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The trustee in [Sir John] Withers's firm is H[enry] G[eorge] A[usten] Duckworth, a cousin of Virginia Woolf's; is sending him the letter from Drummonds [Bank] and expects he will deal with it. Hopes to see Julian at the concert on Thursday; is going with Betty Muntz, and hopes Bessie will also come. Saw Ursula last night. Donald [Tovey]'s symphony at Edinburgh went quite well, though the attendance was not large. Has been 'so rushed with proofs' and his visit to Edinburgh that he has not had time to look at [a book by Georges?] Duthuit; will either send it back soon or bring it to the concert.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking :- Apologises for not writing sooner [ee 12/71]: this is not 'due to indifference or to want of interest, still less to want of affection, but to carelessness and procrastination', to which he has always been 'very liable', and should therefore try especially 'to guard against'.

Will keep the Whitefriars Journal, since his father did not mention it, until Bessie returns at least. Liked his speech, and thought it 'admirably successful in saying some quite serious things lightly, and with grace'. Bessie is coming back soon, maybe on Thursday, but has not yet settled exactly when; Robert will probably come to London then and hopes they might see his parents. She has had a cold but is well now, and seems to have enjoyed her visit.

The 'difficulties about the house' seem to be finally settled, as the Vaughan Williamses have agreed to everything they asked; wishes they had done so several months ago, and saved Robert and Bessie 'this time and worry'. Building should begin this month if everything goes well. Will tell his father 'more about the terms' when they meet in London; their solicitor Withers is satisfied with the terms now.

Spent a week with some Cambridge friends at Woody Bay near Ilfracombe and left last Thursday, stopping to see Salisbury and Winchester on the way back; returned home yesterday. Much admired 'the outside of Salisbury Cathedral, and the close'; did not see Stonehenge, but left it 'for another time'.

Does 'not know how far Verrall has really proved his point about Tyrtaeus [see 12/73]', but remembers he fairly convinced Robert that the poems 'were at least very much rewritten in the Attic dialect, and probably added to, in the 6th century'; does not think Verrall suggested there was 'not an older form behind them', he supposes 'in the Spartan dialect'. Rather likes the 'old elegiac poets' such as Solon, Tyrtaeus and Theognis, who 'may not be very poetical or sublime' but 'can say what they want to quite clearly and with great force in a very difficult literary medium', and 'prepared the way for Simonides and the later epigrammatists'.

Sends love to his mother, and hopes to see her this week.

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Is 'very sorry' about the news [of Florence Cacciola's death] in the letter from Withers, which he supposes Bob has by now received. Sorry her 'personal property is so small. It doesn't much matter about Hallington [Hall], one way or the other'. Janet wants to know whether Mrs [Marie] Sturge Moore has just had, or is about to have, another baby, as she would like to invite them to dinner; could Bessie send a line about it as soon as she can.

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Withers has gone to see Philipson today [regarding the legacy left to Bob and George in the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan]. Received a letter from Sir George, enclosing some old letters, too late to show Withers before he left; they were sent to George not Bob only as he is in London so nearer the lawyers. Will send on Sir George's letter soon; Withers and Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] will let Bob know the 'contents of the enclosures'. Saw Crompton this afternoon; he has the papers, and 'has the whole affair in train'; will be in touch once the significance of the will of Mrs Cacciola's mother, Mrs [Catherine] Trevelyan, is understood.

Regarding Welcombe, George encloses a statement [no longer present] drawn up by Crompton, which Bob can keep. 'Re the last sentence in the letter, [George] told Crompton to get a copy made at Somerset House' so that Caroline need not be disturbed again. Bob can discuss this with Crompton when he is next in town.

1917 Club, 4 Gerrard Street, W.1. - Has just arrived from Welcombe, and is waiting for Bob. They will have two 'most momentous meetings' this afternoon at [Sir John] Withers': first, with Kenneth Cross present, deciding on the 'future of the Shiffolds'; then with Mr Whitlock, Mr Place, and Mr Watson to sign the sale contract of Welcombe, and also if possible to settle details of 'preferential treatment to tenants etc etc'. Hopes all goes well; had quite a time in Welcombe on Wednesday going through the inventory with Whitlock, and deciding what to keep; whenever she goes there she finds something new, this time some 'really fine old pewter plates' which she did not however reserve. As soon as Whitlock left Engelbert and Helen [Röntgen] arrived, and 'had to be shown round & everything explained. Engelbert had 'the greatest difficulty in grasping the situation' and thought the Trevelyans were 'mad to sell such beauty!'. She then had to go and 'sooth anxious minds' of Tinson, Hall [?], Florence and everyone else [staff at Welcombe?] who are of course all worrying about what will happen; it is 'very sad for the Tinsons', and she almost feels most for them. Expects Julian had a good time at Oare yesterday [visiting Mary Fletcher], since the weather 'suddenly cleared'; hopes he got onto the Downs. Asks him to let her know how he is getting on, and his address at Bath; tells him to 'look out for [Jane Austen's] Anne Elliot & her relations'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Has been 'thrilled to hear' of the 'final developments' about Welcombe; thinks Bessie has done great work in 'befriending the tenants and giving them security for their life-times'. Met J.J.W. [James John Withers] in the street here who told her the news; calls Welcombe the 'poor old pink elephant!' [a play on white elephant?]. Glad that Mr [Archibald] Flower has bought it: he has 'local "pull"' so may get it used for 'some reasonable purchase'. For all its ugliness, it will always remind her of Mary and Theo. Asks when Bessie will give up possession: sometimes feels sentimentally that she would like to see the house again, but expects it will not be possible, as they go to Hallington around 10 December, then she will take the 'innamorati [sic: Mary and her fiancée John Moorman' for a brief holiday in Rome. Writes a postscript after Bessie's letter to George has arrived; very glad about 'all those happy people in the cottages' [at Welcombe]; congratulates her on what must have been 'a very difficult and tedious job'.

22 Willow Road, Hampstead. - Finds it hard to write what he feels about the suggestion put to him by [John?] Withers: Bob's 'constant and affectionate interest' is 'one of the most precious things' in his life; if it were necessary he would accept [the offer of help], which he cannot imagine doing from someone like Bob; expresses his gratitude and 'the sense of perfect reliance and affection'. His father has given him some help, and B.B. [Bernard Berenson] has managed to sell the Venetians; Fry has also nearly finished three restorations. When he has done so, and written some reviews, he intends to get to work on Bob's 'rabbits' picture [see 13/17]. Helen is not quite recovered, but nearly; the nurse has gone and she is taking an interest in household things; Edith [her sister] is making sure everything runs smoothly.

The Old Masters [exhibition at the Royal Academy] are 'the chief interest in now' London; disagrees with the attribution of a picture in it to Dürer, but [Charles] Holmes 'committed the Athenaeum' to it while Fry was away. Bob might like to join the new Arundel Club, fpr the reproduction of works of art in private collections. The "Burlington [Magazine]" is doing well and Holmes is showing 'infinite energy & business capacity' [as editor]. Relates a scandal created when [William Bell] Paterson asked Fry for his opinion on a painting, which Fry judged to be largely modern paint over the possible outline of a Giovanni Bellini; the painting turned out to have been sold by K[err] Lawson to Coates [unidentified] for a large sum; 'always feared that K.L. was not over scrupulous about his ascription of pictures' and thinks this may damage him 'considerably'; Kerr Lawson has 'sent his "Titian" as a Bonifazio [Veronese] to the Old Masters [exhibition] and ought to sell that.

Would be 'jolly' if Bob could write [Fry's sister] Margery's masque [for the opening of the new library at Somerville College, Oxford, see 4/55 and 4/104]; hope he has forgiven the suggestion he could 'polish it off quickly', as Fry likes to 'think of a poet as a perennial fount, bubbling up and overflowing with limpid words', and praises his skill with mythology. Has written 'an extravanganza on Blake for the Burlington' ["Three pictures in tempera by William Blake', Burl. Mag, Mar 1904 4 p 204]. Julian is very amusing, and has begun to sing a little; Edith has a cello here and Fry is accompanying her 'in very simple things' - tells Bob not to let his wife know - which Helen enjoys.

The Shiffolds. - Encloses Withers' letter [re the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan; see 12/171]: it is 'a great relief that the whole matter seems really to have been wound up', and he and Bessie are 'very grateful indeed' for his father's help throughout. They were glad to hear better news of his mother, and hope she 'will soon be really well again'. Julian has been 'doing very well' recently, and they think he has 'really made some progress'.

Is just starting a journey to Camberley for the funeral of the wife of his friend Harry Fletcher: she 'died of consumption after a long illness of three or four years'. A grand-niece of Emerson, she 'was a person of a good deal of originality and force of mind and character'.

Bessie is very well, and sends love.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert and Elizabeth's letters give a good account of their local politics; [Oscar William] Bowen at Stratford is very different to 'our [Edward Ernest] Bowen'; will tell Robert about him in person; he is calling on them soon. Very interesting about the "Wasps" [the Cambridge Greek Play?]; thinks the parabases of Aristophanes should be as intelligible as 'Grossmith's hatter'. Interested by what Robert says about Jim Butler. Encloses a letter from Withers, whose bill he will pay when the business [arising from Florence Trevelyan's will] is completely settled. Heavy rain, so their walks are 'mere constitutionals'; the country will take 'a pretty big constitutional' [the General Election] next month, and they will help it all they can.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland [crossed through] Morperth. - Has received the enclosed. and asked Mr Withers to draw up the deed of renunciation [of the property left by Florence Trevelyan] for Robert and George to sign. Elizabeth's coming on his birthday will be a 'welcome present'; they much look forward to Robert's visit and will be glad to have [G.E.?] Moore

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Robert for his letter; sure the decision [on the legacy in Florence Trevelyan's will] is best for him and Elizabeth, and George has written to the same effect; Withers has drafted an 'excellent letter' which will go at once, and Sir George hopes they are nearing the end of the business. Has read "The Matador [of the Five Towns" by Arnold Bennett, published in the "English Review"] and agrees that it is 'impressive'. Good piece in "The Month" about Germany and England, which Caroline is taking to read. Just starting for Lowwood Hotel on Windermere; will go from there on Monday to Ullswater and from there on Wednesday to Wallington; he will take a full week off work.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his mother for her [birthday?] present, especially as she has allowed him to exchange it: instead of a box for 'wax vestas', which he does not use as 'wood matches are better for lighting pipes', Bessie has chosen 'two very pretty pewter candlesticks, modern, but of an old pattern' from the same shop; they will be 'very useful' in one of the bedrooms.

Received from Withers this morning 'a draft of a letter which he proposes sending to Mr Philipson' [acting for the other party in the matter of the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan], which he expects his father will have seen by now; has written approving it and consenting to its despatch if his father approves'.

Bessie has gone into Dorking today, though it is a 'horrid day'. Saw Charles, Molly, and Sir Hugh Bell yesterday, at 'the Irish plays at the Court', who 'seemed quite well'; Elsa [Richmond, Molly's sister] has been 'rather ill' but Robert understands she is recovering. Synge's Playboy of the Western World is 'firstclass, and wonderfully acted'.

Grand Hotel, La Croix de Cavalaire, Var - France. - Thanks his mother for her letter; expects by now she will have seen Bessie, who is 'still not satisfied' about Paul's health, and may take him to the seaside if it does not improve soon. Will stay here for perhaps a fortnight, as the weather seems likely to remain fine. Hopes his parents will enjoy London. Wonders what his father will find is happening about the Cacciola property [left to Robert and George in the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan]; thinks he himself has 'really ceased to be interested in it by now' and expects the same is true of Withers. The Fry children are not going to come to the Shiffolds, which is perhaps good since Bessie 'will have more time, and be able to have some guests'.

Is starting on a new play, 'probably for an opera', which is 'dreadfully' serious. Strange that he has had no reviews of Sisyphus, except in the Daily Chronicle and 'the Scotch and Birmingham papers'; does not mind, as 'people who are not reviewers seem to like it well enough'. [Bernard] Berenson has just sent him Heracles, 'a portentous dramatic poem 270 pages long', by George Cabot Lodge, 'the son of the senator'; does not know, 'after labouring through it, whether there is really anything in it', whether he is a youthful and rather crude genius, or only a clever bad poet' and wishes he knew Lodge's age: if Lodge is under twenty-five, Robert would call him a genius and think he 'would turn out... the American Robert Browning', as it much reminds him of Paracelsus, though 'not as masterly in style'. Unfortunately, is expected to give his opinion to the Berensons, who will probably pass it on to the poet, who 'seems to be interested' in Robert's own poems. At least Lodge has 'very few mannerisms, and even spells labour with a u'.

Is glad his father is well.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will send the Inventory [relating to Florence Trevelyan's property?] to Withers so Robert and Elizabeth need not worry; is sure they have made the right decision, but it had to be their own.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Sends thanks for his parents' letters. Bessie is on a two night visit to the Fletchers [Dorothy and Mary, her fellow students at St Andrews, and family?] near Petworth so he is alone except for Paul, who is well. Has not heard anything new 'about Sicilian matters' [the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan], and has not seen Withers or Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] for 'some time'.

Went to the English language performance of Wagner's Ring last week [conducted by Hans Richter]; the 'English singers came through the ordeal very creditably, considering that few of them had any operatic experience'. Hopes this will be a 'good omen' for the performance of Ariadne [The Bride of Dionysus], for which Tovey 'seems to be getting on with the music', though it will take some time. Gives dates of Tovey's concerts at the Chelsea Town Hall in Feb-Apr, in case his mother can go to any. Went to Charles and Molly's 'at home' last week, which 'was very pleasant'; saw George there, who seems well.

Paul is well, except for a little trouble with his teeth which are taking a long time to come through. He 'can stand up alone now, at least when he does not think of it, though the moment he does, he falls down'. Hopes his parents are well.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his parents for their last letters. Interested to hear about his 'New Year's gift from America [a silver cup from Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge, see 12/123] which shows that her best statesmen appreciate your history at its true value'. Perhaps today 'the lessons it has to teach would be more useful for English statesmen', but he does not expect that Chamberlain, Balfour and Milner are likely to present his father with a silver cup.

Thanks his father for returning the '"opinion" [on Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's will': no new developments, but Withers begins to think it would be better to 'make some sort of friendly bargain with Dr Cacciola', who 'certainly has the interest on the £20,000 during his lifetime' if it passes under the will, which seems clear. The weather has been 'very unpleasant' recently, but Bessie and Paul are well.

Has been reading several plays by Aristophanes in B[enjamin] Rogers' recent editions: these have good notes, and 'a first-rate verse translation opposite'. True that 'one does not often want a translation's help' for Aristophanes, but thinks that if he did not read Greek he would prefer this translation to any other he knows. In the introduction to the Wasps, Rogers 'pays a compliment' to Sir George's Cambridge Dionysia, saying there is 'considerable Aristophanic spirit in it'. Rogers has 'just called Racine's Les Plaideurs "a feeble and insipid play"': Robert does not know how justly, as he has never read it.

The Devonshire election [the Ashburton by-election of 17 January, in which the Liberals lost the seat to the Liberal Unionists] was 'unpleasant', but he expects it will 'do good indirectly by making Liberals feel less secure'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has paid Mr Withers' fees and thinks them fair; still no sign of [Florence Trevelyan's] Will being proved. Eager to hear that Paul is better; asks what [his illness] was again as Caroline cannot quite remember. Also asks whether Robert told her about Rollo Russell; hopes it is not very bad.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - They are very pleased about Mary [and Charles]'s baby, who is to be called Katharine; Caroline is going to see 'the little ones at Watford'. Interested in what Robert says about the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; asks him to send it to them and let the London Library know. Loves reading about the classics, such as books by Grote and Ferrero, when he is writing himself; supposes it is a sign of growing older that he does not then feel inclined to read the classics themselves. Attempts being made to buy Coleridge's cottage at Nether Stowey; he himself does not 'value his poems quite enough... to condone him, as a man'. They are reading [Thomas Jefferson] Hogg's life of Shelley; Hogg was a 'wonderfully clever man' and it is a 'marvellous picture of Shelley'. Withers is getting 'very angry and blunt with Philipson' [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; will write to him when he gets an answer from Sir [Arthur] Middleton.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Encloses a copy of a letter he has written to Withers (which should be returned); thinks Robert has received copies of Withers' side of the correspondence. They are acting in Cacciola and the other legatees' interests by insisting on the will being proved.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Encloses a copy of a letter he has written to Withers (which should be returned); they must not allowed themselves to be 'hustled for the death duties' [involved in Florence Trevelyan's will].

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Further discussion of whether Robert should accept [the legacy in Florence Trevelyan's will]; would like to discuss this at tea on Wednesday.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is sorry that he is so busy that he 'cannot undertake to read Dr [G.J.?] Renier's work [perhaps in relation to Bessie's translation of Fruin's "Siege and Relief of Leyden..."]. Asks whether [Archibald] Flower's purchase of Welcombe includes 'the dingles and little wooded valleys exactly opposite the windows of the large Hall..' which are for him 'the really sacred place, the unspoiled Welcombe where Shakespeare undoubtedly roamed' and bought a tithe. Had always hoped that land would 'not be sold in Villa lots', and Withers said it must go with the house which might otherwise be 'unsaleable'; hopes that it has done so and is not in any danger of being 'cut up for bungalos [sic]'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Marked 'Private and Confidential'. Thanks Robert for his letter, with which he agrees. Displeased by 'the disclosures in the map': seems, on the strength of Cacciola owning 'a house which would have to be pulled down and a half built barrack', the Trevelyans are liable to pay his niece's dowry and the succession duty [on Florence Trevelyan's will]. The property in Sicily would involve Robert in never-ending 'expense and worry'; he and Caroline would much rather help them to have financial benefits now, and he suggests raising their allowance. Suggests Robert should write to Mr Withers saying that he cannot make a final decision until the question of the personal property is settled; they must not allow themselves to be 'hustled'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Understands that Robert has received a copy of Mr Withers' letter [regarding Florence Trevelyan's will]; sends the map, which he discusses. Believes that his own 'renunciation of the heirlooms... seems to have brought them to their bearings'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Advises Elizabeth to get [Sir John James?] Withers to have the papers looked at in his office, to see whether they are title deeds which should pass with the sale [of Welcombe]; he could also then report on the 'general nature of the papers', as George cannot advise about their disposal until he knows that. The Moormans have been to visit this weekend; he and Janet 'liked them very much' and thinks they will get on well; they are 'really cultivated and also have character'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Janet has shown him a copy of a letter by Mr Withers to Philipson forwarded to George; has written to Withers that he inclines towards enabling Robert and Elizabeth to pay the death duties if [Florence Trevelyan's] will was proved; would also make sure they could settle any other claims in case they could not come to an agreement with Cacciola, and would consider any money spent to be on George's behalf as well.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Marked 'Private and Confidential'. Interested to hear about Paul, and 'about the reading room and clericalism'. Wants to write 'a few lines, between which' Robert and Elizabeth may read; has seen Crompton Davies who was 'much alive' to his suggestions, and will communicate them to Withers, that [Florence Trevelyan's] will should be proved and amount and whereabouts of the personal property ascertained. Asks Robert to find out whether Withers is working on this, and who the Trustees now are. Does not understand about the twenty thousand lire; perhaps however information has by now been given to Withers about the property in which Robert and George have an interest. Notes in a postscript that he has had three letters from the Poet Laureate [Alfred Austin], who 'sounds a jolly old chap'; also asks whether Robert knew that the Callias whose 'fine fragments' appear in Bergk ["Poetae Lyrici Graeci"] was the 'coryphoeus of the thirty tyrants [of Athens in the last days of the Peloponnesian War]'; there is an 'evident allusion' to his lines on the cottabus in the story of the death of Theramenes, but Sir George has never seen this mentioned.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks for Robert's letter; has studied his enclosures and now returns them; it [Florence Trevelyan's legacy to Robert] is obviously 'a matter of time, and patience, and confidence in advisers'; would advise getting some 'immediate advantage' if possible but expects he and Caroline would approve any resolution Robert and Elizabeth make when the case is clearer; agrees with Mr Withers that Robert should keep on good terms with Cacciola and act with him if possible; asks if Cacciola has the interest of the twenty thousand lire for his lifetime or whether it goes to Robert. Thinks their ship was the only one to cross [the Channel] without an accident in the 'horrible gale'; Caroline slept all day in her cabin and he 'rather enjoyed' sitting on deck. Glad to be at home again; sends love to Elizabeth and 'Fra Paolo' [Paul].

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has received a letter from Withers saying that Bob will pay George 1500 francs, which will be 'very useful'; this is a 'very pleasant after-math to the whole of our family business' beginning four years ago [on the death of Florence Trevelyan's husband Salvatore Cacciola]. Has just finished writing a memoir on their father, which he plans to publish 'next spring unless the country has been ruined'; has had copies made and will give them to his brothers; suggests possible weekends for Bob to come to Cambridge, or for George himself to visit the Shiffolds, to discuss it.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has sent Withers's letter to Robert on to George; sorry about the trouble Robert and Elizabeth are having [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; luckily Sir George and Caroline have plenty [of money] of their own, which will 'all be for [their] sons and daughters'. Discusses a letter he has had from Philipson; does not know the value of the land at Taormina and imagines Robert may incline towards not acting as executor, not paying the sixty thousand francs, and renouncing the property; Withers and Davies are 'wise advisers'. Glad that he himself refused to be a Trustee, which none of the family ought to be 'on any account'.