. Is currently looking for a successor, and has just written to 'one of our men', whom he thinks 'will probably do'. Has never read The Roll Call; indeed, has not read several of [Arnold Bennett's] earlier books. Admire him 'a good deal' in some ways, but does 'not really find him sympathetic, even in the Old Wives' Tale, which he likes best so far. Also likes The Card, 'slight though it is'.

Had 'a good look at [Woodrow] Wilson on the day of his arrival' on the Champs-Élysée, and also when he passed under the FWVRC windows on his way to the Hôtel de Ville. Paris 'gave him a far warmer welcome than it did to the kings'. Will write to his father soon; hopes he is 'not feeling the cold too much'.

Nice. - Is here for a week's holiday with Francis Birrell, 'staying with a friend two miles outside the town'; the weather has been unpleasant, but changed yesterday for the better. Birrell caught a 'bad chill in Nice, and was in bed for two days', but is now up again. They are both glad to have a change from Paris where it was dreadfully cold, particularly in their 'badly warmed hotel'.

Soon after his holiday, he will go to the Friends War Victim's Relief Committee's 'new headquarters at Grange le Comte, in the Verdun area, to make arrangements about the library', which will need to be transferred there gradually. Also needs to find a successor to carry on the library when he returns home in March. The FWVRC are 'more and more concentrating on the Verdun area, where there will soon be one big metropolis at Grange le Comte, and a number of small équipes scattered about in the surrounding villages'.

Has had generally good news from Bessie about Julian, though he 'still seems to have his difficulties'. Bessie has sent him the 'very kind letter [12/302] which his father recently wrote to her saying he would give them fifty pounds towards Julian's education. Thanks his parents for the 'great kindness both of the thought and of the act'; is sorry he cannot thank them personally, but hopes he will be able to do so before long.

His mother's letter has just arrived; is glad to hear his parents are both well. Hopes they are by now having good weather. This morning he and Birrell 'sauntered up the road, and got a fine view of the distant Alps. The near country is very Italian, and it did one good to see terraces and olives and ilices after so many years'. Physically, this area is 'as much a part of Italy as Genoa'; the people also talk a 'sort of half Italian half French patois'. Nice is 'crammed full to bursting, chiefly with Americans', and the trains are 'terribly crowded'; however, they have got seats on next Tuesday's train. The cost of living is higher than in Paris, and 'what one gets is less good'.

Very glad to hear George will 'soon be getting back to writing history'; was a 'great pleasure seeing him in Paris last month'. Sends love to his mother, and thanks for her letter.

Paris. - This is his 'last fortnight in France'; will be about a week in the Verdun district with [Francis] Birrell, leaving for there tomorrow morning, then a week more in Paris, after which they will start home, he expects around the 23rd. Has found a 'competent successor as librarian, a young American [John Leslie Hotson]', who Robert expects will need to move the books to the Verdun district before long. More than half the books are 'already in the country équipes'. Thinks the 'library has been a success, and the books have been a great deal read'; though it 'ought to have been started two or three years ago'.

Is very glad that Aunt Nora was 'not in a state to know about Truelove's death', as he understands from his mother's letter. Aunt Nora was 'always exceedingly kind' to them all, and Bessie too. Truelove was a 'very nice man', and Robert will be 'very sorry not to see him again'; met him in London last year, and he was 'as handsome as ever'. Hopes George's son Humphry has recovered [from scarlet fever, see 12/303]. Has 'quite good reports of Julian'.

Glad his father is going to 'read Lucretius through'. Has recently translated the whole of the fifth book; there is 'rather a tiresome part about the stars and the sun, but the first few hundred are fine, and the last 700 superb'. May do another book soon. Even when Lucretius is 'dull and absurd and unpoetical' he interests Robert, as his 'power of exposition seldom fails him, and the movement and texture of the verse is usually at a high level'. Acknowledges that 'his astronomy was bad, even for his time'.

Hopes to see his parents soon.

Paris. - Has just received her last letter - probably her last to him in Paris, as he starts for home on Friday. Has just returned from the Verdun district, where he 'spent several days, and saw most of our [the Friends War Victims Relief Committee's] équipes'; these 'seem to be doing quite well on the whole'. Spent a day at Verdun itself with [Francis] Birrell. Seems that the Shiffolds 'will be very full' when he returns, but this 'can't be helped, and we shall pack in somehow'. Hopes Bessie 'won't have any invalids on her hands by that time'.
Glad to hear that Booa [Mary Prestwich] is 'well, and enjoying house-cleaning. It is a great contrast to a few years ago, when she was always in bad such health'.

His last few days in Paris will be 'very busy' finishing his work and saying goodbye to friends. Seems to have found 'quite a competent successor in Hotson, a young American'; there are 'more Americans now than English in the Mission'. Expects the Mission's work should 'not go on later than October this year', by which time the French authorities should take on the work; 'So far they have done almost nothing, at least in the districts we have to do with'.

Supposes Charles and Molly are now at Cambo. Julian 'seems to be happier at school, though he sometimes writes as if he did not like it'; things seem at any rate 'better than last term'. Sends love to his father.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his 'kind letter of welcome home [12/305]'; found 'everything well' here. The [Sturge] Moores will stay a few days longer; they have been 'very good and easy companions for Bessie through the winter. Julian comes home [from school] on the 8th, and the Moores leave on the 10th. He and Bessie are going to London tomorrow: Bessie to Charles and Molly's, and Robert to the Birrells' house; they lunched there last week and found his friend [Francis Birrell]'s father 'apparently in good health, and a most kind and entertaining host'. Thanks his father for the fifty pounds; has just received notice from the bank [Drummonds] that it has been paid into his and Bessie's account.

Not surprised that his father finds Lucretius III.877-9 difficult; discusses a reading by Lachmann, Munro, and Duff which 'makes everything easy' and which he thinks is right, as 'lines in Lucretius are often transposed'; interesting however that his father 'managed to construe it as it stands'.

13, Hanover Terrance, Ladbroke Grove, W. - Apologises for not writing sooner; has heard 'a good deal' about Trevelyan from Francis [Birrell?], [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson and [Harry] Norton. Is working on Li Po 'in deference to the wishes of the public', translating, amongst others 'about 15 that have been done before' by Giles, St-Denys, Pound and so on; when it is printed, it may 'amuse' Trevelyan to compare the versions. Has not changed his own opinion of Li Po at all, but is 'taking a lot of trouble with him', he thinks he may be 'making him seem better than he is'. Impossible to get across in translation that Li Po is 'so largely a patchwork': for instance, the reference in the "River Merchant's Wife" to Wei who appears in 'the "Robber Che [Chih]" (chapter 29 of "Chuang Tzu" [Zhuangzi])", or that in another poem to the sailor with whom seagulls played in "Lieh Tzu [Liezi]"; St-Denys had obviously never read Lieh Tzu. The Oxford [University] Press has accepted his "Japanese Poetry: the Uta", which will come out in the spring. Heard a story about Alix [Sargant Florence] in Cornwall: she wanted to try the cream, but was told it 'would only be sold in compliance with a doctor's certificate', so she wrote to James [Strachey] to get one from Noel [Olivier] who refused; supposes this was when she and Norton were in Cornwall. Now she is there with James, who has flu. Lytton is also ill, with shingles. Rather likes Fredegond [Shove]'s poems ["Dreams and Journeys"?] except for 'the sonnets & the mysticism; Norton 'complained they reminded him of country holidays'. Has talked to Adrian Stephen a few times at the [1917?] Club, and likes him 'better than Norton, or Clive [Bell], or James'. Asks if Trevelyan has seen W. H. Davies's new book; has not read it properly himself, but there are some 'good things in it'. Davies was recently annoyed that the newspapers had described his clothes at a poetry reading as 'homely', when his 'buttons alone cost more than anything Yeats had on'. Has had a 'very kind and generous letter from Cranmer-Byng, a quite unsollicited [sic] "peccavi"'.

552 North Waller Ave., Chicago. Ill[inois]. - Thanks Bob for the 'charming translations' [of Aeschylus's "Oresteia"] and letter; hopes Lewis Gannett's copy will arrive safely. Has forwarded Gannett's letter to him at New York; he is an editor at the "Nation", and Binder thinks he will make sure a reviewer sees it if he does not review it himself. Suggests other publications Bob should send the book to. Has given his copy to an associate on the "Chicago Daily News", which 'has an excellent book review section for an American daily', who is a professor of classics and 'also a bit of a poet' [Keith Preston?], asking him to write a review and return it. 'Midwest dailies do not give much space to classical literature', but this may help bring it to the notice of classics lovers; will send Bob a copy. There are of course 'learned journals' in the States who would review the book, but he does not know them well, and expects Bob sees most of them. Glad that Francis [Birrell, with whom he and Bob worked in France for the Friends War Victims Relief Committee] is 'prospering'; hopes to see them all again some day. Has been on the staff of the "News" for some months; it is 'the most powerful of the afternoon papers in the United States and rather a nice sheet to work for'. Dorothy [his wife] is managing to write a little, but their son is keeping her 'pretty busy' and their second child is due next month; they are, however, not to busy to enjoy Bob's Aeschylus, which he hopes 'has a good response from America'.

13, Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove, W. - Very sorry that Bob has been 'having such a bad time with this disease', and is sending 'an inhaling apparatus which is an infallible preventative' [see 17/35]; hopes it will reach him in time. Has given the "Summons to the Soul" and the "Pitcher" exclusively to [J.C.] Squire for the "New Statesman"; has only his Po translations and cannot 'stain the pages of "Reconstruction" with such bilge'; would send anything he had gladly, and perhaps by next month will have some more Po Chu-I poems. His elder brother [Sigismund] is getting married on Tuesday 'with oriental pomp'; Hubert is at home with a cold, having a 'very good rest'. Saw Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] at the [1917?] Club on Tuesday, in 'great spirits'; also sees [Eric?] Maclagan sometimes, who is 'still rather washed out'. Asks Bob about a line of poetry, "And my young wife walks up the path alone", which he had thought came from the 'Chinese poems' in [Robert] Bridge's [anthology] "Spirit of Man". Has found a Li Po poem which he thinks is the original of the English line; it ends 'young wife alone mounts tower'.

Sees that [Laurence] Binyon has another volume of poetry out ["The New World: Poems"]; he is currently 'lecturing to soldiers in France on the Civilization of China', and Bob may see him in Paris. [Campbell] Dodgson, the Keeper of Prints [at the British Museum] has received an Order of the British Empire [CBE], but 'did not seem unduly elated'. Must be 'great fun being translated into French'; hopes 'Vildrac will soon get going' on him, and that 'poets are demobilized early in France'; 'Makers of "India rubber Medical appliances" came first on the list in England. Sir Auckland [Geddes] is evidently afraid of an undue increase in the birth-rate'. Sends his love to Francis [Birrell], and asks Bob to tell him Waley has lost his letter about where to get a 'copy of Foy [?]'. Wonders if [his translation of] the letter from Wang Wei to a friend could do for "Reconstruction" and encloses a copy [no longer present], but will not mind if it is no use. Thinks the "Summons" will be in the "New Statesman" and will send Bob a copy (possibly one for B.B. [Berenson] as well); will also send the second number of the Bulletin [of the School of Oriental and African Studies, in which further translations by Waley of Po Chu-'s works appear] when it comes out. Understands that [Thomas] Sturge Moore will continue to come to London [after a move to the countryside], and has organised 'a "poetry reading" for a proximate date'; would be 'harrowing if he were absolutely banished'. W.H. Davies has 'been in a tremendous flutter' due to sitting for a portrait by Augustus John; he has 'a passion for being painted by swells'; afraid that Davies' new poems are not selling well; does not think Fifield are good publishers.

British Museum, London: W.C.1. - Has not written before as he did not know where Bob was; but 'Mrs Riviere says Mrs Sickert says' Bob is near them, so he thinks this may well reach him [in Spain?]. The newspapers lead him to believe that Bob must be 'starving', but if he has flour 'there are all manner of amusing things' he could make. Binyon's adaptation of "Shakuntala" was acted at two matinées, but 'received rather gloomily'; he himself found it 'hopelessly boring', though Bateson and Ricketts were 'separately & independently enraptured'. [Alfred] Cortot has been performing a great deal; Waley now likes him less, and thinks it is only really the 'moderns' he plays well, while his performances of Beethoven, Chopin and so on are 'quite silly'; he will not play early music though he 'does it very well', but 'rams vulgarities like the worst sort of Liszt fireworks into his programs'. Forgot it 'infuriates' Bob when he talks about music. Expects Bessie and Julian are at the Shiffolds. Seems 'no prospect of Francis [Birrell] appearing in London' soon, which is 'very depressing'; hears that G Franklin has arrived, but 'not in this district, happily'.

St. Cloud. - Had been sorry about Trevelyan's speedy departure, because it prevented her seeing him again [beforehand]; was glad to get his message on Saturday morning. Thanks him for coming to the office: always gives her great pleasure to shake his hand, and she is pleased to count herself among those whom he does not forget. Her family were glad he remembered them.

Félix Gicquel's message is written on the front of the postcard, above and below the illustration: he will go eagerly to hear the Hungarian violinist [Jelly d'Arányi or her sister Adila?]. Hopes Trevelyan found his wife and son well. Will be very pleased to see [Francis] Birrell again, as long as Birrell's pipe does not keep him in 'some bad place' at the time he had arranged with Félix.

70 Elm Park Road, Chelsea, S.W. - Has just had the 'shocking news' from Geoffrey Hardern that Felix [Gicquel] has 'died of galloping consumption after a month's illness'; encloses the letter [no longer present]. Bob may also have had news of the internment. Geoffrey is 'very overwrought', and Birrell fears this may 'finally send him over the edge'. Finds Felix's death 'extremely distressing'; Birrell 'loved him very much indeed &... shall never [meet] anyone quite like him again'; is sure Bob feels the same. Wonders if Bob could write a letter to Hardern: understands if he cannot, but feels a letter 'from someone definitely considerably older... might be advantageous to his morale'. Has written himself in a 'rather unaccustomed strain... urging him not to collapse under this. After all, Felix was his only check'.

Greville House, Little Baddow, Chelmsford. - Very kind of Bob to send his poems "From the Shiffolds". Heard from Kim that Philip Erasmus [Bob's grandson] has 'joined us all in this sorry place'; sends best wishes to Bessie and the whole family. Enjoyed "Windfalls" so much that he bought two copies, one to give away; thinks Bob may have found it hard to show himself 'so frankly to the world', but it is 'beautifully done' and Cross is glad he wrote it. Apologises for not writing before, but 'what is there to say? When will this horror end?' Hopes Bob has not got 'too depressed'; thinks work is 'the best sedative'. Has been quite busy himself with 'nebulous schemes which are unlikely to mature', and 'repair of damaged buildings', which are 'depressing'. Hopes the Trevelyans have had nothing to disturb the Shiffolds; he had a 'near miss' once, and the house is 'frequently shaken', with tiles lost and doors and windows broken, but nothing serious has happened so far. Has just finished '"Social England" by the Master of Trinity' [George Macaulay Trevelyan's "English Social History"]: it 'just suited [his] mood' and he 'had difficulty putting it down'; has also read the 'small book on Trinity' ["Trinity College: An Historical Sketch"]: 'Tradition still has humble admirers'. Comments on 'How miserable Goldie [Dickinson] would have been and Francis [Birrell] too'. Can still see Bob 'charging the barrier at a French railway station - successfully of course'.

St Cloud. - Madame Greslé will be at home on Thursday, and will see Trevelyan with pleasure. Will meet Trevelyan and Geoffrey [Hardern] at five o'clock at the Palais-Royal metro station the evening of "Plus ça change" [revue by Rip]; they will go directly from home to their lovely friend's house. Was delighted to meet [Francis] Birrell. 'Here is the next peace!'. Wants to see Trevelyan 'again and again', so that when the Channel is between them once more, their friendship will be as strong as if there were no distance. His sister [Marguerite] will also be very happy to get to know Trevelyan, and will be at her friend [Madame Greslé]'s house. Adds a postscript with Madame Greslé's address in case by some accident he is unable to meet them and take them there.

National Liberal Club.- His father's letter reached him yesterday, having been forwarded. Is writing to his mother to thank her for her 'great kindness in making us these presents on her birthday'; also thanks his father 'most gratefully' for his 'participation in the plan'. Is writing to Bessie, and hopes she will get his letter tomorrow. No doubt his father will see her soon when she is at Cambo with Julian.

Is going to Anglesey next week to stay with Lascelles Abercrombie, Professor of English Literature at Leeds, 'a fine critic, and a fine poet too, though of late years lecturing has taken up all his time'. Is just going to lunch with 'young [Francis] Birrell'; expects he will also see Birrell's father, whom he 'always like[s] meeting. He is still as charming a talker as ever'.

Before Bessie went away they had just finished reading Orley Farm, which seemed to them 'as fine a novel as any of Trollope's' though some things in the 'trial and the procedure seemed somewhat improbable and even a little absurd. But it is a superb plot'. Will join Bessie at Scarborough later in the month, then return with her and Julian to the Shiffolds.

St Cloud; addressed to Trevelyan at Hôtel Britannique, 20 Av[enue] Victoria. - Hopes that Trevelyan has returned satisfied with his journey. Will meet him as he did the other week next Thursday at the Palais-Royal metro station to go to Madame Greslé's house. Asks him to let Geoffrey [Hardern], if he is in Paris, know; received a letter from Geoffrey yesterday, dated 15 November from Manchester, which said he would definitely be in Paris tomorrow (Thursday) with his sister. Félix has written to Geoffrey at rue de Rivoli, but also at his request to him in England; thinks Geoffrey could not have got his letter before his departure, as he himself only got Geoffrey's yesterday. Asks Trevelyan if he has discovered whether Hirth [?] is a 'monsieur or a madame'. Will be glad to see him again on Thursday. Sends his regards to [Francis] Birrell.

Received a card from Geoffrey [Hardern] yesterday evening, sent from London and informing him of his arrival in Paris yesterday - Monday - at one; naturally could not see him then, but has sent him a message this morning at rue de Rivoli, and is waiting to see him now with great pleasure. Asks how Trevelyan and [Francis] Birrell are, what happened at five o' clock on Saturday, when they will next talk, and go to visit Madame Beaumont. Is waiting for Trevelyan to let him know when he has an evening free. His sister saw Trevelyan at the Yvonne Astruc concert, but was unable to speak to him.