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Mill House, Westcott, Dorking :- He and Bessie were glad they went Holly Lodge last week: the ceremony [for the unveiling of a ceremonial tablet to Lord Macaulay, see 10/40] was a 'great success', and Lord Rosebery's speech was 'perfect'. Mrs Winkworth was not 'looking at all well'; hopes she was not too tired by the event. Charles' speech 'seemed to please everyone'.

Finished [his father's book] The American Revolution yesterday, delayed only by 'various interruptions', for his interest 'never flagged from first to last'. Did not find the last chapter about the clergy too long, as the Times reviewer suggested; thinks that a 'history on this scale it is important to enlarge a good deal' on subjects like Wesley's relations with the soldiers, to 'give an atmosphere and a setting to the narrative'. The last three chapters 'will serve admirably to lead up to the continued narrative', which everyone is hoping will follow.

As his father says, it is 'curious' that the 'Tory press seem to accept the principles implied' in the book's 'criticism of events', even though they recently 'failed so completely to act upon them' or to see that they applied; however, 'men, especially Tories, even when they are wise in theory, are very fond of forgetting their principles' when it is time to put them into practice. Still thinks the book 'should do good in its way, and comes opportunely'; praises it highly, though points out one possible misprint.. Glad it is being 'so well received': it is 'one of the rare histories, after George's heart, that are based on science and fact' so that the reader can have confidence in the truth of the narrative, and yet 'are morally convincing and satisfy the imagination'.

Thinks George's article 'looks very well in print'. He and Bessie have nearly reached a settlement about the house', and the solicitors have sent them a draft of the agreement; this is satisfactory in general but they want a 'few small alterations'. They will not go abroad until it is settled 'and the plans of the house quite ready'. Bessie is well, and sends love to Robert's parents.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Bob's book ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"] came out just after everyone had left Cambridge, but George will do 'all [he] can for it next term'. Likes it 'so very much', and has ordered six copies to give as presents. Thinks Roger [Fry's] illustrations 'very romantic and beautiful', and that they 'illustrated and explained & enlarged the idea of the poems a great deal'. Discusses the poems; thinks "The [Lady's] Bat" 'much the best thing' Bob has done, and 'in the way the most serious'. Lord Rosebery's speech 'a funny business': he 'said things that any Pro Boer would have been lynched for saying' after criticising pro-Boers 'more strongly than anyone'; George hopes what he says will 'get into common parlance'. Says that he himself 'went mad for two months last autumn... and saw men as idiots walking'; he wrote 'an exceedingly mad article... in which a lot of truth was buried in a hopeless amount of bunkum'; hopes Bob will not judge him on it if he sees it.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks for the postcard, which has just the information she needs. Returned last night; found that Sir George had got back by the previous train and had no cold. Mrs Winkworth has written to say the 'Macaulay tablet' is to be unveiled at Holly Lodge on 26 November; Robert and Elizabeth will have an invitation from the C[ounty] C[ouncil]. Mrs Winkworth is keen for some of the Trevelyans to be there: Sir George has always said he would 'feel it too much to be present'; Caroline herself cannot go up next week; Charles is, she thinks, 'introducing Mary to his constituents with much festivity'; so only Robert and George 'remain to represent the family'. Lord Rosebery is to perform the ceremony, and most of the County Council will be there. She and Sir George hope that Elizabeth and Robert can come in December. Hopes 'Doggie is better'.

Hartrigge. - Glad Houghton enjoyed his [Greek] Anthology; legal work prevents his attending Social Science meeting; Houghton's excellent successor as Chairman [Lord Rosebery]; enjoyed article in Grampian Boswelliana.

Rounton Grange, Northallerton. - He and George have been to Kirkby Lonsdale, staying at Sedburgh on Saturday night and walking over to Kirkby on Sunday, getting there about half past ten. They 'soon found' [Theodore Llewelyn Davies'] grave 'in the lime avenue which leads from the Vicarage to the Church, and the end near the house and next his mother's'. They 'rather expected' all the family would be in church, but they were at home. Crompton came out to meet them and they went into the garden; he is 'most dreadfully crushed'. Thinks it will 'take all his friends can do to give him proper heart for life again'. The tragedy came when he was 'already badly overworked' - Theo's 'chief anxiety was about Crompton' the last time he breakfasted with Charles ten days ago - and he is 'thin and shrunken'. Hopes he will 'soon be able to have a really quiet time somewhere'. It is hard for them all, he thinks especially for Margaret, but believes Theodore 'was most of Crompton's life'.

He can himself dwell on Theodore's achievements 'to such an extent that I can almost forget what he might have done. He had bettered and even controlled the lives of so many people, set such a standard, that he almost palpably lives on in all sorts of men and all sorts of ways'. Thinks he 'might feel even more the loss of some charming smaller men, whose force was only in their immediate personal contact, and not in the wisdom and sanity of their whole life and action'. Good to know that Theodore was 'having a spell of exceptional cheerfulness and that he died without pain or consciousness'. But there is still a 'greater blank than [Charles] could have believed'.

Has written mainly as he thought Robert would like to know what happened from a firsthand source. Theodore was staying for a few days with his father at Kirkby; they were due to go to London on Tuesday for Lord Lingen's funeral. He went out for a walk that morning, but did not meet his father at the station; his father went on to London without him thinking he would follow. His father and Crompton began to worry when no message came and Theodore did not return to Kirkby. Early next morning they wired for 'the moors to be searched and to Harry to come from Scotland'; there are 'ugly pot-holes a hundred feet deep' on the moors which people have fallen into. The doctor met them at Crickholme station to say he had been found. Charles may have been the first person to know in London, as Theodore's servants 'in their distress' came to North Street with the news.

On going out on Tuesday morning, Theodore had 'dropped in to talk to a radical shopkeeper about Lord Rosebery's speech'; he also called on 'two old ladies, protegées of Margaret's' but they were too ill to see him so the last person to speak to him was 'their little maid'. He went over the fell to the Leck Beck and to Job's Dub, 'a deep pool where they had bathed since they were boys'. He must have slipped or dived badly and hit his head on a rock; they are sure that he was 'temporarily stunned and was drowned while unconscious'. He was found 'some way below the pool', having been washed along by the stream, and they say 'he looked very beautiful on Thursday when they saw him for the last time'.

It seems to have been a 'calm and happy death', after a life 'perhaps not of turmoil but certainly not all smooth and easy, such as we might all wish to die, and such as we shall none of us deserve as much as him'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear [see 46/255] about Robert's visit from Aunt Annie [Philips], and that he has read [Lucian's] "Alexander [Pseudomantis]" and "De Mercede conductis [On Salaried Posts in Great Houses: see 12/314]"; the latter seems to throw more light on the Roman banquet than Petronius, Horace, or Juvenal. Encloses a review which must be read carefully 'to bring out the full asininity of the author who is the subject of it [whose] book passed in folly and conceit anything conceivable'. Asks for the review to be returned, along with Rosebery's letter; does not think any man, even Edward Grey, has been 'more cruelly tried and bereaved'.

Trinity College, Cambridge. - Apologises for not replying sooner to Bob's letter; blames the weather, which 'has brought germs of indolence'; has done no work for a fortnight except reading Euripides' "Medea" and "Electra". Stops writing as his 'hands were dripping with heat'; continues on Monday morning when it is cooler. Has been to breakfast with [Jack?] MacT[aggart], who sold him Dal[housie] Young's "Defence of Oscar Wilde"; this 'makes the mistake of imitating Oscar's style' so readers will 'say that the good sense of it is discounted because it is obvious that the writer was under Oscar's influence'. Says he will not talk about the [General] elections; asks if Charley minds; was very sorry [that Charley was not elected], though he did not want Lord Rosebery to be in again just yet, and expects 'the enormous majority will bring the Tories to grief sooner'. Wonders if Bob is still at Wallington; hopes he was not 'awfully tired' by their trip to Shap. He himself had a 'pleasant journey' reading "Lord Ormont [and his Arminta]"; does not think he has ever read anything 'so exclusively spiritual... nothing of what George Moore calls exteriority, & scarcely any action'; could call it 'the revolt from naturalism' except that [George] Meredith has never been in that movement. Enjoyed their time in the Lakes very much; shame 'we & the weather weren't in better form', but they saw some 'beautiful things'. In London, saw Duse in her 'finest part, Magda' [in Sudermann's "Magda"]. They have been "very frivolous" in Cambridge, and '"Gerald Eversley's Friendship" has been a great delight' and has been read aloud; is afraid their 'brother [in the Cambridge Apostles] Welldon has done for himself.' Is reading "Don Quixote", and finding 'delicious things every now & then, but much dulness [sic]; has a 'wretched old translation', whose only recommendations are that Swift was one of the subscribers, and there are 'some funny old pictures which open out like maps'. Is leaving today; will spend tomorrow night with the Russells and start for Germany on Thursday evening; gives his address for the next month in Hildesheim. Gives a limerick beginning 'There was a young man of Madrid...'

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Robert for his letter full of news: Robert 'happy to have seen Rodin [before his death]'; President Wilson has got Sargent to paint him; America, as shown by the 'article on Lincoln's statue' [mentioned in 12/280] is a country of which the 'Ruler' should insist on being painted only by the best - expressed by a quotation in Latin [from Horace Epistles 2.1]. Read Robert's translations from Lucretius yesterday 'with great sympathy and admiration'. Quotes, in Latin with English translation, what is said to be a translation by Cicero from Epicharmus on death. Edinburgh is a 'wonderful city'; Uncle Tom [Macaulay's] three favourite cities were Edinburgh [though he 'had enough of it' in the end], Oxford, and Genoa, which was the first Italian city he saw. Comments on the fates of Venice and Jerusalem being 'in the balance'; his 'most pathetic regrets' about destruction caused by the war are for Dinant, which he had seen, and the Cloth Hall at Ypres, which he had never seen. Is reading, and is much entertained by, Monk's "Life of Bentley". Loved Sir Charles Holroyd [who has recently died], and his 'heart bleeds for Rosebery' [over the death of his son Neil Primrose].

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very wintry weather; they were 'almost snowed up for three days' and the station could only be reached across the fields. The Runcimans have been here since Saturday; they are 'very pleasant young people' and she thinks Elizabeth would like Hilda, who was at St. Andrews and Girton and 'is very energetic and intelligent'. There is a shoot today; Mr [William?] Watson-Armstrong has joined them. Expecting a party of Charles and George's friends after Christmas, and hope to have 'three cheerful days' before leaving for Welcombe.

Returns to the letter on the following day; does not have an address so will send this to Ravello. Glad to hear that Elizabeth has had 'plenty of music at Amsterdam'. Pleased that Elizabeth's uncle liked George's article ["The White Peril", in "The Nineteenth Century"]. George is 'rather distressed about it' and would have written it 'with much greater care' if he had known it would attract so much attention; she thinks though that it has been useful. Asks if Elizabeth's uncle will soon return home; supposes he will not go south but stay there quietly for the winter. Sir George has now read "Polyphem[us & Other Poems]" carefully and will soon write to Robert. Hopes they had a pleasant time with Mr [Bernard] Berenson; asks how 'the ménage' goes on. Sends regards to Madame Palumbo and Mrs Reid wants to hear all about the Pension now as they know it. Has been very busy with Christmas presents, but all have been sent now. They think 'L[ord] R[osebery]'s speech helpful to a Peace [to end the Second Boer War]'

Hotel Bedford, Rue de L'Arcade, Paris. - Career in France as correspondent on the Daily Telegraph since receiving Lady Holland's letter of introduction to Lord Lyons; needs a 'protector' to secure permanent appointment in Paris; suggests Lord Houghton, whom he met when English tutor to Miss Fox. Lord Rosebery has also observed his fitness for the work. Acquaintance with Embassy staff and prominent French families. Lady Holland's approval expressed through Lord Houghton would carry great weight with Edward Levy. Lord William Hay can also testify to his abilities.

House of Commons. - Glad to see Robert so well and so much himself, and to hear what he told Caroline; it is right to 'go through with what has been undertaken' and not to take a step 'which seems crude and unintelligible to people'; Robert will be glad of it afterwards. Spent a pleasant afternoon at Epsom with Lord Rosebery, who is a 'most delightful companion'; good to see him so well. Met 'dear old [Charles?] Vaughan at the Athenaeum today, who asked after them all, and is a 'sort of intellectual grand father' to them. Says in a postscript that he made a speech tonight on 'one man one vote'.

2 Berkeley Square. - Houghton's book has enlivened a rainy birthday; 'All I have to complain of is your devoting so much space to the intolerable affectations of Landor'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looking forward to Elizabeth's visit, whenever they come; has instructed Drummonds to pay twenty pounds into their account. Sends a letter of Lord Rosebery's, to be returned; it is a 'perfect little composition' and would not have needed a first draft, since Rosebery's 'familiar talk is quite as exact', and his 'appreciation of Boswell is exquisite'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking; sent to Lady Trevelyan at 8 Grosvenor Crescent, London S.W. - Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very sorry to hear about Geordie's measles'. While Robert was out, Bessie opened the letter and read it; he thinks it is better she should know, and his mother should not fear she will worry about it. Of course Bessie hopes Paul won't catch the measles, but if she feels if he does her mother-in-law and Booa [Mary Prestwich] will do everything necessary; he probably would not get it badly, as Geordie has a mild case and Paul seems 'quite strong' now. They are both sorry Caroline has 'so much trouble and worry from this, on top of other troubles'.

Bessie is well, and 'was up most of today'. He has 'stupidly' addressed a letter for his father to Wallington, so this will be delayed; also forgot to enclose Lord Rosebery's letter [see 12/146] so sent it by the next post, also to Wallington. Hopes 'the publishers' dinner will be a success'; has now got the specimen page [from the Chiswick Press, for his new book Sisyphus: An Operatic Fale] and has sent it to Fry for his opinion; he himself thinks it 'looks fairly right now'.

Believes that Jebb, Myers and Maitland 'are desirable names.' Refers to the 'originators of the scheme who objected to having more than a few [and] when [Stephens] suggested Maitland doubted.' Announces his intention of sending to him at once and asking him to send on to Myers. Believes them to have a good set of names, and announces that he shall propose Maitland when he meets his collaborators. States that he is amused by the caution of Balfour and Lord Rosebery, who, he says, have both learnt to be afraid of commiting themselves to his creed. Thanks Sidgwick for his note.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/94?]. Bessie 'seems to have enjoyed her stay in London' and had a good journey to Holland. Is very glad his mother has recovered; expects she will soon be 'entirely well' after a stay at Welcombe in this 'fine weather'.

Has found organising the 'Easter party' rather difficult, involving much 'writing and telegraphing', but thinks all will 'come right'. George Moore usually organises it but 'gave it up at the last moment' and left everything to him. Has got the 'two latest elected apostles' to come: [James] Strachey and [Harry] Norton; they are both in their first year, so 'the destinies of the Society will be in their hands for a long time probably'.

[Ralph] Hawtrey, a Treasury official, is staying with Robert for his holiday; he is a 'nephew of the actor', whom Robert supposes his father will have seen in The Man from Blankney's [actually Blankleys: by Thomas Anstey Guthrie]. Theodore [Llewelyn] Davies 'insisted' on Hawtrey's transferral from the Admiralty to the Treasury, as he 'thought he was the kind of man required' there; this was an 'exceptional step', and Robert believes 'much criticised at the time', but he supposes it 'quite wise'. Hawtrey is 'a man quite of Theodore's type of mind'; expects he has less of his 'power of influencing and directing others', but still 'with the fine common sense and intellectual power, and the same good political tradition', since like Theodore Hawtrey is a Home-ruler as well as a Liberal.

Will write to Welcombe from the Swan Inn, Fittleworth to say how the gathering goes; will go there tomorrow, but how long he stays depends on what the others do. The 'Vesuvius eruption seems very bad'. Lord Rosebery is at his villa now: Robert hopes he will not 'act the part and meet the fate of the elder Pliny'.

Thinks Julian will like to see this letter from Eddie Marsh, originally enclosed; he need not return it. Hopes Julian, Ursula and [Philip] Erasmus will have a good time at Gorringes. They have got and will read 'Bernard's Club book', which 'begins very well', but he is wrong to think there has 'never been a Breakfast Club'. Bob's father belonged to one - is unsure whether it still exists - along with 'various brilliant or interesting people' such as Wolesley, Grant Duff, Henry James and [Lord] Rosebery too he thinks; they 'breakfasted somewhere about ten o clock and went on talking for hours'.

114: Inscribed 'Favd. by J. A. Burden, Esq.'
115: From Earl of Rosebery?

Thanking Rosebery for his appreciation of the Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay. Discussion of how Macaulay treated letters to himself.