Saw Simon Nicholson [ie Reginald Popham Nicholson] yesterday; cannot remember whether Julian knows him; he and his wife live near [E.M.] Forster and are 'great friends of his and B.B. [Bernard Berenson] and now of Bob and Bessie. Has given Bob the address of a friend whom Julian might like to meet, a 'camouflage during the last war' and also a painter, 'about 60 years old, and very intelligent etc'; however, he is based 'up beyond Fort William, nearer the [Loch Ness] Monster than to [Julian]'. Bessie is home from the Park [home of Annie Philips], and seems well; they hope to see Ursula soon. Simon Nicholson was in the colonial service with Lugard in west Africa 'for years'; said he was shown some of Julian's 'Africa sketches by K[enneth?] Clark and liked them very much'.
Metelliano. - Is happy to say that he is coming to England for the Executive Committee of the International PEN, taking place between 25-27 April. Is also planning to visit Roger Hinks in Holland. Must see Trevelyan, either in London or at the Shiffolds; is glad he is recovering, did not know he had been low. Saw a notice in the "Times" about [Reginald Popham] Nicholson's death, which must have affected B.B. [Berenson]. Will visit I Tatti just before coming to England. Has seen Raymond Mortimer, but missed [Stephen] Spender and Humphrey Sumner who were in Rome while he was in Paris with the W.F.U.N.A. Is very sorry about Trevelyan's sister in law [Janet: her illness]; would like to write to Trevelyan's brother [George]. Is almost sure to go to Edinburgh for the PEN Congress at the end of August.
Tallboys, Abinger Hammer. - Very glad to have Trevy's poems ["Aftermath"], and has read them with great pleasure; his appreciation and depiction of the 'quiet, intimate & tender beauty of English country' is very appealing, and she brackets him with Wordsworth in this respect. Also admires the way he writes about sleep and dreams, and his 'unquenchable youthfulness of... spirit'. Comments on various poems. [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson [to whom a poem is addressed], 'must have been a great man'; wishes she had known him. The poem to B.B. [Bernard Berenson] is also lovely; does want Berenson to see it. Simon [her husband] is also looking forward to reading them. Invites him to visit with Bessie as soon as is possible, and if he can to get Lady Allen to bring them. This 'roaring lion of an East wind' is hard on the buds and blossoms; 'only the dandelions like it'.
Tallboys, Abinger Hammer, Surrey. - They are thinking a great deal about Trevy at the moment: the 'darkest hour comes before the dawn', and he will soon be 'made whole and restored to [his] hills'; it is worthwhile to experience darkness, if only to appreciate light. 'Much depends on the nurses': for his own last operation, he was 'waited on hand and foot by Irish nuns, all young & of the most ravishing beauty'; he 'look[s] forward eagerly' to his next. Trevy's 'too slender sheaf of poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] are a 'delight'. Likes the translation of Menander 165 best, but the 'matitutinal procedure practised by Simylus' reminded him 'almost too vividly of [his] Molly'; regrets that unlike Simylus she has 'no female Afrite with cracked heels to devil for her'. Hopes that Trevly will 'bring forth more gems' in the nursing home. Adds a postscript saying they have just had a 'scrap' from Nicky [Mariano], 'sadly over-worked as usual': B.B. [Berenson] should get her a secretary.