Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will write to Jan Hubrecht at once and invite him; sorry M. [Ambrosius?] and Mad. H[ubrecht] are staying for such a short time. Has had interesting letters from Robert about the Chantrey Com[mission]n, [Roger] Fry and so on; he will be glad when Elizabeth comes. C[harles] and M[ary] hope to get into their new house on 8 August; G[eorge] and J[anet] are going to see Aunt Annie [Philips] tomorrow. If Elizabeth thinks Mary can play well enough to accompany her, they can 'make her practice'; it is very kind of Elizabeth to say she will play at a party. Caroline has to organise the Tenant's party. Asks if Elizabeth's subscription to the G[rosvenor] Cr[escent] Club is due; Caroline will give her the money when they meet; believes the Club has changed management.
'On the Road! Birmingham [written on 8, Grosvenor Crescent notepaper]. - Glad Elizabeth had a good time at Pen Moel; has met the 'rather astonishing lady [Agnes Macdonald: see 46/101]' and does not know what Meggy [Price] sees in her. Everything lovely at Welcombe and she was sorry to leave, but Sir George is 'longing to be at work again'. Now on her way to the Park [home of Annie Philips]; hopes to be at Wallington by Saturday evening. Glad that Elizabeth has seen the V[aughan] W[illiams]s and that 'all is going pleasantly'; hopes the roof [of the new house] will be on before she and Robert go abroad. Caroline and Sir George dined at the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club and thought it 'very much gone off'; the food and the meeting [?] were both bad. Thinks she will give it up next year; for the cost of the subscription she could have a kitchen maid. Writing at Birmingham station, having seen Sir George off North. He is 'enormously excited about the Russian business' [the Dogger Bank incident]; since he is 'so peaceful generally', his agitation makes her worried about 'what hot headed jingos will do'. If Elizabeth would like to stay at Tunbridge Wells for the Conference, the local secretary Miss Jones is Caroline's friend and would take her in or find her somewhere else to stay; Sophie [Wicksteed] seems very ill; does not think Aunt A[nnie] would like any visitors there in her absence.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear Elizabeth is comfortably settled at Florence; hopes she and Bob are enjoying their time with the Berensons; supposes they will reach Ravello around Christmas. Charles and Mary are back from 'ten days in their constituency with meetings every night'. There was a Women's Liberal Association meeting at Cambo on Wednesday; Charles chaired and Miss [Florence?] Balgarnie spoke, and it was an excellent meeting. Charles is now 'first rate' at public speaking, and Mary also can speak 'quite nicely'. Had a letter from Miss Somerville about the Westminster bazaar, which made forty pounds; she said the 'very nice things' which Elizabeth had sent sold quickly. Good to hear that Elizabeth and Robert's [new] house has got on so well; probably good for her to have a quiet time before she has to start thinking about moving, though it is possible to have so much. Caroline herself sometimes feels that at Wallington if she sees no one but Sir George for a week, though he - and Robert - are the 'best of company'. Hopes Elizabeth will come to Welcombe for Easter, when Robert is with his friends [on George Moore's reading holiday]. George is coming to them next week, and they go to Welcombe on 27 December. There is a 'great fuss' at the Grosvenor Cr[escen]t Club: the proprietress seems 'unsatisfactory', while the food and management have been 'very bad'; Caroline had decided to leave before she hear about the row. Julia seems to be the 'centre of it'; Caroline will send Elizabeth her letter. Julia is not 'very delightful or interesting, but she is perfectly respectable & not at all fast!'. Caroline paid Elizabeth's subscription on 17 January, so she had better write a resignation letter before then if she does not want to carry on; it is a great pity, as it 'was really a nice club at one time'. There will be a 'school treat' on Thursday, so she is hoping the mild weather will last. Is reading 'such a pleasant life of Burne Jones by his wife' ["Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones"]. Calls the Pre-Raphaelites 'an innocent high minded set, with all their absurdities'.
Dorking. - Has 'spent all day dancing upon the tight-plank' to stencil a frieze for Bob's hall, since the decorator was a 'confounded duffer' and would have ruined the design; thinks it will be 'rather jolly' but despairs about the sitting room. Asks Bob to thank his mother for letting her ladies' club know [the Grosvenor Crescent Club] about his lectures; has sent some more prospectuses and tickets, but they are now selling well, 'So the war hasn't quite destroyed everything yet'. Will 'jump at the idea' of [illustrating?] Bob's translations, would 'like them to be in a Lorenzo Monaco style'. The ring [for Bob's engagement to Elizabeth van der Hoeven] can certainly be made smaller.
Draft [?] letter from Trevelyan, Roundhurst, Hazelmere, to 'My dear Censor' [Thomas Sturge Moore], with 'a few timid verses'; Trevelyan does not think highly of them. Has written 'a great deal of the longer poem', though is now 'a little stuck'. Is coming to London on Tuesday, and staying with [Edward] Marsh until Saturday; asks if he could stay with Moore in Highgate, as his other evenings are taken up with concerts. Has just received a notice for the "Dial" [Shannon and Ricketts' 'occasional magazine'], which looks good; is 'especially glad to see "Centaur" in it. Asks why there is only one woodcut [by Moore] in it. A version of "Archilochus, serving as a hireling..." [published in "Mallow and Asphodel"] follows, with many corrections in both pen and pencil; a note from Trevelyan at the end says that he does not like the 'end part, apart from its not being particular [sic] original'.
Two bifolia with draft version of "The Sadness of Neobule, when the Spring returning does not bring Archilochus with it" [published in "Mallow and Asphodel"]. Two sheets of paper with draft verses, beginning "Her bright authentic image", and "But a sudden wind..." [three lines only]. Three sheets of paper with drafts of the first part of "For a Fan" ["Mallow and Asphodel"]. Two sheets of paper with draft poems, first beginning "Ah! will Joy come back again..." and "Therefore to bright Aphrodite..."
Book contains various drafts of verse, and a small section of prose [f 12]. Trevelyan uses the book from each end. Six loose sheets from this book folded together, with poem, "Come little fishes, gather round my hook" [between ff 40-41]. Draft (incomplete) of "Epimetheus" [published in "Mallow and Asphodel"], 35r-28r.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looks forward to visiting on the 11th. Is going to the Park [Prestwich: to see her sister Annie?] on the 12th and does not like to leave Sir George for long so may only come to town on the 10th; if she comes the day before she will spend the night of the 10th in Surrey as well. Sir George cannot leave until the 13th because of the voting for Hexham. Would be sorry to miss Robert. Very sorry to hear about [Alphonse] Grandmont, though reassures her that 'surgery is so wonderful now' and there is less to fear. Her aunt's 'weakness' will also add to the 'family anxiety'. Glad that the doctor was able to treat Elizabeth herself; hopes she liked him. They were 'astonished beyond measure at Lionel [Holland]'s reappearance', not that he is standing as a Liberal as they 'knew he was not a real Conservative', but that he has returned, and wonders 'how he gets the money to stand'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert have heard anything about it; supposes they [the Knutsfords] knew nothing of Lionel's plans when they were at Pinewood. Very sad about Meta [Smith]'s child. They have 'cheerful news from Charles, & [the Liberals] are hopeful of winning seats in the north', though 'the reaction [against the Second Boer War?] is not yet in full swing'. Suggests in a postscript on a separate sheet that Elizabeth could travel back with her to London in the evening, stay the night at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escen]t and dine at her club; George will also be in town.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Does not care for the concert Elizabeth describes, but would be delighted to spend the evening with her and Robert on Monday, and dine at the [Grosvenor Crescent?] Club; if they need to return home on Monday night they could lunch with her and 'see some pictures' before they leave. If they would like to sleep at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent], Elizabeth should write to Annie at once so she can get ready for them; Miss Martin is at Wallington looking after Sir George; Robert should write to him 'as he seems a little over-worked'.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S. W. - Sorry to have missed seeing Elizabeth. C[harles] says she and Robert are thinking seriously of Leith Hill, so she supposes their 'interview was satisfactory'; the countryside is so beautiful it 'will be worth the trouble of getting a house built'. Asks if there is a telegraph office nearby. Is sorry it is so hot at the Mill House; she feels it in London, though it was hotter at Welcombe. Their party [for the Birmingham Liberals?] was 'a great success'. She and Charles have been for dinner at the [Grosvenor Crescent?] Club; he is working at home this evening.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear good news of Elizabeth and Robert and especially that there are 'pleasant friends to take walks with'. Would have liked to join them on the trip to Amalfi and have 'seen the lovely pergola again'. Glad the rumour about Mr Fry [that he had died] was not true; wonders how it started. More people drop in for tea than at Wallington, which is good for Sir George in the winter as it stops him getting 'too absorbed in his writing'. Henry James is coming for a few days on Saturday, and Dorothy Ward 'to help amuse him'. Is writing an interesting 'Life of Mazzini' by Bolton King, which is 'very well written'. The local recollection of their parties last summer is 'still vivid'. The weather is fine and mild, though TInson 'remarks that "we shall have a pinch for it, later"'. Wishes she had seen Ravello and Amalfi in the sunshine. Tells Elizabeth to find out about the homeopathic cold medicine; has often heard it to be 'very efficacious'. Asks if Elizabeth would like to join the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club; Caroline must arrange it before 20 February if so. Charles has gone to Paris with introductions to politicians. Sends love to Robert, and is glad his play 'prospers'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sent a post-card about the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club; hopes Elizabeth has heard from the Secretary. Lunched there when she had to be in London on Tuesday but was not able to see the Secretary; thinks it will be all right if the application is not in by the 20th. Glad some 'pleasant' people have been at the Pension. She and Sir George go to London on the 19th. Charles has been seeing lots of people in Paris and returns tomorrow, though he is not coming to Welcombe yet. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert will be back by Easter, and if so whether they will spend it at Welcombe. Also asks if she will come to see any of Benson's plays [at Stratford], which start on 20 April. Expects they are soon leaving for Sicily; hopes Elizabeth will find her cousin Marie [Hubrecht] better. Henry James has been to stay at Welcombe for a couple of days; he 'is so much nicer than his books, though she greatly admires some of them. Hope Robert's play is progressing; asks when the other ["Cecilia Gonzaga"?] will be published. Enough money has found to begin the new "Independent Review"; G[eorge] is 'continually rushing up to London about it'; he is taking rooms there with Hilton Young after Easter. Caroline has been attempting to read [Richardson's] "Clarissa" but fears she will not succeed; asks if Elizabeth is getting on better with it.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Elizabeth seems to have had more snow than they have at Welcombe. Will be very good to see her and Robert again; asks if they will stop a night on the way through London, or prefer to get home then come after they are settled. Is thinking of hosting 'a weekly dinner on Tuesdays in March, & a "small & early for MP's & young people afterwards'; Elizabeth and Robert must come to one. Henry James arrived last night and is 'most amusing & delightful on his American experiences'. Audrey T[revelyan] and the Bells are coming today. She and Sir George go to London on 23 February. Will give Elizabeth her club subscription when she returns; she will then have to make enquiries about which is the best club and change next year; Caroline thinks the Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent] club has 'become very common & inferior'. Is glad Elizabeth saw Shelley's villa; the coast where Byron burnt his body is 'wierd [sic] & beautiful too'. Asks if she has read Mrs Shelley's "Life" of her husband, which Caroline thinks is better than [Edward] Dowden's. Mary has had to give up nursing Pauline, having done too much over the election and got run down. Charlie has accepted the position of Parliamentary Charity Commissioner, which is unpaid and not much work, but 'keeps him "in the running"'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Elizabeth's letter with the 'account of the storm & disaster at the Cembroni [Villa Cimbrone] is most curious'; feels very sorry for 'the poor people who are so much ill used'. Has signed the form to nominate Elizabeth for membership of the [Grosvenor Crescent] club and sent it to Lady Jebb as a seconder as Mrs Runciman is 'a very precise little person' and might not feel able to say that she knew Elizabeth personally. She and Sir George are going to London tomorrow, but regret it as the weather is so beautiful. They are reading 'Mr. Gardner's book' about his grandfather, the Leipzig publisher, but it is much too long, and she finds it hard to be very interested in Wieland and Herder. Hopes that Elizabeth and Robert's 'Sicilian Expedition' will be nice; tells her to go to the Maria di Gesù in Palermo, for the beautiful view; a shame not to get to Girgenti [Agrigento] but it is a long way.
8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Rather 'wonderful how many liberals' Elizabeth and Robert have had in 'such a small party' [of fellow guests at Ravello]: Mr [Henry John?] Roby is 'a fine old fellow'; knows who Miss Williams is. Hears of many people going to Rome and Sicily now. Understands that Elizabeth wants to stop in Holland while Robert 'joins the Easter party [organised by George Moore]'. Has reserved tickets for the Joachim concerts; would very much like to go with Elizabeth and would be able to find other takers on occasions when unable to attend. Elizabeth was elected to the [Grosvenor Crescent] club and Caroline has paid her sub. Sir George is talking to Mr Longman downstairs now; Caroline is glad the play [Robert's "Cecilia Gonzaga"] will soon be out. The Bertie Russells visited on Sunday; she is 'much better, & looked quite different'; they are moving soon to Churt, a neighbourhood Caroline likes but supposes Elizabeth and Robert prefer Haslemere. She and Sir George are anxious they should find a nice house this summer. Asks for news of the Cacciolas; sends love to Florence and 'kindest regards to the Signor', as well as remembrances to the Grandmonts and Marie [Hubrecht].
8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter from Palermo; the orange flower is still fragrant. Glad they are seeing so much of Sicily, and hopes she is now with her cousins [Bramine and Tuttie] at Taormina. Has paid Elizabeth's subscription to the [Grosvenor Crescent] club and will do in future. Sir George has finished writing his book ["The American Revolution"] and will soon start getting the proofs. He is very happy and seems 'so much better already'; he is seeing his friends, they are dining out 'moderately', and have had a few people to dinner. George 'seems to live in Committees and interviews about the ["Independent] Review'. Glad Elizabeth is having music, and that the Waterfields are happy. Excitement in London about a new young violinist, Marie Hall; the story is that 'some connoisseur' heard her playing on the street and trained her; has not yet heard her. Has a ticket near Elizabeth for Joachim's concerts; hopes they can go together often. Robert's play ["Cecilia Gonzaga"] not out yet. Sends love to Elizabeth's relations and the Cacciolas. Asks if she could call on Mrs Bayley, daughter-in-law of Sir George's old friend Sir Steuart Bayley, whose health is not good enough to live with her husband in India.
Hotel de France, Palermo, Sicilia :- He and Bessie have been in Palermo for two pleasant days; the weather is 'quite good so far', and the Waterfields are here, having taken 'a villa on the outskirts of the town'. They went for a picnic in the country together yesterday. He and Bessie like him [Aubrey] 'very much, and are glad to get to know him better'. He and Lina seem very happy together. Aubrey's painting seems interesting, though they have not seen much of it yet. Bessie is well, and they are about to go to Monreale for lunch, which she has not seen before; they saw the Capella Palatina yesterday.
It is 'very kind' of Caroline to have 'persuaded B[essie] to join the Grosvenor Crescent Club, and paid for it all'; is sure she will find it 'very useful'. Mr [Henry John?] Roby was staying at Ravello with some friends when they left; they liked him and 'the old lady, Miss Williams, who was with him'. Calls Roby 'quite a humorist in his way'.
Robert's play [Cecilia Gonzaga] should be out soon; was unable to choose 'quite the binding' he wanted, but expects it will 'do well enough'. Is glad to hear G[eorge] 'has got sufficient subscriptions to start his review [see 10/4]; asks if she knows exactly how much he has collected, and whether he would like more if possible. Bessie sends her love, and will write soon; Robert hopes it will be 'a longer and better letter' than this as they have to start now. Hopes his parents are both well.
8, Grosvenor Crescent. - Nice to hear of 'sunshine and flowers' from Elizabeth, as it is still very wintry here. Is glad to spend some time in London, see friends, and feel 'in the centre of things'. Charles, M[ary], G[eorge] and J[anet] often visit, and are all cheerful. George and Janet's wedding is fixed for 19 March; the Wards have taken a house at Oxford for a week for it, it is 'an original business' and she hopes it will satisfy everyone 'except the orthodox!'. Has paid Elizabeth's subscription to the [Grosvenor Crescent] Club, and seen the Secretary, who says its future will be 'settled next month' but she thinks it will carried on. Interested by Elizabeth's account of Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht]'s 'entertainment', and thinks it will be charming as 'the Italians have an artistic strain through all their vulgarity'. Does not think pipes [?] and jam will be useful [for bazaars], but would be glad if Madame Grandmont could send her five pounds worth of Taormina [embroidery and lace] work. Glad to hear the Frys are happier; has been very sorry for Roger Fry. Hopes Elizabeth and Robert will get the question of the road [to the house they are having built at Leith Hill] settled soon; annoying to have lost the winter for building. Wonders what Bob is writing; hopes their translation work is progressing. Politics very interesting, but she thinks the Government will hold on. Has no sympathy for either side in the [Russo-Japanese] War, and wishes 'they could both be beaten'.