Metelliano. - Has wanted to write for a long time: it comes easier here, where he has more time for remembrance of Trevelyan. His life has changed, since he has lived in Rome since the beginning of the war and still has editorial work for a weekly publication. Has been staying at the Braccis' house, empty for a long time but now they have returned. His journeys to Cortona are 'adventurous and accidental' since the railways are not yet functioning properly and 'lifts' are rarer since the departure of the Allies; it feels almost as remote and unconnected as it would have done in the 18th century. All is well: the house is 'soiled and worn by the occupation' but returning to normal, his books undamaged, his people well though older. Sees the Sprigges often in Rome and has long talks with Sylvia which always bring in Trevelyan; enjoyed "Windfalls" and Sylvia is to give him Trevelyan's [edition of] Chinese poems. Has been asked to contribute to a book of essays on Virginia Woolf, in Italian but with some English contributors, and is re-reading her critical work.. Has not yet seen Lina [Waterfield], nor B.B. [Berenson] since January, when he was very well. Hopes that Trevelyan will soon return to Italy.
Two sheets of printed notepaper for 'Montepulciano (Prov. di Siena)', home of the Bracci Testasecca family, covered on three sides with pen and ink sketches of faces.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - The Berensons are no longer going to Egypt: Mary is in a very low state and does not want to travel; Trevelyan is therefore free to come to I Tatti, but Nicky [Mariano] says he should not do so in December as lots of Mary's family may come, as well as [Gaillard] Lapsley. B.B. is generally well but much distressed. Has come from Montepulciano, where the Braccis were celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. Will look to see if he has Trevelyan's copy of [Woolf's] "The Voyage Out". Asks Trevelyan to bring him two packets of English-made Gillette razor blades: they are 'reduced' to German ones which 'break at their first use'. They have all been watching the eclipse of the moon. The Hammers are here 'full of sorrow'. Is sorry about the death of Trevelyan's friend [Lascelles] Abercrombie.
Metelliano. - Asks Trevelyan to explain to Mrs [Margaret?] Lloyd why he has not been able to reply to her letter. Further discussion of the Braccis' plans for their son Braccio to spend a month in England (see 5/84): it seems that they would like him to stay with the Spring-Rices' but do not want to commit to having Miss Lloyd as a paying guest. Will see Alberti at Montepulciano, returning from a journey to North and South America. Everyone is very grateful for Mrs Lloyd's kindness. Has received Virginia [Woolf]'s book ["Three Guineas"?], and sent a spare copy of his article "Silenzio di Don Giovanni", in "La Cultura", to Trevelyan, and will send another he has written on [Giosuè ?] Carducci. Very interested in Trevelyan's translations of Leopardi, and hopes to see some soon. Has not yet heard anything about [the Berensons'] 'new Consuma' at Vallombrosa. Is sad about Mary's state of health.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Has corresponded with the Braccis about the Lloyd girl, and Trevelyan will receive a second message from Lulli [Lucangelo Bracci] through Nicky [Mariano] soon. Sprigge [Cecil or Sylvia] has not approached them. The Braccis would like to send their eldest son, who has graduated and preparing to enter the diplomatic service, to England; therefore Miss Lloyd could stay at Montepulciano for a month as an unpaying guest as long as Braccio may likewise go and stay with the Lloyds [Margaret and Ted?] for a month and improve his spoken English. If this is impossible, asks if Trevelyan could suggest another family for Braccio to stay with. Would like to read Virginia's book [Woolf's "Three Guineas"] though expects not to like it much, like "A Room of One's Own]; would be grateful if Trevelyan could send a copy. The Lippmanns' visit has not brought B.B. [Berenson] the pleasure he hoped for: 'something dry... and pedantically moralising' about Lippman; his new wife 'an improvement on the previous one' but hysterical. Returning home today, then will go to Sorrento, then to 'the new Consuma' at Vallombrosa. Trevelyan's friend is welcome if he comes when Morra is at home. Knows nothing about [Leone?] Vivante's book and asks why he ought to read it.
Villa Morra Cortona (Arrezzo). - Had planned to come to Paris, so did not answer as soon as he received Trevelyan's translation of Lucretius, just looked into it and found the story of Macauley's notebook interesting; thanks him now; is not coming to Paris. Cannot give him any firm news about the Braccis' financial dealings. Hopes Trevelyan is coming to Italy; he himself will go to I Tatti when Nicky [Mariano] and B.B. [Berenson] are back in November, then will probably go to Rome some time in December and return to I Tatti after the New Year. Has started learning German. There have been floods recently. Has no news yet of Mary [Berenson]'s return and hopes all is well.
Poggio allo Spino, Consuma, (Prov. di Firenze). - Apologies for not writing sooner: was waiting to see the Braccis, but they are involved in negotiations to see most of their land and have not come; had hoped he would be able to tell Trevelyan about the payment of money owed him. Is here while Nicky [Mariano] is resting at Sorrento. B.B. [Berenson] has regained energy but complains of not being able to do much work. Clotilde [Marghieri], still in poor health, is here; her sister is at Vallombrosa and they see her often; there is also a French diplomat, Truela [?], and Martha Ruspoli. Thinks she would take to Trevelyan: B.B. nicknames her 'la pedantina'. Was reading about Alfoxden and Nether Stowey when he received Trevelyan's letter: has been writing about [Mario] Praz's history of English literature and reading around the subject. [John Livingstone Lowes'] "The Road to Xanadu", on Coleridge was 'much too long'; has found [Oliver] Elton's work most rewarding; Middleton Murry's "Keats and Shakespeare" was interesting but had a 'very distasteful, over-emphatic' way of putting across even good arguments.
Did not come to I Tatti when Trevelyan was there as he was in quarantine in Rome, due to one of the Bracci boys having chickenpox or measles (cannot remember the right English word) which might have been dangerous for Mary [Berenson]; hopes to see him in the summer. Was good to read the short poems which Trevelyan sent to Nicky [Mariano]; expects he will see the dialogue soon. Spent a fortnight at I Tatti; a pleasure to see Mary so well, with 'nothing hectic in her state'. They went to four concerts in one week, including a performance by Huberman and Schnabel of all Beethoven's violin sonatas, played 'in quite a different way. Is going back to hear Cortot, Cazals and Thibaut [sic: Casals and Thibaud] playing the "Archduke sonata". Is not subscribing to the new "Life and Letters". Berenson has subscribed so he will look at it there. Has just finished [Woolf's] "Flush": found it 'an amazing performance but too much of a performance'; has also read some short stories by K[atherine] Mansfield which he cannot like and finds 'useless elaboration'. Will read Brennan's book soon, when Lina [Waterfield] returns it. Expects Trevelyan is glad about [Labour's] victory in the L.C.C [London County Council] elections, headed by [Herbert] Morrison. Was very angry about the 'so-called Viennese rebellion' [Austrian Civil War or February Uprising], especially as he suspects the Italian government had something to do with it.
Cortona. - Has been recently at I Tatti, where Alberti joined him for a couple of days; found Mary in good spirits though her health was no better, while B.B., though his American investments are not out of trouble, does not seem too anxious. "Pègaso" [the literary journal] has been succeeded by "Pan"; Ojetti has asked him to contribute but has not given him a topic. Would be pleased to accept recommendations, otherwise, asks if Trevelyan could send him the cheaper edition of Virginia Woolf's new story ["Flush"?] and two books by Faulkner, "Sartoris" and "The Soldier's Pay [sic]" (he can get the rest of Faulkner's books at I Tatti). Hopes Trevelyan's plans are including his usual visit to Italy; his own are not yet clear. The Bracci family will leave Montepulciano tomorrow for Rome; the joinery factory is promising, but there are some financial worries. Sees the Labour party doing well in British elections; asks whether this is anything more than 'the usual pendulum of power'. Says that 'we are always more obsessed by the ill-treatment of jews [sic] in Germany; many students are coming to our universities. Sends love to Julian and asks where he is, asks to be remembered to Trevelyan's wife.
Montepulciano (Prov. di Siena). - Has just received what Trevelyan sent through Umberto [Morra di Lavriano], which was very welcome; approves the terms set. His wife sends her regards.
Is back and expects not to leave before late January, so Trevelyan and Miss Munts [sic: Betty Muntz] welcome whenever is best for them. Has been to Rome for a few days; the Bracci are back to a 'reduced city-life'.
Rome. - Is very sorry that Trevelyan cannot come. Has written to Mr Deuchar saying that as soon as they are in Florence, they should contact Nicky [Mariano] for the books; Bracci and Nicky know all about it. Expects he cannot be in Florence when the Deuchars arrive as he is going to Geneva for a meeting.