12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Has enjoyed reading Trevelyan's paper [on metre see 18/91] even more than he did hearing it read, as he can 'go more slowly and try the rhythms in [his] own way'; has got 'more understanding' of the subject than he has from anything else, and will 'certainly print' the paper [in the collection of pieces by members of the English Association]. Will probably drop the introduction, and if he may if the space is limited omit Horace's "Ode" and the translation by Milton. Now has several papers from 'Yvor Evans'; Rylands; Sparrow; Wattie; and Dickins; but is 'specially grateful' for Trevelyan's. Sends thanks to Mrs Trevelyan for her card, which he ought to have acknowledged. Will have a proof sent to Trevelyan so that he can check the translation. Hopes that they will see him this winter. Has a 'dreadful incubus' of a paper to prepare for Manchester; is also 'slaving at Scott's letters and getting some interesting new light'. Janet will be married in November; the French relatives will come too so they will be 'pretty full', but if Trevelyan could come up after that it would be 'a great pleasure to have some rational talk'. Thinks [Donald] Tovey is in Germany, but he will be 'looking homeward soon' as the arrangements for his concerts have come out.
Bedale. - Encloses Denman's letter (return requested) respecting the Commodore's prize-money; sending translation of Horace by his old friend G. J. Whyte-Melville, hopes Milnes will mention him favourably to Lockhart.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Robert has found 'so satisfactory a location'; he has done well to escape the bad weather; there is already a 'considerable flood' which may develop into a record one. Has begun reading for his book [the next volume of "The American Revolution"] so can only 'trifle with the classics'; has been reading Horace and discusses the "Ars Poetica". They are much interested in Elizabeth's [translation?] work, and send their love. The election at Ayr was a 'very good' result for the Liberals. Henry James, [Alfred] Lyall, Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green and Miss [Lilias] Noble are coming on 6 February; he and Caroline go to London on 12 February.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very grateful for Robert's 'careful and most vivid report', and may go to look at the book [a volume of Horace: see 12/70]. He and Caroline are sorry not to see Elizabeth and Robert, but rather relieved as they would worry about her health; the weather is very bad here at the moment. Thinks it is 'very desirable' that Robert and Elizabeth should both be at [Charles, or George's?] wedding.
Epigram which won the Browne Medal in 1959, to the set subject "Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi" [Horace, "Epistles" 1.2.14; 20/67 is another copy]. Explanation that it refers to Louis Napoleon's comment to the Austrian ambassador Baron Hübner at the New Year's day ambassadorial levee [1859], which presaged war with Austria and recalled his uncle [Napoleon]'s attack on Lord Whitworth [March 1803]. Note at the end of the poem saying that Hübner himself, at the age of over eighty, saw the epigram and liked it.
Epigram which won the Browne Medal in 1858, when, as noted by Trevelyan he was a freshman, to the set subject "Versat / Saxum sudans nitendo neque proficit hilum" [a quotation from Cicero, "Tusculan Disputations" 1.10, perhaps quoting Ennius' "Annales"; 20/68 is a printed copy]. Addressed to 'Cotilus' [a name used in Martial's epigrams], who was a school-friend of Trevelyan's at Harrow and is now studying at Oxford.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth and Robert were at Holly Lodge [for the unveiling of the blue plaque commemorating Lord Macaulay]; envies him that and [his reading of? Aristophanes's] "Birds". Has just read the "Epidicus", and enjoyed it, though thinks Jeremy Collier was 'preposterous' to call it Plautus's masterpiece. Very pleased with Robert's opinion of "The American Revolution" and relieved by what he says about Wesley and the soldiers [see 46/87]. Will be glad when the settlement with the Vaughan Williamses [for the land on which to build Robert and Elizabeth's new house] is concluded. Will enclose a few letters: two from historians which are 'satisfactory testimony' to his accuracy; and three from James, Colonel [John] Hay the Secretary of State, and [Joseph Hodges] Choate, which he asks Robert to show to nobody but Elizabeth. A postscript on a separate sheet says he will send the letters in a few days. Asks if Robert could look at a book in an auction for him which as 'a lover of Horace'. he is thinking of buying.
Note that this poem won the Browne medal [for Latin Poetry at Cambridge University] in 1859. Title taken from Horace, "Epistles" 1.2.14.
British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, London, W.1. - Very 'grateful' to Trevelyan for writing and delivering his script so quickly; very much likes it as it gives a 'vivid impression of the man and its work'. On reading it aloud it only came to eighteen minutes, and the ideal length is twenty three minutes; feels they should add about three and a half pages in Trevelyan's typed script. The Lucretius and Horace scripts [for earlier talks in the same series] quote the original Latin; suggests that Trevelyan does not disrupt his 'so well constructed script' by interpolation, but elaborates on his sentences at the end on Catullus's 'less ambitious lyrics', with quotations in both Latin and translation. Loves the translations Trevelyan has already included. Does not want to be a 'nuisance' to someone as 'exemplary' as Trevelyan, but thinks a longer script will be necessary; sure he will be glad to have the chance to say more about this 'great poet'. The rehearsal time will be on Trevelyan's contract; thinks it will be at 4.30 pm on 27 August, at Broadcasting House.
Reports that he only heard a week ago that Young 'had found it advisable (and also feasible) to degrade.' Claims that he was very glad to hear the news, since even if he had been able 'to go in by "making an effort" ', it would have been a very unsatisfactory [culmination] to three years work. Sympathises with him that he will have to work a year more at the old curriculum. Hopes that he is progressing. Reports that he met Cowell in London on Saturday, and he was wondering whether Young would go abroad with him.
Recounts that he found Arthur [Sidgwick] 'only just able to work' when he arrived in Cambridge on Saturday, as he had played fives, which brought on his irregular circulation. Believes that 'it is just about an even chance whether he gets the Craven or not'. Reports that they were quite surprised at having the senior after all in Trinity. Hopes that Barker will conform, and states that Jebb was in good spirits and reading hard. Recounts that [Richard Shilleto?] 'reports favourably of his freshness', but is not very strong in health.
Refers to the fact that Young was at Eton with [Smijth?] Windham, and asks if he thinks he is 'MAD, or only mad.' Declares that 'Wilson is convinced he was a lunatic', but every other Eton man Sidgwick has seen states the idea to be ludicrous.
Relates a conversation he had while dining at Merton College, Oxford. States that he thinks the speeches, especially Coleridge's 'disgraceful'. Wishes that he were at Oxford, because 'they are always having exciting controversies which keep them alive.' Relates that Jowett and his foes divide the [attention] of the common rooms with Mansel and Goldwin Smith. Reports that he has just read 'G. S.' "Rational Religion" ', which, he claims, 'seems smashing', but over-controversial. States that '[p]eople consider Mansel's chance of a bishopric as lessened.' Remarks that in his view the tutors at Oxford work harder and the men less than those at Cambridge. Asks Young whether he read W.S. Clarke's Latin Oration.
Reports that he went up to Cambridge 'to have a quiet study of Auguste Comte', with whose he has rather less sympathy than before. States that he 'tried to fancy being a Positivist and adoring Guttemberg [sic], the inventor of printing, but...found the conception impossible.' Intends to go up [to Cambridge] on Saturday. States that he thinks better of Horace than most men; discerns in his works 'a good deal of a peculiar fresh humour that [ ]', but sees that it is calculated to disgust many men, and wishes Trevelyan could know it.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wishes Robert well for the examination and advises him on the attitude he should take towards it. Thinks he is right to go to the House Supper; they will have a good second shoot in Christmas week. He is making some speeches in Lancashire next week, but after that they will 'enjoy the winter'.
Includes folded sheet with draft of three letters by Power: one written from Nevis, 5 Jul. 1698, to George Stepney; one to Benjamin Portlock; one to Matthew Prior. Verse in English and Latin, including translations of Virgil, Aeneid VI and Horace Epistle 2.1, and drafts of Power's Latin translation of Milton's Paradise Lost.
Cortona. - Hopes that will reach Julian in time to give best wishes for the New Year; by then he will be in Naples, Pompeii, or perhaps Ravello already. Is staying in a 'plain rather ugly house built in 1767' near Cortona, which they visited last week 'in a blizzard', and saw 'a lot of fine old buildings, and some dull pictures', except for an 'enchanting' Fra Angelico. His friend [Umberto] Morra lives here alone, and is a 'very pleasant host'; they read Shakespeare together, sometimes Morra reads him Italian poetry. Has had a bad cold, but it has almost gone now. Goes to Naples tomorrow and hopes to see snow on Soracte [Monte Saratte]; quotes Horace in Latin. Asks Julian to tell his mother that her letter from Bedales has just reached him, and that he is glad she enjoyed her visit; Julian seems to have done well in the part of Snout [in "Midsummer Night's Dream"]. Hopes Jacobs has sent back [Donald] Tovey's music and that she has sent it on. Expects the Russells are now at the Shiffolds; jokingly [?] advises Julian to be on his guard against Russell, who is 'that dangerous thing, a philosopher'; Russell 'ought to have stuck to his mathematics, at which, they say, he was quite good. But philosophy never leads one anywhere in particular'. Tells Julian to be kind to Russell's children: not to put John to swim in the rain-tank 'at least not if you have to break the ice'; and not to 'lock up the girl [Kate] in the box-room for more than half an hour at a time'. If Russell 'becomes too superior', suggests Julian should 'bring out [Cicero's] "Pro Milone" and ask him to construe some not too difficult passage', or get him to name the mouths of the Nile; if he 'retaliates' by asking what Mr Elton's first name is in Jane Austen's "Emma", which Julian has not yet read, the answer is Philip. 'Nevertheless', sends Russell and his family love and best wishes for the New Year.
Typed transcript of notes taken at Housman's lectures by S. L. Franklyn in 1932, corrections from Housman's lecture notes by B. Goulding Brown, 1940-1941
Prose narrative about Coryat's visit to the 'guest-killing mosque at Rai', which shifts to dramatic form for Coryat's encounter with a Stranger who may be Death; story of Coryat continued in pencil, describing his encounter with an old Chinese man and their discussion of will and the spirit.
Two lines of a poetic epistle to Roger [Fry] written after Fry's death; draft account of Helen Fry and her relationship with Roger, probably written to aid Virginia Woolf with her biography of Fry [published in 1940; see also 17/95, 17/96, and 17/97], this includes some unpublished details of Helen Fry's illness such as her fear of her doctor, and the effect of Hubert Crackanthorpe's suicide.
Notebook also used from the other end in: draft verse; another version of Coryat's discussion with the old Chinese man; draft of introduction to the second volume of Trevelyan's "Collected Works", his verse plays; continuation of the 'Coryat' piece, in which the young man is introduced by the Old Man to 'B.R', a 'philosopher and a sceptic' [a hardly disguised Bertrand Russell?, and then reminisces about his childhood friendship with his cousin Miranda; translation of Horace "Satires" 2.3.39-62 and 23 to the end; essay on "Solitude"; essay on Robert Browning; essay on "Juvenilia", which begins by quoting Trevelyan's childhood poem "Oh Hector, I do love thee" [see 23/121/14]; notes for "Simple Pleasures"; notes on bees; short sections of verse, some perhaps translations.
List entitled 'My Friends' on flyleaf, including 'Roger[Fry], Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] and Desmond [MacCarthy]'; list of autobiographical topics written around it and on the inside cover.
Hotel Bristol, Piazza Barberini, Rome, Italy. - Is actually writing from Castellammare [di Stabia]; gives detailed impressions of Pompeii, where they spent the morning, including his sense that Martial and Horace's works could have been written by people who lived there, in the same way that Kipling fits with 'Anglo-Indian society and houses'. A man living in the house where they are staying kept the main hotel on Ischia and lost everything in the 1883 earthquake. Can see Vesuvius 'smoking away' as he writes. Bob can write to Rome as their letters are sent on.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The 'next generation' are very fortunate: Mary Caroline, George Lowthian, and now Julian can read Macaulay, Carlyle, and [Motley's] "Dutch Republic", and the books he himself had to read 'almost secretly, and as a sin' because he was meant to be writing 'copies of bad Greek Iambics' and puzzling over Demosthenes; now his grandchildren's 'first duties' are to 'read "Clive" and "Chatham" and Ferrero'. Interested to hear that Robert and Elizabeth have been reading Herodotus aloud together; when Elizabeth comes to Wallington he will show her Paul Louis Courier's paper, which is a 'masterpiece'. Begins re-reading the last two books of Herodotus himself on Wednesday; is finishing Tacitus's "Annals" today; discusses the contrasting styles of it and the "Histories". Agrees completely about Horace's "Epistles". Asks for advice on editions of Thucydides.
Monk's House, Rodmell, near Lewes, Sussex. - He and Virginia enjoyed Bob's "Epistle [to Joan Allen]" very much, finding both form and content 'refreshing' in 'these days of confused bitterness'; his translations [of Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne] and two ["Imaginary] conversations" were equally, perhaps even more, refreshing. Had by coincidence been reading Horace's "Satires": reads the classics in bed before getting up in the morning, and usually chooses Greek, but this time thought he would try Horace. Enjoyed it more than he expected, as he remembered being 'bored by Horace's hexameters'.
Welcombe. - Much appreciates reading about the way in which Robert reads with Julian; most important thing is that the 'higher and deeper aspects should be genuine, and within the compass of one's own honest belief', and that any creed should be 'acted on sincerely'. Says that for him, 'the Monday repetition of the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel to Vaughan were the matter of a frequent nightmare' for years. Sends a letter from 'old Hammond' [sic: a mistake for Hallam?] who lives at 'Ortygia' in Harrow, and appears to be staying at what Sir George thinks 'was not Horace's villa at Tivoli'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - They are in 'the full Saturnalia'; likes such 'famous anniversaries'; discusses the Roman festival. Has now read through Martial again, 'almost certainly for the last time', and is struck by the 'blackguardism' of much of it compared with Horace and Catullus, though there are 'occasionally exquisite little poems' throughout and the 21th book, written in Spain, is 'far freer from faults, and richer in beauties'; thinks his new wife must have been a good influence, and that he really liked Spain. Very satisfactory about Julian.
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.
Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. - Sends 'rather belated' thanks for Bob's translations ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne, with Two Imaginary Conversations"] and for the "Epistle [to Joan Allen]" he sent to Binyon and [his wife] Cicely. Cicely has been suffering from erysipelas; it is a 'very debilitating disease', and he had to take her to stay with her brother [Valentine?]in Sussex; they returned last week. Congratulates Bob on the 'suppleness of the verse', just right for translating Horace; would have liked Bob to translate some of the "Odes", but expects he is right that it is 'quite impossible to repeat the miracles of placing [emphasised]' in an uninflected language like English. Much enjoyed the "Imaginary Conversations", and thinks them a 'pleasant way of writing literary criticism'; encourages Bob to do more, as he 'write[s] such excellent prose (like all good poets)'; asks if Bob feels he is 'trespassing on Landor'. Thinks he has succeeded in 'suffusing all the elements of the book... with a wholeness of atmosphere, wise and mellow'; enjoys this, though he cannot share in it completely, since he does not 'really feel at home in the Roman world', and has an 'obstinate streak of the mystic' which he is sure Bob would disapprove of. Had already given a copy of the book to his son-in-law [Humphrey HIggens], a teacher at St Paul's school, who has read some of the Horace with his pupils and 'much admired' Bob's translations. Only has one more canto of [Dante's] "Paradiso" to translate, but Macmillan has 'lost so heavily' on the first two volumes of the Divine Comedy that he is not keen to publish the last at the moment; however, he has agreed to publish a new book of Binyon's poetry "[The North Star"], which Binyon will send Bob when it come out, perhaps in spring. Knows Bob must mind not being able to take his usual trip to Italy; expect he has heard about their five months in Greece last year, which were 'very enjoyable and interesting', though Binyon would have found Athens a 'dull place' if he had not been so busy with his lectures and the weather was bad much of the time. They flew home all of the way. Supposes Bob hears nothing direct from B.B. [Bernard Berenson]; hears Mrs [Eugénie?] Strong has been 'turned out of her flat in Rome'. Asks how Bessie is; he and Cicely send their love to her, and to the [Sturge] Moores if they are still with the Trevelyans.
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'.
86 Walton St, S.W.3. - Thanks Bob for his "Translations [from Latin Poetry]"; thinks Bob's "Michael Angelo" is 'very fine', as is "The Setting of the Moon'; thinks he likes the Propertius best of the translations, and 'Ovid comes off very well'. Remembers Bob's 'retraction' in Eddie's favour of his 'dictum that the Odes were untranslatable', and wishes he could say Bob had changed his own mind about Catullus; afraid he still thinks him 'quite uncapturable', though Bob's "Sirmio" [Catullus 31] is 'charming'. Is 'rather baffled' by Bob's Lucretian hexameters: he seems to 'have coquetted rather half-heartedly with [Robert] Bridges' "Quantities"'. Tiberianus must be an 'enchanting poet'; had never heard of him before. Is sending Bob a 'little book' he 'brought out under duress' the year before last ["Minima", see 15/316], which is 'beautifully produced, but far too expensive'; has just 'salvaged a few copies of the huge "remainder" to give away'. Is proud of his Milton imitations, but the 'rest are nugatory'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear [see 46/255] about Robert's visit from Aunt Annie [Philips], and that he has read [Lucian's] "Alexander [Pseudomantis]" and "De Mercede conductis [On Salaried Posts in Great Houses: see 12/314]"; the latter seems to throw more light on the Roman banquet than Petronius, Horace, or Juvenal. Encloses a review which must be read carefully 'to bring out the full asininity of the author who is the subject of it [whose] book passed in folly and conceit anything conceivable'. Asks for the review to be returned, along with Rosebery's letter; does not think any man, even Edward Grey, has been 'more cruelly tried and bereaved'.
86 Walton St, SW3. - Thanks Bob for sending him "From the Shiffolds"; was 'delighted' to re-read so many poems which 'charmed' him when printed privately; did not remember "Willowherb" and asks if it is new. Glad to hear Bob is doing a broadcast on Catullus for his 'dear friend Christopher Hassall', whom he thinks 'is making a very good job of the [BBC] Third Programme'.
Churchdale Hall, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire. - Many thanks for Bob's 'delightful letter' [15/292]; the praise that he has kept 'the physical beauty of the words [in his translation of Horace's "Odes"] without making too many sacrifices' is most gratifying as this was his exact aim. Responds to several of Bob's detailed points about his translation. Was very glad to see Desmond [MacCarthy]'s review of Bob's "Epistles"; since writing last, he has read all the translations except the Juvenal and been 'astonished by their fidelity'. Is still here, 'intensely enjoying [his] first spring in the country since Cambridge'.
5, Raymond Buiildings, Gray's Inn. - Thanks Bob very much for his letter and the notes [on his own translations of Horace's "Odes"]; it was good of Bob to 'take so much trouble'. Discusses his reasoning on several points in detail. Has 'been rather industrious, and done another hundred lines or so'; thinks he has had a 'success with "Septimi Gadis" [Odes 2.6]' which he had been 'terrified' of. Will look forward to Bob's book ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne"?] and hopes it can appear.
The Shiffolds. - They are glad to hear his father is 'beginning to get about', and has even been out on the terrace; the weather here is now 'delightful', and he hopes the same is true for his father, so that he will be able to 'get out each day'. Bessie and Julian went this afternoon on 'a long expedition to Ewhurst Hill, the second hill west of our Leith Hill', where the view is 'even better... if possible'. The heather is in full bloom; expects the leaves will begin to fall before long. Many of their oaks 'seem blighted this year'.
Has been reading [Macaulay's Battle of Lake] Regillus with Julian, as well as Macbeth and Henry IV part 2; they read the first part last year which 'seems rather the better of the two, both in the comic and serious parts', though there is not much between them. He and Julian have also read the fables of Phaedrus; yesterday they did the first two stanzas of 'Vides ut alta stet nive candidum' [Horace Odes 1.9], which Julian 'has nearly learnt by heart'. But their current 'chief business is the irregular verbs'.
Sends love to his mother, and to George and Janet if they are still visiting. Is reading Diogenes Laertius' 'gossip about philosophers. It is full of interesting things, also of really silly ones'. Is going to 'try Athenaeus next'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Robert for his letter [46/245], particularly the part about Lucretius; is not reading it all through this time. Will know whether there is any truth in the atomic theory 'so soon that [he] is prepared to wait'. Describes his reading, alongside Uncle Tom [Macaulay]'s notes; paid as much attention to the last lines of the third book as he would to passages in Juvenal, Horace or Lucan. Is interspersing the books with Cicero dialogues. The winter has been long and wet, and Wallington has suffered from their having to plough up half of the old pasture 'without proper labour, and proper appliances'; they have lost a good deal of money, and it has been 'a dead loss to the nation in terms of productiveness'. Other people have suffered more; ironically mentions a 'comical' account in the "Times" of the editor of the "Almanach de Gotha" having to 're-cast his noble work' due to the disappearance of nearly thirty Royal Houses. Robert must be looking forward to his return from France and reunion with his family. A postscript [on a small scrap of paper] quotes Macaulay's high opinion of the end of Lucretius's fifth book.