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8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Found C[harles] and M[ary] settled at North Street, a 'bright little house' which they have made pretty, furnishing it 'economically' and suitably for a small space; their [wedding] presents looked nice, and they have an excellent book collection. Mary looks very contented, and 'Charlie's hair is curling as it has not done for a long time!'. One of the two small drawing-rooms has two pianos in; if they play them together their neighbours will think it noisy, but 'they are humble folk, & the children who swam in Westminster will come & listen in the street!'. George looks as if he needs a holiday; Caroline is glad the wedding is not far away, on 17 March. Janet looks very happy and says she is busy with her trousseau. Dorothy has returned and said to be 'much better for her journey'. Saw the H[enry] Y[ates] Thompsons yesterday; they start for Sicily tomorrow; Caroline will ask Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] to let them see her garden. Asks whether Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht] would let them call on her; thinks she would like Dolly. Harry is telling people that Caroline and Sir George like their new daughters-in-law, but will not say 'either of them come up to Elizabeth in character or walking!'. Glad he has the right impression, though of course they will all have a 'separate place' in their hearts; Mary is good, sensible, and suits Charles, but 'needs a little polishing'.

If there are things at La Croix which would be suitable for a bazaar at Stratford, asks if Elizabeth could buy her two pounds worth; she can send them by post if she likes. Going today to see if they can find out about Aunt Margaret [Holland]'s health; fears it is her 'old trouble, clots'. Meta [Smith?] has reached Egypt; is said to be better. Very glad life at La Croix suits Robert's work. Caroline has found a cabinet at Stratford which she thinks will suit their new house; asks whether the work on that has begun yet.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - It is 'quite extraordinary' how they hear nothing of the war here, though it is only twenty miles from the Tyne 'which is seething with work & excitement'. Booa is certainly better; she is enjoying doing Caroline's hair while Pantlin [her maid] is on holiday. Meta Smith is paying a visit this week, and Annie [Philips] also comes to stay on Friday. It is very cold, and last night they sat with their feet up on the fender; it is pleasant not to have lamps [due to the black out] but it makes the room colder at night. Has heard from Miss Clarke to say [Charles and Molly's children] are all happy at Criccieth; the baby [Florence] is here and they see her often. Thinks it must be bad weather at the Lakes. Hopes Elizabeth will have Lily soon to help with Julian. Thinks she must enjoy teaching him. Sir George is busy arranging books; the billiard room is full of them, and he is filling the new bookcase. Heard news of Bob at the Park; supposes he is now at the Lakes.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He is recovering from his illness. There has been great anxiety about Meta [Smith]'s eldest boy [Reginald], who has been 'fearfully ill at Eton with pneumonia'; Meta has been ill too, and now her husband, who has 'very delicate health' has had a dangerous attack of the same illness.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear that Robert and Elizabeth are having fine weather; it is awful here. Caroline had a 'sharp attack of influenza' but has been careful since. Aunt Margaret [Holland] spent a few days here which did her good after Aunt Alice [Dugdale]'s illness and death. Sir George Young also came for a Sunday, read some of his 'very powerful translations' of Victor Hugo, and told them much about Hugo himself; Sir George is a 'sad, very powerful personage... rather difficult with most people' but they are very old friends. Quite a large party today: Charles; Herbert Paul; Meta [Smith] and her daughter Margaret. They are charmed with [Stratford] and its associations, which form 'a contrast to the dirt and humbug' being printed about Shakespeare in the papers [that he was not the author of the plays]. Mrs Charles Flower said it should be 'seriously argued' as so many people thought 'there was something in it'; he replied that there could not be 'something', only 'everything or nothing'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Liked to think of Robert having seen 'dear Meta [Abel Smith]' at the home 'she so values'; thanks him for the news that Humphry is going to the Lake Hunt, and that Bessie's visit to the dentist will eventually benefit her. Sulla [eventual subject of a play by Robert] is 'indeed a great personage in the greatest of histories'. Has just finished the "Hellenica", after reading the "Anabasis"; considers it one of the 'great blessings' of his life that he kept Xenophon to read until he was a mature scholar. Has had a sharp and painful attack of illness, and is 'exceedingly weak'; hopes for Caroline's sake that he will manage to go to Washington, but 'age is really telling' on him at last. Notes in a postscript that he looked up Sulla in [Lemprière's ?] "Classical Dictionary", with 'sad interest' about his [lost] 'υπομνήματα' [memoirs].

Thanks his mother for her letter. Is not yet allowed to go out, but his 'cough is much better'. The boys in his class, 'in order beginning at the top', are Smith, Archie, Browning, Robert himself, Sellar and Lawrence. Has begun studying Caesar and likes it 'very much'; is 'getting on very well in Greek'. Has finished [reading] Winning his Spurs and almost The Young Franc Tireurs [both by G. A. Henty] so will 'soon want another book'. His bedroom at school is shared with the same boys as before: Sellar and Alexander. Alexander says he knows 'a family called the Hol[l]ands very well, with a Meta in them' [like Robert's cousin Meta]; Robert asks his mother to find out if it is the same family. He also asks her to tell Charlie that he will write to him soon, and to thank him for the stamps and letters, 'some of the stamps are rather rare'. Sends love to all. Adds a picture of a townhouse [his family's London home?] below his signature.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to get Elizabeth's long letters; she and Sir George are very interested about the house, and Elizabeth seems 'to have a good hold over all the plans and details'; hopes a satisfactory arrangement can be made. Much will depend on the length of lease [the Vaughan Williamses] are prepared to grant; thinks there would be more freedom and less complication if Elizabeth and Robert have it built themselves, but she and Sir George think Elizabeth is the best judge; Sir George will look over the final plans if she likes and say if he thinks them 'wise & safe'. Delightful that Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht] can come to visit Elizabeth. They have just heard from Uncle Harry [Viscount Knutsford] and are very sorry that Aunt M[argaret] is still so ill; asks for news about her; wants to know if Meta [Smith] has reached Norway; must be 'very depressing for them'. Hopes the weather is better tomorrow when Mr Milnes Gaskell and his daughter come. They 'walked across Shafto' yesterday; Sir George has had two days fishing and shoots a few rabbits in the garden every day; lots got in 'when they varnished the gate' and needed to be exterminated. Hope that G[? George?, or Grandmont?] will bring the violin and that Elizabeth will 'like it and get it'; is sure it will be a joy to her. Charlie spoke at a 'great liberal meeting at Welcombe on Saturday', which seems to have been a success. Asks for the names of any interesting books Aunt Margaret has been reading; wants to get a parcel from the library before guests come. Glad Robert is all right and hopes he will stay as long as it suits him [in the Lakes] now Elizabeth has company; lucky she did not come to Wallington or go to The Park [to stay with Annie Philips]. Says in a postscript that it is a good idea for Elizabeth to send her girl [maid] to the dressmaker as it would be useful if she could do some altering and mending.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to have 'so cheerful and hopeful an account of Julian' [from school]; sure Robert and Elizabeth will be most interested. They have much enjoyed a six day visit from Iris [Abel Smith] who has been working for three years as a nurse at the convalescent hospital set up by Meta [Abel Smith] at her house, Goldings; she is a charming good girl 'with her grandmother [Sir George's sister Margaret]'s height and beautiful, expressive eyes', and reminded him very much of Margaret 'as an unmarried pet of her uncle [Macaulay?], which was the way to [his own] heart'. Has instructed Drummond's to pay fifty pounds into Robert's account as usual. Some 'very hopeful and at all events resigned' news about Geoffrey [Winthrop Young] and [?] Sessions; does not know if the latter is a friend of Roberts.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looks forward to visiting on the 11th. Is going to the Park [Prestwich: to see her sister Annie?] on the 12th and does not like to leave Sir George for long so may only come to town on the 10th; if she comes the day before she will spend the night of the 10th in Surrey as well. Sir George cannot leave until the 13th because of the voting for Hexham. Would be sorry to miss Robert. Very sorry to hear about [Alphonse] Grandmont, though reassures her that 'surgery is so wonderful now' and there is less to fear. Her aunt's 'weakness' will also add to the 'family anxiety'. Glad that the doctor was able to treat Elizabeth herself; hopes she liked him. They were 'astonished beyond measure at Lionel [Holland]'s reappearance', not that he is standing as a Liberal as they 'knew he was not a real Conservative', but that he has returned, and wonders 'how he gets the money to stand'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert have heard anything about it; supposes they [the Knutsfords] knew nothing of Lionel's plans when they were at Pinewood. Very sad about Meta [Smith]'s child. They have 'cheerful news from Charles, & [the Liberals] are hopeful of winning seats in the north', though 'the reaction [against the Second Boer War?] is not yet in full swing'. Suggests in a postscript on a separate sheet that Elizabeth could travel back with her to London in the evening, stay the night at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escen]t and dine at her club; George will also be in town.

43, Cadogan Square, S.W. - Was 'so immensely interested' to hear of Bob's engagement to Miss van der Hoeven from her mother, though they have not met in 'perfect ages'. Would have written with congratulations earlier, but has been 'ill & in bed' for three weeks. Hopes he has the 'greatest of all earthly happiness' and is very glad about it; hopes he will visit when he returns to England, and she looks forward very much to meeting his fiancée.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - They have just had a 'long letter from Robert' [in the East] but have not yet read it through; expects Elizabeth will also hear from him. Julian becomes ever more talkative. Miss [Charlotte?] Moberly has been to visit. The hounds are coming this morning; does not know whether Julian will get out as it is raining, but he will be able to see them in the yard from the window. She and Sir George are 'greatly distressed' about the 'shocking row' in the House [of Commons, on Home Rule]. Charlie was here on Thursday night; he has gone today with Mary to Alnwick to speak in the place of E[dward] Grey, who cannot leave London. Their children are coming today to see the hounds, then 'sleep and dine' at Wallington. Nora [Trevelyan] came to lunch and to say goodbye as she is leaving; she looked very shaky. Meta [Smith]'s eldest son Reginald is engaged; he is 23 and does not come of age till he is 25, so Meta will not have to leave Goldings till then. Mary is quite well now.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his father for his letter. Apologises for being 'rather slow in writing this week'; 'will make a point of writing on Sunday' another time. His form are reading 'the 5th book of the Aeniad [sic] and the Seven against Thebes; later they will also read some Cicero, but he does not yet know what; they will go 'straight on in the Thucidides' [sic].

Does not know where he will be placed in his form this week, but he has 'worked [his] best'. Did not do very well at the beginning, 'through not knowing his [teacher's] ways', but has been 'getting on better lately. Has 'had some verses sent up' and is 'working hard at them'. Thinks Charlie is 'getting on very well in Hallam's form'.

The torpid matches will be soon; his house are 'very good this year and... even have a chance of being cock-house'. He and Charlie are both 'quite well now'. Hopes his mother is well. Is 'so glad to hear that Meta [his cousin] is better. The weather is 'very cold here and it has been freezing a great deal'. Last Sunday, some boys 'made a row in the grove, and chased the chickens', so Mr Bowen has closed the grove for now; Robert was not involved. This Saturday there will be a 'whole holiday'. Hopes Spider is well.

Pinewood, Godalming. -Very interested to hear Robert's news [of his engagement], and pleased he has 'such a happy prospect' before him; she and his uncle join in 'the most cordial & affectionate messages' to him and to their 'future niece', whom she greatly looks forward to meeting. It will be 'indeed be a delight to hear her play'; wants Robert to bring her to see them if she visits his father and mother before the marriage; they will be in London after Christmas, but are spending December with Meta in Hertfordshire. Is writing to tell Meta, who will 'sympathise' with Elizabeth about music, especially the violin; 'little Margaret' [Meta's daughter] is learning to play it 'most promisingly'. Good of Robert to let her know himself; thinks Miss van der Hoeven is 'a very fortunate girl in securing your affections'.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Is sure things will improve and she must not worry; as his mother says, 'it is really rather... a storm in a teacup'; it is nothing to compare to the happiness that will soon be theirs. Though he often fails 'through weakness and idleness', his life 'has been passionately devoted... to the best and most beautiful things which [his] imagination can attain to' and hers will be as well; lists all that will be good in their lives. Will write again to the consul [Henry Turing] if he does not hear from him today, since they need to know whether he can come on the 7th [June]; has also not heard from Sir Henry Howard, through whom he sent the letter; will send the second letter direct to Turing. There has been some delay at the lawyers about the settlements; has written to tell them to speed up. Bessie should tell him if he need do anything else regarding the marriage conditions her uncle sent. Thinks he may come over on 12 or 13 June. Meta Smith, his aunt Margaret's daughter, has sent a silver inkstand, and Mrs Holman Hunt a piece of Japanese silk. Had a good time at Cambridge: saw Mrs McTaggart, a 'nice quiet sort of person'; Tom Moore read his play and thinks it should come out well though he has pointed out 'some serious faults and suggested alterations'; Moore is going to give him a lot of his woodcuts, and has begun an Epithalamium for them, though since he has not got on with it says they should defer the wedding for a month. Asks what he should do about the Apostles' dinner; it will be 'quite exceptional this year', Harcourt is president and everyone will come; would very much like to go but will not break their honeymoon if she does not wish it. Very keen to go to the lakes eventually, but they could spend a few days before the dinner at Blackdown among his 'old haunts'; Mrs Enticknap's aunt lives in a farmhouse a mile from Roundhurst, which would be perfect. Hopes [Alice and Herbert] Jones' visit has been a success. [Desmond] MacCarthy is coming tomorrow for a few days and [Oswald?] Sickert on Sunday for the day. Will see [the Frys] this evening and discuss colours for the walls. Thinks [Charles] Sanger is very happy; is not entirely sure [about the marriage], since 'Dora has behaved so strangely', but everything seems to be coming right. Has ben reading Emerson on poetry and imagination and thinks it 'amazingly fine and right'. Most people think "Pères et enfants [Fathers and Sons]" is Turgenev's best book; he himself does not like the ending but finds the book charming; has heard the French translation, the only one he has read, is better than the German or English one - Sickert says so and he is half-German. Has ordered the trousers, and found the catalogue so will order the beds and so on next week. Glad Bessie got on with her socialist sister [Theodora]. has just had a note from Sir Henry Howard saying 7 June will suit Turing; she should let her uncle know. Does not think there will be further delay with the legal papers.