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The Shiffolds. -- The doctor was 'so satisfied today' with Bessie's progress that he will not call tomorrow, but come again on Friday; he says 'in some ways he has never seen so quick a recovery, at least after so serious a confinement'. Aunt Annie is coming in a motor to lunch tomorrow, which Robert is very glad of, and George may come as well.

It was the 'luckiest thing that nurse Godwin could come [after Bessie went unexpectedly into labour, the child being born dead] still nurse Fry did wonderfully well when she was alone', under trying circumstances. They will probably keep her until nurse Shepherd can come (they will probably hear about this today). Is glad the weather is warmer, though it is 'horrid today'. Hopes his parents will not catch colds.

Asks if she has the Rev. Stopford Brooke's address, or whether he is 'too old now to be worth sending a circular [for Robert's latest book] to'; also that of the Rev. W. Trevelyan [William Bouverie Trevelyan?] 'You see I am angling for the clerical public'.

"In the train". - They have left Rome, and hope to reach Bologna this evening; will remain there until Saturday. Sir George is well, though not completely recovered; he is anxious to get back to work. They have made a number of excursions and got to like the countryside around Rome. [Onorato] Carlandi has done many drawings of the Tiber from source to sea, which they found very interesting. Glad that Robert can work, and that Elizabeth has 'such a pleasant friend'; read a 'pretty story' by Mrs [Lina] Waterfield in the "Westminster [Review]". In Southern Italy 'the people are absolutely Pagan', a curious combination with the 'files of young priests & the infinite number of churches'. Rome is 'becoming much more of a capital', and much cleaner and more prosperous, but Tuscany is still much more civilised outside the cities. Charlie has been very 'good & generous about being left out', and they hope it will only be temporary, but it is still hard; lucky he is so happily married and Mary is so cheerful. They will be taking their new house before long. Dined with the Whites on Christmas day; they are 'the most hospitable of people, & great fun'. The Whites are 'much more amusing' than the British ambassador [Sir Edwin Egerton], who is 'very kind but dull'; his wife [Olga] is Russian, 'pleasant & talkative, but rather hard to understand'.

Continues the letter at Bologna; the weather is wet, but there is much to see; they will stay here tomorrow then travel to Lugano on Saturday; Sir George has ingeniously arranged different stopping points for the return journey. Hopes all is well at the Shiffolds; it must be a comfort to Elizabeth to have Mrs E[nticknap] is there. Expects to find 'election excitement in full swing' when they return. Notes in a postscript that Sir George's uncle William Trevelyan, 'Cousin Willie's' father, has died at the age of 93; he was a 'nice old thing' and married Sir George and Caroline, 'ages ago!'.