11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Thanks for the book with 'its lovely title' ["Windfalls"]: did not know Trevelyan could write 'such charming prose'. Especially enjoyed the autobiographical passages; suggests that Trevelyan write 'a more complete account of [his] adventures among books & people'. Has been re-reading [Alain-René Lesage's] "Gil Blas", inspired by a comment of Santayana in his "Persons and Places". As a 'word-wrangler', has a few points of contention with Trevelyan: gives his own definition of 'rhetoric', complete with references to his own published work; discusses the definition of 'lyrical' at length, and with numerous references. Will support Trevelyan's use of 'kindness' for charity or love, if in return Trevelyan helps introduce 'the fine French word bougresse', as used by Flaubert, into English; would be useful to describe 'Mrs Keppel, Lady Cunard, & such-like ancient females'. Their 'male counterparts' can be called 'bougre', now Cyril [Connolly] has printed the word in "Horizon", or "pagod", as used by Pope. Lady Colefax (not yet a 'bougresse') has told him that Harold Nicolson's son Nigel, a soldier in Italy, has written to say that B.B. [Berenson] is at Pistoia but is expected to be released soon. Asks if it is true that the Beerbohms were bombed out of their house The 'worst massacre in London' [the destruction of the Guinness flats in Chelsea in the 'Little Blitz'?] was 'just round the corner', but only a few windows were broken at St. Leonard's Terrace. Is ordering some copies of "Windfalls" for his friends.
Sissinghurst Castle, Kent; 'as from' 19 Lord North Street, Westminster. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send her his book ["Windfalls"]; mentions some of her favourite pieces; remembers walking with him and B.B. [Bernard Berenson] by Vincigliata; perhaps one of her favourites is the piece on "Kindness", which recall 'days of talk at Settignano'; 'how sweet' I Tatti [Berenson's home] was, and how much they 'long' for it again, the 'very Palace of talk & enjoyment''. Had news on 29 August from Harold Nicolson's younger son Nigel that Berenson is safe in hiding, and that as soon as the British line advances he will try to find him. That was nearly a month ago; the Germans are still in Fiesole, the Villa Medici, and Settignagno. Nicky [Mariano] and Alda [Anrep] are at I Tatti.
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.
19 Lord North Street, Westminster, London. - Kind of Trevelyan to send his "[From the] Shiffolds" poems, which have 'all the nostalgia we must feel who have known that other world'; but as he notes 'Sorrow vanishes, the joy endures'; hopes that will be true for the grandson to whom that is addressed and for all the 'young born now'; also hopes 1945 will be 'better for all'. Hears that Mary [Berenson] is 'fading away': Ben Nicolson, Harold's son, who has been to stay at I Tatti for four days, writes that she is 'pale & still beautiful... her mind quite clear'.