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The papers consist of writings, research papers, printed material, photographs, and miscellaneous materials, and are arranged into seven series: A. Book Reviews by Lapsley of the books of others; B. Notes on Edith Wharton and Henry de Bracton; C. Lecture Notes: files of documents including notes, bibliographies and narrative sequences used in planning 'English Constitutional History to 1485'; D. Pamphlets, Journals and Books; E. Manuscript index cards, in sections, of books relevant to Lapsley's work; F. Photographs; G. Miscellaneous.

The writings reflect Lapsley's interest in medieval history, with a sizeable amount of work on Henry de Bracton, amongst others. Other papers reflect his work as Edith Wharton's literary executor, and a selection of her material survives in this collection, such as a transcript of her speech to the American Academy of Arts and Letters on accepting the Gold Medal for her services to Letters.

There are also a number of lecture notes and reviews published in the 'Cambridge Review' and other periodicals, and a variety of letters from friends, editors and fellow historians.

The printed materials are a mixture of historical journals and college documents including the WWII roll of honour. The photographs consist of three cabinet card photographs, one of them a duplicate, of two images of Edith Wharton posing with dogs.

Has received the books sent by Trevelyan, and will arrange payment through Nicky [Mariano] when he returns to I Tatti on Monday. Not sure yet of his plans, but will make a point of being at home on the days Trevelyan intends to be in the area with Miss Muntz [?]. Mary [Berenson] is suffering from high occasional fevers, with delirium, produced by an injection cure she is taking once a week. Mrs Wharton came recently, 'making herself rather obnoxious by the moody way' she treats other visitors to I Tatti, though since she does not object to him she was on the whole good company. Is happy Trevelyan is coming to stay. Faulkner is 'very awful and gruesome' but thinks him a 'real writer'.

The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W. - Encloses an article from the "Times Literary Supplement" which seems 'as favourable and perceptive' as reviews can be; finished the play [Robert's "Cecilia Gonzaga"] last night, he thinks with 'the feelings [Robert] intended to evoke'. Supposes the leading characters are real people: saw an 'allusion to [Niccolò?] Fortebraccio in [Edith Wharton's] VThe Valley of Decision"' which he found 'very interesting and well written' and reminiscent of [Joseph Henry Shorthouse's] "John Inglesant". Much relieved that Elizabeth got back her violin; asks Robert to congratulate her. He and Caroline are going to Welcombe on Tuesday, and look forward to the change from London. George has settled down in his 'new abode'; he is 'fortunate in his comrades, and in his dwelling'.

Grand Hotel du Righi, Boulevard de Righi, Nice. - Gained 'great pleasure' from Trevelyan's letter; asks to be excused for not replying sooner. His wife called at the Hotel de Londres, but they said that no post had arrived for Trevelyan except for some catalogues they had forwarded. His daughter [Primerose] is 'in [a] good state' and has been able to benefit from the 'splendid' weather. They leave for Paris on 27 April, and look forward to seeing Trevelyan when he passes through; gives their address. Spent a few days with B.B. [Bernard Berenson] at Mrs [Edith] Wharton's, and gave him Trevelyan's news. Berenson will leave soon for Florence so they will see each other there; he was in 'very good form', and Du Bos was glad to see him. Very 'touched' by what Trevelyan says about Du Bos's 'little "Merimee"'; he and his wife have begun to read the "Oresteia" and greatly admired Trevelyan's 'skill' in such a 'very difficult task' of translation. Hope Florence is as 'delightful as ever'; wishes they could 'roam together among the beautiful hills'.

Casa Boccaccio. - Thanks his mother for her letter; asks her to tell Bessie that he will write to her tomorrow. Is glad to have a good account of her and Julian. The weather here is 'now quite hot again'. Is getting on 'fairly' with his work, and is having a pleasant time. The Abercrombies seem to enjoy it here very much, and Lascelles has got on well with his work. They are 'very pleasant companions'. [Will] Arnold Forster has not yet arrived, but they expect him next week.

Has a 'very uneventful' life here, and has not yet been down to Florence. Occasionally dines with the Berensons, and met Edith Wharton 'the novellist [sic] there' last time; she 'seemed clever', but he did not see much of her; she says [Henry] James is 'very much better'. Hears James is coming to Welcombe at Easter. Wharton does not think James' 'last book [The Outcry], about picture-dealing, one of his best; and it seems anyhow to have been originally designed as a play'.

Must finish now, as the weather is so good. Expects it was 'too late for the Grafton to ask for the picture'; she should see the show if possible. They hear nothing about the [Italo-Turkish] war here, and he does not take an Italian paper. Sends love to his father, Bessie and Julian.

Postmarked Cortona, Arezzo. - Thanks Trevelyan for E.M. Forster's book ["Aspects of the Novel"], which he thinks will be 'very pleasant and important to read'. Nicky [Mariano] sent him a very nice letter from the Shiffolds. Hears 'the B.Bs' [Berensons] are going to Tunis with [Edith] Wharton and hopes they will return.

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.