Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wonders if Elizabeth got to Tunbridge yesterday. The H[enry] Y[ates] Thompsons, Hilda and Audrey Trevelyan have been to stay; they had 'a "tea picnic" on Wednesday at the Gibbet'. Miss Martin came last night and is to stay for a long visit as she is 'quite "one of the family"; hopes Elizabeth will see her. As 6 Aug is Bank Holiday, would be best if Elizabeth and Robert keep to their first plan and come the week before; Friday would be best as the trains 'are terribly late on Saturday'. She should bring lots of music, as Heathcote Long is coming early in August and is a good musician. Audrey Trevelyan played 'very nicely' when she was here. Glad Elizabeth liked Dolmetsch, who is 'a genius in his way'. Asks how the Frys are, and whether they are coming north this year. Hopes the furniture is arrived, that things are getting settled, and that Robert can 'work comfortably'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes Elizabeth is settled at Ravello and having a good Christmas day; expects it will be quiet, as theirs is. Had their 'very mild festivity' last night; George is staying, and C[harles], M[ary], and Mr Fitch came to dinner. They had music after dinner - Mary has greatly improved Charlie's singing - then 'played a letter game'. Most of their packing is done, and they leave [for Welcombe] on Tuesday; George will travel some of the way with them as he is joining Janet at Stocks for a week. The fogs in London, Manchester, Leeds and so on 'quite terrible last week'; hopes they will have gone. Asks if she may use one of Elizabeth's 'supernumeray [sic] silver inkstands' at Welcombe, as she is having a small room set up to use in the morning. George is well; he and Sir George discuss 'their respective works & the treatment of History &c &c &c at length & very amusingly'. Does not think George's book ["England Under the Stuarts"] has 'had a brilliant success', but it has been well reviewed. Asks to be remembered to Madame Palumbo; supposes Mrs Reid is still alive. Has received a postcard of Vesuvius from Heathcote Long so supposes he is somewhere near Naples. Asks if 'the diplomat' is any relation of Elizabeth's.