Palace Hotel, Rome. - Sorry to hear about the fall of the cedar and the little dog's death; Elizabeth must be sad. Glad about Paul; had never noticed how much 'gymnastics' a year old child does pulling itself onto its feet until Geordie was around them this autumn. They have been out to the Appian Way to lunch, and spent a morning going over the grounds of the Villa Mills on the Palatine which is to be pulled down for excavations. Always thinks of Robert at the Farnese casino on the Clivus Victoriae, where he had the 'altercation with the friend of the custode'. Has read [Cicero's] Philippics, inspired by Ferrero, and has 'rarely enjoyed a book more'; also delighting in reading Terence. Glad to hear what [James Stoddart?] Bain told Robert; there are beginning to be signs that the book [Volume III of "The American Revolution"] is a success and is doing well in America, though it came out in the midst of an unprecedented 'financial tornado'. Their hotel is quite full of 'very quiet, respectable Americans', most of whom are ladies.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes his parents continue to enjoy their time in Rome; they have missed some 'very bad weather' in England. He and Bessie went to stay in Oxford with the Russells on Saturday, and the Thames valley was 'completely flooded'; soon after they left Oxford, the wind blew down their finest cedar, at the head of their drive. Fortunately the trunk 'just missed' the stable; the branches did some damage to the roof but this can be put right. The night before, their 'little dog Jan died of pneumonia and jaundice': they are 'much distressed'. Paul is well, though starting to be 'troubled by a double tooth' which has nearly come through. He is 'getting very good at pulling himself up by the bars of his bed or chairs' and stands like this for some time.
They have heard nothing for a while about 'Sicilian affairs [the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan]', but does not doubt the lawyers 'are disentangling the various knots as carefully as they can'. Supposes his parents will soon think of returning. Booa stayed a few days with them last week, and seemed well after her holiday at Eastbourne; thinks she enjoyed herself both there and here. Visited [James Stoddart] Bain the bookseller in London, who said he was 'selling a lot of [Sir George's edition of] Macaulay's notes', and hoped his father might publish more; Robert 'rather discouraged' this hope, though sympathised with it.
Enticknap is recovering well from his illness, though will not be able to do any work for some time. Is glad his father likes 'the continuation of Ferrero'; does not think the Augustan volumes are yet translated into French, but expects they will be soon.
The Stafford, Washington Place, Baltimore. - Received Trevy's "New Parsifal" a few days ago; 'delighted to find that it read as well as it sounded'. Is asking 'the excellent [James Stoddart?] Bain' to send some friends copies. Returning to Europe in three weeks, but will not stop in England as it is 'so late in the season' and he is eager to get back to Settignano; looks forward to seeing Trevy in July. They have had a 'very delightful time' here, which has not been 'unprofitable'. Regarding art, the US is 'very de-provincializing': 'endless rubbish', but also ''some of the greatest works of art in existence', with both 'belong[ing] to all ages and climes'. Their most 'overwhelming experience' was seeing Chinese painting at Detroit, which he cannot find the language to describe. If he were thirty instead of almost fifty, he would 'give up everything and learn Chinese', but must instead be 'contented with mere contemplation'.
2 Cheyne Gardens. - Asks Bob to send him 'a dozen notices' for the "New Parsival" to give to 'shops or persons'. Saw Mrs Charles Booth who said she and her husband had been 'laughing aloud over it and though it perfectly splendid'. Bain's [booksellers] knew about it. Wants to order it now from a few other shops. Adds a postscript saying that the 'Tramp' will be from Baker St to Chorley Wood on Sunday, leaving at 10.15. Expects Bob has sent the book to the M.G. ["Manchester Guardian"], "Times" and so on for review.