A subscription is being got up to pay for Bertie [Russell]'s appeal [against a prison sentence for publicly lecturing against inviting the US to enter the First World War]. He is being defended by [Edmund] Tindal Atkinson K.C.; a hundred and fifty pounds of the approximate four hundred and twenty pounds total costs is required at once; Bertie will not be able to pay anything himself as he is 'very hard up'. His friends are afraid that if the six months hard labour is confirmed, he may 'break down mentally'. Gilbert Murray has talked to Asquith about it, who is 'very strong that kind of offence is properly punished by a fine, and not imprisonment'. They hope at least for a reduction of the sentence. Eddie should send any contributions to F. W. Hirst at "Common Sense", who is organising the subscription; Bob and Goldie [Dickinson] are writing to friends of Bertie.
Testimonial from C. P. Sanger for the Gresham Studentship at Caius, 1908. Testimonial from A. C. Pigou, Alfred Marshall, and Francis Hirst for the Professorship of Political Economy at Newcastle, 1912.
Dunford House, Heyshott, Midhurst, Sussex. - Thanks Trevelyan for "From the Shiffolds", which has given him and his wife 'much pleasure'. The "Epistle to Philip Erasmus" is a 'masterpiece', and has introduced him to a word he did not know though he has 'read most of Hume and Berkeley'. Wonders to whom Trevelyan refers in "Ten Years Ago", 'possibly G.L.D. [Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson]'. The "Birds of the Air" is 'good and edifying'; hopes Trevelyan will also try Pompey's Dream [in Lucan?] and Persius 'on his old tutor Cornutus [corrected from Cornelius by hand]. Was a 'great as well as an unexpected pleasure' to see Trevelyan again; they look forward to a visit from him and 'Miss C. W.' [Irene Cooper-Willis ?] when conditions improve'. Postscript that an enclosure [no longer present] may 'amuse' Trevelyan.
The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear she has a cold, and hope by now it is gone. The weather is 'very cold and nasty here today', but everyone is well except May [Enticknap]; she however is recovering, and he does not think she had measles badly. Went to London on Tuesday to dine with his 'friend [George] Hardy the Actuary, who has been working out the Invalidity Insurance scheme for the Government'; wanted him to meet [Ralph] Hawtrey so they arranged a dinner, with [Francis?] Hirst also present. They had a 'lot of political discussion': according to Hirst, if Phil Price had been back, he would have had a good chance of being chosen as [liberal] candidate for the Forest of Dean.
Is very sorry that Aunt Meg is not recovering more quickly. Supposes his father has finished his [jigsaw] puzzle by now. Says they should 'keep the Medici book [Lives of the early Medici as told in their correspondence, by Janet Ross?] as long as Papa wants it'. Saw Charles and George 'at breakfast' yesterday; both seemed well, and 'Charles quite cheerful'. Hilton Young has got the 'city Editorship' of the Morning Post, so will 'give up the Economist: his new job is 'well paid, £800 a year, and he will be able to say what he likes, though of course politics won't come in much anyhow'. People such as Hirst and George 'seem to think it is a good thing', since Young will be 'much more able to afford the expense of standing [for Parliament] a few years hence'; Robert hopes they will not have another election for 'four years or so'.
A Spanish musician they do not yet know is staying at the Shiffolds this weekend: [Benvingut] Socias, a friend of Röntgen and Casals; he does not speak English, so Robert will 'get some practice speaking French'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Paul is getting on all right; the children here are 'very good and merry' but he longs to see Paul again. Has just read Verrall's piece ["The Verse-Weighing Scene in the Frogs of Aristophanes", "The Classical Review", 22(6), 172-175 ?] and liked it more than he expected, but does not like his 'prose description of Dionysus'. Praises "The Frogs" highly. Enjoyed a weekend visit from [Francis] Hirst and Arthur Sidgwick; Arthur helped Sir George with a word in [Plato's] "Lysis".
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very interested to hear Elizabeth's account of Mary, who says she enjoyed staying at the Shiffolds very much; when she was here alone last year, she tended to get 'very low-spirited at bed time'. The little boy [Humphry] is 'pretty and lively'. Seems a good idea for Elizabeth to go to the sea; would probably benefit Julian as well. Annie [Philips] stayed a week; feels 'quite dull without her'; the [Francis Wrigley] Hirsts and Phill [Morgan Philips Price] came for Sunday. Mrs Hirst is in better health, and 'very good fun'.
Dunford House. - He and his wife send a 'thousand thanks' for the 'delightful Christmas card' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: Trevelyan and Gilbert Murray are 'transubstantiating Menander', whom he only knew before through 'his dimidiated Terence'.