Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has looked through three volumes of the "Yellow Book" and agrees with Robert that there is 'a certain collective energy and enthusiasm' which makes all the contributors 'do more vigourously [sic], or at any rate more oddly, what they regard as their ideal'; [Henry] James's two stories are very strong; [Walter] Sickert's illustrations 'most curious - in a way better than Beardsley's. The Charles Adamses, 'a pleasant couple', are staying; he is enthusiastic about going on to Flodden; he is seventy one, and his great grandfather [John Adams] was 'deeply interested in the world' up till the age of ninety. Charles Adams has seen bigger battles than Flodden, and was 'asleep in his saddle during Pickins's [sic: Pickett's Charge] at Gettysburg'. The 'Cambo folk' [Charles and Mary] are coming for lunch, with the [Malcolm?] Macnaghtens and 'all the babies'. In a postscript, notes that he has had another letter from [Theodore] Roosevelt, with 'three new spellings'.
Originally enclosing a letter to Ursula, marked 'urgent'; was going to forward it to the Darwins but changed his mind; Bessie is not coming home till the evening, and he thought he should send it at once. Has been home for a few days after going to Wallington, the [Gordon] Bottomleys and Aunt Annie [Philips]. Tom [Sturge Moore] is back here, but Marie is in London for the time being. Glad Julian will be able to come during his leave. Went to the Sickert show at the National Gallery; there were 'crowds of pictures, some very good' but in general the show at Agnews a few years ago was 'more select' and gave a better idea of him.
12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Has read "Sisyphus" with 'much amusement'; thinks that 'apart from the ingenuity of the plot' Trevelyan has kept it 'all so thoroughly Pagan', though comments on his own 'cheek' for saying so when he knows no Greek and little Latin. Supposes it would 'go very well with a good deal of music', but wonders whether it might be 'rather long' if totally set to music. Asks whether Trevelyan has seen Walter's article in the "Fortnightly [Review]" on the Whistler [biography by Elizabeth and Joseph Pennell]. Sorry that the Women's Liberal [Federation] 'did not employ women stewards at the Albert Hall [for the meeting on 5 December] as there would not have been as much violence; his sister was there for the "Manchester Guardian", and 'very indignant at the violence', but Sickert thinks 'the audience were most to blame in taking things into their own hands'. Asks whether 'the Jingoes' will come into power, since 'as soon as one tries Home Reforms one has the Upper House against everything'.
29 Beaufort Str[eet], Chelsea. - Hears that Marsh has done well [in his civil service exams] but not 'what particular function' - colonial, military, or financial, he will choose; hopes he is 'satisfied and happy'. Sorry that Marsh could not come to Wallington, and hopes he has good hunting and fishing in Scotland. Asks what he thinks of the Czar; would like to meet 'a live deer-stalking tyrant'. Has taken Copse Cottage, near Friday's Hill [home of the Pearsall Smiths]; Bertie and Alys [Russell] left for America today, and Logan is soon leaving for Italy, so Bob will be glad of occasional company. Intends to hire a piano for Marsh and [G.E.] Moore; has four bedrooms, three sitting rooms and four sculleries. Tells Marsh to return from Scotland 'not too religious, and... without loosing [sic] your artistic instinct' as he is 'required as a patron and lover of young art to guarantee a guinea of the... fund for Roger [Fry's] exhibition at Cambridge, which will include works by Conder, Ricket[t]s, Shannon, Steer, W[alter] Sickert, Rothenstein, Maccoll, Savage, Houseman and Tonks [emphasised]. Also wants Marsh to get [Desmond] MacCarthy and [? Francis] Balfour, for whom he himself does not have addeses, to contribute; promises to do so should be sent to A[rthur] E[verett] Shipley at Christs [College Cambridge]. Has been writing letters all morning, imagining what he will look like in the new frock-coat which he is having made for the wedding of Roger [Fry] and Helen [Coombe], at which he is to be best man.
147 Willifield Way, Golders Green, N.W.11. - Thanks Trevelyan very much for the 'noble edition' [his "Collected Works"?] which is like 'drinking very fragrant tea out of Sèvres cups, a pleasure in itself'. Sends Nellie Swanwick's letter to Henry Swadling; no doubt Nellie also 'experienced the faithfulness & practical help of [Trevelyan's] friendship' and Marie is glad he can feel her appreciation after her death. Says Nellie 'always had a greater opinion of virtue in women than in men - excepting her own (good but dull) Fred'. Since it was Nellie's last letter to him, Henry would like to have it back; he is in Hammersmith Hospital. Wishes Trevelyan 'as cheerful a Xmas as one can hope for at present'.
'Extract from last letter of Mrs Swanwick to Swadling', in R. C. Trevelyan's hand. No date. Helena Swanwick has heard nothing from Walter since his wife [Thérèse Lessore] wrote to say they were settled in Bath: Walter never writes. Leonard does nothing, as usual, and 'isn't fit to do anything'. Bessie [Sickert]'s orchestra has dissolved, and is working without salary in a government office; thinks she will stay if her health stands it; she still lives in her flat in Gower Street. Robert Trevelyan's 'dearest friend', Lord Allen of Hurtwood, died in the summer and he is looking after the widow and daughter. He is 'very heartbroken... one of the few men really capable of devoted affection'. Agnes is well. She herself can 'hardly walk at all' but the gardening is finished.
12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Thinks Stanley's father [Moritz Makower] will give his widow Agnes something to live on, but they are 'embittered against each other'; he wants her to return to Switzerland very soon and she needs time to recover. Feels Agnes must bear it for the children: there are four under six years old, with nothing to live on but what Makower gives them. Eleanor would like to see Trevelyan very much. Stanley did not realize he was dying, and his death was peaceful. Hopes that one of Agnes' brother will come, and may put things right. She wants to see Stanley's last book through the press, which would keep her in England till next year; Makower wants her to leave this month. Oswald and Robert went to the funeral; there was no trouble about the religious question; he had a Catholic ceremony and burial and the children will be brought up in their parents' faith. She, her 'four sons and two daughters in law' spent a month in Dieppe over the summer.
17, Berners Street, W.1. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter enclosing one from Roger Fry. Is happy for Oswald's papers to be published; Arthur Waley suggests that the Hogarth Press might take them, especially if Walter [Sickert] were to write a foreword. The papers need revising, and she would be very grateful if Trevelyan could do this; he must say if he is too busy. If he is in town soon they could lunch and discuss the idea.