Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad they can hope to see Elizabeth; thinks it is the best thing, especially as she is keeping Nurse Catt, which is very good news; the other nurse cannot have been very clever or she would have made friends with [Julian]. Charlie calls him 'a superb little chap'; he and Mary will be glad it is settled. Asks Elizabeth to tell Nurse Catt how glad she is she is staying, and that the north country air will do her good. Asks her to let Maria know when to expect them [at Grosvenor Crescent]; discusses travel arrangements. Sir Charles Dalrymple and his daughter [Alice?] are visiting on the 24th, and some neighbours are coming to dinner, but otherwise they will be quiet. Geordie [George Lowthian Trevelyan] has recovered from chickenpox and the girls show no sign of it yet; they have not been to Wallington so Julian will be safe. Politics is very exciting; was 'very glad the Conference failed'. Elizabeth's Dutch paper has begun to arrive. Sure she has done the best thing about the nurse, even if Mrs Catt only stays a few months. Good for the Liberal party to have the R[ussell] Reas at Tannhurst [sic: Tanhurst]; fears Elizabeth cannot fight the seat this time. Asks Elizabeth in a postscript to send a telegraph with their arrival day, as she may want to go to Newcastle.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary. - Thanks his father for sending [William] Everett's letter and translation [see 12/87]: Bowen 'used to make the sixth form learn Phaselus [Catullus 4] when they were late for lunch'; they had usually forgotten it and had to learn it anew each time. At one time Robert was 'rather often late', and Bowen found he 'really knew Phaselus by heart' and said he must learn something new; he used to learn a new passage of Lucan each time 'and so soon found it not worth being late'. Had intended to send Bowen his own translation [published as The Schooner from Catullus in Polyphemus and Other Poems, 1901], but he died just before he could. Thinks his translation better than Everett's, as it keeps closer to the 'words and movement of the original', but has seen some 'very good translations of Italian poetry' by Everett.
He and Bessie are much looking forward to his mother's visit; the 'trees are very fine now' and he hopes they still will be when she comes. They 'like Pauline very much for a name [Charles and Molly's daughter, born recently]. It is unusual, but not excentric [sic]'; glad the birth went well.
Liked the article in the TImes [Literary Supplement, on Sir George's Interludes in Verse and Prose, see 12/86] very much; sees Punch objected to the title but cannot understand why.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Will be very pleased if Elizabeth brings Julian for a visit. Is going to see Annie from 21- 24 July, though unluckily Charles can come for that weekend so she will miss him; Mary is staying on with the children to look after Sir George; when they leave Julian can have the nursery to himself; can arrange the time for Elizabeth's second visit later, when they hope to see Robert too. Thinks Elizabeth is lucky to get Nurse Withers: it is rare to get two good nurses in succession. [Charles and Mary's] children are well and have 'a very satisfactory governess'. Asks how much help Elizabeth's nurse will need; would need to get extra help to provide the waiting on which Mrs Catt had. The Davidsons only have one young man lodging with them besides Gussie at the moment, so Mrs Enticknap could stay there; Caroline would pay.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - They are having a 'very pleasant Christmas'; everyone is well. His father's 'kind letter' to E[lizabeth: 10/69] came this morning, and 'gave her much pleasure'. The baby seems to 'thrive'. Since it is Christmas today, Bessie 'had him dressed in an old Dutch dress, made 70 years ago, in which he looks very Dutch and pretty'.
Is going out to dinner tonight to High Ashes for the V[aughan] Williams' Christmas dinner; does not mind leaving Bessie as she is 'really so well'. She sends her love, says she 'thinks a great deal' about Caroline, and is much enjoying getting letters from everyone. Paul got his 'first letter this morning in the shape of a Christmas card from Pauline and Georgdie' [Charles and Molly's children].
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes Elizabeth is not over-burdened with 'guests & small worries', and that she might be able to do some good for her cousin [one of the Hubrechts?] and his wife; always difficult, but 'the mere fact of his relations being kind to her' may help; it is all very sad and unfortunate for their child. Is glad Julian 'flourishes'; expects it will be good for him to be in the nursery with the other children [Mary and Humphry], who will be there throughout Elizabeth's visit. G[eorge] and J[anet] will come for a week, and Aunt Annie [Philips] will also be visiting then. Hopes to hear about Robert's plans for travel abroad in the winter. Hopes the game arrived; will send some grapes on Monday. Thoughts on the strikes: sympathises with the men, and there is 'something fine in them acting together', but the violence has been very unfortunate, and the economic impact great. Churchill 'seems to have made mistakes' but it was hard 'in such a storm' to see clearly; Sir George thinks he was 'not strong enough at first'. Amusing that the House of Lords has been so entirely forgotten. The [tenants'] party was on Thursday, and went well except for a little rain; Sir George and Charles made speeches, and Geordie said afterwards 'That was nice poetry'. He, Pauline and Kitty gave their grandparents a concert the other day; their governess is 'clever at getting up little entertainments' and they sing 'very prettily' now. Audrey Trevelyan has been to visit, and they like her a lot. Sends love to Bob; hopes Mr [Donald] Tovey will have done much work on the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] before he goes.
Cambo. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for sending his poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] likes them 'more each year. Lists those she likes best; for example, found the 'old one about the Trojan Captives grinding corn' very moving. Tries to write poetry herself, and will send her attempts when she has written more; had a piece published in "Country Life" a year ago. Is staying with Pauline; goes next week to Grasmere to see the Wordsworth material at Dove Cottage, since she is proposing to write a life of Wordsworth. Will return to Chichester after that. Sends love to her uncle and aunt..
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad Elizabeth spends her evenings at Leith Hill Place; sure it is helpful to them [the Vaughan Williams family] and more cheerful for her; hopes that Robert will return soon and Julian will 'greet him affectionately'. Pauline has had influenza, but is recovering, and nobody else seems to have caught it; Mary was fortunately at home, and Charles away. They have decided to leave a week earlier, as Sir George is worried about strikes; he also wants a change, having finished his book. The school treat therefore needs to be put forward and she has a lot to do in a short time. They plan to spend the 7-18 December in London, then go to Welcombe. Miss [Lily?] Noble visited for a night; seems to know Elizabeth's friends the Oranjes well and like them; her engagement is off 'in quite a friendly happy way'. Says Elizabeth should 'get a shawl for "Hannah Priscilla"'; is sure she will like it; Julian can have a coat next year if Elizabeth likes, but not a fur coat 'as no one should walk in one'. Sends a diary for next year, and hopes 'pleasant things may be put down in it'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The baby [Mary and Charles's daughter Pauline] was born this morning, and all is going well, though Mary 'is to be kept very quiet'. Everyone thinks it is nice she is a girl; she and her cousin [Mary] 'will be so happy together'. The nurse was there, and the car fetched the doctor in good time; it was Dr Ethel Williams, and they 'seem to have liked her very much'. Asks Elizabeth to let her know how she finds Aunt Margaret [Holland?], as the accounts they have had are 'conflicting'. Glad Elizabeth is seeing her friends, and is much looking forward to coming; sends love to Bob in a postscript, is sure he will be enjoying the weather.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Discusses arrangements for her visit on Wednesday 1 November; Tuesday would be difficult as she has a Com[mittee] all day. If it would be inconvenient due to the departure of Elizabeth's 'troublesome little maid', she could come on the 9th or 10th if she knew at once. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is not coming up before they go abroad, but will be in London over Christmas so Elizabeth could invite her to visit then. Caroline will not bring Pantlin [her maid] so Elizabeth must excuse her appearance. Very sorry about Florence [the maid]; she thinks the mother 'very foolish'. Suggests finding a girl from further away; she herself never takes them from the village as 'they do nothing but talk & gossip'. Asks when Elizabeth and Robert think of going abroad; asks if they will come south, and see Caroline and Sir George in Rome on the way; they start on 12 December. Glad Elizabeth likes the name Pauline; the baby is nice and placid, not as lively as Mary was; Mary does not like her at the moment 'as she is not allowed to seize her by the head, & put her nose into her mouth'; they leave on Wednesday. Thanks Elizabeth for the news about Aunt Margaret [Holland?]. Wonders whether next year Elizabeth should get a 'regular house parlourmaid, & let Mrs Enticknap do the cooking'. Sends love to Robert; glad he is getting some shooting.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has returned home; enjoyed her visit to the Shiffolds; was good to see Elizabeth and Robert 'comfortably settled'; the house is 'quite charming' and it will be quite perfect if they can get the landlord to cut down some trees to increase the view. She travelled up on Thursday with their 'talkative neighbour, Mr Arbuthnot'. Had a busy afternoon with Aunt Annie [Philips], then a 'pleasant time at Cheyne Gardens' [George and Janet's house] before travelling north yesterday. Has been up to see Mary and the baby who are 'both flourishing', and has 'sent them for a drive'. Sir George was very interested to hear about the house. Asks if Robert has written to Mr St. M. [Sturge Moore?]; it is 'best to be open about such things, as they only rankle if not spoken of'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad Elizabeth enjoyed her visit from A. [Annie Philips?], whom she will see tomorrow, and that she is getting better; hopes she will keep Mrs Fry on to look after her. Asks if Mrs Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht] is expected. Mary went to Cambo to conduct her concert on Saturday, and had a car accident on Sunday; she suffered only slight cuts to the face but it 'brought out the neuralgia in her arm most violently' so she had to spend all Monday with Dr Ethel Williams; hopes she is better and at Harrogate again. Seems to have done [Mary and Charles] 'more harm than good'; she would like to go to look after them but 'dare not travel'; is taking great care of herself and Sir George. The three children arrive from Harrogate tomorrow. There has been a heavy frost, and 'all Stratford was skating yesterday'; one man broke his collar-bone on their pool.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - The weather is intensely cold, but [Charles and Mary's] children do not seem to mind it; Elizabeth must take great care not to get a chill. The present Sir George sent was all his own idea; he wants Elizabeth to have 'the best nurses & doctors' and any 'luxuries' she likes without worrying about expense. Asks what Julian would like for his birthday; there is a good little toyshop at Stratford. Charles and Mary seem to be recovering and hope to go to London on Wednesday. Hopes to come and see Elizabeth at the end of the month. Tinson [the gardener] is sending some sea kale.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Hopes Elizabeth is still enjoying herself. Has had 'good accounts of Julian'; Pauline likes 'having him to herself'. Has had an interesting letter from Bob from Pekin [Beijing]; he has certainly seen 'wonderful things'. Thinks they will leave London on 8 February; has to go attend Court on the 7th so cannot go to the concert with Elizabeth, but there is one the week before. Janet and the children [Mary and Humphry] visited yesterday; they leave on Friday and have not yet ben able to let their house. Has had a letter from Mad[emoisel]le [Adila?] Aranyi suggesting what sounds like a 'very attractive' programme; has sent out many invitations. She and Sir George walked in the gardens of Holly Lodge [Campden Hill] this afternoon; the [Edmund] Lambs were not there. Asks if Elizabeth will be back on Monday, and sends regards to her sister [Mien]; asks if she has heard much music. Mary was due to 'be on the sofa today, which is very good progress' [after the birth of her daughter Marjorie]
Cambo House, Cambo, Morpeth. - Was 'indeed glad' that Bob came to Wallington this summer and was able to 'have those talks with John': they 'meant a great deal' to John, who 'often spoke' about him. Thanks Bob very much for his letter [on John's death]: has received many 'good letters', and it is 'lovely knowing how greatly John was esteemed by all who knew him'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon - Glad to hear that all is well; hopes the extra nurse will stay until the A[bercrombies] move as she thinks the large party is too much for Elizabeth's nannie's nerves, though she is very good for Julian alone. Mary and H[umphry] leave today, to general regret. Thinks people are 'very foolish to take Belgians into there [sic] own families'; the money they spend would be much more efficiently used by the Committee. '[Q]uite wonderful how far Janet makes it go'; never realised she was so capable; hopes she will not over-tire herself, though understand why people do too much as the war is 'so pitiful & ghastly'. Finds it hard herself to stay at home and do so little, and 'one's power of helping in money is rapidly diminishing'. Nothing yet settled about No. 8 [Grosvenor Crescent], but it is not too expensive now. 57 men from Snitterfield have joined the army; they see 'a good deal' of the regiment based at Stratford. Lucky that Elizabeth is not nearer the sea because of the bombing. Charlie seems well; the little girls [Marjorie and Kitty, perhaps Pauline?] are to come to London soon.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to get Elizabeth's letter, though wishes she were better; hopes the 'tonic' suits her and that it is not too hot in Surrey. Would much like to have Elizabeth at Wallington for a while 'with no housekeeping & only the child & the violin' to get strong. Molly and the children are coming for ten days on 29 June; thinks she will then settle at Cambo. Sir George is very interested in the US election contest; the latest developments are 'most astonishing' but she thinks Roosevelt is 'the right man to be President'. Good to hear that Julian remembers them; wonders if he will remember Wallington. Wants to hear what Dr C[arter?] says when Elizabeth sees him again. Caroline will give Elizabeth the name of a treatment recommended to Annie [Philips] by her doctor.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Annie [Philips] left yesterday after an enjoyable visit; she was very well. Mary is 'quite laid up'; thinks she will get through if she keeps very quiet; Dr Williams is away but her locum has visited and seemed efficient; Mary needs to take these precautions after [her miscarriage] last year. Asks if Mary wrote to Elizabeth inviting her and to stay in October when Sir George and Caroline are away, when C[harles] would also be away. M[argaret?] Vaughan Williams would like to come when Elizabeth was at Wallington; they would also like to see her. Hopes Robert is getting on with his arrangements and innoculations [for his trip to the East]. Pauline sprained her ankle and 'hopped about' for a while but is now better, as is Kitty. Is glad that Molly's cousin is coming on Wednesday; has been playing piquet with her. Julian is 'a duck' and will become most amusing now; glad the nannie will have a good holiday, and hopes Nurse Shepherd will 'satisfy' Julian. The rain is 'beyond words' and is now affecting all the potatoes. Sir George is much better and very interested in Elizabeth's question.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon - Annie [Philips] is staying with them and is well; she takes a 'good walk' with Sir George in the afternoon. Has news of Bob in London; hopes he will not catch Mary's cold; was glad to hear from Mary that she was deferring her daughters' returns as they would catch colds if they came to London in this weather. There is influenza in Stratford, and the town is full: over a thousand soldiers, plus refugees and wounded. They went to see the hospital, which is 'a curious sight'; 'really wonderful how everyone is working'. Sir George is fairly well, and 'enjoys talking to the officers'; they miss the children. Sure the Abercrombies will be sorry to leave the Shiffolds when the time comes; asks if David could stay a while longer, or if he would be 'an anxiety'. Hopes Miss Evans has come back better; asks if Nurse Godwin has gone. Sends love to Robert. Sir George has recently read her "The Old Curiosity Shop"; it is a 'child's book, but the characters are vivid, and dreadfully exaggerated'. They have just started "Middlemarch", which is very good to read aloud. Has little time for reading as she is doing the accounts and 'making all sorts of resolutions of economy'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] sends her love.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry to hear that Julian's 'little weakness' [an umbilical hernia?] has not yet gone; perhaps a truss might help. They must get him as strong as possible; he will spend all autumn at Wallington and recommends a month or longer of sea air in the spring. Knows that the operation is effective if it does not go in a couple of years. Booa [Mary Prestwich] says it is not uncommon and hopes Elizabeth will not worry. Very glad she has Nurse Shepherd for a while. Is much better and hopes to go downstairs this evening. Hopes Bob's inoculations do not make him too uncomfortable. Delighted to hear that Elizabeth is to have her 'picture taken by such a good artist'. The children are well and go to Cambo every morning 'for lessons, or drill, or class'. Mrs Runciman has gone; Mary is doing very well, their house is 'quite full' and she expects they 'all play noisy games round her bed'. Hopes Elizabeth enjoys her trip to Cambridge; asks to be remembered to Elizabeth's cousin Marie [Hubrecht]
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Hopes that the preparations are going well, and that Elizabeth's poor friend [Gordon Bottomley?] copes with the journey. This morning there is a thick mist, and Julian will not go out until it clears so she is writing in the Hall while he plays with his toys. His cousins came to tea yesterday; Booa [Mary Prestwich] 'gave them a performance with the dancing kittens and the black man', and it was bed time when they left. Nurse is sending a parcel of washing. Grace cannot find the Kodac [sic: Kodak camera?]; does not remember Elizabeth having it when she came from the Park [Annie Philip's house]. Had a nice letter from Margaret [Vaughan Williams]; very glad she enjoyed her visit. Miss [Lily] Noble is coming today, and the Dick Holts next Sunday. Julian is 'making "his kisses"' for Elizabeth on a piece of paper [enclosed] which 'he thinks a great joke'; hopes Elizabeth does not miss him too much. Sends the "Times Literary [Supplement]" which is amusing this week.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is well: is still getting time outside, and spends the evenings with them playing with his toy sheep. Yesterday he got to the piano in the drawing room and 'recited about the motor car'. Mary brought Pauline and Kitty to lunch and they got on well; Booa [Mary Prestwich] took Kitty and Julian to ride on the rocking horse. When Julian was walking home through the wood with Caroline and Sir George, they worked out he was saying 'the sky is gone', meaning the trees had hidden it. Miss [Lily?] Noble came for Sunday. Mrs [Hugh] Middleton gave birth to a son last week, and Mrs Anderson has been very ill. Hopes Mr [Gordon] Bottomley has recovered from his journey
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to hear that Elizabeth got through the journey all right; she must be delighted to be in the Netherlands again after so long. Glad she likes 'England to live in'; supposes she feels there is a 'broader and more varied outlook', but expects it is good to bring up children in the 'quieter atmosphere of Holland'. Julian is quiet enough here and has been pulling his train around the corridors; he wanted to be alone and told Booa [Mary Prestwich] to go and talk to Nannie. His nurse sensibly did not let him go to the birthday party [for Geordie] as he would be too cold and not enjoy it so much; the party ended with 'fireworks and a bonfire'. The children and Miss Richardson [their nanny?] are coming to tea in the nursery today. A niece of Booa's has been killed in a motor car accident; her husband, a doctor, was driving. Brown has been in a bicycle accident and is 'very bad', but she thinks he will pull through. Thinks she will have a Christmas tree this year and give two parties, one for the children of the family and some friends, and one for the schools; suggests around the 10-13 December, before they go to Welcombe the following week. Sir George is very cheerful, though anxious about Roosevelt: hopes he will be second [in the US election]. She hopes that 'England will play a decent part, & help to settle the [First Balkan] war'. The Holts are sending one of their daughters to Miss Weisse [her school, Northlands].
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Have not yet had better news of Charles or Mary; Pauline is with them, and they are comfortably lodged, but not much better; they have of course 'given up Elland'. There is a blizzard at Newcastle. Glad that Elizabeth has Nurse Fry with her; hopes she will take care of herself; encloses a cheque for fifty pounds towards 'the expenses of the moment'. Postscript on separate sheet: thanks Elizabeth for her letter; would like to see Julian dance. His remark about the 30th January in his last letter [11/159: referring to the execution of Charles I] was ironic; would have belonged to a Calf's Head Club in the eighteenth century.
2, Cheyne Gardens. - Thanks Bessie for the 'long letter from Aulla' about a month ago; apologises for taking so long to answer 'as usual' but knows she is 'of a kind & forgiving spirit'. The letter came in the middle of the General Election, when 'one thought of nothing else'; it was a 'glorious time', and she even went to the Strand on the first night and saw the 'great Manchester results' [such as Arthur Balfour's defeat]. Generally though she was rather solitary, since George was away almost all month working for Charles, or Francis Acland; had to 'console [herself] by chalking in the map with more & more red squares every day'; her 'feelings got very torn' about her brother, standing in Wiltshire as a Protectionist, since his opponent [John Massie] was the sort of Liberal she has least sympathy with, 'the narrow-minded Nonconformist sort', beginning to hope Arnold would at least cut down his majority. Instead it was doubled, and Arnold had only the 'poor consolation of being invited to the Party Meeting at Lansdowne House'. Words 'quite fail' her over Balfour's 'last manoeuvre'.
The family then all went to Welcombe, so that Charles, George, and Molly could rest 'after their fearful exertions'; of course Mary and Pauline were 'by far the most important members of the party'; contrasts Pauline's placidity with Mary's 'rampaging'; in fact they discovered Pauline was underweight, so Molly has stopped breastfeeding on doctor's orders and now she is 'flourishing'. Very 'jolly' about Charlie's Charity Commissionership; 'makes one feel he hasn't been left out after all'; he says the work is quite interesting. Mary is now one, which makes Janet 'feel tremendously old too!'. George has almost finished the proofs of his book on Meredith ["The Poetry and Philosophy of George Meredith"]; her own translation [of Wilhelm Bousset's "Jesus"] has just come out, though she is sure '[n]o one will ever buy it'. Hopes that Bessie and Bob are returning in the middle of March; things are 'buzzing over here'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - They have just had a 'long letter from Robert' [in the East] but have not yet read it through; expects Elizabeth will also hear from him. Julian becomes ever more talkative. Miss [Charlotte?] Moberly has been to visit. The hounds are coming this morning; does not know whether Julian will get out as it is raining, but he will be able to see them in the yard from the window. She and Sir George are 'greatly distressed' about the 'shocking row' in the House [of Commons, on Home Rule]. Charlie was here on Thursday night; he has gone today with Mary to Alnwick to speak in the place of E[dward] Grey, who cannot leave London. Their children are coming today to see the hounds, then 'sleep and dine' at Wallington. Nora [Trevelyan] came to lunch and to say goodbye as she is leaving; she looked very shaky. Meta [Smith]'s eldest son Reginald is engaged; he is 23 and does not come of age till he is 25, so Meta will not have to leave Goldings till then. Mary is quite well now.
Rounton Grange, Northallerton. - The news [of Paul's birth] is 'most delightful'; received the telegram at a 'very late shooting lunch yesterday' so apologises for their congratulations being belated. Glad he was a boy since there is for the moment no 'duplication of "Pauline"'. Asks for more news about Bessie: how easy the birth was, and whether she is recovering properly now; more interested in this than 'the exact tilt of Paul's nose'. She had an 'annoyingly long wait' but expects she does not mind now. They are 'immensely pleased'; comments on what a 'fine crowd the 5 bairns [his own Pauline and George, George's Mary and Theo, and Paul] will make a few years hence'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert's Christmas letter 'warmed [their] hearts' on such a cold morning. Interested to hear about 'Julian's happy industries over his drawings and paintings'; very much liked his black and white drawing for Aunt Annie [Philips] and the 'bold, cheerful, landscape' he sent to Caroline. Thinks Julian and Pauline's artistic powers come through Caroline, since he himself has none, though he tried art 'eagerly and laboriously when young'; he is likewise un-musical and has no concept of mathematics or linguistic ability. Elizabeth has her 'full share' of all these things. Sends good wishes for the new year; is instructing Drummond to pay twenty five pounds into her account for Julian's school fees, and will do the same in the Easter holidays.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Sharing the joy at 'last night's event' [the birth of Charles and Molly's daughter] which 'gives everyone here the greatest pleasure. The name is to be Pauline, which 'also meets approval'; notes in a postscript that he will be in London on Thursday night, Janet about a week later; will be glad to see Bob and Bessie if they come to town.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is very sorry for the difficulties with 'poor Miss Boucher [Julian's governess]; glad that Caroline will see Elizabeth to hear about it; also glad that Julian is well, and 'quite contented that he should get his intellectual nourishment largely through pictures'. A 'strange metaphysical friend' of Henry Sidgwick's, who was 'too odd and unkempt to be an Apostle' used to tell Sir George he had the 'Shoshonee [Shoshone] mind' since he said their 'alphabet was all in pictures'. Has seen a portrait of 'the late Mr Willett, the father of daylight saving'. Does not know whether the Cambo household will return; afraid Pauline is not well. Has been busy; the Shakespeare tercentenary was held in Stratford tastefully and 'rather successfully', and he felt he should 'repay the neighbourliness and friendliness' of the people by attending some of the celebrations, and making some speeches. Stratford has 'ceased to be an American town'; instead of twelve or fifteen thousand last year, there were only two hundred and fifty four [visitors]. Thanks Robert for [Charlotte Lennox's] "The Female Quixote"; has been reading "Humphry Clinker", which he has always thought Smollett's 'most readable' work, though there is 'nothing like the naval scenes in Roderick Random'.
The Shiffolds. - Apologises for not writing lately; is 'only just settled down at home'. Had to go to London on Tuesday and Wednesday. Julian returned to Bedales on Monday, seeming 'very well and cheerful'; Robert was glad to see him for a few days before he went back. Bessie seems well, and enjoyed her trip to the Netherlands, 'though it was a bit tiring seeing so many people in so short a time'.
Is 'very glad' he went to Greece, since he greatly enjoyed his walks in the countryside. Read 'Nicholson's book about Byron [Harold Nicolson's Byron: The Last Journey] and thought it very good'; it made him like Byron more. He 'took care to be out of the way of the Celebrations [of the centenary of Byron's death] and was walking in the Peloponnese at the time'.
Will write to his father soon. Will try to visit before his parents go North: will know in a few days when he can come, and write to fix dates then. Is sorry Pauline 'did not get through [to university?]: but the standard seems very high now, owing to the number of girls who want to get in. Three clever Bedales girls also failed'. Charles and Molly 'seemed very cheerful' when he saw them in London.