White House, Albany Street, W.1. (corrected to N.W.1). - Apologises for the delay in replying to Mrs Trevelyan's letter, for which she thanks her; has only just received it due to a change of address. Is happy to be back in London, despite 'numerous difficulties', and to have 'new prospects for the autumn'. Would be very happy to come and see her, as the memory of her last visit to the Trevelyans' house is so good, but is unsure whether it will be possible. Has just finished three broadcasts at the BBC, and must now work on the recording of a Beethoven concerto on 1 and 2 July with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Fears that she will have to leave for Paris on 3 July, but if that is not the case will come 'with joy' to see Mrs Trevelyan on 5 July, as suggested. Has no news of Peter Rybar, but supposes he has not yet come to London or Mrs Trevelyan would have heard. Hopes to see Joachim [Röntgen] and Anne Marie in February at the Hague, if the projected concert with his quartet comes off. Sends regards to Mr Trevelyan.
10 Prinsegracht, The Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, preso d'Amalfi, Italia. - Bob's first letter from Ravello arrived yesterday; it arrived just as she was going to the dentist and gave her strength to stand all the treatment; at the end she 'nearly hugged the doctor'. Bob's quotation from Chaucer is 'charming'; hopes he will never need complain of his 'wyve's cussedness'. She got the proofs for her photos yesterday and is quite pleased with them: 'the one without the eye glasses is almost pretty'; will send them to Bob's mother and Bob himself. Writes on the 14th to say that she went to hear a rehearsal the day before 'more worth than last time'; heard an ouverture by Chabrier, 'an empty French piece of music', then Beethoven's second symphony to her 'great delight'. Then she heard Bob's 'friend [Frederic?] Lamond' play the Tchaikowsky piano concerto, and admired his playing but did not care much for the piece. Was sitting with a Russian lady, Madame de Rhemen, who is married to a Dutch Baron and 'a great swell... and a would-be patroniser and enthusiast for musical life at the Hague', 'very clever & intellectual.... though narrow-minded and hard in her opinions'. She 'fascinated Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] at one time' until 'the tables were turned' and Tuttie became rather tired of her, and 'taken up with her American friend [Maud Howard]', it was 'such a comedy'; now Bessie thinks the feelings on both sides have 'fallen rather flat'. Her husband is 'a dry stolid old Dutchman', and the marriage not happy. Had not seen her since the summer; she wanted to hear all about Bob; is going to dine with her on Saturday then go to a music recital. Another old Russian lady, the Comtesse de Bylandt, came to sit with them; told Bessie she had lived twenty years in England, knows Bob's parents, and knew his grandfather very well. Returned home and took down some 'dull' dictation for her uncle [Paul François Hubrecht]. [Her brother-in-law Julius Engelbert] Röntgen writes that the family are all pleased with their new sister, except Johannes 'who began to howl when the baby was shown to him'. Is very cross that a letter from her sister [Abrahamina] inviting her to come to hear a chamber concert on Saturday only reached her yesterday; she could have played to [Bram] Eldering and got some preliminary advice, as he is too busy to start her lessons before January.
Gredel Guye is coming again on Friday, as her oral examination is on Saturday; remembers the day of her last visit, which was when Bob had his interview with her uncle. Had a strange dream last night in which 'some curious law' forced her to marry someone else, she thinks Mr Eldering, and woke with great relief. Got Bob's father's "Life of Macauley" from the library recently (they only have that, his "American Revolution", and Bob's brother George's book ["England in the Age of Wycliffe, 1368–1520"]. Macauley's life looks 'very interesting'; has glanced through and seen a letter of his to his sister Margaret about his other sister [Hannah]'s marriage to Bob's grandfather, speaking very highly of him. Agrees that she must read [Theodor] Mommsen, as Bob said at Taormina, to see whether he can inspire with 'the true love of history' she has never possessed. Happy thoughts about her feelings for Bob and their marriage. Now going to stay with her cousin Louise Hubrecht again at Leiden; is taking her [Bob's] "Mallow and Asphodel" as she asked to see it.
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Anxious to hear what Elizabeth has decided [about treatment carried out or advised by Dr Scharlieb]; hopes she has managed to arrange a room in the Home. Joined Annie [Philips] on Friday at Leeds 'where she had quite a party of relations' and made everything 'quite comfortable at the hotel' for them. Went to a concert in the evening, and the morning performance on Saturday; will send Elizabeth the concert program. The Brahms and the 'Russian music' were very interesting. and Elgar's "[Enigma] Variations" 'curious & amusing', if music can be described in that way. On Saturday, there was a 'very fine Bach cantata' and Beethoven's Mass in D. The chorus at Leeds is 'wonderful', and she thought 'the Band splendid'. [Joseph] Joachim was there, and his solo violin part was 'lovely', show she could not see him or the other performers because of the 'rows of hats'. Came to the Park on Saturday afternoon, and spent a quiet Sunday with Annie; is going to Welcombe this afternoon, then returning home [to Wallington] on Thursday. Asks what news there is of the book [Robert's "Polyphemus and Other Poems". Thinks Sir George and Miss Martin 'are getting on all right'.
'Lord Adrian', 'Barenboim', 'Horace Barlow', 'Beethoven', 'Hans Bethe', 'Bessikovitch', 'Sir Hermann Bondi', 'Aage Bohr', 'Bragg'.
19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Very relieved to get Bob's letter of the 31st December last night; amused that Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] wrote three enthusiastic letters on Christmas Day, to Bob, Bessie, and Bramine [Hubrecht] and that they have all ended up in her hands; 'the dog's story' in Bob's letter very good. Would like Bob to call her 'Florence' as she asks, though she herself will never be able to think of her by that name; the letters show how kind she is 'though she comes it up so queenly in ordinary life'. Has had nice letter from Bramine, who was amused by Bob addressing her formally as 'Mrs Grandmont'; Bramine says Grandmont has not yet promised they will be in the Hague for June [the wedding] but she is sure everything will come right; Grandmont never will commit to future plans. Returns to the letter in the evening saying how tired she is, by nursing her aunt and running the household, but also because her uncle is 'so nervous these last days' and it is 'utterly exhausting to be in the house with him'. He is worried about her aunt's illness, and they have just had a letter dictated by Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht], in bed with influenza in Florence, to a nurse; Bramine is now with her.
Writes the next morning that things seem more cheerful; her aunt had a 'coughing night' but is slightly better. Had a nice letter from Bob's aunt [Anna Maria] Philips yesterday, thanking her for sending her photographs. Will look forward to seeing Bob's letter in the "Manchester Guardian"; the Salomonsons take it so she will ask her [friend Jeanne Salomonson Asser] to look out for it]. Has done hardly any reading, and no practising, for a week. At a concert on Wednesday night, heard some music by Rameau 'like delicate lace-work', then Ysaÿe playing a Bach concerto. His 'rendering was very modernised', which would have disgusted the Frys; she too much preferred a modern piece by Lalo, 'quite perfect in its way'. Hopes to go tonight to another chamber music recital, and tomorrow Lamond is performing a Beethoven sonata she would also like to hear. Her cousin Louise Hubrecht has sent her an "Inquirer" with a review of George [Macauley Trevelyan]'s book ["England in the Age of Wycliffe"] which she looks forward to reading, since she will not have time to finish the book itself before February. Is very glad that Bob is pleased with his work so far and feels 'her nine rivals' [the Muses] have him 'in their blessed power'.
Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Has a 'great favour to ask': as Donald [Tovey] knows, Beethoven's arrangement of a string quartet from his C minor Piano Trio is to be performed in a forthcoming concert. Would like to include a 'most amusing and interesting story' relating to the piece, which can be found in Thayer's "[Life of] Beethoven" and of which he encloses a typed copy [now no longer present]. As explained to Donald, would like to include a 'translation or adaptation' of this anecdote in a leaflet for the performance, and asks whether she, Bob and Donald could 'get the whole thing into shipshape' for him; another enclosure [also no longer present] is a 'rough translation' by him of Beethoven's 'amusing inscription on the title page' which might be a guide, though it needs improvement. Needs the translation before Donald goes abroad, as it must be printed in September. Love to all from Tonia and himself.
Well Knowe House, Cartmel, by Carnforth. - Was 'delighted' to received Trevelyan's "Sisyphus" from Longmans the other day; apologises for not writing sooner; was away from home but read the poem 'immediately and eagerly and with huge enjoyment'. Thanks Trevelyan for remembering that he wanted to see it. Praises it highly and says Trevelyan has 'certainly found the most fundamentally comedic idea in the world; the terrible and futile situation of Sisyphus is so much all men's affair'. The fact that 'Grecian things' seem as natural to Trevelyan's thoughts as 'Tube and Hague Tribunals' are to most people today should gain universal respect. Trevelyan knows he can count on Bottomley's interest in his 'quest of a lyrical basis for drama'; thinks Sisyphus is successful in this respect. The work gives 'the musician rare chances': the 'conjuration of time going backward' needs music like the beginning of Beethoven's ninth symphony; thinks Berlioz could have 'heard vaguely the chords to accompany the engulfing of Sisyphus', but could probably not have written them down. Wonders 'what deep force is turning us all so insistently to the drama nowadays', when there is no hope of attention and respect, or even loyal co-operation' from theatre-goers. Glad that Trevelyan is also turning his thoughts towards music-drama; thinks 'fullest expression' is only possible that way; even incidental music like Grieg's "Peer Gynt" gives a 'glimpse of an all powerful mingling of all the arts to make perfect drama possible'. In addition, 'that rebellious artisan, the actor' might be prevented from 'maiming and self-assertion' by the tones which each word of poetry has 'being authoritatively set down for him as definite musical notes. Doubts whether music really could enhance the excellence of the poetry in "Sisyphus", but does still 'feel the beauty of [Trevelyan's] projected union of poetry and music', and would like to hear something of his longer work to which music is now being composed [by Donald Tovey: i.e. the "Bride of Dionysus"].
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for sending on a letter [from an unknown writer], 'how nice and warm-hearted she is'. Has received two copies of the book and sends one to Bessie; asks if she can post it to Sig and Ruth [Waley] when she has finished with it. It is the 'sort of book' he finds 'impossible to read' in his present mood: 'yet another of those "recipe books" which the earnest and uninfluential continue to turn out on both sides of the Atlantic'.
Comments on the 'bitter cold': they have frozen and burst pipes, but since they have 'so little water at any time' the 'results are in no wise tragic'. Has been to London and brought back his aunt Rosalie to stay, so they are 'now a nice quartet'. Florence [Barger] is 'slowly recovering from her cold'. They hope that Bob and Bessie are keeping well.Adds undated postscript: is starting [Flaubert's] L'Education Sentimentale; wonders whether he will ever finish it.
Another postscript, dated 28 Jan: has received her letter, and is very sorry about Bob's cold; 'We must all take care'. Confirms that her 'Tovey Beethovens are safe here and have been much enjoyed and played', though he has not been playing the piano at all recently. Can send them whenever she wants.
Is returning the Beethoven sonata's [in Tovey's edition?] which Bessie 'so kindly' lent him, from which he has had 'so much pleasure'; Aunt Rosalie has just packed them up. Sends love to her and Bob. Postscript: had hoped to visit again, but his 'inoculations have been so many and so various in their results' that his 'movement has suffered'.
25 Gillespie Road, Colinton, Edinburgh. - Much appreciates Trevelyan's 'Christmas greetings' [this year's poetry booklet "From the Shiffolds". In his "To Marjory Allen" he expresses what many think at present; is sure that as he says the 'remedy sorely needed is the union of intellect with charity'; so few people attain the 'perfect balance' of reason and love. Is also familiar with the experience, as in "To Know and Not to Feel", of an 'inner deadness' when one is 'fatigued or not in tune' with the occasion; has felt it at a concert; luckily these are 'only lapses'. Has recently learnt from Schauffler's biography of Beethoven ["The man who freed music"] that sketches of a tenth symphony were found among the composer's papers after his death; it was intended to be a 'piece of programme music where Bacchus was to appear in person'. Wonders if Trevelyan and Sir Donald [Tovey] knew this [given their opera, "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Was 'positivity excited' to read that Bettina Brentano wrote to Goethe that Beethoven had told her that 'music... is the wine which inspires to new acts of creation: and I am Dionysus..'; Schauffler thinks that this is 'Bettina's own thunder' rather than Beethoven's, but she notes the closeness of the metaphor to Trevelyan's words in the last act of the "Bride".
Wishes she could reciprocate with poetry of her own, but she has only written one in her life and will 'spare' him; has not had any of her 'attempts at music' printed, so encloses some lines from a friend who died last year [no longer present].
10 Prinsegracht. - Originally enclosing a new photograph of herself, wearing a green dress and Bob's 'favourite hat'. Had an excellent evening at the Piersons' last night; [the Joachim Quartet] played a late Beethoven quartet she had never heard before, which made her 'nearly jump into the sky', and then a Schumann one. Talked to [Joseph] Joachim; hopes they will meet him again, perhaps at Harold Joachim's family's house at Haslemere. Alice and Herbert Jones arrived this morning; since Herbert is returning home tonight he has done lots of sightseeing with her uncle, then Bessie took him to the Mauritshuis picture galley. She and Alice are going to the Joachim concert tonight. Felt 'quite schooly again' seeing them; they talked lots about Bob. The Joneses were staying in the same pension at Dresden as Lily Hodgkin and 'her brother (the Oxford one); the brother is studying German and Lily music; Lily wanted Alice to send her Bob's address so that she could send a wedding present. Herbert 'seemed rather astonished if not shocked' that the wedding was not to be in a church; supposes the idea is rather 'awful' for an English clergyman. He is 'very bright & cheerful... & humorous as ever', though she does not think he is 'ein feinfühlender Mensch [sensitive man]'.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Tells Bessie to 'keep the Boswell for Beethovenian cycles'; is glad that Bob is reading aloud from it. Pleased they had 'such a nice visit from [their grandson] Philip. I expect and hope that he cried on the chord of C because a chord is too much of a good thing at once, whereas a scale is just a lot of nothings-at-all in a row, and he could deal with them severally'.
Asks if she has heard how Hsiao Chen is; he wrote to Forster after Dr Bluth took him for an x-ray, and 'was hoping to avoid an operation'. Afraid Margaret's operation 'though not making her worse, did not do her any good'; does not know what arrangements Florence [Barger, her sister] is making for her. Understands that 'Evert and his Molly [Mollie Sinton, who married Evert Barger in Jan 1944]' are being very helpful.
His mother is 'fairly well and sends love'. Forster fears they have 'now left it too late and date in the year' for Bessie to visit; looks forward to coming to see her and Bob at the Shiffolds. Now has a copy of Trilling's monograph', and could lend it to her if she likes. It is 'an intelligent but almost overwhelmingly serious piece of work. It praises me for my seriousness; then censures me for my lack of seriousness... but when summing up it suggest that my very absence of seriousness may imply a seriousness far more serious than superficial seriousness'. Was 'rather difficult to know how to thank the author', but he is 'pleased with the book, and tried to say so'. His mother 'cannot read it for nuts [?]'. Has had 'several letters from America, and some tins of food'.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Has lost her address 'Like a poop (why a poop?)' so this letter must go via the Shiffolds. Hopes that she feels better, and that 'the hostel isn't too quaint'; asks her to tell him when she returns so that he can visit. Things are all right here, but 'the frost has been a melancholy impediment to the garden, and has destroyed nearly all the fruit'.
Has seen Desmond lately, 'a great joy and he seemed in good form, though like all of us he looks older'. They had an 'interesting meeting of the Memoir Club - Bunny Garnett read about that curious woman Dorothy Evans who wrote a book called Rhapsody', and they dined at a restaurant beforehand with Maynard and Lydia [Keynes]; 'Twelve of us in all - the flower, or perhaps the seed-pods, of Old Bloomsbury'. Desmond stayed at his flat afterwards.
The day before, there was a 'party at the Kennets', at which Denis Matthews and another man '"did" the Emperor Concerto on two pianos'; thinks Matthews is 'magnificent'. At the party 'Various admirals were present, and rather suspiciously voluble about the Second Front: knew nothing about it all, they trumpeted, no one knows anything but Eisenhower'. Has himself 'a sort of hope that it will never take place'.
Was invited yesterday by Mrs [Olive?] Heseltine to meet Francesca Wilson: 'What an untaking woman! I have never slightly disliked anyone more, if you follow my English'. Now he is supposed to 'read her book and follow her English'; asks whether Bessie knows 'what "I met up" means?'. His letter 'seems getting ill-natured and consequently interesting', but he hears the bell.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is going to the Beethoven mass at Kings [College Cambridge] next Sunday; if it is in one of the Tovey editions, asks if he could borrow it for a while; would be 'very grateful'; asks if it could be posted to him as soon as convenient.
She will find with this letter a sponge which he 'stole during a pleasant visit' and has been meaning to return; he 'did indeed bring it one afternoon as far as the top of Water Lane, which is a very good address indeed for a sponge', but instead it went through the Leith Hill Place woods and 'would proceed down the other hill to Forest Green and the Parrot [a pub]'.
Has finished Thomas Mann's Joseph series, and is 'rather shocked' by Bessie's 'undocumented scorn'; has also read R. K. Narayan's The English Teacher. Saw Julian 'in the distance' at a concert of Monteverdi's Vespers; hopes he 'enjoyed them as much as I did'. Adds postscript: Florence [Barger] should be back tomorrow.
Postmarked Abinger Hammer, addressed to 'Mrs Trevelyan, The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking'. - Thanks Bessie for the 'precious volume' [the Donald Tovey edition of Beethoven's Mass]; looks forward to returning it. The 'sponge by the way imbibed tea at the Parrot and not beer!' [see TRER/ADD/71].
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking [headed notepaper]. - 'So pleased' to hear from Bessie; was about to write, partly to ask whether she might like to take on 'one of our pussies' when he leaves West Hackhurst - Bob thought she might. If so, he 'would describe their characteristics and their defects - for cats, unlike human beings, are imperfect. They are of the Tabby habit'.
Looks forward to seeing her, 'perhaps next month'; will bring the 'Tovey volume' [edition of Beethoven's Mass, see TRER/ADD/71], which was 'very helpful'. Is going to Cambridge again this week, to 'make some final arrangements' about his room; his move will probably be 'in two bits, the bigger bit not till October. Much has been done here, much still remains to do'. Has recently sent 'a lorry-load of jumble... off with the Rector's wife built up in the middle of it. She is a darling'.
Glad to hear of the Trevelyans' 'revised arrangements', and hopes they will work well. If Mrs Jane [?] 'is a chatterpie, Bob has only to trot, tell him, into another room. It's a chatterpie in the same room that is so trying'. Has had an 'Excited and delighted' postcard from Florence, who much enjoyed her flight across the Atlantic, and has been 'going round New York with her sister [Margaret?] in a bus'.
Is going to Glyndebourne, 'quite unexpectedly', tomorrow with some Indian friends; he 'rather hate[s] the snobby place, however, dress clothes are out of the question now, and Britten's new opera [The Rape of Lucretia] said to be very lovely'.
The Mill House, Grantchester, Cambridge. - Has come to the 'flattest part of England' he could find to get used to his 'rugged fatherland' after Holland; is staying with a 'mathematical friend' [Alfred North Whitehead] in a mill house, as his own is not yet ready. [George] Moore is here discussing 'various theories about ether and molecules of matter' with Whitehead, which Bob understands little of; Moore has also played him several of Beethoven's early sonatas, which he greatly enjoyed, though music 'passes in and out of [his] head like water through a sieve or a mill-dam'. Is going to Dorking to see his house tomorrow; does not know what he would do without the Frys to help him; bought them a Dutch cheese which he left in their London rooms but has not yet seen them; Paul [Hubrecht] helped him buy it. They had a good time at Volendam and Marken, and a good meal, but his crossing back was awful; says [the British] should not be called 'bigotted islanders' since their love for foreigners is immense enough to undergo the 'horrors' of sea-sickness. Writing with the mathematician's children 'romping and screaming' round him, so expects his letter is distracted; his head is also 'in a whirl with half-understood metaphysical notions', of which he gives a sample quote. Would 'like to be philosophical; but one cannot always get what one wants'. Is writing to Mrs Hubrecht to say how pleasant his visit was. Asks to be remembered to Bramine and Gr[andmont].
Cud Hill House, Upton Saint Leonards, Glos. - Bob has given him great pleasure [by sending him his book "Windfalls"]: finds himself drawn first to the essays with personal names: Browning, Virginia Woolf, Meredith; these are all '[d]elightful', with '[s]uch sensitive discrimination in the literary criticism', combined with 'personal pictures - so vivid', such as 'Meredith's thumps with his stick in honour of the lovely Lucy Duff Gordon'; asks which of Meinhold's works Duff Gordon translated. Praises Bob's literary criticism: calls his defence of rhetoric 'timely needed & excelled'; might not have had Marlowe and the University poets 'without the Schools of Rhetoric of Oxford & Cambridge', and without Marlowe, there might have been no Shakespeare. Comments on 'how neatly' Bob 'refute[s] Edgar Poe's heresy!'. Likes what Bob says about Shelley's "Music when soft voices die": has sometimes read the last stanza as 'addressed by Shelley to himself'; cites 'Less oft is peace in Shelley's mind...' [from "To Jane: The Recollection"] as another instance of self-address. Diana [his wife] and the children are going to Sennen at Land's End on Monday; he himself is not, since he always finds South Cornwall 'too damp'; will go instead to the 'Brit[ish] Ass[ociation for the Advancement of Science]' in Broghton from 7-14 September. His eldest son [Oliver] is engaged to be married to Rosemary Phipps, a 'charming girl' living at Fairford on the upper Thames; she and Oliver have been to visit. Tom [his other son] is staying with Lodge's sister [Barbara Godlee?] near Manchester, but will join the rest of the family in Cornwall. He is 'very musical-studying'. Bob's grandson Philip is here, playing in the garden with Colin; he is a 'dear little boy'. Sends love to both Trevelyans; hope Bob's has a 'good holiday & enjoy[s] Italy'. Asks if 'the cause of Virginia Woolf's death [was] ever known'. Adds a postscript to say her heard a 'marvellous Beethoven piece' on the radio last night, the String Quartet in B flat, Op. 18 no. 6.
Hotel de la Poste, Bruxelles. - Is writing between courses at lunch after a morning at the gallery; may go to the Palais Arenburg to see the pictures, and perhaps to the Wiertz [Museum]. If the weather is fine tomorrow, may go to Waterloo and be 'as patriotic and Brittish [sic] and military' as he likes. Finds Brussels to be a nice town with much to see and much going on, so he is 'nearly compensated' for their separation; fewer 'really good pictures' than he remembered, but the Metzys was 'magnificent', as were several other Flemish paintings. Went last night to see Massenet's "Cendrillon", but was not impressed and left before the end. Will try a play tonight, then tomorrow thinks he will attend a Beethoven recital by [Frederic] Lamond; saw him as a boy but has forgotten all about him. Has not yet handed in the parcel and note from her uncle, but will do. Plans to return on Thursday. Has written to his mother 'telling her some more home-truths' about Bessie; must send her the photo when he gets back. Dreamed of Bessie last night; cannot remember details, but was glad to do so on their first separation since they 'loved one another openly'. Wishes it was possible to 'kiss at a distance', as the telephone allows one to speak at a distance; writes a poem over the part of the paper he has kissed which urges her to kiss it in her turn.
Hotel de la Poste, Bruxelles. - Bessie's letter is much the 'best and nicest and loveliest' - though not 'lovingest' - of their 'first real love-letters'. Glad that she is making progress with Plato; the introduction may help, though 'in some most important directions Jowitt [sic: Benjamin Jowett'] does not know much about it'. Went to a bad French play which was even worse than the opera [Massenet's "Cendrillon"]. Tonight is going to hear [Frederic] Lamond whom his mother took him to see when he was about twelve, his first classical concert, and he was 'entranced', particularly by the Liszt; he kept 'leaning forward with his face in his hands, like [his] brother George' and his mother was worried people would be shocked by his 'bad behaviour'. Lamond's programme is all Beethoven this evening. Spent the morning reading [Thomas Sturge] Moore's "Danaë" at the gallery, opposite 'the magnificent Metsys of the life of Anna'; detects a 'sort of affinity between Moore and the Flemmish [sic] people'; certainly neither of them are classical. Wants Bessie to read "Danaë", which is 'wonderful, though wayward and awkward in places'. Nearly went to a music-hall last night as they are meant to be excellent here; would have been better than the 'awful play'. Has not been 'enslaved' by a 'Belgian or Gallic sorceress'; will take Bessie to a music-hall one day to see the 'only living art', in England at least. Teases her about her ability to fold sheets. Will reach the Hague at about eleven, and change and wash before lunch. If her letter was 'foolish', it was only in the 'good sense' Plato talks of; quotes [William] Blake.