Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be glad to welcome Elizabeth and Robert on 13 August; they will see Aunt Annie [Philips], who comes on the 9th. Glad they will be there for the 'festivities'; there will be the Exhibition, the servants' party, and a garden party for the neighbours to introduce Mary, who must 'make dignified little bows, and not jump onto the arms of chairs!'; she is 'great fun', and Elizabeth will like her when she knows her. Interested to hear of Miss [Laetitia] Ede, who is sure to get on since she has 'real energy'. Sir George knows nothing about Gregorian chants; he liked the 'florid music at the Oratory' and is sorry it has stopped. Asks if she should find someone to accompany Elizabeth on her visit; Mr [Charles?] Orde of Nunnykirk gave Caroline a name, which she encloses; it will be a problem what to do with her in the evening 'if she is not a lady' so she may ask her to come for the day to see what she is like. Cannot put Elizabeth up at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent] on the 4th, as Maria [Springett] is taking her holiday and has put everything away; hopes it will not be inconvenient to go to a club or a hotel; believes the Great Northern Hotel is comfortable and would be convenient [this section of the letter crossed out] but Elizabeth is travelling by Euston. Hopes the weather is drier by Monday, when a group of hospital nurses are coming. Asks whether Mrs Salmonson [sic: Jeanne Salomonson Asser] will return to Holland when Elizabeth leaves Rottingdean.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - She will already have had an account of Dr Hutchison's visit, which was 'in the main reassuring', from Molly. He and Bessie are 'naturally still anxious' [about their baby], and there is 'of course a very real risk of its being malignant jaundice'; however, it seems more likely to be ordinary jaundice, which 'is not as a rule dangerous'. Bessie is 'more cheerful' since Dr Hutchison came, and 'fairly comfortable'; the baby 'so far seems no worse', and every day passing will make it 'less likely to be the bad kind of jaundice'. The ordinary variety 'may last some weeks', so they must be prepared. Molly is leaving on Friday but returns early on Saturday; she is 'the best person to be here under the circumstances'. His mother at least must not come yet, as there is 'every reason to hope' she will be able to see the baby soon in good health: he 'otherwise seems strong and healthy enough'. She 'must not worry' about Bessie, as he thinks that 'even if the worst happened' he thinks she would 'now be prepared to bear it' - he hopes, however, that this is not likely. Asks her to thank his father for his 'very kind letter'. One of them will write 'in each post'.
Adds a postscript on 'Thursday morning' [24 Feb] saying that 'the child has had a fair night, and seems better'; this is good news but they 'cannot be sure for several days yet' that it is 'ordinary jaundice'. Bessie also had a 'fair night, and is going on all right'.
The Shiffolds. - Things are 'going a good deal better now', and he does not think there is 'much need to be anxious': the baby had a 'good night', and seems to be doing well this morning; expects he will be 'jaundiced for some time, perhaps for weeks'. A shame Bessie cannot feed him herself, but it 'seems very unlikely she will be able to'; however, she is 'fairly comfortable, and the child takes his milk and water very well'. Molly is going to London this morning and will post this letter; she returns tomorrow and will stay till Monday, or later if necessary. Robert is afraid he and Bessie have given his parents 'rather an anxious time: but the doctor was bound to be anxious under the circumstances'. They are 'very glad Dr Hutchison came'. Will write by this afternoon's post.
Adds a postscript saying he and Bessie wish to give the baby 'Otto' as a second name, if his parents would like it. They have not decided about the first, but 'rather incline to Julian', which they are both keen on: it is 'like the Julius of [Bessie's] brother-in-law Röntgen, though that perhaps is hardly a reason'. As his parents know, they thought of John, but they are not sure they 'like it altogether, nor William', but have not decided finally.
The Shiffolds. - Since writing this morning, the child has been 'going on quite well': the doctor seemed satisfied with him and Bessie when he called. Bessie is not able to feed him yet, and may never be able to; he hopes she will, but it is not too important. Bessie is doing well, 'though rather tired in the head'; is sure that will improve since there is 'practically no anxiety now'.
Wonders what his mother will think of their idea of naming the baby Julian Otto; this is not decided, and they would like her opinion. Robert suggested William, a family name; Molly likes Antony. Robert 'would not object' to John [also a family name], but prefers William and Julian; besides, he does not like either Jack or Johnny. Julian 'would suggest Julius Röntgen' [Bessie's brother-in-law]; the only other Julian he knows is Roger Fry's son who is much older 'so there would be no confusion'. Bessie would prefer it to the other suggestions, though does not object to any of them.
Is unsure now about sending a notice of the birth to the newspapers; it is not that he is really anxious any more, but everyone who should know will do so by now, and it would 'only mean more answering of letters', which he will have had enough of. Supposes they could send a notice later. Molly went this morning, but will return for lunch, probably with Charles. She could stay on after Monday, but this will probably not be necessary: they can 'always have Mrs Grandmont [Bessie's cousin] now'. His mother must do just what suits her about coming to see them: she knows they will 'always be glad to see [her]', but he is now sure that the 'child will... wait till it suits you to come'.
Hopes their 'first bad news' did not upset his parents too much: Dr Hutchison's opinion justified their anxiety, while allowing them to feel less anxious later; thinks the child's illness is now clearly 'ordinary jaundice'. Nurse Godwin has had more sleep and is now more cheerful; she 'became rather too nervous at one time, though she has done splendidly all through'.
19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - They have heard from Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] that she had caught a bad cold, could not work, and decided to go now to Taormina as Bramine [Hubrecht] had proposed she should come and spend a month with them; thinks this is a good thing since she thinks it was parting from Maud [Howard] which upset Tuttie more than the cold; it 'really is a most morbid friendship'; discusses Tuttie's character, and the tension when she and her sister Mien came to live with their uncle and aunt after their mother's death and Tuttie had much of the responsibility of looking after them since 'she was far too young and domineering'. Reflections on the time that children grow up and do not take their relatives for granted, along with the varied nature of her own experience so far. Has to go and prepare as she is going with her uncle and aunt to a dinner party with the vice president of the State Council, a friend of her uncle's. Dreamt last night that she and her sister arranged to share husbands, though she herself was rather reluctant; later she had a still worse dream in which there was no Bob and a man 'like a young Dane I met last summer, a cousin of the Hartmann's' was kissing her 'and I even enjoyed it!!'.
Writes next day that she has received Bob's letter, and the enclosure from his friend [Thomas Tettrell?] Phelps which is charming; remembers what he said about Phelps' 'prophetic jokes' and hopes the one about the Hollanders does not come true; promises she will not get fat as she is 'too bony' and anyway has no figure to lose. Describes the dinner party last night: one of her neighbours at table was from Zeeland and told her stories about the customs of the peasantry there; the host was also from Zeeland and they usually have a very strong feeling for their province. There was some talk of Bob; a 'fat gentleman, the secretary of the Council' seemed to have read nearly all of the Trevelyan family's literature and asked many questions; their host proposed a tost to their engagement. Looks forward to reading 'the Paolo and Francesca play which is so much the rage' [by Ste[hen Phillips]; wonders if she will feel as critical about it as Bob does; will also read "The Merchant of Venice" and re-read "Romeo and Juliet", though she has a lot to read and the Hague is not as quiet as Ravello. Laetita Ede has sent her "The Golden Age" by Kenneth Grahame; asks if Bob knows it. Is glad the weather is better and he has got some work done; the Germans call a bad poet a 'Wasserpoet' or waterpoet; she could call him a 'weather-poet' as he 'can only do good work W[eather] P[ermitting'; apologises for teasing him. Asks what play he is working on; knows it is not the one he showed her a scene of. Now Bob has read Ambro [Hubrecht's] article he is 'clever & scientific again' and can let her go to lectures in peace. Gives a satirical sketch of his character, then says she is cross today, firstly for spilling tea down her new dress and secondly as she had bad dreams again last night.
Continues the letter on Sunday afternoon. Ambro and his wife are coming tonight or tomorrow to spend the week, with their children who are 'sure to make things very lively'; unfortunately the thaw has set in so they will not get much skating, which they love. Has read of the destruction of the Capuccini hotel at Amalfi by a landslip; asks if this is true and whether there has been anything felt at Ravello. Her uncle has written to Lord Reay to ask about necessary formalities for the marriage and has had a reply giving some but not all the answers he requires; Lord Reay has made inquiries about Mr [William Edward Hartpole] Lecky's marriage, as his wife is a Dutchwoman [Elisabeth van Deden] also with some landed property; they held the civil marriage in the Hague in the Town House and at the English Embassy. Hopes this will be enough for them; an 'English church marriage' would be 'very unpleasant in this case'; hopes he feels the same; would like to leave out as much 'conventionality for the world's sake' as possible. If they want the Grandmonts to be there, it will have to be after May, while it will need to be before August for the Röntgens to be present. Her uncle will write to Bob's father as soon as he knows exactly how things stand. Asks how [Pasquale] Palumbo is doing, and whether Bob had a good Christmas.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie are glad to 'hear good accounts of Mary'; she will have had an 'anxious time'. Saw Janet on Friday, when 'things were still anxious, and thought her very calm and sensible, though of course looking tired'. Hopes his mother is well herself, and that his father's hand is better.
He and Bessie were both in London 'for the Women's meeting, where Charles made a very fine and successful speech'; the next day Robert got lumbago and had to stay in London another night - it is still not quire gone. [Goldswothy Lowes] Dickinson came for the weekend. He and Jan Hubrecht have just returned from the Hague, where they 'represented the UDC [Union of Democratic Control] at the International Conference'. Mrs [Laetitia] Hutchison is still with them; [Donald] Tovey may be coming for a few days next week.
Hopes to come to Welcombe for a 'short visit before long, perhaps at the beginning or end of Bessie's visit' if that would suit. Is going to Langdale with Charles and others at Whitsuntide. His book [The Foolishness of Solomon] should come out towards the end of next month. Bessie and Julian are both well; love to his parents.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is busy with Sir George, whose hand is healing slowly, though there is nothing wrong and the stitches have now been taken out. Thinks Elizabeth's suggestion of coming at Whitsuntide is good; it will be pretty then with the hawthorns out; wishes she could see the primroses and daffodils in the grass now. Went to the nursing meeting yesterday; it went well but she had to do 'a good deal of diplomatic work beforehand'. Miss Robinson is staying here, and Dora Arkle is staying with the Hearns; they have been sightseeing, and all go north together tomorrow. Glad Julian likes the book. Asks to be remembered to Mrs [Laetitia] Hutchison. A postscript on a separate sheet knows that they would be glad if Elizabeth could bring 'a girl to do the laundry work'; this would also allow Nannie [Evans?] a chance to get away for a while.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad Julian has a companion; supposes he is Dr Hutchison's son. Sends a letter from the Junior Bursar which may amuse Robert; likes getting these "War documents from Trinity [College, Cambridge]", which he supposes he gets as the Senior Fellow of the college. Cannot remember if he sent the letter which Sir Joseph Thomson [new Master of Trinity] wrote him, showing what a 'frank kindly man' Thomson is, and how much of a scholar; it was an 'excellent appointment'.
Baveno - Glad to hear that Elizabeth is well, and that she and Robert are enjoying her friend's visit [Laetitia Ede, see 46/91]. He and Caroline have had hot weather, 'bearable' in large hotels; they have also spent 'three afternoons with Aunt Margaret [Holland], driving, boating' and taking tea at their hotel or in 'her lovely garden'. She is 'amazingly good company', especially given how long she has been ill. He is getting over a short bout of rheumatism; Booa [Mary Prestwich] is 'enjoying herself hugely'; Caroline having a 'real rest and change'. Sure Robert and Elizabeth are 'taking the right course' about the [new] house. Hears that [Gilbert] Murray's "Hippolytus" was 'very badly put on the stage [by Granville Barker] and acted'; thinks Murray should not have given up his position [his professorship at Glasgow], unless his health really did necessitate this. Is reading [Macaulay's?] "Frederic the Great", which has 'all that Dryasdust, as well as Clio, can give'. Has also just finished the first book of [Cicero's] "Tusculan Deputations" and has learned from it 'not to fear death'; will learn 'not to mind pain' from the next and wishes he had read it before he got the rheumatism.
The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking :- The weather has deteriorated recently and it is 'alternatively rainy and sultry'. Saw George briefly in London yesterday; he seemed 'very well and cheerful', except that he and Janet are 'distressed' about the health of her uncle [William Thomas Arnold], which Robert's father has 'doubtless' heard of. George was 'beginning the last chapter of his history [England Under the Stuarts].
Bessie is well; her friend Miss [Laetitia] Ede is visiting for a few days, 'having just passed her final medical examination'. They have 'signed the agreement with the V[aughan] Williamses [for the lease of land on which to build a house]' but there are still delays, since both their and the Vaughan Williamses' architects think they should 'try to get a cheaper tender from other builders'; this is 'very tiresome', but at least it does not seem to be the Vaughan Williamses' fault this time, and Robert and Elizabeth will be sure they are getting their 'full money's worth'. Does not expect the delays will be longer than a few weeks, so the roof should still be on before Christmas and they should be able to move in next spring.
Saw Murray's translation of Hippolytus acted in London yesterday [at the Lyric Theatre, produced by Harley Granville-Barker], but thought it so poor a performance that he 'could not stay till the end. No one could act well, or even make themselves heard properly, though there was plenty of ranting, and the beautiful choruses were drowned out in an intolerably affected and ineffective manner'. The play is 'very fine... and well suited for the modern style, and the translation has many unusual merits': it is a 'great pity that these abortive efforts should be made, as it only makes the intelligent public more and more sceptical as to the possibility of acting poetical drama finely, and yet it is perfectly possible, if only they would go about it in the right way'. At least they should not use 'quite incompetent actors'. Yet some papers have said it was 'very successful'.
They both send love to Robert's father and mother; Bessie will write soon.