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Very kind of Flora to give him Sir Frederick Pollock's Greek verses; they are a translation of a 'very fine poem' by Sir Alfred Lyall about a Hindu ascetic watching an army passing by [the first part of "Studies at Delhi"]. Pollock was an excellent Greek scholar and his translation 'seems rather a tour de force'; will send Flora the English poem if he can find it. Is 'fairly well again now', and went to London yesterday, but still gets tired if he walks too much. Hopes he will be able to cycle over some day to see Flora, and perhaps her lead soldiers; has some here, which he will show her if she can visit them.

8, Grosvenor Crescent. - They have just arrived in London, in pouring rain. Glad Elizabeth and Robert continue to like La Croix [-Valmer?]. Expects it must be difficult to give a sense of period language in their translation work; sure that between them they will do well. The gathering at Welcombe was pleasant: Henry James, 'as delightful as ever', Miss [Lily] Noble who 'always brings an atmosphere of culture and friendliness', Sir Alfred Lyall, 'the agreeable man of the world'; Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green, earnest and serious, who 'occasionally treads on all our toes!'. There was lots of talk, and they managed some walks [despite the weather]. Yesterday and this morning she watched some flowering shrubs being planted in the garden at Welcombe; hopes they will flourish. Going to North Street [Charles and Mary's house] tomorrow, and will write and tell Elizabeth about it. Has had a letter from Mad[am]e Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan], who is pleased with the photographs Caroline sent her

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert gave lots of news about Elizabeth in his letter; interesting that she is translating again; asks whether she finished the novel she was working on last year. There must be a great deal of Dutch literature 'unknown to other nations' as the language is rarely learnt. The poem must be curious; asks whether the language differs much from modern Dutch; it dates from a 'great time in the countrie's [sic] history]. She and Sir George have been seeing neighbours and going into town she has been to London several times. There are great floods: 'the Avon is out all down the valley'. Hopes Elizabeth and Robert will continue to like La Croix [-Valmer?]. They are feeling happier about politics; Chamberlain is 'not gaining ground' and the Government 'make a most wretched show' in the House of Commons. They are expecting H[enry] James, Miss [Lily] Noble, Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green and Sir [Alfred] Lyall for a couple of days tomorrow, and go up to London on the 12th. North Street [Charles and Mary's London house] has been 'started', with 'no drawbacks', and she looks forward to seeing it; Cheyne Gardens [George and Janet's London house] is also progressing, and Janet is very pleased with it. The "Independent [Review]" for February is good, and much attention is being paid to it; hopes it is 'establishing itself'. Has subscribed again to Rolandi [the foreign language bookseller and library], so asks Elizabeth to let her know if she hears of any good French books. Notes that 'the modern world seems to find it necessary to have a millionaire for hero!'. Asks if Elizabeth has anyone to accompany her violin playing. Aunt Margaret [Holland] is still too ill for visitors, and does not even have letters read to her.

32 St Mary Abbott's Terrace, Kensington, London - Notes that Sir Alfred Lyall allows spiritualism in his Asiatics, but not Africans; discusses Frazer's views on magic and religion, wonders how he will get on with Bishops if he insists the mass is magic; never saw any sympathetic magic in Africa.

Tells Sidgwick that it is very good of him 'to attend to [his] paradoxes.' Admits that his 'Psychics' are very unpopular, 'but Tyler [E. B. Tylor?] brought them in, and left them hanging in the air, and did little to the civilised side of them.' Informs him that he will find [fire walls] in his Modern Mythology. Reports that he has published more in the Westminster Gazette, and that the New Zealand [observations] 'will appear at length in the proceedings of their scientific society.' States that the performances 'were well tested, and quite unexplained.' Claims to know no competent anthropologist 'in the line of beliefs' apart from Frazer and Tyler. The latter has not been well and his wife has not allowed him Lang's book, '"for fear it might injure the brain".' Believes that [Sir Alfred?] Lyall has read it, and thinks that 'part II holds water'. Would correct the points in relation to 'S.P.R.' [the Society for Psychical Research] and hopes Myers had kept him straight.' States that he may 'correct in the French.' Refers to a comment made by Sidgwick on Hume and claims that he [Hume] 'certainly advised absolute disregard of evidence'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Robert has found 'so satisfactory a location'; he has done well to escape the bad weather; there is already a 'considerable flood' which may develop into a record one. Has begun reading for his book [the next volume of "The American Revolution"] so can only 'trifle with the classics'; has been reading Horace and discusses the "Ars Poetica". They are much interested in Elizabeth's [translation?] work, and send their love. The election at Ayr was a 'very good' result for the Liberals. Henry James, [Alfred] Lyall, Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green and Miss [Lilias] Noble are coming on 6 February; he and Caroline go to London on 12 February.

High Elms, Farnborough R.S.O., Kent. Dated 11. Nov. 1901 and 16. Nov. 1901 - Writes with corrections to the second edition of 'The Golden Bough', specifically the distinction between magic and religion, which he had pointed out years before Sir A. Lyall and Mr [William] Jevons in his 'Origin of Civilisation'. In the letter of 16 Nov. he writes to clarify that he does not regard Fetichism as synonymous with magic, and is the opposite of religion.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Encloses an article from the ["Times] Literary Supplement" which he read to Caroline yesterday evening; they are re-reading Horace's "Odes" together, which she very much likes; agrees with the comments about translations of Horace, and knows none he can 'put up with', only some 'very vulgar imitations and adaptations' though he likes Sir Alfred Lyall's paraphrase of Odes II.7. Both the prose and verse rendering of Pindar quoted in the article seem 'about equally futile and detestable'. Caroline is a 'very little' better; she enjoyed Elizabeth's last letter and enclosed cutting about Jan Hubrecht.

Trinity:- Has 'had a new bill made out, and paid it': would have been better if they had sent it to him 'at the beginning', as he believes 'they were instructed to do'. His tripos is on the 31st, so he has almost a fortnight more, "each day being invaluable... would willingly give £10 a day for more time'. Only has six papers. Walked with Charlie and G[eorge] to Barrington yesterday and had tea there; the 'country is very delightful now', and the flowers better than he 'ever remember[s] seeing them'. Charlie has been well and 'enjoyed his visit immensely'. George and his friends have 'committed themselves to Skye [for a holiday ?]' and Robert does not think they could back out now, though they are having 'some difficulty in getting some volunteers for so distant an enterprise'.

Is glad to have good news of Welcombe; hopes Fairweather has recovered from his fall - he 'must be used to that sort of thing by now'. Went to dinner at the Myers' house last Sunday and met Dolly [Stanley?] who was 'very pleasant and delightful'. Also there was Sir Alfred Lyall, who 'was subjected to a severe catechism on Mango-trees and chupattis'. Saw Welldon at the Provost of King's', as he was 'preaching the annual university sermon'. The subject was 'the Colonial bishops and missionaries, and he very wisely' made the sermon into a 'historical lecture, quoting also large passages from Seeley's Expansion of England' and making 'a dull subject as interesting as it could be made'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to have Elizabeth's letter with better news of Robert, and that Miss de Natrys is visiting. Sir Alfred Lyall, and Gilbert and Mary Murray, are at Wallington till tomorrow: 'all of us like the talk much'. George has been overworking and took a couple of days off; he has 'started again with fresh vigour' and she hopes Robert can do the same. Asks if Elizabeth has been playing [the violin], and whether she has anyone nearby to accompany her. Has to get another laundry maid: the one they have 'really will not do'; this is a bother to her and Booa [Mary Prestwich] as laundry maids 'are not easy to get'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wishes Robert were coming to the shoot, but thinks he is right not to come. Letter from unknown correspondent which Robert need not return originally enclosed. Is 'much interested about "will worship" [?]'. Caroline will tell him how much Sir Alfred Lyall liked his poems.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - They have settled with Thornton Trevelyan to shoot the covers at Wallington on 4 October; asks if Robert will be able to come; predicts the game will be good. They have a large party of visitors: the Knutsfords, Jebbs, and Sir Spencer Walpole; Sir Alfred Lyall and the [Henry?] Sidgwicks come tomorrow. Is getting on well with his book [the first volume of the "History of the American Revolution"], and has revised the first half with 'great help' from Robert's comments; it is 'very much improved' and he hopes to have it all finished in a fortnight.

Thanks Myers for both his letters and enclosures, especially the last from [Alfred] Lyall, which he returns [not included]. Announces that he thinks he shall try to write [his] reminiscences when he gets back a little intellectual energy. Remarks that the advantage of such a work is that it may legitimately be fragmentary. States that he is encouraged by what L[yall] says of any contribution to Tennyson [Lyall's book in the English Men of Letters series]. Reports that he has been 'going on with "ups and downs" ', and has not progressed very much since Myers' visit. Believes, however, that he has more energy on his good days. Declares that he is glad to hear what Myers says about [Richard?] Hodgson, and that he is looking forward to seeing the latter. Reports that his brother Arthur has been to visit him.

Strafford House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Dated 21 May 1911 - Thanks him for part II of the third edition of 'The Golden Bough'; regrets the death of Sir Alfred Lyall.

Aldeburgh - Thanks him for 'Selected Passages from his Works'; reminisces about Frazer meeting [Sir Alfred] Lyall, Ray Lankester, [Sir Frederick] Pollock and [James Allanson] Picton in 1905 when they rowed to Oxford; and a visit the Frazers paid in 1910 in company with [Thomas] Hardy 'and his present wife' [Florence], [John Bagnell] Bury, and Sutherland Black, and when he was summoned to town on Holman Hunt's death; the 'Literary Review' has a review of Paul Couchoud's book ['L'Énigme de Jésus'?] by Thomas Whittaker; quotes the Einstein limerick starting, 'There was a young lady named Bright'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland [crossed through] Morperth. - Very glad that Robert is 'coming on at the Athenaeum'; Uncle Harry's advice is very good. Gives Sir Alfred Lyall's address and is sure that he would be pleased to do the service [of proposing Robert for membership'. Has received two volumes of Lucretius from the London Library which he has returned as Robert has gone abroad; has given the Library 'a thorough good blowing up'. Asks to be informed when Robert has received and signed anything about the Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] Estate. Hopes Robert has a good time abroad.

Aldworth, Haslemere. Dated 25th September 1907 - Thanks him for the copy of anthropological questions; notes that 'in interrogating the wild man one's method must be the contrary to that which is employed in the legal cross-examination of a civilized witness ... he will reply in the first words that occur to him - the distinction between true and false is barely known to him'; notes that there is a debate about the type of trees mistletoe grows on in the 'Journal des Debats'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - The Leith Hill hotel is a 'very ideal caravansary' and must bring Robert and Elizabeth good company; glad Sidney Colvin admired Paul; is very keen to see him again. Met Jan [Hubrecht] in the street in London and 'mistook him for Hilton Young... no ill compliment'. Jan said it happened to him 'constantly' at Cambridge. Is halfway through his proofs [of the last volume of "The American Revolution"]; glad they will be alone until it is finished. Staying with them have been: Welby; Tom Brassey and his wife; 'the beautiful Lady Carew'; Lady Reay; Bernard and Mrs Mallet; Alfred Lyall. Is halfway through "Dombey" [Charles Dickens's "Dombey and Son"] and is reading other things such as Beugnot's "Memoirs", placed first in interest by Ferdinand de Rothschild 'the great authority on French memoirs'; Beugnot knew '"at home" the Diamond Necklace gang'.

Thanks Flora for sending her verses, which are 'not doggerel; they are much too delicate and graceful for that, and have too much feeling'. Must be a 'very real recompense, to be able to call up the "pattern and the vision"... and still enjoy seeing it' though she no long tries to 'draw it'. Sorry he missed seeing her at the 'Maxes' [sic: Maxses?], who seem to have made themselves 'comfortably at home in Tillies cottage'; it is 'very pleasant having them as neighbours'.

Flora's postcard came when he was away for two months in the north, but he still should have replied sooner. Does indeed remember the 'expedition from Burrows Lea with the Russells to Leith Hill Tower'; he must have been about six, and chiefly remembers eating 'as many bilberries as [he] could' and being 'shamefully sick'. Would like to visit her soon, but they have guests at the moment; would much like to see Flora's French [lead] soldiers. She may have heard that Julian and Ursula have had a son, Philip, and all seems to be going well; Erasmus, his middle name, is a Darwin family name.