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Copies of fifteen letters, most handwritten but a couple typed, to Bertrand Russell, and one copy letter to Edith Russell

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - The Russells were sorry not to see Elizabeth at Julian and Mary's Boat Race Party; however, they enjoyed themselves and saw many old friends. Trying to sell the Richmond house; looking forward to going to the Welsh house for the children's holiday, as they hear the spring flowers are coming out and hope the Chinese geese are beginning to lay eggs. Bertie can get on with his work much better there than in Richmond. They will keep on the London flat and so hope a visit to the Shiffolds will be managed. The Woods have brought good news of Elizabeth; glad she coped with the cold spell. Bertie has been busy recently with the case of Morton Sobell; wonders if Elizabeth saw his letter in the "Manchester Guardian" last Monday [26 March]. The hope is to 'stir up opinion in this country' to force the U.S. authorities to act. The case, and others similar, provide 'a splendid quarry for Communist propaganda' which does 'much harm the world over'. Bertie has been getting letters asking him to take on their own case: a pity 'he is not a hydra and an octopus rolled into one, and with the energy of a hydrogen bomb to boot!'

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merioneth. - Glad to hear Elizabeth is feeling stronger. While Alan Wood was in hospital for his operation, Mary's illness worsened, and she was finally diagnosed with benign myalgic encephalomyelitis and taken to hospital; now she is much better and will probably be able to walk again by summer. It does not infect children, or only very mildly, so the two boys are now well. If Elizabeth writes to Alan at 8 Queensgate Place, S.W.7, he can pass letters or messages on to Mary. They are 'wonderfully gallant about it all'. There is a Hungarian painter [Georges Csato?] downstairs painting Russell; Edith expects he will make him look Hungarian, as they 'all make him look like someone of whatever nation their own happens to be!'

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merioneth. - Bertie's throat is much improved, he has indeed had several operations under anaesthetic before. The Russells are very glad Elizabeth likes Bertie's BBC literary talks, and that she is well enough to go up to London for the day, even if it is to see the doctor. Wishes they could meet at Julian's Boat Race Party, but the Russells cannot go to town so soon, even if invited, and if Elizabeth is not they will have to make their own party. Had a very nice letter from Mary and Julian. Very good Elizabeth has an 'old companion' to help her to sort letters, which is a 'sad occupation' though she agrees it is 'bearable after a length of time'. Everything in Wales is very beautiful at the moment. Bertie is writing an article against the hydrogen bomb, having just finished a philosophical essay.

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merioneth [headed notepaper, but letter seems to be written from London]. - Bertie has had a thorough examination of his throat after weeks of trouble with it, and there is no cause for alarm; everyone is much relieved. Sorry they will not be able to visit the Shiffilds, but Bertie has much work to get done. Distressed that Elizabeth has had a lengthy infection, hopes it is now cleared up, and that they will be able to visit in the spring. The 'poor Woods' have been ill as well, Mary with a mysterious infection and Alan with nasal trouble which requires an operation. They have not seen John; fears he is no better. The grandchildren are very well, 'growing up to be nicer and nicer', and enjoy their new school. The Russells love living in Wales, though they would prefer more sun; the only thing Edith misses about Richmond is the Park. Glad to hear happy news of Mary, Julian, and Elizabeth's grandson; hopes to see them as well when they return to London.

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merioneth. - Has been waiting for the BBC to send a list of dates when Bertie will be wanted for broadcasting to reply to Elizabeth, as they plan to call on her at the Shiffolds on the way back from London; they have heard nothing from the BBC but no plan to come towards the end of the month or the beginning of October, after the children have gone to their new school. Difficulties with selling their Richmond house. The children have being 'angels' this summer, unlike 'last summer's devilments'. Bertie is working on a new book, which she is glad of: philosophy serves as a 'counter-irritant to the perfect horrors in the political world': finds the 'war whoops' of the British government, supported by Gaitskell [over Suez] astounding; supposes the matter will go to the U.N.; she 'can hardly bear regarding Dulles as a dove of peace'. The Russells were very interested to hear about the Waleys. Likes to think of Mary and Julian enjoying the sunshine in Italy: there is so much rain in Wales they 'are rapidly developing fins and scales'.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Wishes they could come to the Shiffolds, but 'as usual' they are too busy for the next few weeks; they are selling the house and preparing to move to North Wales, and also to put the children into a new school nearer there. They do hope to come and visit before they leave, hiring a car and also calling on Flora Russell at Albury. Have received a card for Mary [Fedden's] show at the Redfern Gallery and hope to get to it: have not seen her or Julian since the boatrace, and have never seen many of their paintings. Have not seen the Woods [Alan and Mary] since returning from Wales; is afraid they have had a difficult time but hope things are going better for them now. Encloses a blurb of a book of Bertie's ["Portraits from Memory and Other Essays"?] which she thinks may interest Elizabeth.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Lovely to have news straight from Bessie, rather than through [Alan and Mary] Wood, 'dears though they are'; it is kind of her to invite them for the Christmas holiday, but they are going to Wales with the three grandchildren as soon as they return from school; they have just heard that their 'daily' there has to go into hospital, so their domestic troubles will continue. Looks forward 'to cooking a turkey for 10 or 12 people in an oven into which it will not fit. Is glad Miss Jones is still living with Bessie and hopes she will be able to find someone to read to her 'who loves the country. The people who interrupted at the Central Hall meeting were an organised band called the "Royal Imperialists" whose stated concern is "to uphold the Empire"; very silly, but no more so than the article in this week's "Time and Tide" on India; 'amazing how many people...feel they can achieve great things by not looking at facts and merely calling everybody they don't like nasty names'; this includes the Russians, who are 'lying in India now'. Is very glad Julian and Mary are so happy, and about Julian's successful show.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Is ashamed not to have written sooner: the summer "surpassed the most lurid imaginings of upsets and busy-ness' she could have had. Bertie has been incredibly busy with 'meetings and speeches, plans, discussions, articles and conferences both here and in Paris', while the difficulties with John led to 'a series of climaxes and horrors'. They took a house in North Wales in June, for the grandchildren and future holidays, having seen it once and fallen in love with it for its views; has had to work hard to furnish it and arrange for utilities. The children went in mid-July, and they joined them in mid-August 'for a glorious six weeks'. The 'nice Woods' [Alan and Mary], who are 'dears', brought news of Bessie. Is afraid they will not be able to get to the Shiffolds to see Bessie, but there are too many things Bertie must do; he is currently meeting the Austrian Socialist leader who is visiting the Austrian Embassy.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Very disappointed: Bertie has an engagement already for Friday 6th so they will not be there; they would have loved to see Bessie here, and Miss Jones; Edith would have been happy to help Bessie up their stairs if Miss Jones could not come. Got back on Monday from a fortnight in Rome and Paris where Bertie had to go for a conference and speeches, and immediately his time was filled with engagements 'trying to bring Gov'ts and peoples to their senses about war and thermo-nuclear weapons'. Einstein's death a tragedy; they heard about it on the plane from Rome to Paris, and arrived in Paris to find a letter from him saying he would support Bertie entirely, which must have been almost the last letter he wrote. Bertie is now working on the proposal he and Einstein intended to issue; he needs a holiday and they are planning to take a month's holiday 'out of communication' in Scotland.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Originally some more leaflets [about Bertrand Russell's anti-nuclear proposal]. Bertie thinks he must concentrate on the Indians; perhaps Bessie could write to Queen Juliana. Does not know whether the proposal has been published in the Netherlands; thinks it has in Sweden and Denmark. Must have written 'very misleadingly about John' to give the impression that his mother has helped him: she 'has behaved quite frightfully'. The doctors thought that John might get better if given proper care, which was arranged for him; she persuaded him against their 'very pressing advice' to leave the hospital and live with her; John seems to be afraid of her. He comes 'wandering out here twice or thrice a week' but there is nothing they can do but wait till he gets worse. Their London char has now fallen ill, and the children's governess is now their 'mainstay'.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her letters and postcard, and answers her questions: her book is "Wilfrid Scawen Blunt", and was published in 1939 when she was still Edith Finch; is sorry she does not have a copy to lend her. Agrees that the weather is very cold, though the Russells have not had to retire to bed to keep warm like Bessie; hopes she is not ill. They have not yet seen V[eronica] Wedgwood's book ["The King's Peace, 1637–1641", vol. 1 of "The Great Rebellion"]; liked her "William the Silent" very much, but they have been so busy to read much besides what must be read. They both have been very busy since Bertie's Christmas broadcast ["Man’s Peril from the Hydrogen Bomb.”]; she hopes his energy will hold out and that 'passionate sincerity' will bring about the proposal's success. Domestically, they are in chaos: the cook-general's husband is ill so she has been away since before Christmas, they have a little help from a char and from the grandchildren's governess. Their grandchildren [Felicity, Anne, and Lucy] are now in their sole care, 'since their parents first left them and then left each other'. John has been ill; he spends some of his time with his mother, and some with them; it has been 'really fierce and harrowing' for Bertie. They 'love the little girls dearly' however. Sorry the roads are so treacherous; would be lovely to see her when she can get to London again.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Good news that Bessie may be able to stay with them on one of her trips to London; suggests the best days. She is 'acting as Bertie's secretary' now and so is also very busy and unable to come to Dorking either; they are both very sorry. They have not yet had the report of the speeches at Birkbeck College [for the donation of R. C. Trevelyan's books to the library].

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Happy to hear about the party at Birkbeck College [for the donation of R. C. Trevelyan's books to the library] and wished they could have been there. Would like to read Bessie's and E. M. Forster's speeches if they have been printed; thinks with 'admiring wonder' of Bessie having enjoyed making the speech. Would love to visit the Shiffolds, but does not think they can get away; they had an 'absolutely heavenly' holiday in France, but now Bertie is very busy. She worries about him; wishes sometimes that he would refuse to take on what should, it seems to her, be other people's responsibilities. John's book is a short story he wrote a few years ago ["Abandon Spa Hot Springs"], published by the Gaberbocchus Press. She thinks it is good, but 'a slight production for a young man with three children to be supported'; still, Bertie would not be happy if John were not working. They take long walks now and again, this afternoon along the river to Ham House; Bessie's garden and the countryside around must be 'enchanting'. Would very much like it if Bessie could come for lunch one day.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Glad to hear that Bessie is settled with such a nice couple. Would like to visit, but they are away on the Continent in September; asks if they might visit for a day when they return. The children [Russell's grandchildren?] are here now; they are going to Cornwall to stay with Dora until school starts in September. Mary [Fedden] and Julian must have had a 'glorious holiday' in the sun; the Russells were in luck to have the sun shine on them in 'that lovely azalea wood' where they walked with Bessie in May or June.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - would love to visit on 16 June; Bessie should let them know if that date becomes inconvenient..

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - She and Bertie would like to come to the Shiffolds for the day, and ask if 9 June would suit, or perhaps some time the following week.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Apologises for not writing sooner; hopes Bessie saw the notice in the newspaper that Bertie had left hospital. He is very cheerful and getting stronger, though still thin; they walked a little way in Richmond Park yesterday. 'It is heavenly to be together again and alone'.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie's fever seems to have been caused by an infected stitch; he has no temperature tonight for the first time in a week. He had an x-ray to check whether the organs disturbed during his [prostate] operation were causing trouble, but everything was normal. He should be able to go home soon, and they are both very happy.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie very much for offering to take in the Russells, but the workmen have finished at the Richmond house. However, Bertie has developed a slight fever, and must stay in hospital until it goes; she feels quite anxious, as the cause is not known, though the doctors insist there is no need to worry.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie is getting on very well [after his prostate operation]: 'looks like himself again - except painfully thin - and smokes his pipe like billy-o.' Has told him about Bessie's letter, and the excerpt from Dr [Karl] Bluth's letter; he was very pleased. He can only read light thrillers at the moment, but thanks Bessie for offering to send the "Persian Adventure". Will probably be able to go home in a week; their ceilings fell down just before Bertie's operation, so the house is 'full of builders and plastic and dust'. Is sorry to hear that the glare of the sun on the snow pains Bessie's eyes.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Bertie's operation yesterday was successful, according to the doctors, and he has made good progress. There were some complications, so the operation was 'frighteningly serious and took a long time'. He will probably be in hospital for about three weeks. Will give him Bessie's letter to read when the 'haze of drugs and pain' has gone.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - The day she and Bertie spent at the Shiffolds was 'quite perfect'; apologises for not writing sooner to say so. Hopes to see Bessie in town, but much looks forward to 'the promised repeat expedition' when the days are warmer and longer again. Is most grateful to Bessie for welcoming her so warmly. Asks to be remembered to Miss Jones, who did much to make them happy, and 'the other ladies' as well if they are still there.

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.

Plas Penrhyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Merioneth. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter and the enclosures, which he is glad to have [see 5/261]; does not criticize her at all for reading them. Very glad she has such nice things to say about his "Portraits from Memory". The Russells had been hoping that they would be able to visit the Shiffolds for the day when in London, but petrol rationing will make this harder; hopes this will not last forever.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Is very sorry to hear about Elizabeth's 'domestic troubles': it must be very trying to be so dependent on others. He himself is completely well. Has just met Humphrey Trevelyan, but neither he nor Edith know his wife. The Russells would like to come to the Shiffolds for the day, when this would suit Elizabeth.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - He and Edith will come for tea on the 3rd, if that is still convenient. Hates to think of the books going [donation of R. C. Trevelyan's library to Birkbeck College, London], but applauds her resolution.

41 Queen's Road, Richmond, Surrey. - Thanks Elizabeth for her kind letter: is glad she thinks him 'neither foolish nor rash' [to be marrying again]. Would be a pleasure to bring Edith to the Shiffolds and will try to do so soon; would like to do it before the library goes [the donation of R. C. Trevelyan's books to Birkbeck College, London took place in 1954]. Is good of Elizabeth to make the gift, but she must mind.