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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'.

Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Apologises for not writing more often. Is very sorry that her aunt has been so unwell; hopes the anxious time has now passed; can quite understand how her uncle might 'develop infinite degrees of fussiness' under the strain and thus be 'the direct opposite of [Alphonse] Grandmont' as he is in many other ways. Hopes Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] also recovers quickly. His aunt Annie [Anna Maria Philips] is a 'dear creature', but always complains he does not write to or visit her enough; he also likes her 'invalid friend [Sophie Wicksteed]... to whom she has devoted herself'. His letter [about the landslide which damaged the Hotel Cappuccini at Amalfi] appeared in the "[Manchester] Guardian" on 2 January; it has pleased the locals as it says the coast is quite safe; thinks he will 'take to journalism', which is much easier than writing verse plays'. However, he has got on well this afternoon; is 'making no end of the wife, who is no end of a heroine'; teases Bessie by saying she will not get the chance to be such a faithful wife, as he will keep a closer eye on her. Copies out 'an old fellow who wrote about you in the 17th century' [Richard Crashaw, "Wishes to his (Supposed) Mistress"].

Continues the letter next morning; has breakfasted and 'pumped [his] ideas on Latin poetry into bucket Straughn Davidson [James Leigh Strachan-Davidson?] for half an hour'. Finishes copying out the Crashaw poem; thinks it influenced Browning. Glad Bessie has heard some music. Is 'very fond of Rameau', and has 'often heard Dolmetsch play him'. They must find out where Gluck is being played and go there; he 'can't wait much longer without hearing the Iphigenia and the other great ones'; though she might think him a Wagnerian. Hopes she will hear Lamond again. Finishes the letter in early afternoon. It is cold and stormy, and he will go to 'a nook under the cliff' to work. Discusses the rumours that there are letters incriminating [Joseph] Chamberlain [in the Jameson Raid?]; the 'Parnell letters and the Henry forgeries [in the Dreyfus case]' are warnings to be careful about such things, though if genuine they should be published; if this leads to a 'basis for peace so much the better'. Hopes Bessie's housekeeping is not tiring her; he will not be 'exacting' when they are married, 'especially with Mrs Enticknap to do everything' for her