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Postmarked 'Roma'; addressed to Trevelyan at Villa I Tatti, Settignano (Firenze). - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; is recovering but still feverish in the evening, with a slight complication in the lungs; saw Cecil [Sprigge?] this morning who can give 'objective impressions'. Read the account of [Clifford] Allen's visit to H. [Hitler] yesterday; Trevelyan may 'hear something interesting about it'. Sends love to Mary [Berenson] and Alda [von Anrep]. Has a very nice young doctor.

Casa al Dono. - Cannot remember whether he ever sent Trevy this snapshot, taken on top of Monte Secchieta last September. Read B. B. B. the extract from Trevy's 'Autobiography'; 'he liked it very much and was much amused by what you say about him and his "mytho-poeism". Will answer Trevy's letter properly as soon as she has 'got through a ghastly accumulation of letters' on her desk.

Clotilde [Marghieri] is staying with them, and also enjoyed Trevy's letter and autobiography. 'She has aged a lot too and her hair is quite white but is even more attractive mentally and as a companion than she was as a young woman'. Berenson and Nicky are happily settled at Casa al Dono; 'grieves' Nicky that Trevy has never seen it, as he would love it as she does.

Sylvia [Sprigge] is visiting next week; [she and her husband] like their home on the Via Aurelia very much. Thinks Trevy will see them in September. Alda [Anrep] is in Sorrento and Bertie [Anrep] at Forte dei Marmi.

Postscript notes that B. B. was 'delighted' to get Elizabeth's letter; thinks he has answered it.

Glad that Bessie has had the telegram from Miss Dyson, though they cannot feel certain she will come to them until they get a letter. Saw E[dith] Bulmer several times, and they were 'very friendly to each other'. Hope Morgan [Forster]'s visit will be a success; heard his broadcast at Hurtwood and thought it 'very good'. Only listened to some of "[ Marriage of] Figaro", since Cecil Sprigge and two of his friends (also friends of Julian) arrived as it was beginning. Is well, but cannot work at anything or even 'read anything with pleasure'; feels 'very lonely & depressed' when alone. Julian is driving over in his car tomorrow and will stay for one or two nights. Will then go to stay with Betty Muntz on Friday, and Bessie will return soon after he comes back. Does not seem worth while sending the trousers for Kitty to mend, since he has another pair. Tells Bessie not to worry about him.

Cherry Cottage, Abinger Common, Dorking, Surrey. - Thanks Robert for his 'fine gift' [the first volume of his "Collected Works"]; has been 'dipping into it' since it arrived on Friday, enjoying much but missing some things due to her ignorance of classical mythology. Liked Desmond [MacCarthy]'s review, and hopes Robert was 'satisfied'; if Desmond is right Robert must go on with his young man in China and his perigrinations[s] to the priests and wise men'. Thinks the book is 'beautifully' printed and worthy of a collection 'meant for posterity'. Is 'no fit company' for a walk at present; encourages Robert to come for tea. The beautiful sunny weather is not calming her spirit as it should; thinks her current low mood was started by a review in the "TLS" of 'Freud's dreadful new book' ["Moses and Monotheism"]; wishes for 'old age! and a nice indifference to such horrid things'. Passes on in a postscript Sprigge's anticipation of a 'day snatched from work' to read Robert's poems.

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.

Contains: "From An Abinger Diary", C.J.S.S. [Cecil Jackson Squire Sprigge]; poem, "Strength", G. Rostrevor Hamilton; "The Destructive Duck", Helen Page; poem, "Solomon Made Wisdom", by D. Eardley Wilmot; poem, "Ivory Tower", by S.S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; poems, "Song for Christmas" and "Fragments to be Found in Ruins (For Priscilla), by Nicholas Moore; letter from Max Beerbohm to 'S.S' about her "The Refugee and the Home Office", in the previous issue [see 24/87], with a letter in response from S.S.; and a note about renewing subscriptions from the Editor [Sylvia Sprigge].

Contains: "Perilous Prelude", about Vico, by C. J. S. S. [Cecil Jackson Squire Sprigge]; poem, "The Old People", by Joan Aiken; poem, "Truth", by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; portrait sketch of R. C. Trevelyan by Max Beerbohm; poem, "The Lucky Ones", by Eiluned Lewis; "The Artificial Dead" by Ida Procter; poem, "Childhood and Youth", by R. C. Trevelyan.

Centro Italiano Propaganda, Viale Calascione, 7 - Napoli. - Pleasure at reading Trevelyan's news: had heard something of him through [Cecil?] Sprigge but not in detail; knew about Trevelyan's fall and his recovery, but not about the birth of his grandchild [Philip Erasmus]. His own news is good: 'it is a great deal to have passed all this period without injury'; all was well with B.B. [Berenson] up until the 8th of September, as the fascists kept him safe at I Tatti, but he has had no news from Florence, though he has spoken to their friend Reeber [sic: Samuel Reber III], US representative in the Allied Control Commission, who said he would try and intervene through the Swiss legation. Feels helpless. His people at home knew nothing of his intention to escape, and may not be able to 'understand or measure the reasons' and feel abandoned, then there are his hidden friends and 'worse, those who couldn't hide'. Reminds himself that all of Europe is passing through the same ordeal. To renew his link of friendship with Trevelyan openly is 'a good omen, it is like breathing again a pure breath of fresh air'.

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.