Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Was very glad that Robert went to the funeral; there is an 'immense gap' since [Sir George's sister] Margaret's 'vitality, and power of interest made one forget how long she had been very ill'. Charles and Mary went to Rounton [Grange] this morning; Janet, George, and their babies [Mary and Theodore]. A huge search-party was out for 'old Thompson', the farmer-shepherd at Harwood, who was nearly blind and got lost on 'Friday week, the first of the hot days'; Charles got fifty 'navvies from the water works' to join in; Harwood was eventually found drowned in Fallowlees Loch. It would not have been right to shoot Harwood moor, and the game were scattered over the county by the searchers; Sir George went shooting for the first time yesterday and did well; will shoot Catcherside next Monday. Has bought the twelve volumes of the "Yellow Book" in the original covers; asks if he has had a bargain. Glad that the Water Lane is being done to Robert and Elizabeth's satisfaction.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Hopes Elizabeth's search for a nurse goes well; recommends the "Morning Post" for advertisements. They have had a good time with George, Janet, and the children, who have been 'very much better' behaved. Asks if Elizabeth would like an Otterburn Tweed for a coat and skirt; originally enclosing samples of patterns for her to choose from. Gussie [Enticknap] 'looks very cheerful' and will go to Mrs Davidson's [lodgings for the gardeners] soon; Keith says 'he wands a good deal of looking after & "knows nothing of work"'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Very sad news about the nurse [Mrs Catt]; hopes Elizabeth will be able to find another as nice; asks if Mrs Catt has a home to go to for a chance of recovery. Good that Julian is so well. George came yesterday with 'a nice young Huxley', with whom he had walked 'over mountains from the Lakes 94 miles in 3 days'. The A[ndrew?] Langs are here, and Mrs Lang asks about Elizabeth; Mrs Pease and the Hunsfields are coming to lunch, and the Booths for the night; Janet and the children come tomorrow. Sending a brace of grouse; asks whether the last ones arrived. Lucky that Nurse Shephard can come; it will give Elizabeth time to find another nurse. Booa is very sorry [about Nurse Catt?]
Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - He and his wife much appreciated Trevelyan sending them his 'sheaf of little poems' ["From the Shiffolds"] and much enjoyed them. He and Trevelyan were 'born within a few weeks of each other', so "Sometimes in happy dream", 'touches [him] closely'. The Hammonds have had 'unlimited opportunities during the last forty years of studying and in certain repsetcs [sic: respects] trying to control the habits of cats' so "Pusska" is 'very vivid'. Hopes that Trevelyan has long recovered from his accident. Used to have news of him from Mary Moorman when they were in Manchester; their 'long exile' there ended last summer. Best wishes to both Trevelyans.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Was judging at the Exhibition on Saturday; 'Sunday we went to Church!'; Sir George read his chapter to her for two hours on Monday. Elinor Middleton, Kenneth Swan and 'M. Burnett' have been staying with them; tomorrow it is the tenants' party. Sir George was very pleased to have Julian's photograph; intends to come to see him in the autumn. Theo and Humphry have had measles and are recovering; Mary shows no sign of it; the children's visit may be delayed a little but George comes on the 31st. The [Henry Yates] Thompsons visit soon. Pleased to have good news of Julian; would like to see a photograph of him in the donkey cart. Hopes they are enjoying Mr [Donald] Tovey's visit and that he is better.
Continues the letter after having been interrupted by Mary and her guests Mr and Mrs Runciman, then 'the children with the poney [sic]'; Pauline is 'beginning to ride nicely'. Has read Rosalind Murray's The Leading Note, which is 'nice and simple, but a girl of that age does not know enough to write a novel'. Hopes Robert is enjoying having 'Ariadne clothed and adorned [by Tovey's composition of the score of The Bride of Dionysus].
2, Cheyne Gardens. - Has sent Bob's letter to [Kenneth?] Swan. Glad that Bob is returning to the Lake Hunt. Has been hearing a lot about India from 'various persons, white and brown' and has become 'quite a Tagorite, under the teaching of Yeats, W[illiam] Rothenstein' and a pupil of Tagore. Tagore has 'stopped Yeats being mad on magic and small green elephants' and without 'his magic nonsense, Yeats is one of the really splendid people'. The [First] Balkan war 'bids fair to end very well'. Wonders 'whether Goldie [Dickinson] will like his Chinaman as little as the Webbs [Sidney and Beatrice] when he meets (and smells) them'. Sees from the address that Bessie has given that Bob will be there for this 'great meeting'; hopes that Goldie will not be like Matthew Arnold, whom H[enry] Sidgwick said judged 'everything by its smell' like a dog. Glad that Bob has had some good bathes, but tells him not to be 'eaten of [sic] crocodiles', since Mary would never be able to read "Peter Pan" again if Bob 'suffered the fate of Capt. Hook'. Has just finished writing "[The Life of John] Bright" and hopes to publish it in May or June.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad to get Elizabeth's letter; thinks Julian will prosper even more with warmth and sunshine. She is recovering, though too slowly; hopes to go down to tea as Annie [Price?] is coming to see her. Mary and Pauline entertained her yesterday; wants to have them painted, probably in miniature. Sir George is reading "Mr Polly" [H. G. Wells: "The History of Mr Polly"] aloud to her, which is very amusing; is reading [Samuel Butler's] "Erewhon" himself, which she will return when he finishes it. Would very much like to see Elizabeth if she comes up again; glad she has 'put things right with nurse'. Nice 'to have a little W.L.A. [Women's Liberal Association]'; likes that the work 'brings one into contact with people you cannot reach in any other way'; was never able to do 'charity visiting' and there are 'such nice women in the WLA'. Asks if Elizabeth would like to represent the Upper Wansbeck W.L.A. at the Council meeting on 10 and 11 May; could put her up. Has sent five pounds to the People's Suffrage Society [Federation?] since she 'approve[s] their principles, though... cannot be bound to one plan'. Asks in a postscript whether Elizabeth has a photograph of Julian.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad to hear Julian has gained so much weight, and that Elizabeth has recovered her strength so quickly. Interesting that Elizabeth's sister and [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen are coming. She and Sir George are leaving this morning 'in truly patriarchal fashion' since the 'Chelsea nursery' [George and Janet's children: Mary, Theodore and Humphry] join them at the station. Is thinking of Paul today: believes they will 'see him in Julian', who will therefore be 'doubly precious'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Will be glad if Bob sends on the "Unità" [Italian journal edited by Gaetano Salvemini]; read the leaders in the first two numbers with 'great interest' and shared the point of view. Grateful to Miss [Violet?] Paget. Looking forward to Mary [his daughter]'s visit to the Shiffolds.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sure Elizabeth is glad to be in bed in this cold weather, though since there was sunshine yesterday and today she and Sir George have taken some walks. The nurse has kindly written a long letter with much she wanted to know about Elizabeth and Paul. Is very glad to hear the nursing [breastfeeding] has begun so well; Mary and Pauline were both 'troublesome' though the boys [Theodore and George Lowthian] were not. Longs to see Elizabeth and Paul but must wait, as both she and Sir George are going to be careful not to catch chills. Has been busy with the accounts, and has 'embarked on another large Vol. of Sorel'. Asks if Elizabeth has had visitors yet; sure Miss Noel will be delighted. Janet is coming on 7 January, and her mother the next day; 'rather alarmed' at the thought of having Mrs Ward for 'two whole days'. Asks if Paul has been out yet; likes the idea of him 'being carried up and down the Tannhurst [sic: Tanhurst?] Terrace which is so sheltered & sunny'. Long holiday at Stratford, with Christmas, bank holiday and local holiday; there has been tobogganing on the hill behind the house, and the pond will soon be frozen enough for skating.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian has just left; hopes he will get comfortably through the long journey. He had a 'great game' here last night with the others [his cousins]; will miss him very much. The H.Y.Ts [Henry Yates Thompsons] and Lord Bryce are coming today; will be good for Sir George to have company. The 'terrible news is so exciting and tiring'; Elizabeth must be anxious about the Netherlands. Janet and her children come on Friday. Feels 'very idle in all this turmoil' but actually is as busy as she can manage. Sends love to Robert; sure he will be as glad as Elizabeth to have Julian back.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Had not written, expecting to hear something definite about R[obert]; he is 'not going just yet' [to France to work for the Friends War Victims Relief Committee ]. Sorry Julian has not been well. If Robert goes this month, Elizabeth could bring Julian up to Wallington before he starts school. George arrived this morning; he is going to London on Monday and then hopes for some time in the lakes with his family. Very distressing news about Mrs Tovey [going into an asylum]; [Donald] Tovey will 'be "at a loose end" again in domestic matters'. Glad that Elizabeth has found a 'good home' for Miss B[arthorp, Julian's governess]. Miss Clarke has left so C[harles] and M[ary] 'have the children to themselves'; it will be hard work, but they seem happy. Janet and the children go to Robin Ghyll on Tuesday; the H[enry] Y[ates] T[hompson]s come a few days later. Sir George is not well, but it is not serious; he gets worried by change and visitors though 'in reality he likes it'. Asks Elizabeth to tell Julian that Humphry has caught a fish 'at last', and Georgie has shot a hare as well as rabbits
Lanercost Priory, Brampton, Cumberland. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for sending his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; likes several of them 'very much, particularly "The Prison-House" which reminded her of a poem she herself wrote recently that was liked by Frances Cornford. Feels as Bob does about the 'modern poets - sure there is a spring of pure poetry there, but not very successful at making it flow!' Wishes 'somebody would write a book explaining T. S. Eliot, like Daddy did for [George] Meredith'. She 'hardly dare[s] ask, fearing the worst', whether Aunt Bessie has head any news about her Röntgen nephews, or whether Professor [Pieter] Geyl 'survived the ordeals he underwent'. She and her husband are 'very happy here, and thoroughly enjoy country life'; the church is 'superb - the ancient 12th century Augustinian priory'; the house 'partly consists of a tower built by Edward I', who came several times. They are just twenty miles from Hallington, which has been released from use as a hospital; her mother spent a few days there before Christmas organising redecoration, but it is 'still full of hospital furniture'. Saw Aunt Annie [Philips] before October, who is 'very old now, and tired, but her interest in things is undiminished' and she 'much appreciates Aunt Bessie's letters'.
2, Cheyne Gardens. - Thanks Bob for "[The Birth of] Parzival", which he and Jan think is a 'great success', as do the Frys [Roger and Helen], whom George has just seen. They all agree on its poetic qualities, and are more involved and moved 'by the subject and the idea' than by anything Bob has written previously. George thinks it 'almost immeasurably better than "[Cecilia] Gonzaga"', though sees how that taught him to write this. Mentions the themes, passages and a line he likes best. Nothing has yet happened here [a reference to the forthcoming birth of his daughter Mary Caroline]. A postscript on the last page mentions the part of Bob's poem he thinks 'least good'.
2, Cheyne Gardens. - Written an hour and a half after the birth of [George and Janet's daughter] Mary Caroline; Janet 'doing very well, and was a splendid patient'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has returned from a busy time in London; glad to see Elizabeth and Robert's letters to her and Sir George. Saw George, Janet, and the babies, who are 'very sweet'; also Mary, who is 'wonderfully well' and may have her baby at any time; the nurse is in lodgings nearby. They have been trying to settle their winter plans; asks if the 27 or 28 [November] would be a good time to visit, after her Comm[itt]ee meeting on the 27th. Asks how long Elizabeth's sister will stay. Will then return to Wallington for a week; they think they will come south before Christmas. Hope it will be fine for Sir George's shoot tomorrow; several people cannot come because of Parliament, but he has Humphry Ward, John T[revelyan?], and T. Taylor; Dorothy [Ward?] and several neighbours are also coming.
Does not think the women who have been imprisoned [for militant suffrage campaigning] are 'hysterical'; believes they arranged the '"demonstration"' and were sent to prison as they intended. Difficult to say what she thinks of such tactics: in many ways 'it does harm, decidedly; but in others it forwards the cause', keeping the subject alive as less dramatic campaigning cannot do, and arousing 'a great deal of sympathy among labour people'. Does not approve of their methods, but is reluctant to condemn them as she is 'not ready to suffer [herself] for the cause, in the way they are doing'. The [Women's Liberal] Federation are 'very much alive' and were busy from eleven till six on Tuesday; good to see so much energy. Is looking forward to seeing so much of Elizabeth and Robert. A postscript notes that she is 'ordering a piece of Toasting Cheese to be sent'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Mr [Donald] Tovey's visit must have given Elizabeth great pleasure. She and Sir George feel 'very quiet without the children', but they have occasional visits from Pauline; she is growing up and can just stand now; Mary [her cousin?] was 'very fond of her' though they 'cannot do anything together'. Glad Elizabeth likes the flannels - it will be 'nice to see Wilhelmina in them [Elizabeth's baby was in fact a boy] - and that she has settled with the nurse. Is sending the leaflets she promised. Has 'done no politics lately', but there is to be a conference at Morpeth on 18 October. Spending a few days with Aunt Annie [Philips] at the end of October. Mary seems very well; thinks they [she and Charles] go to town on 20 October; Janet is at Stocks Cottage for about another fortnight, then they [she and George] also settle in London. Will enjoy seeing so much of Elizabeth and Robert this winter; Miss Martin will come and stay with Sir George when she is away.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter; Bob's arrived on Sir George's birthday. Summer 'has come just in time for the haymaking'. Glad Elizabeth will be coming north in September; thinks it would be best for Bob to pay a short visit then come back for Elizabeth. Sir George 'now gets fussed at having visitors, especially men', but does like children in the house so they will enjoy seeing Julian. Does not know yet what they are doing after the end of October, but will like having Julian until then. Has seen so little of Elizabeth this year. Hopes Miss Barthorp [a new governess] will be nice; seems a good plan to have Lily for now. Difficult to think of Elizabeth's cousin [Jan Bastiaan Hubrecht] as a diplomat; supposes he will have a distant posting to begin with; hopes they have a safe crossing. Janet and the children left today for the Park. Agrees that it is interesting watching the girls grow up; Mary and Pauline are both very nice, though different. Thinks that girls are 'more intellectual than boys at that age'; regrets that it often 'turns the other way 10 years later'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very sorry to tell Elizabeth that 'the poor little twin [Hugh] cannot live'; his illness is meningitis; Dr Still [?] came from London but could do nothing. The one comfort is that he 'sleeps & has no pain'. Mary has little time to write; she and Charles will be deeply grieved as 'they are so wrapped up in the children'. Glad Julian is well; sure he will be 'more free & active' [after his operation] which will 'keep his liver in order; nice that he gardens. Hopes the 'Scotch governess' is suitable; thinks they are 'generally more ready for country life'. She and Sir George are both very busy; Dr [Cyril?] Burt has called on Sir George and thinks him 'wonderfully strong'. The 'Hawtry's' [sic: Ralph Hawtrey and his wife?] must be 'an amusing pair'; glad they are happy. Janet and the children are visiting next week; does not know if she has let her house.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sure Elizabeth and Robert will have followed the election results with 'much delight and astonishment'; it is extraordinary; a 'peaceful revolution, that have far reaching consequences'. The results in Surrey, Cheshire and Harrow, as well as Wales, are 'very wonderful'; the Tories will probably only have about a hundred and sixty seats. It 'seems a great responsibility to have such a majority'; hopes the Government rises to the occasion. Charles and George have been working in Yorkshire since the Elland election and F[rancis] Acland's success is hoped for; they and their families will all be at Welcombe by Wednesday and 'it will be amusing to have both the babies'. Meta Hearn [daughter of William Hearne, the butler] was taken to hospital with sudden appendicitis; she is recovering now but her parents were very anxious. The Tories here are 'very civil'; 'of course' they do not talk politics, but she thinks it has been a 'great shock'; the 'clergy everywhere are very quiet'. The little piano is in good tune; hopes Mary will play. Asks if Elizabeth has had much music, and whether [Lina] Waterfield can accompany her.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Pleasant to get Elizabeth's letter 'with an atmosphere of Italy about it'; was very sorry to leave Rome; the journey home was not pleasant but they 'arrived without misadventure'. Spent a day in London; Janet and George came to lunch; she seems well but George is tired, having been working hard to finish his Meredith book ["The Poetry and Philosophy of George Meredith"]. He is going now to 'electioneer' for Charlie and F[rancis Dyke] Acland; was in a 'very pessimistic modd', but she thinks things are 'very promising'. Is not sure about the local constituency; the candidate [Malcolm Kincaid-Smith] is 'not very good, & it can hardly be won', but 'even Birmingham is fluttered' and Lionel [Holland] is said to have hopes. Aunt Margaret has gone to stay at the 'Plough & Harrow Hotel' in Edgbaston to be near him; they are much amused and only hope she does not over-tire herself. Sir George is 'fairly well'; expects he will be all right when he gets to work. Cooper [Elizabeth Cooper, cook?] has come to Welcombe with them; she can get about but is not to work this month. They will be very quiet this month; she is not going to Charlie's election; is sure Mary will be a 'capital help'. Mrs Whitby has 'taken them all in - Pauline and nurse [Lister?] included!'. Glad Elizabeth had 'an amusing dance & fête'; asks how long they will stay, and if Robert's work is going well. Asks her to remind Robert to write to Sir George. Asks what Mr [Aubrey] Waterfield is painting. The Burlington House collection is 'not large, but well worthy seeing'; there is a 'most delightful Franz Hals' and much else. They have brought many new books to Welcombe: 'Holman Hunt, [Herbert Paul's life of] Froude, Churchill [Winston's Churchill's life of his father Randolph, etc etc' but spend much time reading newspapers. Has 'an election map to mark' and the accounts to do. G[eorge], J[anet] and Mary are coming to stay after the election. Booa is glad to have the Trevelyans back. The 'heating answers very well'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for the affection in his letter; he is very busy at the moment, and has little strength to do what needs to be done, but he and Caroline 'greatly felt' all Robert said about himself and Elizabeth. Caroline is liable to sudden, unpredictable attacks. Thanks for the news about Mary Caroline.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad Julian has returned 'in good heart'; Sir George has grandchildren all round him now 'waiting for the Verdict': Mary Caroline's degree result is due. Will be fascinating for Robert to supervise the production [at Cambridge Festival Theatre in November of his translation of Aeschylus's "Oresteia", by Terence Gray]. Asks if Robert and Elizabeth have a copy of the aerial photograph of Welcombe; is trying to find out the organisation or company from which it comes. Has been undergoing surgical treatment for four weeks and is not yet recovered; is 'much weakened'. Encloses his 'little correspondence with the "Sunday Times"'; most pleased that the newspapers noticed that [Sir Charles Wentworth] Dilke had refused to go to Dublin [as Chief Secretary for Ireland], and that it was like Sir George 'not to refer to it'; Dilke 'never got over it', and it was one reason people took his 'catastrophe so unsympathetically'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thinks Elizabeth has come to 'the best & easiest & least expensive' decision about Julian; if she decides to 'take the chance of a Zeppelin raid' she must not think of it, and get his operation over as soon as possible. Tells her to let them know what the surgeon's fee and so on is, since Sir George is keen to help. Glad that Elizabeth has recovered. Julian's letters are 'very original'; Booa [Mary Prestwich] has just got one. Is sure he will like going to London, and he will not mind lying still as much as some children would. Janet's children seem to be well; they will spend the winter at Stocks Cottage and Janet will go up [to London] 'for her business'; she does a great deal and 'seems no worse for it'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Robert's letter bears out all Mary Caroline said about how 'pleasant and profitable' he and Bessie made her visit to them. Likes to think about Robert and Julian at the Tate Gallery. One of the 'effects' which most struck him on visits to great collections of Europe was the sight 'through a vista of dross of Sargeant's [sic: Sargent] portrait of himself in... the wonderful "Hanging Committee"'. He and Caroline are now tired nearly all of the time, but not unhappy; 'Providence all round is very kind'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for the 'extract specimen' of an edition of Thucydides, which he returns; discusses the editions he has already, including the text by Poppo which he had at Harrow 'covered throughout' with pencil notes; some 'evidently from Dr Vaughan's lips' but most his own; some are 'really interesting, as written in the stress and agony of the Great War'. Thinks he will 'content himself with this little Clarendon Press edition'; asks Robert to tell Mary Caroline.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The 'next generation' are very fortunate: Mary Caroline, George Lowthian, and now Julian can read Macaulay, Carlyle, and [Motley's] "Dutch Republic", and the books he himself had to read 'almost secretly, and as a sin' because he was meant to be writing 'copies of bad Greek Iambics' and puzzling over Demosthenes; now his grandchildren's 'first duties' are to 'read "Clive" and "Chatham" and Ferrero'. Interested to hear that Robert and Elizabeth have been reading Herodotus aloud together; when Elizabeth comes to Wallington he will show her Paul Louis Courier's paper, which is a 'masterpiece'. Begins re-reading the last two books of Herodotus himself on Wednesday; is finishing Tacitus's "Annals" today; discusses the contrasting styles of it and the "Histories". Agrees completely about Horace's "Epistles". Asks for advice on editions of Thucydides.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Hopes to hear that Elizabeth has arranged to take Julian to the sea, where if he is outside all day he 'may revive quickly'. Mary's nurse is back; hopes that Miss Clarke [the governess] will also return soon. The children are very good but 'a little wild, & want to get to work again'. Wallington seems very still with no children. Mary and Humphry will have their adenoids operated on next week, then go to spend the winter at Stocks Cottage, with Janet going 'up & down [to London]'. George writes very interestingly: 'it is a wonderful work, & he seems to have blossomed out into a most wonderful organizer'; sometimes he has to work eighteen or twenty hour stretches.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Comments below the date that it is the 55th anniversary of his and Caroline's wedding. "[The Fall of] Prince Florestan [of Monaco]" was undoubtedly written by [Sir Charles Wentworth] Dilke; it is a 'delicious little piece'; has a presentation copy signed from their 'friend, Florestan'. Very interested by what Robert says about his [translation of] "Theocritus", and about [Sophocles's] "Antigone"; this was always a 'known play' and he saw a translation on stage in London as a little boy, though he remembers nothing about it 'except the beautiful white dresses. Has been re-reading Velleius Paterculus, which would 'almost bear publishing' with his notes and 'still more with Macaulay's". Sorry about Julian; hopes it will 'turn out as favourably' as Robert expects; Mary Caroline's attack of mumps is more serious, and involves 'isolation of the family, and upsetting of plans'; Sir George fears it will spoil 'dear Humphry's prize-getting' which everyone had been looking forward to. Asks Robert in a footnote whether he has read Proust's "Recherché...", and tells him to see last week's ["Times] Literary Supplement".
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Begins mid-sentence with a reference to 'the easier plan of the two'. Glad Elizabeth feels well; asks if it is true that it is the cold weather she needs to be careful of. George 'has his destination and is setting up his hospital'; has had 'quite an enthusiastic reception from the Italians'. Mary and Humphry are still here; the weather is fine but 'autumnal'. Glad Miss Bouden [?] is feeling stronger; it is 'a very good thing'.