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[On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club; 'Trinity' added in pencil]: - People are now beginning to go down: Cambridge is 'becoming much quieter', and he is 'rather glad to be able to stay up until next Friday'. Will come home then, and go to Tunbridge Wells on the following day [to see his aunt Anna Maria Philips, and Sophie Wicksteed]. Asks when they are likely to go abroad: he supposes 'as soon as Georgie comes home'. There are no more lectures, but he will go to Lendrum [a coach] once more; thinks he will continue to see him next term, as he 'learn[s] a great deal from him'.

Several people are coming up from Harrow tomorrow 'to pass [their] matriculation', including Tommy [Macaulay] Booth and [J.W.?] Sandilands. Robert is going to pay all his bills this term, including his kitchen bill; will then be able to 'see more or less what the term has cost'. Thinks Charlie is well, though has 'not seen him much for a day or two'. He himself has had a cold, but it is 'almost gone now'.

Hopes 'all is going well in politics', but they [the Liberals] 'can afford to have a few reverses after London'. The Magpie and Stump debating society dinner 'was a great success after the election [of the new President]': Verrall and Ja[c]kson were there, and it 'was not too rowdy'. Lord Herschell's meeting was also a success, though Robert was 'a little disappointed in his speech'. Hopes his parents are well.

Trin[ity College], Cam[bridge - on college notepaper]: - The London elections have 'gone off very well' for them [the Liberals], which is encouraging for the general election. They have 'had an Oxford Liberal here', who was telling them about 'the work done by the undergraduates in the villages near Oxford' and wants them to 'Liberalize Cambridgeshire too'; Robert however has 'too much else to think of for the present'.

There was a 'great election in the Trin[ity] debating society': the 'wrong side won', but it 'was great fun, though the Athenæum people bullied their op[p]onents rather too much'. Is going to hear Joachim [the violinist] that evening. Charlie is well as far as Robert can tell. Is going to see Sophie [Wicksteed] and Aunt Annie at the end of next week if he can, as soon as he goes down. They have had one Harrow [football] game and will have another as soon as they can. Not much news to tell her.

The Grove, Harrow. - Had a pleasant week at Wallington; spent the night with Aunt Annie [Philips] on Tuesday, and saw Miss Martin before he came back. Found Sophie [Wicksteed?] 'much more cheerful and talkative' than expected. Gives results of a battle between his and Robert's toy soldiers. Lady Frederick Cavendish will be at Wallington by now. Few people have left school this term, though of those several are from Grove House. Clive has failed his Sandhurst exam and returned: a 'pleasant surprise'. The 'finds' [room sharing] have been arranged 'very satisfactorily': he, Tregoning and Farquhar are in Tregoning's room - the library -in the morning, and he and Farquhar in his own room for tea. Has to read prayers now. Complains [in capital letters] about the changes initiated because of Welldon's 'terrible funk of the influenza' until the weather improved: no 'first school', only one half holiday a week, and they all have to wear sweaters to go 'down to footer in'; hopes they 'all get the influenza and die of it to pay Welldon out'. Pencil annotation at top of letter, perhaps by Robert Trevelyan, says that 'Spider and Spot' are alright; took Spider back to Mrs Webster; Webster is recovering slowly after a relapse.

Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very glad to hear' he has a 'new cousin' [Morgan Philips Price?], and wonders what he is like. Has 'got the money from Booth': twelve shillings and fourpence; has recorded it and his ticket in his account. Sends love to all. Hopes 'Georgie's leg is getting better', and that Sophie [Wicksteed?] is also better. Is 'getting on very well'. This morning it rained so they could not go to church. Wilson mi[nor] has 'got the Chicken Pox'; Robert has had it before and does 'not think one can have it twice'. Asks if his mother can send him 'a few crest and autographs, not the whole letter but only the signiture [sic] (anybody will do)' for 'a boy who is collecting'. 'Stamps' is written below Robert's signature.

Trinity Cambridge: - Has received her letters about the concerts, and does not know which is best to go; perhaps it would be best for him to come next Saturday. Asks her to tell him what train he should come up by. Election time 'will be very exciting in London'; asks if his father is going to speak there again. Hears Boz [? - possibly Reginald Bosworth Smith] is 'better, and is going away soon'.

Is going to Oxford, he thinks on the 27th, for the Greek play, [Aristophanes'] Frogs. Hubert Weston is going to get tickets and rooms. Robert and Charlie are going to dinner on Thursday with the [Henry?] Sidgwicks. He can 'cycle now to a certain extent, if the roads are not too muddy or hilly'. Charlie has also been learning. Supposes Georgie is 'going in for the scholarships this term'. Napier, 'whose watch chain [Robert] lost' is staying here for a few days, 'after passing first out of Sandhurst'. Robert thinks he is 'doing better in [his] work now'. Hopes everyone at Tunbridge [Anna Maria Philips and Sophie Wicksteed?] are well.

1, Wellington Place, Tunbridge Wells:- Thanks his mother for her letter, which arrived yesterday. Is staying the night at Tunbridge Wells; his hosts [his aunt Anna Maria Philips and Sophie Wicksteed] are 'both in good spirits, and Sophie certainly not ill'. Is going for a few days next week to Failand near Bristol, the 'country house of Roger [Fry]'s family'. Will then go on to Welcombe, he thinks taking the places of the Webbs [Sidney and Beatrice, friends of his brother Charles?], 'for we have to wait our turn like aspirants for office'. Will be glad to get away from London, where he has been leading 'a miserable bus-riding rattle-of-bus-fretted existence since September'.

Thinks it will become a 'downright cruel winter' soon, as it is quickly getting colder 'after a long merciful delay'; if it does, London will be 'uninhabitable for a season, at least to work in', and he does not expect he will return. Will not come to his parents in Rome, as it 'would be absurd' not to see the sights which she 'describe[s] so temptingly' on his first visit, and this would 'not fall in with' his intention to work. Believes [Edward] Marsh is in Rome, or 'will be soon', since Robert 'just missed him in London'.

Will send the Pageant [magazine recently published by Ricketts and Shannon, see 46/38] if she likes, 'though there is much bad in it'. For him, its 'chief value' is that it has 'several old [D. G.] Rossettis and Mi[l]ais', as well as Rickett's Oedipus. Shannon's drawings have 'both been badly reproduced, and are by no means his best work'; in fact several contributors, such as Swinburne, Bridges, and Robert's friend [T.S.] Moore 'have not done themselves justice'. Does not know if his mother has 'ever tasted of Maeterlinck's strange vintage before'; he himself 'neither scoff[s] nor adore[s]' but the play in the Pageant is 'fairly typical' of him; thinks his poem, as well as Verlaine's, good. The Pageant should 'amuse [her] as decadent in an extreme though not particularly offensive form'.

The 'American affair is deplorable': fears it 'may lead to real trouble', though the general view in England, both among individuals and newspapers is that 'Jonathan will begin to see in a few days that he is making an exhibition of himself ['Uncle' is written before 'Jonathan' then crossed out: perhaps Robert Trevelyan confused 'Brother Jonathan', a representative figure of New England sometimes used to stand for the entire United States, with Uncle Sam - or was about to use the latter term then changed his mind]'. Glad she finds Italian politics interesting; he 'used to read the political articles in the Sera and Tribuna' to 'pick up a little of what was going on'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be a great pleasure to Annie [Philips] and Sophie [Wicksteed] to have Elizabeth on a visit today. Sir George has had a 'quite beautiful' letter from Robert; they are both very glad to be able to help him and Elizabeth and want to see them 'settled in a nice house'; it is best not to hurry, but she hopes Leith Hill will 'come off'. George and Janet have found a house 'with a garden and a mulberry tree' in Chelsea. Has been raining here since Tuesday afternoon, and it is the school treat tomorrow. Sends love to Annie and Sophie, and asks Elizabeth to tell Annie that Hague [her old housekeeper] left his morning 'under Nixon's care'. Hopes Robin [William Robert Price?] gets away before the weather changes in the south; Robert must feel he is 'living under a waterfall at the Lakes'.

On headed notepaper for Welcombe, Stratford on Avon:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Grandpapa is 'still quite well', though 'he does not get up to breakfast and is sometimes a little tired at night'; he goes out in his chair and 'gets about the house very well'. Robert is going to start whist tomorrow, and Sophie is 'going to take [him] in hand'. He is well, doing dumb-bells and the other things he had to remember. Will go to church at 'the small chapel' at three this afternoon. Sophie and Aunt Annie are well. Does not know what he will do if he does 'not get the collars soon', as he only has 'two stick-ups here'; supposes he will 'have to wear the turn-downs'. Hopes Charlie gets one of the prizes, or 'it will be very disappointing for him, after so much hard work'.

Robert is taking his medicine. Grandpapa 'sometimes talks toryism, but not very much'. The Morton Philipses left yesterday; Grandpapa gave Kate Morton Philips a ring 'which delighted her very much'.

On headed notepaper for Welcombe, Stratford on Avon:- Mrs Kite has come; she is well and sends 'kind regards' to Caroline Trevelyan. Aunt Annie 'has given her 1 mile of cotton. He has had some bedroom slippers from Aunt Annie; a book called Half-Hours with the Stars [by Richard Proctor] from Sophie; a "Status Quo" chessboard [for travel] from his grandfather, which is just what he wanted; a book called Homes Without Hands [by J. G, Wood]; a book called Sheer Pluck [by G. A. Henty] from Charlie; and 'sundry other presents'. The weather is very foggy. Sends love to all. Adds a postscript to say they 'have had nothing but carol singers today', and that he went for a ride with Uncle Willie yesterday and they lost their way.

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Has had a very quiet and solitary New Year's Eve, which is usually the time for 'family reunions and games'; knows the idea of the old year ending is artificial, but she cannot help feeling it. Last year she was at Taormina, after spending 'a very cold and unpoetical Christmas' at Messina; she and Grandmont had bad colds; had no idea what the year would bring; quotes Browning on love as 'a passionate drawing closer'. has had a busy day; the doctor has been and told her aunt to stay in bed for a few more days so she has household and nursing responsibilities, though Marie [Johanna Maria Hubrecht] and her two sons have left to stay with her mother at Scheveningen. Willy van Riemsdijk has decided to go to Transvaal after all [see 9/32], a 'silly & rash decision'. If her aunt is well, may go to Amsterdam on Wednesday to play for [Bram] Eldering; worries about how little time she has. Expects Mrs Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] has written to Bob as well; asks if she writes 'in the same enthusiastic strain to her dear Calverley' as she did to Bessie and Bramine [Hubrecht] about him; the letter she sent to Bramine was also complimentary about Bessie.

Returns to the letter on the following morning; Ambro [Hubrecht] arrived unexpectedly the night before; his visit cheered her aunt, and he told them that Willy van Riemsdijk was not now going to South Africa. Has several pictures of the landslide in Amalfi in the paper; other houses as well as part of the Capuccini Hotel seemed to have been buried. Had a letter from Bob's mother this morning asking her to send her photos to Bob's aunt [Anna Maria] Philips and her friend [Miss Wicksteed]. On the next day, scolds Bob because she still has not received a letter from him. Her aunt is much the same.

On headed notepaper for Welcombe, Stratford on Avon:- Arrived safely yesterday after a 'very nice journey', by himself for most of the way. Saw a Harrow boy whom he knew a little at Paddington, who 'had come up for a funeral'. Robert found his grandfather [Philips] 'much better than [he] had expected', and he is also well today; he 'goes out twice a day in his chair'. He, Aunt Annie, and Sophie [Wicksteed] do not 'seem at all low, though of course he is not at all well yet'.

Likes Morton Philips and his wife very much; went out for a drive with them and Aunt Annie this afternoon, and walked back home from Snitterfield with Morton Philips. Aunt Annie said he had better not write yesterday, as he meant to, since she herself was writing. The 'country is very nice and the weather very fine'. Hopes she and his father are well.

Got here all right on Monday, with 'no squash in the station stall'; they had the carriage to themselves all the way. They 'went to the "Cat and the Fiddle" yesterday'. They drove by the new road; he and Aunt A[nnie Philips] walked home by the old one, but the others, 'S[ophie], Gran.[papa Philips?], and G[eorgie?] drove home by an entirely different road'. They are going to Chatsworth today. G[eorgie?] seems all right, and Gran.[papa?] and Sophy are 'quite well'. Hopes his mother and the others are 'all getting on very well at Castle Howard'; sends his love to his father and to Charlie. The weather is fine today; has read 'several chapters of Bucland [perhaps a book by Frank Buckland?]' and finds it 'very interesting'.

The last page has a note to Caroline Trevelyan from her sister Anna M. Philips, dated 'August 5th'. She says the boys are being 'very good'; thinks they are 'greatly enjoying themselves'. They are just going to Chatsworth with her father; hopes it will 'not tire him very much'. Sophie is not going. The weather has 'turned very cold': it was 'only 46°[F] yesterday'. Hopes that the Trevelyans are having a 'very pleasant visit'.

On headed illustrated notepaper for Lansdown Crescent, Blackpool:- They have had 'very reindey [rainy?] weather', with six large trees being blown down. There is a 'nice little kitten' there, which he and Sophie [Wicksteed?] have named Vic. They are 'very happy', and have 'such nice things to play with'. He and Georgie send their love.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Hears his mother is 'still getting better'. It will be very nice for them to go to Hastings; they have their 'whole lives to go abroad in'. It will suit him in some ways, as he will have to work hard in the holidays after his 'failure in the exams'.

Is not 'going in for many of the sports', nor allowing Georgie to do so; Georgie, however, 'ran very well in his "small hundred yards" race, which could do him no harm'. No real news here. Charlie will be 'walking to London tonight', if Robert has remembered the day correctly. Hopes his mother will be able to accompany them to Hastings. They 'have at last got over' all their photographs: the final group was taken yesterday. Will not get one this term.

Sees Sophie [Wicksteed] is no better. Sends love to his father and Boa [Mary Prestwich].

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother and Booa [Mary Prestwich] for their letters. Heard from his father on Saturday that she was better; hopes 'all is still going well'; must be 'a great trouble' for her not to be able to do anything for 'so long'.

Georgie 'came out second yesterday, which was very satisfactory'. His own exams have begun already, and some of the 'important papers' are over. Has had a letter from Aunt Annie [Philips], and will write to Sophie [Wicksteed] this week, who 'seems at all events not to be any worse'.

Went to tea with 'Boy' [E. E. Bowen?] yesterday, and met Miss [Mary?] Bryce there, who 'was very glad to have a liberal to talk to'; she is 'rather distressed about the split in the women's confederation'. Robert will not do much running, nor will he 'let Georgie do himself any harm'; they had a paper chase on Saturday, but there will not be any more.

Is going to write to Charlie; does not know if he is still at Cambridge; hears he 'has been speaking a great deal lately'. Will write again before next Sunday. Adds a postscript thanking her for the hamper, and telling her not to 'let Boa bother herself about making too much parkin'. Will be 'very glad' to see them all again in the 'hols'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Has had a cold, which is almost better now; also hurt his shoulder in the match on Saturday, but that is getting better too, since it is 'only a bruise'. Georgie says he has recovered from his own cold as well, and will play in the 'torpids' tomorrow; he is not as good as Robert thought he would be, but that 'does not much matter'. He himself played in a 'very good match on Saturday', which they won, 'though the others were very strong'. Robert did better than he expected, which he is 'very glad' of, since it is his last match.

Is 'getting on all right' in his work. Hopes G[eorgie] will come first or second [in his form] next fortnight. 'Things do not seem as bad in politics as they were'. Little has happened here since he saw her. Is not yet sure whether he can come next Saturday: the Saturday after next he 'certainly could'. Asks how long the performances go on, as he is meant to be back by half past five, which means the five o' clock train; expects, however, that it would not matter if he were late. Thinks the next whole holiday is 'next Thurday week', but is unsure. Hopes his father is well, and that Sophie is 'not worse'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks her for her letter; 'quite agree[s]... about Georgie's remove', and does not see why he was passed over since he was 'left top last term'. Does not think it will do Georgie 'much harm, as this is a short term, and he will not lose any places eventually, if he comes out top'.

Is 'very glad about Hartlepool' [a Liberal by-election gain], and hopes 'things will go well in the house'. They have 'had some skating' here, but Robert did 'not care for it very much'; they have 'begun footer now, and there will be three matches'. Robert has got the new flannels, and thinks they are good enough, but 'fear[s] they will be another long bill'. He gave Jane 1.10 to buy 'umbrellas and braces and a few other things, as it will come to the same thing', so he will need money sooner than he thought, but not yet. Mrs Dimgate [?] has arranged his 'room during the holidays very satisfactorily.

Has 'very little news', since not much is going on. Asks whether Sophie is 'better, or out of bed yet?'. Had a 'very pleasant time with Miss Martin', and went to the National Gallery; there are 'two new pictures'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter; was 'very sorry to hear about Sophie [Wicksteed?]. The news 'really sounds rather bad'. Hopes Charlie has 'recovered from his Classical accident'; wonders what he hit his head on.

Read in Chapel yesterday and went to supper with Welldon afterwards; met [C. S.?] Roundell there, who 'is awfully dull'. They had a 'good match on Saturday', and will play again next Saturday; got on better in the last, though had his 'nose hit hard by the ball'. Georgie came out fourth yesterday, which was not as high as Robert expected. Seems that things are going 'well enough' in politics: the 'division on the electoral question seems to have been a good one'.

Is well; G[eorgie] has had a 'slight cold' but seems better now; [F.C.?] Searle is 'in a great state of excitement at the recovery of his voice'.

[on mourning notepaper]:- Is very sorry to be late writing to her: has been 'in great difficulties for want of time lately', and has even had to ask to be 'let off some work'. There are rehearsals for acting, both in Greek and English, every day, as well as 'a great deal of extra mathematics for the certificate'; Mr Moss has also been 'doubling his demands' on Robert 'just at this most difficult time'. Robert could not do everything, so had to 'forgo the [Greek?] prose' and finally ask Mr Welldon to let him off some work; Welldon promised to do so, but has not yet. Was 'very sorry to complain, but there is a point beyond which one cannot go'; no other monitor who acts also has extra work for Moss, and still say they 'cannot find time for the acting'.

Has not had time for the last month to go to 'ducker' [the outdoor swimming pool], or practice at cricket, though that 'does not matter much'. His house were 'beaten by Bozzie's' [Bosworth Smith's?] in a close, exciting match. Very good that Georgie 'got the Prose' [the Latin Prose prize?]; Robert 'thought he probably would'. Georgie wants to know if he should get 'a whole edition of Macaulay', or if not 'they have a Ferdinand and Isabella [by W. H. Prescott?]'.

Has written to Sophie [Wicksteed]; Aunt Annie [Philips] says she is better now; asks if they will come to Wallington. Thinks he will need another tailcoat for speech day, as his 'best is rather shabby', but will do as his mother thinks best. Thanks her for the 'white waistcoats and the eatables'; and asks her to thank Booa [Mary Prestwich] for the pasties. Read in Chapel the Sunday before last; still finds it 'a severe ordeal to go through'.

Hears Charlie 'has done very well in Mays', though is not sure what that is. The school is 'doing better at cricket now'. Has not had time recently to continue his reading of Arrian, 'or indeed to read anything extra', but will go on with it when he can. Is sorry he had to drop the prose, but 'it was absolutely impossible to do it, still less to do it well'. Is 'glad the Tories are catching it'; sees they 'had a majority of only 29 last night'. G[eorgie] is 'quite well'.

[on mourning notepaper]:- Is 'very sorry not to have written before', and does not have the 'excuse of trying for the cricket eleven'. As she knows, Georgie 'got his remove'; he is playing cricket in 'a new game... for those who would otherwise be unable to play', which Robert is glad. Cricket began 'quite early', last Tuesday; Robert cannot do anything this year, and probably will not play for his house as he did last year either. Is glad Sophie [Wicksteed] and Aunt Annie 'have been able to get away at last'; asks where they are going.

Mr Bowen's mother is not here now, though will visit him some time this term; Bowen is 'quite well now'. Robert is now getting on better with his Greek composition, and is 'reading a great deal'. Asks how his father is now; supposes they [the Liberal Party] 'will be badly beaten again on the 3rd reading'. Sees 'the Scotch Church did well'.

There 'were some Bronze things which did not come'; wonders if they were forgotten; perhaps Booa [Mary Prestwich] will know. Asks if his mother can give him and Georgie 'leave for a second pair of flannel trousers each', as they have to for a home order; everyone has two pairs, though Robert 'used not to before this year'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be 'delighted' to see Elizabeth and Robert on the 2nd if they think travel will be easiest then; advises her on the best train to catch. Glad she enjoyed the day at Tunbridge Wells; they [Annie Philips and Sophie Wicksteed] were pleased to se her. Separate sheet adding a postscript which asks whether Elizabeth could call on the Corrie Grants; thinks they must be nearby as they are staying at Leylands, Wotton. Corrie Grant has been very ill and they have gone there to recover; thinks Robert must know him, as he is a 'great Liberal'; has exhausted himself over the peace campaign [against the Second Boer War]. They are very quiet and 'badly off'; Mrs Grant is a friend of Caroline.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Elizabeth's visit to Tunbridge Wells 'seems to have given much pleasure to Annie [Philips] and Sophie [Wicksteed]. Very pleasant here, not too hot; Elizabeth must bring things for cold as well as warm weather when she comes, as it can change suddenly. Is 'longing' to hear 'how the little house looks'; asks whether Elizabeth's things have come from Holland; they have not received their furniture yet because of the strike at Rotterdam. Advises her on her journey to Northumberland. Asks if Robert likes his study and finds it inspiring. Miss Martin is at Wallington; will try and keep her till Elizabeth comes.

Lansdowne, Tunbridge Wells. - She and Sophie have not received the photographs [of Elizabeth?], and hope Robert will not forget his promise to give them one. Liked Elizabeth 'very much' and thought her 'charming'; Robert is 'most fortunate to have won the affection of such a lady' and trusts their marriage may be 'long, useful and happy'. Asks if he would like her to give anything 'better' than the silver candlesticks she has offered. The last few days have had 'some glorious sunshine', which makes her think spring is on its way. She and Sophie send their 'united love'.

Lansdowne, Tunbridge Wells. - Thanks Robert for his letter telling them of his engagement; could not reply sooner as she did not have his address in Italy until his mother sent it her. She and Sophie [Wicksteed] much hope to meet Miss van der Hoeven in the spring when she visits England; would be nice if he could bring her here to meet them. Expects he is enjoying 'lovely' weather in South Italy; the Dee is frozen at Chester and on Wednesday it was the coldest it has been at night at many places since 1895, so he is wise to be abroad. Asks where they think of living when they are married, and when the wedding will take place. Sophie sends 'best love & warmest congratulations'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad to hear Bessie's 'gloomy journey' [back to the Netherlands] was not too uncomfortable; Robert returned 'looking rather disconsolate' and she has not seen him since; fears he will be rather lonely, with the 'nine [Muses]' not making up to him for the 'one' being absent. Good that he has a poem in today's "Speaker". Very glad Bessie enjoyed her time in England; a shame about the weather, but the 'great thing' is to have found that they all like each other. Sir George was sorry when she left: a compliment as he is 'fussed by most people staying in the house'; he cold is now gone. Bessie had better not send the money for the bill until she gets Forsyth's account; encloses bills already paid. Spent yesterday with [her sister] Annie and Miss Wicksteed at Tunbridge Wells; is going for a walk at Kew Gardens today. Lady Reay called to see Bessie on Wednesday and was very sorry to miss her; she greatly admires Professor [Ambrosius] Hubrecht. Sorry to hear Bessie's aunt is slow to recover.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wishes Bessie and her uncle and aunt a very happy new year. Very pleased to receive Bessie's photographs; asks if she could send copies to her sister Miss [Anna Maria] Philips, who has always been very good to Robert and his brothers and takes great interest in them. This aunt lives at Tunbridge Wells in the winter with an invalid friend, Miss Wicksteed, who is also very fond of the boys and would like a photograph, and in the summer near Manchester. Caroline has another sister [Margaret Price], a widow living in Gloucestershire; Sir George has two sisters, Lady Knutsford and Mrs Dugdale. Not a large family of near relations; looks forward to introducing them to Bessie. Hopes to hear from Robert about the disaster at Amalfi [the landslip at the Cappuccini Hotel]. Will be in Welcombe from next week.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Will not be able to sign the deeds till Wednesday so thinks he should stay in England then cross that night, though his father thinks they could be signed in Holland. Has ordered the beds, which cost more than a pound each than was printed in the catalogue as the '[Second Boer] war has sent up iron and labour considerably'; discussion of pillows and mattresses; [Roger] Fry recommended a 'spring or woollen [sic] mattress underneath the French'. Sophie [Wicksteed]'s Carlyle and Meredith have come. Will go over to the Frys now to see if they are coming to Roundhurst with him tomorrow. Lily H. [Hodgkin?] and her sister have sent some brass candlesticks and a glass jar.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Bessie should not mind her feeling [that a recent musical occasion would not have felt the same with Bob there]; he would not want her to be at [an Apostle's] Society discussion, as she would be 'a little out of her element', and he will likewise never be musically minded' however many concerts he go to; though he will want to 'know and try to sympathise with' her musical friends as she will 'to a far greater extent and more easily' with his friends. She is ''"Apostolic" in... intellect and Nature', though she cannot become a brother, whereas he could never be thought of as an 'Embryo' in music, however much trouble she took with him. However, does enjoy music, such as the Isaye [sic: Ysaÿe] concert last Monday, who played Schubert and Beethoven, and the song recital by [Blanche] Marchesi on Tuesday; she sang some melancholy songs by [Adolf] Jensen, and part of César Franck's "Ruth". Has been reading Heine's songs with a translation, and likes them, but not as much as those by Goethe, which seem as great, and in the same sort of way' as those by Shakespeare and Sappho. Mrs [Helen] Fry is still not well; has lent her 'lots of novels, which she reads very fast'; she sends Bessie her love. Still thinks the Lakes will be best for their honeymoon; asks advice on the trousers he should get for the wedding day. Lists some books he owns; Sophie [Wicksteed] is giving them a complete Carlyle; Bessie should keep any book that has meaning for her. The Insleys told him the correct spelling of his address was 'Westcot', but supposes he should follow modern fashion. Has read some more of the new poems [Thomas Sturge] Moore lent to Binyon; one 'about the dead Don Juan' is very original. Has not done much work recently; hopes to get the first two acts finished before going abroad. Is going to stay with the Holman Hunts before going to Cornwall; Hunt's 'painting is now no good' but he is charming and 'full of reminiscences of Rossetti, Millais and the rest'. Asks if she knows of the Dutch poet Piet Paaltjens. Read a poem of Heine in which he compared his wife to 'Schlangen' [snakes] and himself to Laocoon; wishes Bessie 'would come swimming over the sea, like the snakes in Virgil'. Fears he cannot get her [magic] carpet at 'Cardinal and Harvards; it is too oriental even for them'.

The Mill House, Westcot, Dorking. - Hopes to decide today whether the second post reaches its destination at the same time as the first. Had a busy time in London, spending much time with Sanger before he left for Greece, as well as dining out, going to Fry's lecture, and to see "Richard II" with [Thomas Sturge?] Moore and Binyon. Returned on Wednesday and has done some work; saw Fry and they discussed Sanger's illness; he is 'desparately in love with someone who is behaving very cruelly to him [Dora Pease]' and he does not know what she feels for him. Will tell Bessie more when he sees her. Certainly good for him to go to Greece with Dickinson, Daniel, Wedd and Mayor. Saw them off at the station and 'felt desperately incline to go off with them'; they were so cheerful, even Sanger, and he has always dreamed of going to Greece, which they know so well; regrets that after his marriage he will not be able to go with them 'with who one can talk as freely as one chooses, as blasphemously, as obscenely, as wittily, as learnedly, as jovially as any of the old Greeks themselves did'. Feels he should have 'made hay more assiduously' during his bachelor days, instead of living 'mewed up' alone in the countryside. Knows Bessie will compensate him for all he is to lose; she must come to Greece before long or she will find him 'running off' without her. Praises "Richard II"; it was well acted, though he thought the Richard [Frank Benson?] "vulgar". Has written to his Aunt Meg [Price]; she seems happy to get them a 'cottage piano' which will later be exchanged; asks if Bessie wants the final choice of the instrument or whether she trusts his aunt's 'professional friend' to do this. Sophie is 'Miss Wickstead [sic: see 9/117]], not some young lady friend' he has not told her about.

'On the Road! Birmingham [written on 8, Grosvenor Crescent notepaper]. - Glad Elizabeth had a good time at Pen Moel; has met the 'rather astonishing lady [Agnes Macdonald: see 46/101]' and does not know what Meggy [Price] sees in her. Everything lovely at Welcombe and she was sorry to leave, but Sir George is 'longing to be at work again'. Now on her way to the Park [home of Annie Philips]; hopes to be at Wallington by Saturday evening. Glad that Elizabeth has seen the V[aughan] W[illiams]s and that 'all is going pleasantly'; hopes the roof [of the new house] will be on before she and Robert go abroad. Caroline and Sir George dined at the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club and thought it 'very much gone off'; the food and the meeting [?] were both bad. Thinks she will give it up next year; for the cost of the subscription she could have a kitchen maid. Writing at Birmingham station, having seen Sir George off North. He is 'enormously excited about the Russian business' [the Dogger Bank incident]; since he is 'so peaceful generally', his agitation makes her worried about 'what hot headed jingos will do'. If Elizabeth would like to stay at Tunbridge Wells for the Conference, the local secretary Miss Jones is Caroline's friend and would take her in or find her somewhere else to stay; Sophie [Wicksteed] seems very ill; does not think Aunt A[nnie] would like any visitors there in her absence.