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2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Easy to give Will [Arnold Forster] the letter since he is staying here; harder to stop Bob 'apologising unnecessarily': George himself put 'too much heat into each one of [his] remarks', which provoked Bob's 'outburst'; sure he 'repaid [this] with interest'. Is going to hear Jan Hubrecht give a paper about the Netherlands tomorrow. Likes Geoffrey [Winthrop Young]'s poems ["Freedom"], which is 'natural'; thinks them 'stronger than his first lot ["Wind and Hill"].

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/76], and the '[obituary] notice of the poor silent fogey [Sir Joseph Crosland]'. Remembers the fogeys, and the amusement they gave, very well, but not where they met them; has a 'vague recollection that it was at some English sea-side hotel, perhaps in Yorkshire', but it may well have been abroad. Expects Crosland 'felt very much out of place in the House, and may have been glad to be turned out'; he 'seemed a kindly old fogey', and Robert can 'well believe that, in the stately phrase of the Times, he was "generous to a degree"'.

His father's letter to Paul [Hubrecht] has just arrived and will be forwarded; thinks they [Paul and his brother Jan] both much enjoyed their visit to Wallington; Jan was here for two days, and they went over to the site on Sunday with him. The foundations [of Robert and Elizabeth's house] are about finished, and as far as can be judged the work seems very good; they will meet the architect there soon to make some plans about the garden, which will not be big but require thought as it is 'all on a slope'.

Has left [Turgenev's] Dmitri Roudine at Wallington; asks if it could be sent back to the library once his father has done with it. He and Bessie are both very well, and much enjoyed their time at Wallington 'in spite of the doubtful weather'; it was an 'additional pleasure to see Charles and Molly so happily settled'. Hopes his father is still getting on as well with his book; liked reading the two sections he gave him, and 'thought them everything that could be desired'. Bessie thanks both Robert's parents for their letters, and will 'write directly'; they both send their love.

Beginning of letter missing; text starts mid sentence with Bessie referring in Dutch to financial matters and thanking her uncle. Asks if Bramine will come tomorrow [for Uncle Paul's birthday], which will be very cosy; hopes their own 'little flower' will be delivered tomorrow. Robert wants to say something now so she will let the 'eloquent poet' speak for himself.

Robert adds a note in English, though he first addressed Paul Hubrecht as 'Mijn beste Ooom'; wishes him 'every happiness' for his birthday, and wishes he could be there. Hopes that if there are speeches, 'the oratory may reach as high last year, when the dinner was made so pleasant by brilliant flashes of humour from you and Paul and Ambro' and his own 'brilliant flash of silence', which perhaps should be called his '"break-down"'. He and Bessie hope to be with the Hubrechts before Christmas; also that Jan might be able to pay them a short visit, and perhaps also visit Robert's brother George at Cambridge. Hopes that by the time they come to the Netherlands. Aunt [Maria] and [Alphonse] Grandmont will be 'much better'; they both seem to be improving, though slowly. Must be a 'great relief that Tuttie is quite well again'. Bessie has been well except for a 'nasty cough', but this is nearly gone now. They recently went to Cambridge and saw Aeschylus's "Agamemnon" acted [the Cambridge Greek Play], though they thought it was not done so 'with great success'; Bessie's 'musical conscience was offended by the badness of the chorus music'. Was kind of Uncle Paul to send 'that prophetic Strand Magazine', which Bessie says she got 'as early as '92': her 'unconscious prophetic instinct must have been working even in her schooldays'. They find their "Encyclopaedia Britannica" a 'great recourse': they will be 'very omniscient' by the time they next see Uncle Paul, particularly Bessie, though she says the article on Dutch literature is 'poor'. Perhaps this is because it 'does not do justice to the great 17th century poet [van den Vondel?], whose works form so brilliant an adornment to their bookshelves'. Best wishes to Aunt Maria and Tuttie; hopes that tomorrow [Uncle Paul's birthday?] will be a 'happy day'.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Glad to hear Aunt Maria is generally better; hopes her health will continue to improve. Also glad that [Alphonse] Grandmont and Jan [Hubrecht] are recovering, and that Tuttie [Hubrecht] has 'come back so much stronger'. Thinks about Grandmont every morning when they eat his 'black-butter' at breakfast; they wonder why it is black since it comes from the 'juice of white apples'. Bessie is well, despite the bad weather; there has been much wind and rain and 'her violin strings squeak, for all that she can do'. She is going to have her second lesson with [Johann] Kruse next week, who was unfortunately away when they last went to London. Two of his friends, both poets, visited on Sunday; one of them [Thomas Sturge] Moore read a play yesterday ["Omphale and Heracles'; they thought it 'very good' and wished it could be put on, but 'they do not act good plays in England now, except Shakespeare, and that they usually do badly'; the actors too are 'bad'. Bessie thinks English coal fires create much 'dust and dirt even when they do not smoke badly'; admits they do in comparison to Dutch stoves, but he does like open fires; whoever invented a fireplace combining the advantages of the two styles would be a 'great benefactor to man'. Spent three 'very full days in Paris with the same two friends' [at the Paris Exhibition]; might have wished Bessie to be there too but she would not have enjoyed the 'fearful'' crowds; even they got tired. Thought the 'old French art... very fine'; the 'side-shows and sights at the Exhibition were very poor' and the 'buildings too florid and ornamental, and some of them hideous', but the 'general effect... was very splendid and brilliant'. Is interested in the Queen [Wilhelmina of the Netherlands]' marriage, and glad 'the Dutch are pleased'; Bessie was 'quite sympathetic' when [Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Queen's betrothed] 'had to say good-bye to her and go away to his country for a time] [as Robert had had to during their own courtship]. They have got an 'illustrated paper' about the royal couple. Next week, they are going to visit his aunt, Mrs Price, who gave them the piano, at her house in the Welsh borders; he has not been there since he was a boy, so is curious to see the place again. Bessie will write soon, but there is no time now as this has to catch the post; she sends love to all.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Very glad to hear that Aunt Maria has reached Lake Geneva safely. He and Bessie cannot find Territet or Montfleurie on their maps, but he supposes it is on the north bank. Has not been there for a long time, but remembers the 'beauty of the lake and its landscape', since it was his 'first glimpse... of mountain regions'. They have had a letter from [Alphonse] Grandmont saying he is sending them 'some of his delightful "black butter", the apple jam'; believes that Uncle [Paul Hubrecht] does not like it, but they do, especially as it brings 'a perfume from the fly-peopled dining room at Ede'. Grandmont also told them about 'Bramine's forgetfulness' resulting in the 'disappearance of the keys at so unfortunate a moment'; expects the keys reached Maria at Basle or wherever she stopped first. Sorry to hear about Jan; glad it is not very bad, as he has just learned from Uncle's letter to Bessie. Bessie was glad to hear Aunt Maria's cough was better; they are sure that, despite at the moment being 'rather upset by the long journey', she will soon benefit from her stay there. Bessie is well, and the weather very good; this is 'a 'famous place for blackberries', and they pick a lot when they are out and now have enough to make jam. He gets 'such wonderful things to eat now, and luckily on the whole' he and Bessie like the same foods. Their roses have been a 'great success'. Bessie is going to tea this afternoon 'with a nice fat neighbour... who has a nice fat husband', and trees 'overladen with nice fat apples and pears', some of which they will give to the Trevelyans; their name is Wynne, and they have a 'very beautiful house' just beyond the Trevelyans'. Robert and Elizabeth made some calls yesterday returning visits, but found nobody in.

Glad Aunt Maria likes "Emma"; it is set about ten miles from here, and Box Hill is only three miles away. Thinks he likes Emma best of [Austen's] books, though likes "Pride and Prejudice" almost as much. The Trevelyans are probably going to London for a few days about 25 September; will write again soon and hopes to hear she is 'much better', Tuttie [Hubrecht] as well. Sends love to Uncle, and the Grandmonts when they come.

Hôtel de la Poste , 30-32 Rue Fossé-aux-Loups, Bruxelles. - Is sending this 'short note' along with Bessie's letter. Everything has gone very well so far; though Bessie is still rather tired, she has been less so than he expected. They start their journey again this evening. They had a quiet morning, just spending a couple of hours at the Gallery; Bessie has slept a little this afternoon and he therefor hopes she will be all right after the journey. Hopes Aunt [Maria] is no worse for yesterday [Robert and Bessie's wedding day]; is 'anxious to hear how she is'; for the newly-weds, 'the day went off in the most completely satisfactory manner'. Even though he is himself 'no lover of ceremonial days', as they know, he enjoyed it all and could see others did too; thanks them for their 'splendid foresight and arrangement'. Robert and Bessie saw Paul and Jan [Hubrecht] and Robert's brothers at the station. Bessie is a 'very good travel-companion, even when she is tired'; is sure she will also be a 'very good travel-companion through life'. Forgot to ask them about the ten guilders they gave him 'for the poor'; supposes it ought to go into his account with them and be paid out of the ten pounds. Thinks Bessie is writing about a box she may have left behind; they were wise to advise him to count the luggage, but fortunately it is not important. Hopes his mother was able to see Aunt Maria today; is sure she and his father have 'enjoyed their visit enormously'. Sends love to the Grandmonts and Tuttie [Hubrecht]. He and Bessie are going out soon for dinner at 'some neighbouring tavern'; it is 'dangerous to take Bessie into these streets', as she stops to look at the lace and 'other feminine vanities for which this town is so famous' in every other shop. A note in Bessie's hand here says that she now sees 'how dangerous it is to be married to a poet with such fantastic imagination & - exaggeration!'. Sends love to them both, and wishes them as much happiness as he and Bessie feel, 'which is saying a great deal'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Returns a [postal] order for 20 shillings; could not be comfortable if Elizabeth repaid small sums, as it would make him feel as if she and Bob were 'no longer part of the family'. Caroline read him Elizabeth's letter, which she will answer from Welcombe; they hope to be there later today. They have had a 'long and satisfactory London Season', though there was a 'rush' at the end. Glad that Jan [Hubrecht] is doing well.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes Elizabeth has a good Christmas day with her baby; she should 'feel it a duty to be quite idle'. Sir George is recovering; will take him for a walk this morning; was 'a feverish cold... like something caught in a London fog'. They have had many congratulations on the birth of Paul. Sure Gussie [Enticknap] 'would be astonished to see another baby quite suddenly appear'. She and Sir George are having lunch early, so the servants will be able 'to sit over their dinners' and 'have dessert & crackers &c' and have fun. Thanks Robert for writing twice, though his letters arrived together; the post is 'most erratic' and the postman needs a cart and horse as there are so many parcels. Has started the year's accounts. Sir George was amused by the muisjes [see 10/69]. Asks whether Jan [Hubrecht?] has been to see Paul yet.

Menu card with illustration of sailing boats in a harbour; dated 5 June 1900 on the back and signed by Robert C. Trevelyan, Bramine Grandmont H[ubrech]t, George Otto Trevelyan, M[aria] Hubrecht Pruys v[an] d[er] H[oeven], Am[brosius] Hubrecht, Caroline Trevelyan, P[aul] F[rancois] Hubrecht [?], Marie Hubrecht-Molewater, A[lphonse] Grandmont, P[aul] F[rançois] Hubrecht, Jan Hubrecht, Tuttie [Hubrecht], Charles Trevelyan and Elizabeth des Amorie v[an] d[er] Hoeven.

Originally enclosing a few more promotional notices [for the forthcoming production of his own "Meleager" and Sturge Moore's "Medea"], which Julian could send to [his Cambridge contemporaries?] [Douglas Elliott?] Braithwaite, Lintot, and [Evert?] Barger, though they may not go even if they are in London. Could not come to the "Bacchae", as he fell from a bus step, sprained his knee, and has been laid up for six days at the Abercrombies' house. Had a rehearsal today, then Bessie fetched him home in their 'new second-hand Vauxhall'. [Ronald?] Watkins said today that he found the "Bacchae" rather disappointing; however, asks Julian to let [J.T.] Sheppard know why he could not come, if he sees him. Originally enclosing a card for the Independent Gallery, where there are ' '6 lovely early Corots... a very fine Degas, a Courbet' and some other things. Will go to the [Jan?] Hubrechts' party on 18 March. Bessie and the Röntgens are going to Edinburgh on Tuesday; he will probably take the night train that day or go up the day after; if Julian also goes to the party he could travel up with him.

Ma Retraite, Ede; envelope addressed to R. C. Trevelyan Esq-re, 3 Hare Court, Inner Temple, London EC - Is writing having got up very early to see the [Roger] Frys off. Curious to see which weaknesses of hers have inspired Bob to 'compile sharp satires'; does not think he has had the opportunity to get to know her faults, proved by him saying she seems to be wiser than he is and 'so sensible', though 'that is a common mistake' and her family tease her for looking like a 'wise professor'. She does not think she knows many of his weak spots, except for the very obvious ones, which are not heavy; has been very impressed by his 'excellencies & learnedness', and 'used to feel a great dunce' at Taormina though this has worn off a little. Describes the [Roger] Frys' visit: went to the Hague with Bramine to hear a concert of a cappella music conducted by [Johannes] Messchaert; returned next morning on the same train as the Frys and met at Ede station. Dreadful weather all through their visit, but they had some walks (on the second day only Mr Fry, her uncle [Paul François Hubrecht] and Elisabeth herself kept going); played them music on both nights (as Bob said, they 'liked the old music best on the whole), and yesterday morning Grandmont read them 'a great part of [Browning's] "Pippa Passes" in his translation', surprising that Mr Fry had never read it. All very sorry they had to leave so soon; the Frys promised to come again in the spring. Would very much like to get to know them better. Did not see much of what Bob says about Roger Fry's 'orthodoxy', except when he said that in music and painting, it was not possible to properly appreciate 'modern development of art' if you were not a real admirer of what has gone before; might be true of painting but she is sure it is not of music. He seemed generally to be 'a very charmingly sympathetic & very intelligent being', and she to be 'perhaps more original even, very clever certainly'; Elizabeth 'felt a dunce again'. Her uncle also liked them very much.

Last Sunday was very happy: her sister and her husband [the Röntgens] and the 'four Hubrechts from Utrecht' [Ambrosius Hubrecht and family] came for the day to say goodbye to 'Ma Retraite'; her cousin Professor Hubrecht is 'always full of fun' and it was very different from what one might imagine 'a Dutch stolid serious family party to be!' Finds it delightful to be part of such a family bond. Approves of Bob's 'plans about building public baths' but does not think the public would use them; certainly the Dutch do not wash 'their bodies as well & as often as their houses, streets, & furniture'. Tells Trevelyan how to write out a Dutch address, though there is no reason not to follow the common English custom of using English names and spelling for 'everything foreign'.

Hotel Biscione & Bellevue, Piazza Fontana No. 8 e 10, Milan. - Arrived on Friday, and is staying with the Frys [Robert and Helen] for a few days before going on to Ravello, to where she had better write as he plans to leave on Monday or Tuesday. Left all well at the Hague; will stop there on his way back and hopes a visit for Bessie to England in March or April may be arranged. They could not find a good photograph, but Bessie will have another taken and Caroline will be sent one. They celebrated 'old Hubrecht's' seventieth birthday last Wednesday with his son the professor [Ambrosius Hubrecht], his wife and two sons. Is having a good time with the Frys, though Mrs Fry is not well; there is much to see; the Castello is 'about the finest building in Italy... and full of treasures'. Liked the small painting by Francia he saw here; Fry says the Trevelyans' one is by far the best he knows, and that he was disappointed by the famous one ["The Adoration of the Child"?] he saw in Munich.

The Frys' prospects seem 'as dark as ever': Fry says there is 'no prospect' of selling his pictures, which the dealers will not interest themselves in, yet Robert believes he is painting very well now; Sidney Colvin was 'immensely struck' with the large one Robert has at Dorking ["The Valley of the Seine"?], thinking it 'one of the most interesting landscapes of modern years. Fry thinks he will have to turn to other work, perhaps lecturing again 'which of course he hates'. Fry's father's altered his three hundred pounds allowance to an investment, on which tax is payable, on Fry's marriage; Helen Fry has only the money she earns and is too ill to paint. Thinks Fry's art is 'too good to be sacrificed', and knows that they live in 'constant discomfort and worry', which he is sure contributes to Helen's bad health. Fry is 'very courageous, and may pull through'. but things would be much easier if his father 'had not such a hatred of art, and such absurd suspicions of his son and his wife'. This helps Robert appreciate how good his own father has been 'under somewhat similar circumstances'; Sir Edward Fry is 'narrow and prejudiced', but does not mean to be 'unjust or brutal', yet Robert believes he is so. Wonders whether his father has received the books by Pushkin and Hazlitt, and the life of Crabbe. Is just going to the Brera with Roger Fry.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Bob's visit was timely, as Sir George was not well and it did him good to talk; he has recovered now. Hopes Elizabeth will see Dr Cornish; the nettle rash shows she needs treatment. Does not think she should eat porridge: she herself gets a rash when she eats it. The children are stopping until Monday since the weather is cold. Though Marjorie was indeed 'very dull & stupid' when Robert was here, she has brightened up; she is backward in learning but 'quite intelligent... and rather good with her fingers'. Hopes Miss Clark will teach her. The little one [Florence] is a 'vigorous clean little imp'. Glad Julian is improving; thinks children gain self-control as they grow. Wonders whether Elizabeth will get to London soon; would be good for him to see other children's work. Is interested to hear about Jan Hubrecht [his diplomat posting to Tokyo] is 'a fearful long way to go', and she half wonders at him taking his wife and children. Booa is definitely recovering, but slowly; she has been ill for three months. Sir George liked 'the Butler book' [Henry Festing Jones's edition of Samuel Butler's notebooks?]. Caroline would like to read the Tagore. Read 'the Poetry Annual' ["An Annual of New Poetry", edited by Robert Trevelyan?] with interest; 'if not very striking [it] is thoroughly pleasant reading'; asks when she should order it.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Hubrecht for the copies of the marriage deed and inventory. Much relieved to hear that Madame Hubrecht is recovering though could wish she were doing so more quickly. Sorry not to have been in London during Hubrecht's grandson [Jan Bastiaan]'s visit; glad he will see Cambridge, 'which he is so fitted to appreciate'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear that Elizabeth's shopping was so satisfactory; Mary was 'delighted with the scissors', and Caroline likes to think of them 'both cutting out little garments'. Sure Elizabeth will get a 'pretty cot & basket' from Smith; thinks 'their taste is better than in the larger shops'. They had fine weather on Saturday; the Ex[hibitio]n was successful and the sale of work 'really very nice', making fifty pounds with things still left over to sell. Thinks Elizabeth's "Independent" was left in the billiard room; will send it to her. They have got [Plato's?] "Symposium" and are reading it. Misses Elizabeth. News of Aunt Margaret [Holland] is 'very bad'. Fun for Elizabeth to have 'Mr Jan' [Hubrecht?]; wishes he could be at Wallington on Wednesday. Encloses five shillings with thanks.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter; Bob's arrived on Sir George's birthday. Summer 'has come just in time for the haymaking'. Glad Elizabeth will be coming north in September; thinks it would be best for Bob to pay a short visit then come back for Elizabeth. Sir George 'now gets fussed at having visitors, especially men', but does like children in the house so they will enjoy seeing Julian. Does not know yet what they are doing after the end of October, but will like having Julian until then. Has seen so little of Elizabeth this year. Hopes Miss Barthorp [a new governess] will be nice; seems a good plan to have Lily for now. Difficult to think of Elizabeth's cousin [Jan Bastiaan Hubrecht] as a diplomat; supposes he will have a distant posting to begin with; hopes they have a safe crossing. Janet and the children left today for the Park. Agrees that it is interesting watching the girls grow up; Mary and Pauline are both very nice, though different. Thinks that girls are 'more intellectual than boys at that age'; regrets that it often 'turns the other way 10 years later'.

10 Prinsegracht, Hague; addressed to Bob at Penmenner House, The Lizard, Cornwall and forwarded to him at 3 Hare Court, Inner Temple, London. - Will study the patterns Bob has sent her and send them to London, with her choice for his 'nuptial trousers' and travelling suit. Will speak again to her uncle about Bob's objections to writing himself to the consul [Henry Turing]. Entreats Bob for Sir Henry House and his wife not to be invited to the wedding breakfast: her uncle and aunt, who will send out the invitations, do not know the Howards at all so it does not matter that they are 'very distant relations', while their presence would give 'a different ton to the whole business' and make her miserable. It is also likely that Grandmont and Bramine would not come if the Howards were invited, due to their objection to 'jingos'. Does not see it as necessary to invite the Howards, unless Bob's parents wish it especially. Sometimes wishes they could marry 'quietly without anyone near', though knows it could be a lovely day with happy memories; wishes people could 'take it easier'. Returns to the letter after a walk with her aunt, who agrees with her about having to give up part of her musical interests after marriage; understand what Bob means, and thinks she may have expressed herself too strongly in her first letter [9/45], which is the 'wretched side of correspondence'; will wait until she sees him to discuss it. Sees what Bob means about Mrs [Helen] Fry's cigarette smoking; cannot quite feel as he does yet; knows she does have 'a great and natural tendency to rectilineal & rather exclusive argumentation'; hopes she can 'suspend judgment' as Bob says. Does not know enough about German literature to comment on what he says about German literature, but emphasises the advantage, 'which the English nation as a whole is slow & rare in acknowledging' of being able to talk to foreigners in their own language; as an example, it was a real shame that Bob and [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen were unable to converse properly; this is why she was so disappointed when he once refused to learn as 'it seemed such an insular British way of looking at it'. Ordered the book [Stevenson's "The Suicide Club"] for Jan [Hubrecht] and he was very pleased. Mr Kattendijke and Mr Loudon are coming to make music this afternoon. Lula [Julius Röntgen] is recovering from his severe illness. Joachim is going to play with his quartet in Amsterdam next Saturday, and Mien has got her a ticket; will stay with Mrs Guye [or Guije], Gredel's mother; would love to go to the supper party the Röntgens are having for Joachim after the concert but expects Mien has too many guests to invite her. Is glad not to see Bob with his beard, and hopes he never decides to grow one. Asks who Jacobi is, and for Bob to tell him what 'the Cambridge Moore [i.e. George] thinks of his play.

Trinity College, Cambridge. - Apologises, but Jan [Bastiaan Hubrecht] is visiting just after Cambridge breaks up: Commem is on the 11th [Dec], and there will be no-one around after that, including George himself, but 'a few cross dons clearing up arrears of work'. If Jan could come next term or the term after, George could 'realize my desire' of giving Jan three or more weeks at Cambridge, should he wish; hopes this can be managed at some point in Jan's convalescence, but this term is impossible. Does not have a cutting of Charles's letter [to the "Times" on "Farm-Burning In The Transvaal And Orange River Colonies", 26 Nov 1900, p 12 ?]; thought it was very good; is 'going to look up 'Roses' which [he] missed on the 26th [or perhaps the 28th: reference to letter on the same subject which appeared in the "Times" of Nov 28, p 8, by Leonard Courtney?]'.

10 Prinsegracht, Hague; addressed to Bob at Penmenner House, The Lizard, Cornwall. - Thinks Bob must not have got her letter of Tuesday [9/46]; hopes someone will send it on. Thanks him for writing his note before setting off and for the drawing of the eye. Hopes he does not mind that she is writing so frequently; asks him to say what he thinks of the music box, for which she has written to thank Mrs Price [Bob's aunt]. Alice Jones and her brother Herbert are coming to the Hague on the 26th, after a trip to Dresden; has not seen Alice since 1895, and Herbert since 1893 when he came home from the holidays and ate all her 'hopjes' [Dutch sweets] 'in one sitting' (he later sent her a box of Cambridge ginger sweets at school). Is going out for a slow walk with her aunt soon as the weather is 'heavenly'. Tomorrow is Jan [Hubrecht]'s birthday; she wants to order [Robert Louis] Stevenson's "Suicide Club" for him, and will tell him it is a present from them both. Will probably have another lesson with [Bram] Eldering next week, then may go to see an aunt at Hilversum and her [half] sister who is married to a doctor [Henriette]. Poor Lula [Julius] Röntgen has been very ill and cannot go yet to Berlin to start work. Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] does not plan to return before 20 or 25 May as she wants to spend time at Florence on the way back; perhaps Bob could come over just before she arrives.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very interested in Robert's account of the House of Commons; evident that Charles was 'very well received' and praises his performance. He is personally 'in despair': believes the Liberal Party 'if united, wise, and bold' might have stopped the [Second Boer] war, but even worse was the 'fatal step of announcing the annexation' with no idea of the consequences. Brodrick gives Napoleon in Spain and the Spaniards in Cuba as precedents for the current 'plight'; calls this 'a nice parallel!'. Sends regards to Jan Hubrecht, though asks Robert not to show him this letter. Sends some papers which need not be returned. The meeting is 'all very proper', but he has an 'intense repugnance' to going to a meeting for the purpose of talking about a friend like Henry Sidgwick. Browne [sic: T. E. Brown, see 12/29] seems to have been an 'eager student' of Flaubert. Caroline sends love to them both; he would have liked to see Elizabeth 'in her furs'.

10 Prinsegr[acht]; addressed to Bob at the Mill House, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. - Thanks Bob for his letter. Is afraid her aunt is not as well as she first thought on her return. Has had several morning callers, including 'the old lady who used to have the snow in her head'. whose daughter would very much like to come and be their maid, and a little girl for whom Bessie once arranged a stay in the country when she was ill, bringing a wedding present she had made. The farmer from Leiden also came; her uncle is advising her to sell all her landed property before she becomes 'a foreigner' on her marriage, or she will have to pay a heavy tax to do so. Her husband has suggested that the money she gets for it should be invested in the house which her sister wants to buy. Asks if Bob has finished "Arne" [by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson?]; she has not, as she is finishing [Charlotte Bronte's] "Villette" which 'however silly & absurd in parts interests [her] immensely'. Had some bad dreams last night 'about bombs & suicides & fires in a great hall', after reading about the bombs and the fire at the Théatre Français in Paris, and the fire at the theatre in "Villette". Glad Bob saw [Thomas Sturge] Moore and had a good talk, and that he feels up to more work; he should tell her how he gets on and if her gets any more German done. Discussions of furniture and decoration for their house; asks Bob to send a sample of the green colour [Roger] Fry recommends for the drawing room. Thinks they must give up the idea of buying a new violin for the moment until she knows she can practise and get some lessons; she can always sell some shares if a valuable instrument becomes available as it would be a kind of investment, and probably more than their yearly allowance.

Her uncle and aunt have no objection to them marrying Whit week, and agree 'wonderfully' on most things about the wedding. She and Bob need two male witnesses of age settled in the Netherlands: she can have her uncle and [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen and Bob can have Ambro [Hubrecht], but she cannot think of another near kinsman she would like to be present so they may need to ask [Abraham?] Bredius or another neutral. To the wedding breakfast, would like to invite on her side her uncle and aunt, the Grandmonts, Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht], all the Röntgens, the four Hubrechts [Ambro's family], Louise, and her eldest sister Marie. Asks whether any of Bob's friends would like to come, perhaps combining it with a 'little tour through Holland'. Has been cycling in the woods every afternoon, enjoying the sun but getting stiff legs; is reading a few pages of Bob's "Pilgrim's Progress" every night before going to sleep. Knows the painter [Dirk?] Jansen by name, a good teacher at the Hague Academy but she does not care for his paintings either. The Luzacs called to see her uncle and aunt when she was out; he seemed to like Bob. Likes the letter from Frank Holland which Bob sends and the present he is going to give them, as well as the lines by [Laurence] Binyon.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Encloses an article from the ["Times] Literary Supplement" which he read to Caroline yesterday evening; they are re-reading Horace's "Odes" together, which she very much likes; agrees with the comments about translations of Horace, and knows none he can 'put up with', only some 'very vulgar imitations and adaptations' though he likes Sir Alfred Lyall's paraphrase of Odes II.7. Both the prose and verse rendering of Pindar quoted in the article seem 'about equally futile and detestable'. Caroline is a 'very little' better; she enjoyed Elizabeth's last letter and enclosed cutting about Jan Hubrecht.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thinks that Miss Boneleu's [?] letters are very promising; though there is a little 'pedantry' she is probably trying to give the impression of being a 'real teacher', and she ought to be able to interest Julian. Advises Elizabeth to engage her; expects she will find it less of a strain than class teaching. Good that Bob has seen her as she is likely to join them at meals. Looks forward to seeing them in the middle of August; Mary says she would like a visit from Elizabeth and Bob, so perhaps they could go in the middle and leave Julian at Wallington. Aunt Annie [Philips] is coming on 12 August for ten days. The school children are here today [for a treat] but the weather is 'doubtful'. Was 'astonished' by the news about Jan Hubrecht [his entry into the Dutch diplomatic service?]; Sir George thinks it a good thing, and she supposes he always seems 'more a "man of the world" than a student'; hopes he will have a 'prosperous' life, and is sure he will be popular everywhere.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very interested in Julian's Latin: Sir George believes Latin and Greek 'are the best of all legacies'. Has just finished the twentieth book of the "Odyssey", the end of which is a 'marvellous masterpiece'. Agrees with Robert about translations of Aristophanes, and about Frere having 'gone nearest to the impossible'. Envies Elizabeth's stay at 14 Great College Street [Charles and Molly's house]. Greatly curious about Jan [?, i.e. Jan Bastiaan Hubrecht; possibly Jon or Joris], as 'the development of an interesting, and most remarkable, sire'. Caroline is taking better care of herself and is well; he himself must 'act [his] time of life'. George leaves tomorrow; the children will be able to see him off.

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Merioneth. - Writes on Edith's behalf to thank Elizabeth for her letter; Edith is recovering as well as can be expected, but will not be fully well until Christmas at the earliest. Remembers Elizabeth's cousin [Jan Bastiaan?] Hubrecht very well; always found him 'very agreeable and very enlightened'. It is kind of Hubrecht to invite him to stay at his house, and he would accept if he were going to Holland, but he 'never had any intention of going to the Congress of the World Federalists' and does not know what could have given any newspaper the idea that he would. Edith's illness would have prevented it in any case, but he has become 'rather too old for the sort of jaunts that I used to indulge in'. When he gets at all tired now, he cannot swallow; tells the doctors that this has been brought on by his 'attempting to swallow the pronouncement of politicians', but so far his diagnosis has not been accepted. Otherwise he is well. Hopes that they will be able to visit soon, but for the moment Edith is not allowed to drive and he cannot. Hubrecht's letter originally enclosed.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Robert and Elizabeth are getting away very soon; not surprised they cannot settle down at home; Elizabeth will have much to do and she hopes she is strong enough. Glad 'some occupations' have been arranged at Ravello, as it is 'a little dull'; wonders how Robert will teach Latin. Sir George once tried to teach her, but she 'was so stupid that it was a failure'. Sweet of Elizabeth to make her a blanket but she must not trouble to finish it before she goes; likes tehm 'big enough to put round [her] back on cold nights' and will think of her when she 'cuddle[s] up into it'. Pantlin has gone to Newcastle to buy presents for the schools' Christmas trees; organising treats for children is always 'rather a bore' but they do enjoy them. The [Henry?] Willoughby Trevelyans are at Wallington for a night and the Spence Watsons will be there for Sunday; he will tell them 'all about Derby'. Hopes Elizabeth has read George's article ["The White Peril", in the "Nineteenth Century"]; asks her to show it to her cousin [Ambrosius Hubrecht] and his sons.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - It is a 'great pleasure' to be home from Spain, and to find Bessie and Julian well; Julian has 'improved in many ways since the summer, and is much stronger, and also more vigorous mentally'. His current 'chief interests' are astronomy and 'making architectural plans'; therefore, he is much looking forward to the visit next week Bessie's cousin Jan Hubrecht, who 'will tell him all about sun-spots'; also to the visit of Robert's friend [Kenneth] Croos tomorrow, who 'was one of the architect of the Mission des Amis' in France. Bessie reads Wells' new Outline of History to Julian in the evenings, which 'seems quite well done'; so far however, they have 'only reached the beginning of the Pleistocene or thereabouts'.

It has been a 'great pleasure' for them to read [Theodore Roosevelt's] correspondence in Scribner's [Magazine]; thinks the 'strongest feeling' he got from Roosevelt's letters is what 'for what of a better word [Robert] would call his charm'; that indeed is his 'chief memory' of Roosevelt from when he met him at Welcombe. Roosevelt's 'wide reading and interest in everything would have made him interesting in any case', but it is 'something more personal than that, something which made any difference of opinion or point of view seem of little importance.

Had a good time in Madrid: got to know 'some quite interesting young men, and laid the foundation of at least a literary knowledge of Spanish'. Is preparing a 'book of translations from Lucretius', which will in total come to 'rather more than a third of the De Rerum Natura. Sends ;ove to his mother.

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Has had a very quiet and solitary New Year's Eve, which is usually the time for 'family reunions and games'; knows the idea of the old year ending is artificial, but she cannot help feeling it. Last year she was at Taormina, after spending 'a very cold and unpoetical Christmas' at Messina; she and Grandmont had bad colds; had no idea what the year would bring; quotes Browning on love as 'a passionate drawing closer'. has had a busy day; the doctor has been and told her aunt to stay in bed for a few more days so she has household and nursing responsibilities, though Marie [Johanna Maria Hubrecht] and her two sons have left to stay with her mother at Scheveningen. Willy van Riemsdijk has decided to go to Transvaal after all [see 9/32], a 'silly & rash decision'. If her aunt is well, may go to Amsterdam on Wednesday to play for [Bram] Eldering; worries about how little time she has. Expects Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] has written to Bob as well; asks if she writes 'in the same enthusiastic strain to her dear Calverley' as she did to Bessie and Bramine [Hubrecht] about him; the letter she sent to Bramine was also complimentary about Bessie.

Returns to the letter on the following morning; Ambro [Hubrecht] arrived unexpectedly the night before; his visit cheered her aunt, and he told them that Willy van Riemsdijk was not now going to South Africa. Has several pictures of the landslide in Amalfi in the paper; other houses as well as part of the Capuccini Hotel seemed to have been buried. Had a letter from Bob's mother this morning asking her to send her photos to Bob's aunt [Anna Maria] Philips and her friend [Miss Wicksteed]. On the next day, scolds Bob because she still has not received a letter from him. Her aunt is much the same.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad Julian is all right; sure Elizabeth must be relieved to have settled the 'governess business', and hopes she will be as lucky as Charles and Mollie are in Miss Clarke. Very interesting about Jan [Hubrecht]; thinks he has 'great aptitudes for his new career [in the Dutch diplomatic service]' and has 'learned to work' through his study of astronomy. George is spending thirty six hours with them, and has given them an idea of his 'complicated business' [heading a Red Cross ambulance brigade in Italy]; Janet has come from Robins Ghyll to be with him; his long and 'not unanxious' absences are hard on her, but he is 'doing a man's work'; he does not think she would 'have it otherwise'. Janet was herself meant to have spent September at Wallington, but her colleague [on the Committee for Relief in Belgium] Mrs Erskine Childers has to go away so she can only spend a few days, and will leave the children here.

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Had a letter from Bob's mother yesterday inviting her to Welcombe between the 5th and 17th of April, and another this morning thanking her from the photographs. This means she will seen Bob much sooner than she thought at first; is sure the time will pass quickly, with practising, reading, and 'learning cookery from the old cook' who is leaving soon. Dutch vegetables are 'often done so badly in England'; knows that things will be very different there so she will have to learn more then; 'these insular people... insist on using their own impractical weights & measures' instead of adapting the metric system. Had a lovely Christmas with the four Hubrechts; unfortunately Paul and his father [Ambrosius] have bad colds, though this has not affected Paul's 'enormous appetite'; the way Marie [Johanna Maria] scolds and swears at her husband and sons 'often in not very refined but very comical language' is most amusing. Bob has often been mentioned and she has been much teased, especially by her uncle

Continues the letter on the next afternoon: understands how Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon]'s letter 'must have pained' him, though thinks that her saying friendship was no longer possible was 'rather called forth' by Bob's letter saying unnecessarily that he 'hoped it would always be the same'. She does think that Lina Duff Gordon's answer is 'silly'; is sure Bob did right in not telling her last October, especially as he is sure he has done nothing to give the impression he was in love with her; as he says, it is very possible that Mrs C. [Mary Costelloe] has had a bad influence on her. Acknowledges that Bob was right on a point of Italian grammar [see 9/19]. She and Jan took [John Wilfrid] Jenkinson, who is working with Ambro at Utrecht for a while and came on a day's visit, to the Mauritshuis this morning; he seems 'a nice bright little man & appreciated the good pictures'. Ambro has another lecture tonight, then he and Jenkinson return to Utrecht; the others will stay a little longer; Paul is much better and they have 'great games of chess'. Very sorry to hear of [Pasquale] Palumbo's death.