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The papers concern psychical research, in particular the concept of cross-correspondence in the writings of automatic writers, and consist of automatic scripts by Margaret and Helen Verrall (later Helen Salter), with notes and correspondence relating to these and the writings of other automatists active during the early decades of the twentieth century, including those of Alice Fleming ("Mrs Holland") and Winifred Coombe Tennant ("Mrs Willett"). In addition, there are 32 privately printed volumes, including various scripts edited by the Verralls, J. G. Piddington, Alice Johnson, and G. W. Balfour; Piddington's nine-volume analysis 'Notes and Excursuses' and W. H. Salter's 'Introduction to the Study of Scripts'.

Letters dated 20 Jan. 1903 - 1 Aug. 1911, the last in the hand of his daughter Helen de G. Verrall.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear good news of Elizabeth, and that she got all her shopping now; if the 'elderly nurse seems suitable' when they meet, she will feel settled and ready for 'the event' [giving birth]. Helen Verrall is here; Mr Hunsfield [?] and his son are arriving today, then Sir George's American friend C[harles] F[rancis] Adams and his wife come on Saturday. Mary and Pauline return tomorrow; hopes the troubles [local illness?] are over. George arrived 'over-worked & looking ill'; is taking a real holiday and seems to be getting better. Sir George is well, and much enjoyed his days shooting yesterday at Catcherside. Sends love to Bob; was 'flattered' at him liking her article. Sure Elizabeth is enjoying Mr [Donald] Tovey's playing. Pantlin is finishing the flannels, which will be sent soon. Hopes the lane [at the new house] will soon be 'all it should be'.

Admiralty, Whitehall. - Thanks Bob for writing out his poem 'so neatly' ["For a Fan", see 15/280]. Bob will 'never' be forgiven for not coming to Trinity last night; he himself had 'great fun, chiefly with Moore and Barran'. He then stayed for Verrall's funeral; glad he was able to be there as Verrall is a 'great loss'. Hears Mrs Verrall and Helen are 'wonderfully well'. Has to speak at the [Apostles] dinner and can't sleep 'for thinking of the shame and misery of it'.

5 Selwyn Gardens, Cambridge. - Printed thanks from Margaret and Helen Verrall for the condolences of their friends, with handwritten message from Margaret Verrall thanking the Trevelyans for their sympathy and what they write about her husband. Nobody 'ever got more pleasure than he did from his younger friends' and 'the knowledge that they loved him' is her greatest consolation now.

5 Selwyn Gardens, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for "Sisyphus": thinks 'the revival of the 'Satyric' drama... seems to be a highly promising experiment; the passages where 'the verse (under stress of hyper-tragic emotion...) is forced beyond content [?]' gave him 'great joy' when he 'caught the trick of them'. Will read the play again as soon as he can; meanwhile he has passed it on to his wife and [daughter] Helen. He and his family hope that next term Trevelyan and his wife will visit them; asks him to let them know when might suit. Has sent Desmond MacCarthy a 'most important application of Aristophanic criticism of Tennyson's "Idylls"' for the "[New] Quarterly" [published in "New Quarterly" 2 (1909), pp 81-89]; aimed not against Tennyson by Aristophanes; thinks it migh interest Trevelyan when it comes out.

Writes from St Beatenberg, 'near Interlaken, on a hill side looking over the lakes of Thun.' Announces that he and his wife are going to Baden on the following Saturday, in order to try the baths and waters there. States that he has derived much good 'from mountain air and complete idling'. Reports that [Gilbert] Murray has been with them most of the time, and that he has proved to be an excellent companion. He has now gone home, and Miss [Jane] Harrison has joined them. She is 'probably to carry off Helen to the mountains' when he and Mrs Verrall go to Baden. Reports that they spent nearly three weeks about the Lake of Lucerne, and have been in St Beatenberg for about ten days. Refers to the weather and the scenery, and his activities.

Reports that they follow the newspapers, and that letters from England bring reports of Sidgwick from time to time. Presumes that he is at [Aldgate], but sends the letter to Cambridge 'for safety.' Refers to Frank Sidgwick's poems. Discusses hotels and the difficulty of making acquaintances in them. Reports that his wife is 'fairly well', and hopes that Baden 'may supply something for her.' Does not think that she will go to Paris. Announces that they will not be going home until September, and states that the house is at Sidgwick's service until then.