Sutton Oaks, Macclesfield. - The title of the first poem ["The Bride of Dionysus" - sent her by Anna Maria Philips, see 19/12] made her 'long for the evening to read it'. Has been most interested in the 'explorations' at Knossos [by Sir Arthur Evans], and has 'followed them closely' since she belongs to the Hellenic Society and the Egypt Exploration [Society]. The 'marvellous civilisation' with its mysterious sudden end are very romantic. 'While puzzling over drains' recently she has thought about the 'wonderful system' at Knossos, which [James] Baikie says were hardly matched in Europe until the mid-nineteenth century; is just now reading Baikie's "The Sea Kings of Crete. They [she and her husband?] used to plan to go to Crete and had an introduction to Dr Evans from his father; she could have stayed with Miss Cortazzi, who kept the 'little hotel for the excavators - a cousin of my Cortazzi cousins' but never did. Likes the poem very much; compares it favourably with Stephen Phillips's "Odysseus" [sic: Ulysses"]. Would be good to see it performed; she and her husband went to see "Ulysses" in London and 'the glamour remains' with her. Hopes Anna got safe home; looks forward to seeing her on the 23rd. Used to read Greek with Mr Philips when they visited The Bank; he liked to read over his favourite books of the Odyssey.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - There is 'fire and spirit' in [William] Everett's poetry, and he is not put off them by the 'lascivior' [lewder] lines; Robert can keep Everett's other letter. A good letter by [Roger] Fry in the November "Burlington"; comments on how well it [the magazine] keeps up. Caroline has given him a detailed account of the Shiffolds; Sir George hopes to see the house in spring or early summer. Glad Elizabeth is interested in his "Interludes [in Verse and Prose]"; it is good to have published his 'old man's book', and to have written it when he was twenty two or twenty three. Hopes his family will stop him writing reminiscences. They are very sad about Herbert Philips [his death]; he was a 'dear good fellow' who had made 'as great a position by mere, unadulterated, goodness' as Sir George ever knew of. Is looking forward to the holiday, as he has been busy for sixteen months; they start on Sunday and go via Paris, Lucerne, and Milan; they have not yet seen inside the Castello [at Milan?]