Showing 17 results

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Hopes his parents had a good time at Welcombe. He and Bessie were 'very glad' to see his mother in London: they had a 'pleasant evening with her, and at George's the next day'. They are going to London again tomorrow, and Robert will 'arrange about the publishing of [his] new play [The Birth of Parsival]'; in the afternoon, they will see Marlowe's Faustus, performed by the Elizabethan Stage Society. Bessie is well, and they are enjoying the weather and countryside, 'which is very beautiful this autumn'.

The situation with Russia [the Dogger Bank incident] 'seems very bad, especially this morning'; however, he thinks the two governments [Russian and British] will find a way to 'settle the matter, especially as the French government seems very anxious for peace'. Thanks his father for returning Dmitri Roudine, and is glad he found it interesting; perhaps it is 'not a perfect novel', but Robert thinks he likes it 'almost as much as any of Turgeneff's'.

They went last week to stay for two nights with Aunt Meg [Price] at Pen Moel, and had a 'very pleasant visit'; Robin was there 'and seemed much improved, though still very shy'. A 'young Trinity man' is there as his tutor, whom they liked. Also staying was 'Lady Macdonald, the wife of the Canadian "Dizzy" [Sir John Macdonald]'; she was 'rather amusing for a little, but not for long, as she is really very vulgar, though quite a kind good-natured person'. Reminded him of 'characters in Dizzy's novels. Perhaps she modelled upon them'.

Bertie Russell has been staying for two days and was 'very cheerful, as he is getting on now quite well with his work which is to revolutionize mathematics'; he 'got stuck' for almost a year and 'could not get on at all, which together with the Fiscal controversy depressed his spirits very much'. Sends love from both himself and Bessie to both his parents; Bessie thanks his mother for her letter.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad that Elizabeth has got home safely and that Julian is happy. Encloses a cheque from Sir George to settle their account [for the stay at Eastbourne]. Annie [Philips] and Robin [Price] have been here this afternoon; they came to the crematorium at Golders Green [for the cremation of her sister Margaret Price] and have just left for Pen Moel. Annie says it is 'dreadful to have 2 days!' and has promised not to go to Tibberton for the funeral tomorrow. Good of Charles and George to go this morning, as well as Morton [Philips], two of the Gregs, Annie Thompson and Betty Bostock [?]. Sir George is well, and she feels better; they had a 'quiet walk in Kensington Gardens' yesterday and today, and she has started taking a tonic. Looks forward to seeing Elizabeth on Friday.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - News of Julian, who is well and does not seem to be too much disturbed by teething. He is always very excited when he sees Hearn [the butler] and 'insists on his lifting him up to look at the pictures'. Took him for a drive to the village yesterday, and now he has gone for his 'last poney [sic] cart drive'. Elizabeth's dinner on Monday will be very amusing; hopes she will not get tired out with her busy fortnight. Annie [Philips] is coming from Monday till Thursday; expects she will be in an 'over-energetic mood'; she must have helped the two young men [her Price nephews] very much as they have been making inventories. Has had no more letters from George, but C[harles] says he is quieter [after the death of his son Theodore]. Sends love and a "Times Literary Supplement" for Bob.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Good weather yesterday, and Julian had two drives out: he went up early to the Lead Mill with Sir George, who 'walked home shooting and got a hare' which has been sent to Elizabeth; Caroline and Booa [Mary Prestwich] then took him out to Donkin Rigg Farm in the Victoria. This morning it is wet, and he is 'playing about with the engine', with Hearn [the butler] keeping an eye on him. Hopes he will have a good journey tomorrow. Asks Elizabeth where she got the 'ink pills'; would like to give Robin [Price?] some for his journey. Has left a Liberty toy swan on wheels in the dining room at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent], which Elizabeth should take and give to Julian when he wants something new. Hopes he is '"set up" for the winter (as Annie [Philips] would say)'; sad that the nice time with Elizabeth and the boy has ended.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has found the photograph of Julian which she likes, and put it into a frame so she does not lose it again. Asks if Elizabeth knows Lady Bell's reading book ["Pauline's First Reading Book"?]; will send it if not. Asks if she likes teaching; she herself liked reading to the children, but 'never managed to teach them anything'. They hope to get through [to Welcombe] on Wednesday. Hopes Mrs A[bercrombie] is better, and that Elizabeth's nannie returns in better health. Janet and the children are coming on the 9th; there is news of G[eorge], and a 'very interesting letter from Rome'. Annie [Philips] is expecting Robin [Price] for a short stay at Pen Moel; supposes he will go abroad soon. Sends best wishes to Mrs V[aughan] Williams and Margaret, and love to Robert; his 'little "pome" looks nice in print'.

[on headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, S.W.] Arrived here 'all right with Charlie last Wednesday'. Is getting on 'very well', and is in Bosworth-Smith's form. Campbel[l] is in Hutton's form, but Giffard is in B[owen?]'s. Giffard 'is 4th scholar, because Butler resigned his'. Robert's room is on the top story, and 'has been shut up for about 3 terms'; it is large enough, 'very comfortable', and 'looks toward the road at the bottom of the hill'. Got his coat on Friday or Saturday, but has not yet got the watch. His clock 'goes very well'. Bought a straw hat on Thursday, which was a 'whole holiday' for him, as he did not have an exam or holiday task. Is very glad to hear that Aunt Meggie [Price] 'has another little boy'.

Does 'not feel at all sleepy before 10'. The 'work is not very hard': they are studying the 2nd book of the 'Aeniad' [Aeneid], which he has done before, the 5th book of the 'Odesey [sic]' and the 10th book of Paradise Lost. Is in 'Row [?]'s house in French', and has forgotten his mathematics master's name. Played cricket yesterday in the 2nd eleven. Sees C[harlie] 'pretty often'. Saunders [sic: R. A. Sanders], the head of the school, is also head of their house.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is well; she took him out for a drive and a run yesterday afternoon; he made everyone look for a picture he had lost this morning. She and Sir George are going to Newcastle today; she will send a letter to Robert there. Has had a letter from Robin [Price], who went to China to avoid the typhoons; this was fortunate as there was 'quite a terrible' one in Formosa [Taiwan]. Hopes Elizabeth's preparations for leaving are going well; tells her not to cross [to the Netherlands] in a thick fog.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Lord Wolseley and his daughter [Frances], 'one of the C. Booth girls [Imogen]', Henry James and 'the L Courteneys [sic: Leonard Courtney and his wife?] have been staying at Welcombe; the weather is glorious. Expects the next month will be trying for Bessie; hard to leave 'such a kind home'; everyone will try to make it up to her. The Trevelyans are 'not very demonstrative' but already feel that Bessie is one of them. Charles and George have spent some time at Welcombe, but left yesterday; Sir George goes to London on Tuesday; she herself is staying till the 26th as her sister Mrs Price and her boys are coming to see some of the Shakespearean plays. Charles and George both hope to come to the wedding. Robert will be in London before long to settle some 'law business'. Thinks Bessie will be able to get Robert 'gradually into more regular habits', and he will see that 'batchelor [sic] habits cannot be continued'. Wise to choose the long sofa; will tell Mrs Enticknap when the things are to be expected. Has had a 'nursing meeting' and bazaar opening this week. Sir George is writing to Bessie's uncle. Asks whether it will be hot in the Hague in June.

Marine Hotel, Criccieth. - Was 'very grieved' to hear from Bessie yesterday of Aunt Meg's death: had 'felt it was likely, but did not know it was so near'. Is 'very sorry for Phil and Robin'; wrote yesterday to Phil. She was 'always very kind and affectionate' to Robert, and 'very kind to Bessie from the first'; will 'always think of her most affectionately'.

Hopes his mother's stay at Eastbourne [with Bessie] has made her 'really better, and that this trouble won't undo any of the good'. Bessie reports that Julian is well, and that nurse [Catt?] 'seems on the whole better'; she will have gone home yesterday. Encloses George's article, which is 'very well done'.

Is staying here until next Wednesday; will then go to Malvern for a week or two with [Will] A[rnold] Forster. Robert's friend here, [Gordon] Bottomley, is 'rather better, but it is a bad case [of TB]'. Sends love to his father.

Guest House, Trivandrum, Travancore. - Thinks his mother had now better send letters to him c/o Thomas Cooks at Shanghai, perhaps putting 'via Siberian Railway', which he believes is the quickest way; Robin [Price] used to have his letters to Formosa [Taiwan] addressed that way. They leave here tomorrow by canal boat for Quilon, take the train to Tuticorin then cross to Colombo, which they will reach on the morning of 5 February. They have had an interesting time here, but 'rather a full and tiring one'. The countryside is the most beautiful they have seen in India. On Friday they went by car thirty miles into the jungle, and yesterday they went to Cape Comorin, returning this morning; this is a 'fine place', a few miles south of the mountains, where the population are mostly Christian, converted by St Francis Xavier. There is a 'sort of matriarchate' here at Trivandrum, as the Navi [Nai] caste and most other except the Brahmins 'inherit through the women, who are far freer than in other parts of India, and better educated'. They called on the Maharajah [Moolam Thirunal], who was 'amiable, but rather dull'; the Dewan or chief minister [Sir Perungavur Rajagopalachari] is a 'clever and amusing man'. The country seems 'more prosperous' than other parts of India he has seen; life is 'very easy' and there are no famines; most people have some land where they grow plantains and a few coconut trees. Had meant to write to his father this time, but they have been 'so rushed about' he has not had time; hopes he will be able to in Ceylon. Is very well; Dickinson is too, though he gets tired very easily. Sees the [British] Government has 'got into trouble over the suffrage bill'; hopes this is the Speaker's fault rather than the Government's, but supposes there will be 'a lot of trouble anyhow'. Bessie and Julian seem very well; supposes Julian will be back at the Shiffolds by now; thanks his parents for having him for so long. Hopes to be back early in May; probably will not try to go to Japan. His mother said he would have had 'enough of travelling' in six or seven months, and he agrees he probably will. Has had a 'very good time in India', but it is tiring, and railway travel is 'horrible as a rule'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Is returning her shawl, which he took 'out of the basket', and forgot to put back. Georgie 'probably cannot come up till the ten train', so does not think it 'worth while to go to breakfast'; they will write again if they find it possible. Robert will be in the Harrow stand at eleven, or any time his father means to come; does not know yet where it is, but will tell him before Friday.

Asks if she thinks his father would mind a friend coming to breakfast on Saturday, as Robert proposed; does not know if Stow could come, as he 'lives a long way off', so if not would ask Phelps, who lives nearer. Robert would 'love to go off early with him [Phelps] to Lords, as he is playing, so he would not stay long'. However, his parents must 'not mind saying' if they 'prefer being alone'. Will 'not want the birds or the butterflies': Phil [Price] and the baby will like them.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Does not like to think of Elizabeth being alone, but Robert says he will be away 'a short time' so hopes this is true. Thinks Elizabeth could certainly 'offer' herself to the Wards, but has not yet established whether they are settled at Stocks. Sir George likes the letter Robert has written to him on classics very much; he thinks him 'such a good critic' and wishes he would write 'prose on Classics - old & new'. Sir Walter Phillimore and his son [Walter or Stephen] are here; wishes Elizabeth were too; hopes Robert is enjoying the Lakes but does not like to think of him leaving her behind. Meg [Margaret Price] has been anxious about Robin, who has been very ill at Harrow with pneumonia but is now recovering; she will probably need to give up her trip to Norway. The hay is to be cut tomorrow; the 'school treat' is on Friday. Asks if Elizabeth has any amusing books; she herself is reading George Eliot's "Daniel Deronda" but finding it 'very long and dull'.

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'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Julian has now had the whooping-cough for a while, though 'not very severely' so far; he is 'fairly cheerful, and is very busy making architectural plans, and also town-planning, and writing a Baedeker of his imaginary town [Hurtenham - perhaps a reference to TREJ/59/4]'. Robert is reading Romeo and Juliet with him, which he 'enjoys very much'. Bessie is well, though sometimes Julian's coughing keeps her awake.

Robert is going to Edinburgh next Thursday for a few days to 'see Professor [Donald] Tovey, and hear his performance of part of our opera [The Bride of Dionysus] at an orchestral concert'. Is reading Melville's Moby Dick, 'a queer, rather half-baked book, but full of vivid things''. Bessie says she will write to Robert's mother tomorrow. The weather has been fine for three days; there has been an East wind, 'but the birds have been singing, and lots of primroses are out'. Is sorry 'Robin [Price?] and Comfort's visit to Welcombe could not come off'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth and Robert are coming on 20 August; sure it will do her good. There will be lots of guest at first: two girls [Mary Bell and Dorothy Wedderburn], Theodore [Llewelyn Davies?], and Edgar and Baffy Dugdale., who all go on Monday the 24th. The party for the tenants and workpeople is on the 26th; good that Elizabeth and Robert will be there, and hopes it will not be boring. Asks if they can arrange to go away from the 27th, when Charles leaves, to 1 September as she has promised Sir George he can have some entirely quiet days to recover from the guests. They could go and see Durham, Richmond and York on the way if their friends were not ready for them. Would very much like to go to Holy Island with them if the weather is suitable. Charles looks much better; Hilton Young is shooting with him; Sir George has not felt up to it yet but 'will go next week, when they drive the birds'. Sorry that Elizabeth does not feel well; she needs 'some bracing air' and three weeks in the north will be good for her. Believes it will be a family party only in September; will get Elizabeth to help with a garden party. The exhibition at Cambo is on Saturday; Annie [Philips] is coming today, bringing Phil [Morgan Philips] Price. Meggy [Price] is taking Robin to the sea in South Wales; she is still anxious about him, and though he is recovering he does not seem well enough to return to Harrow. Hopes they will have good news about the house when they come, it 'must be worrying'. Supposes Robert is 'quite well again'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Julian looks well, and he and Miss B[arthorp] 'take long walks': on the roads, as the fields are so wet. Annie [Philips] has gone today to an Ed[ucatio]n meeting at [?] Stroud, but hopes to be back tomorrow by tea. They are enjoying her visit; she played Halma with Julian last night. He also plays Reversi, Beggar My Neighbour, Drafts [sic] and Dominos with them. Hopes that Alice (Elms?) will be up before very long. They are glad to keep Julian as long as he can be spared. Expects Elizabeth and Bob will both be glad to be home. News from both George and Robin [Price] this morning.

8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Does not know if this will reach Robert before he turns homewards. Saw Elizabeth recently; she looked very well, having spent a couple of days by the sea; thinks Robert will find her in much better health than she was when he left. Hopes Julian will enjoy a 'little grandchildren's party' she is giving on the 29th. She and Sir George are going to Eastbourne for a week on Wednesday. Then there is the Historical Congress, for which Sir George is giving a dinner, she is giving a party, and 'London will swarm with Historians from the uttermost parts of the earth'. Good to 'entertain and make much of them, but no one seems to have any intention of listening to their papers!' Robert's next letter about Java will be very interesting.

Returns to the letter next day: Robert's card from Penang has just come, after over three weeks. "Georgian Poetry" is interesting; there is only one of Robert's poems in but 'it has been noticed with praise in the reviews'; she likes it very much. They had a long call yesterday from Henry James, who has been very ill all winter; she called on him at his Chelsea flat last week; he seems to be recovering and was 'most amusing & interesting'; he is bringing out some sort of autobiography. Fears that Robert's journey home will be the least pleasant part of his trip, and will be glad when he is back. Robin [Price] will be back about the same time; he seems to be visiting Ceylon and returning by sea.