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The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Everything so far has gone well, and Bessie is 'doing very well' [after the birth of their son]. The doctor came this morning, and was 'quite satisfied both with her and the child'. Thanks her for the telegram, which came this morning, and also the letter; hopes his father is 'going on well'. Unfortunate that the weather has been so bad: it does not matter to them much, but will prevent his father getting out. They will send [announcements of the birth] to the Times and Morning Post tomorrow, and Bessie would also like to send one to the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser for the neighbours' sake.

Will write again soon; will have 'finished writing to all the various people' by tonight. The child 'seems quite vigorous, and cries a great deal, and loudly, which is a good sign'.

Adds a postscript saying that for the present his friend [Stanley] Makower has 'got help elsewhere', but that if he 'does not come to some arrangement', Robert may 'have to help him later on'.

Grosvenor House, Chiswick Lane, W. - has 'just taken off a pair of white kid gloves' after reading "Sisyphus" for the third time, this time aloud to [his wife] Agnes; claims to have worn them for each reading, as befitting 'a thing so elegant'. Is still 'too dizzy with the brilliance' of the piece to say anything coherent. Is curious about the 'appropriate sort of music'; imagines it as 'a mixture of Strauss the Waltz King with Strauss the composer of "Also sprach Zarathustra"', but there must be 'nothing gross... even the flattest farcical bits must be lightly covered in a starry enchantment'. Does not know how the musician can 'keep within the bounds of the verse', but expects this has been considered and is 'no good at metres'; in any case a listener can understand the lines 'even when mutilated by an unskilled reader', as Agnes followed them easily. Is afraid he took the first two acts 'too pompously', which was not the fault of the kid gloves as he forgot he was wearing them; took the last act 'more lightly and more colloquially' which he thinks Agnes wanted. Much refreshed by reading "Sisyphus", which came just as he had sent the second third of his "[Richard] Savage: [A Mystery Biography]" to the printer, and was kept at home and off his own work by sciatica. Hopes to get to the [British] Museum for more research tomorrow; supposes Trevelyan will not be in London for some time, but would like to meet, and hear more about the music. Postscript asking for a clarification of a point in the text.

Hotel Scapolatielli, Corpo di Cava (written on printed notepaper for the Hôtel de Londres, Gênes - crossed out). - Marsh's letter gave Bob much pleasure, since the 'stupid people at Naples' have not yet sent his first on; his address 'hints fascinating suggestions of rustic English scenery, and milk drunk and mild-maids beflirted in dairies'. Asks if Marsh is alone, or whether this letter is '"solus ad solum", as Flaubert used to write to Maxime Ducamp'. Read [William?] Archer's review of the plays produced by the Independent Theatre [Society] in the "Pall Mall Budget", and supposes it was 'in some slight degree inspired by' Marsh's; hopes this 'wonderful pale-faced black-haired [man: Lugné-Poe, see 15/322]' will still be in London when he returns at the end of the month; asks if it was Titian's portrait of Ariosto Marsh was reminded of. Has read Maeterlinck's "Intruse"; did not feel anything strongly for the writer, but would not like to have written the play: did not think the 'poetical or romantic element to which realism was totally sacrificed... was not quite good enough', that Maeterlink was 'not the right man to do it well, but that he could imaging 'a real poet doing something very wonderful in that line'. Glad Oswald [Sickert] 'has seen the last of those Beautiful Englanders' ["Beautiful Britain", published by the Werner Company]; remembers Marsh talking about Sickert's second novel a while ago and thought he had said it was finished, so asks whether this is a third. Asks whether [Stanley] Makower's book is out yet.

Marsh seems 'to have been going the round of our distinguished men pretty thoroughly'; makes Bob 'writhe with envy to read your account; would particularly like to see [Robert] Bridges, and means to make Roger [Fry], Bridges' nephew, take him one day. Has a book of Bridges' verse with him here, which is 'very readable and at times very beautiful'; Fry is 'enthusiastic' about him, and reads Bob passages aloud from "Prometheus [the Firegiver]"; Bob thinks 'a calmness and gentleness of tone and harmony about him... seems to make him a sort of painters poet'; hopes Marsh was 'not badly shown up' for his 'neglect' of Bridges' recent books. A man called [Henry Charles] Beeching lives with Bridges [he in the Rectory at Yattendon, Bridges in the manor house there; Beeching married Bridge's niece] and 'has just published a volume of milky poetry for which Roger has done a frontispiece' ["In a Garden and Other Poems"]; Roger says they quarrel with each other 'off and on in a mild chronic sort of way'. Asks whether Marsh saw Beeching.

Is living an 'ideal sort of life here'; describes his daily routine of exercise, study and meals; he eats omelettes, risotto, 'some wonderful things they call fritelli', for which he gives instructions and states his intention to continue making them in England. His work is 'just as mysterious' to himself as it is to Marsh; does not have the 'faintest idea what it is going to turn out' as; the plot is a 'puzzle' to him, the style is he knows 'vicious and unnatural as a rule' though he hopes it is good sometimes, and the important thing is to get it finished. Has the greatest difficulty finding names for his characters; his hero is called Benedict, 'an awfull name... which mercifully shortens into Bendy'. Badly wants a name for 'a sort of Jim Stephen who has not gone mad' but has achieved nothing due to 'an incorrigible laziness and want of enterprise'; he is in danger of losing his wife to the hero. Bob was just creating a character called Paul who was turning out 'without my intending it, uncommonly like you'; Marsh's letter has made him realise with 'horror' what he was doing and he may have to take Paul out. The character is engaged to a very charming girl who is like someone Bob knows. Hopes to be back in England in about three weeks; intends to 'plunge into an incredible carreer of gluttony [sic] and Pantegruelizing'.

Grimsby Farm, Long Lane, Coldash, Newbury. - Since, 'like Alice [in Wonderland]' he always takes 'a great interest in questions of eating and drinking', he is worried that Trevy is under-eating, unless risotto is 'very comprehensive and satisfying', like the dish described [in Aristophanes' "Ecclesiazusae/Assemblywomen" in a long compound word of which he quotes the beginning. Other than that Trevy seems to be having a 'perfect time', much better than he is himself. Wants very much to see Trevy's work; tells him to 'leave Paul as he is' [see 15/274] or just change the name so he will not recognise him; expects the book will be 'uncommon good'. Oswald [Sickert] nearly finished his book at Christmas, but did nothing more between then and Easter, as he was too busy with "Beautiful B[retain": published by the Werner Company]; he says a great deal work needs still to be done on it. [Stanley] Makower's book ["The Mirror of Music"] should be out soon after Easter. The 'great literary event' has been [Arthur] Verrall's "Euripides the Rationalist"; does not think he has ever read 'anything so clever'; will not say anything about it as it would spoil it, and it seems 'perfectly convincing'. Has been 'getting on very well with [Robert] Bridges': went with him to Oxford for a day last week; he seems 'the biggest man I've ever known anything of, perhaps equal with [William Gunion?] Rutherford'; cannot think of anyone else so 'thoroughly serious, thoroughly humorous, and thoroughly consistent', except perhaps Sickert who does not seem to be 'exactly "great" at present', though may be at forty. Bridges is bringing out an edition of Keats soon which will, for example see 'plain "Endymion" as an allegory". They went to the Bodleian, which is 'a delightful place'; Lady Shelley has recently given them 'a fine collection of Shelley MSS etc'. Roger [Fry] is coming to Yattendon soon after Easter, but unfortunately Marsh will have left by then. The 'great thing about Maeterlinck is the sound'; "L'Intruse" was a 'complete failure on the stage'; "Pelléas et Mélisande" 'delightful to listen to'; afraid the 'beautiful M. Lugné Poë' 'is gone for good, and won't come back, the theatre was so dreadfully empty' though the 'decent critics' were all in favour has not seen [William] Archer's articles, but Shaw 'praised the company highly' who has been in Fiesole, will soon go 'for a sail down the Adriatic', and return to England at the end of April. Asks if Trevy has seen the reports of Russell's brother [Frank]'s case; believes it will be settled on Tuesday week; thinks [Russell's wife] 'the Countess and her mother exposed themselves pretty fully'.

Heard from 'dear [Arthur] Shipley this morning, he's in solitary splendour at Cambridge'. Asks if Shipley is Trevy's 'idea of Horace', as he is Marsh's own, both physically and in character. Has also had a 'very gay letter from T. T. [Phelps?], furious' with Trevy for writing twice to Marsh and not to him. Has heard from 'the Seatollerites': George [Trevelyan] and [George] Moore both wrote last Sunday and the party seems to have been a success up to then. Has been 'working very hard' himself, but does not think he is getting on and worries about his Tripos [examinations]; the only reading he is doing apart from revision is de Quincey, of whom he is becoming 'very fond'. Thought the murder Trevy told him about at Wallington, '[William] Winter's murder [i.e., that committed by Winter]' was in "Murder as a Fine Art [de Quincey's "Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts"]', but read that this morning and there is nothing about it there; asks where Trevy 'got all the details'.

13, Hanover Terrace, W. - Has ordered a couple of copies of the poem, which sounds delightful from Goldie [Dickinson]'s account. The latest news of Stanley [Makower] 'astonishing and splendid': he is gaining weight and his temperature back to normal; his brother-in-law, visiting from Switzerland, agreed that the illness was the 'fatal one' [tuberculosis?] diagnosed by the English doctors, but thought more should be done, so he is being treated from Zurich. Going to Dieppe tomorrow with his mother, Leonhard and Robert to Dieppe. Lengthy postscript: has read and much enjoyed [Forster's] "Howard's End", but was a little disappointed with [Bennett's] "Clayhanger" and "Old Wives' Tale"; had previously much enjoyed Bennett's short story ["The Death of Simon Fuge"]. Is reading a 'charming' book given to him by Michel Bréal, his "Pour Mieux Connaître Homère".

The View, Upper Wyche, Malvern [address added in pencil on headed notepaper for "The Gallows"]. - October would suit very well for a visit from Trevelyan. "Deborah" may well be put on in London as well as Manchester. Is sorry to hear about Makower [Stanley Makower's serious illness]. A friend, Dorothy Riley, has gone to work for Mrs Vaughan Morgan at Puttenham Priory in Surrey, and it would be kind if Trevelyan could manage to see something of her. Has not got Moore's "Mariamne", but will buy it if he doesn't get it to review.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Asks for permission to include Trevelyan's poem about a peacock in an anthology he is editing on birds with Stanley Makower; afraid the publishers will not pay, but any acknowledgement required will be made. The anthology will be mostly 'old masters' but they want some modern poems, which are not easy to obtain; George Meredith's publishers have declined, but he is almost sure of permission for one by 'Toby Brown (the Manx poet)' [sic: T. E. Brown] and hopes to get 'a Stephenson [sic: Stevenson?] and a Henley'. Oswald [his brother' is at Sidmouth for a week.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - It is very good of Trevelyan to let him [and Stanley Makower] use his poem [in their anthology, "The Bird In Song", see 6/47]; feels as if 'the minor anthropologist were a sort of well intentioned hyaena'. Not sure of the length of Trevelyan's peacock poem but is sure there will be room; liked his bat poem too and is prepared to say 'for the poet's purpose - he is a bird' as a whale can be called a fish. Grant Richards and Macmillam are 'not on telephoning terms' at present, but if Trevelyan informs them of his permission, Sickert expects no difficulty. Thinking of a suitable name for the series: perhaps "Halcyon Series". Oswald still busy 'holding up the Times Book Club'; if the paper became 'decently Liberal' it would not 'need all these young genii to keep it alive'. Does not know Leopardi's work, as he has no Italian; read [Thomson's] "City of Dreadful Night" years ago. Stanley also involved with a 'rival literary scheme'.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - Trevelyan's publisher has sent "Mallow and Asphodel" very promptly, but unfortunately the poem about the peacock is too long for their anthology" ["The Bird In Song", see 6/47]; it is Sickert's fault for not checking before he asked, Stanley [Makower] left it to him but now agrees that if 'the Bat is not a bird it ought to be'; they therefore would like to include Trevelyan's "The Lady's Bat". Says he is going to put some 'nonsense' from John Skelton in. Wondering what to use for a frontispiece: would like a peacock, for 'an upright composition' but cannot find one which works in reproduction; has tried Whistler and Hondekoeter [sic: Hondecoeter]. The elections are fun: expects the opposition to be made up entirely of the members for Birmingham at this rate.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - He and Stanley [Makower] agree that Trevelyan's 'little beast' [his poem"The Lady's Bat] should appear in their anthology ["The Bird In Song", see 6/47]; they have nothing else giving 'just that note of playfulness'. They will send him a proof to correct. Expects the book will be out before Easter. Will write to Brimley Johnson, whom he does not know personally. Thinks they have fixed on an engraving [for the frontispiece?]: "A Concert of Birds, after Mario di Fiori' which Sickert found in the Print Room [of the British Museum] and includes a bat. They hope to include Swinburne's "Itylus", but [Theodore Watts-] Dunton wants to know what else will appear, so has had to send a list. Still wondering what to call the series. Stanley has a daughter; 'girls have the best time nowadays'.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - Never sent Trevelyan the copy of the Bat [his poem"The Lady's Bat] for him to correct. Grant Richards wants to start printing ["The Bird In Song", see 6/47] at once; if Trevelyan cannot return the enclosed in time, they will take the punctuation from Brimley Johnson's book. Still trying to find a title; if Trevelyan can think of one which is 'pretty but not too elaborate' he will offer him 'half the royalty that G.R. has not offered' [him and Stanley Makower]. Has just discovered that F. Noel Paton brought out "Bards and the Birds" in 1894, but this is not well done. Hopes Roger [Fry] will buy all the Old Masters 'that are good enough for Boston but not too good'. Stanley is well as is his baby daughter.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Trevelyan's corrected copy [of his poem The Lady's Bat, for Sickert's anthology The Bird In Song, see 6/47] arrived in good time, and the book is to go to the printers next Thursday. Is annoyed about the 'shabby' nature of the printing, and that they have had to include 'a wearisome effusion of Watts-Dunton's' in order to be allowed Swinburne's Itylus; would like to 'stick' it in the preface and claim there was not time to put it in properly, with the added advantage of putting people off reading the preface. Is also unhappy about the frontispiece. Thinks the book will be out about Easter, not much before due to the addition of American classics such as Whitman - 'no moderns thank goodness'. Recommends Jean Christophe by Romain Rolland, brother-in-law of [Michel] Bréal. He and his 'collaborator' [Stanley Makower] will be pleased to present Trevelyan with a copy of the anthology.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - The Sickerts have been very distressed by Stanley [Makower]'s illness; at first there was thought to be no hope but his temperature has gone down and the doctors thought they may have made an error in diagnosis. Robert has paid several brief visits and says that Stanley 'talks quite naturally' and is able to read. His wife despairs, but Eleanor thinks she still believes the first diagnosis. More on Stanley's illness; recommends Trevelyan write to hiss wife if he wants to visit. Oswald and Bessie are well; Oswald soon to have a holiday.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Wishes she could give a good account of Stanley [Makower]; on a recent visit he seemed much weaker, and she fears the doctors are right and he will not recover. He is still very glad to see friends, and the Sickerts visit in turn. Mrs Makower despairs, as she has from the start, but she stays 'wonderfully calm and cheerful' when with him. Auguste Bréal went to see him on Sunday. Reports in a postscript that Robert has just come back from Chiswick and thinks Stanley a little better.

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.