8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - They are very pleased about Mary [and Charles]'s baby, who is to be called Katharine; Caroline is going to see 'the little ones at Watford'. Interested in what Robert says about the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; asks him to send it to them and let the London Library know. Loves reading about the classics, such as books by Grote and Ferrero, when he is writing himself; supposes it is a sign of growing older that he does not then feel inclined to read the classics themselves. Attempts being made to buy Coleridge's cottage at Nether Stowey; he himself does not 'value his poems quite enough... to condone him, as a man'. They are reading [Thomas Jefferson] Hogg's life of Shelley; Hogg was a 'wonderfully clever man' and it is a 'marvellous picture of Shelley'. Withers is getting 'very angry and blunt with Philipson' [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; will write to him when he gets an answer from Sir [Arthur] Middleton.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.; addressed to Robert at Seatoller, Borrowdale, Keswick. - Thanks Robert for sending the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; Sir [Arthur] Middleton lunched with him yesterday and they talked [underlined: about Florence Trevelyan's will?]
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie are 'very much shocked to hear about the sad tragedy at Belsay' [the drowning of Gertrude Middleton on 16 Jun]: they 'both liked Gertrude very much, and thought she had a great deal of character'; does 'not like to think' of what the loss will be to her father Sir Arthur.
The weather here has turned cold and rainy here, Yesterday there was an open air meeting at Coldharbour, at which their MP [Henry Cunningham] Brodie spoke and Robert 'took the chair, or rather the waggonnette, which served as [their] platform'. Everything went quite well, except that Brodie spoke 'at far too great length, about an hour and a quarter': unfortunate, as it was a 'very cold evening'. There were more than twenty listeners, 'some of whom came and went several times from the public house opposite' but were respectful though bored. Thinks they 'like Brodie, in spite of his being long-winded, for he is an honest sensible sort of person', but cannot tell whether there is a chance of getting him re-elected.
Bessie is well; Robert will leave her early next month to work at Borrowdale for two or three weeks, and she will go and stay with Janet at Stocks Cottage for a week then. Is sorry to hear that his father has not been well, and hopes he has now recovered. Will write to his mother soon.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Mary called Dr Williams to see Phyllis, who is still unwell, so she stopped by on the way to examine Julian. She thinks he should wear the belt for a year, which should solve the problem [an umbilical hernia?], but that he is strong, healthy, and large for his age; she also thinks he risks becoming flat footed, so Caroline has spoken to his nurse about having a support put in his shoes. The sneezing does not matter; but she will give him the medicine which Dr Cornish has sent. Yesterday they took Miss [Lily] Noble to Belsay [the Middletons' home] and saw everyone but 'Mrs Hugh' who is doing well [after giving birth], and there were many enquiries about Elizabeth. Miss Noble then went home in her motor car. Julian was 'drawing motors this morning with great energy'. She is going to a nursing meeting this afternoon, then to tea with Mary. Hopes Mr B[ottomley] has recovered from the journey. Asks when she should start sending her letters to Elizabeth to the Netherlands.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth is 'really improving & feeling in better spirits [after her operation]'; was sorry to hear from Booa [Mary Prestwich] that she was not better on Thursday and Friday. Tiresome that she has to stay at the [nursing] home, but it is good that she is getting through this first spell under medical care. Very good of Miss Martin to offer to visit her or travel down with her [to Surrey] to help her through 'the first tiring days'; was very sorry to leave her. Had visit on Friday from Dr [Henry Palin] Gurney, head of the Durham College of Science, and his wife, who are 'nice cultivated people', as well as the 'Middletons [Sir Arthur Middleton and/or his children ?] & the Blackett-Ordes [sic] from Rothbury'; they did not leave until nearly lunchtime on Saturday, after which she and Sir George 'took a quiet walk and settled down a little'. Has to 'superintend a mild [?] lecture in the village' tomorrow afternoon, then is going to Newcastle on Tuesday to preside at the 1st of a series of lectures on Industrial matters' got up by Mrs [Hilda] Runciman. Charlie is at home till Tuesday, and then will go off again 'shooting & speaking'. Sends love to Bob; hopes to see the book ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"] soon. The destruction of trees in the storm 'very sad'; they lost about eight 'just before the portico walk', and about ten firs by the bridge, as well as single ones. The wrecks on the nearby coast were 'most sad & terrible'. A postscript adds that she hopes the news from Utrecht [of Elizabeth's uncle] is good and is sorry about the Queen [the miscarriage suffered by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands?].
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Elizabeth and Robert are very kind about Charlie's engagement; she and Sir George are 'more & more satisfied about it', as Mary 'writes very nicely', and Charlie is 'extremely happy in a quieter way' so she thinks 'her influence must be good'. The family are 'very well thought of' and her father has been 'frank and sensible'. Thinks Mary was much in love when she was here 'and found it difficult to behave quietly'. Charlie likes the family; hopes they will visit next month. The Bells are going to Berlin for a fortnight while Charlie goes to his constituency. Has had many letter; 'rather an undertaking' to have two sons engaged at once. Hope Elizabeth and Robert soon have their agreement so that the architect 'can get to work [on the new house at Leith Hill' in the fine autumn weather'. They are going to Belsay [home of the Middletons] and she will tell them why Elizabeth could not come. Dr [Thomas?] and Mrs Hodgkin, Mr [Herbert?] Paul, Sir John and Lady Evans, and the Henry Gregs are all staying; they are 'agreeable & easily amused'. Would like to asks the Russells back again, but next week must be quiet, and there is 'so much to settle'. A postscript says she knows Elizabeth will tell her about Holland when it is settled.
Poem addressed to A[rthur] Sidgwick, telling the tale of Sidgwick's indigestion on Boxing Day in mock-classical style, with allusions to Latin and Ancient Greek poetry pointed out in notes beside the main text. Alluding to Theocritus, "Idyll" 1.66, it asks where the Muses were when 'Rugby's fairest swain / Arthur lay writhing on the bed of pain'. Arthur's brother [Henry], Tom [Saunders?] Evans, [Charles Henry] Tawney and [Henry Weston] Eve are described as coming to his side, as is [Frederick] 'Temple himself', headmaster of Rugby. Sidgwick says that Trevelyan was wise to warn him, as they parted at Cambridge, about 'want of exercise, and Christmas fare'. Ends with a picture of the 'bard' sitting in Rotten Row, lighting a cheroot and smoothing his hat; he lays 'these poor lines' at the feet of Arthur, for whom his love 'grows every hour / Till it be broad as [Arthur?] Monck, and tall as [Henry?] Bower' [both contemporaries of Sidgwick and Trevelyan at Trinity].