Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Is sorry Donald [Tovey] has been so vague: he is to be with the Coopers and Hal Rendel from 4 January, when the Northlands guests, leave till the 10th; Neville Lytton is here and thinks Donald then promised to go to Crabbett, this could be altered but she must find out from Mrs Lytton; is 'ground to pieces' by Christmas after the 'heaviest and most anxious term' she has ever had; still has to write some programmes to write for Donald before the post. Expects the Trevelyans will not be sorry if Donald does not get to them before April, but he may have time after the 12th before going to Scotland to play on the 14th. His father is spending next week here. Asks Bessie to give her love to Bobbie and say how glad she was of their 'friendlike talk'; is thinking 'constantly' of Bessie [in her pregnancy]. Donald ought to write himself, but he is 'in retirement... with a violin sonata'.
3 Gray's Inn Place; addressed to Bob at The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - R[obert] Ross came this morning to see his pictures, which 'he admired v. much', and showed him from Bob suggesting a letter written last week [15/304] had not been received. Edward writes that 'alas' he was 'unable to resist getting the Zoffany'. Mrs L[ytton] is 'getting on perfectly' [after her operation].
Colonial Office. - Thanks Bob for his letter. The operation [on Judith Lytton, see 15/305 ] was successful, and the surgeon is satisfied, though 'the pain is very great'. Is 'afraid' he can afford the Zoffany, which was his only doubt. Hopes Bob's dinner went well; has met the 'young he and she Evelyns [the children of William John Evelyn?], who are almost speechless but... amiable'; has heard much about 'old E' but cannot remember it, except that Mr [Wilfrid?] Blunt says 'he & himself are the only two remaining Conservatives'. When Bob is next in London, perhaps he can dine with Edward and Neville [Lytton?].
Has been asked by Messrs. Cassell to edit one of their monthly magazines [The Lady's World, whose name Wilde changed to The Woman's World], and is 'anxious to make it the recognized organ through which women of culture and position will express their views.' Says that Mrs Fawcett, Miss Thackeray, Lady Dorothy Nevill, Lady Wentworth, Miss Orne, Mrs Frances T[erne], Lady A[rchibald] Campbell and other have promised to write, and expresses the hope that Nora will allow him to add her name to the list of contributors. Hopes that she will write an article 'an any modern subject', or on any subject on which she wishes to write. Suggests that an article on the women benefactors of the two universities would be interesting, and asks if she would 'do' Cambridge. Explains that the article will be illustrated in any way she wishes, 'and the honorarium for writers is 1 pound a page, an illustrated page counting to the writer as a full page.'
Wilde, Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills (1854-1900) writer