c/o J.H. Stone, Warden's Lodge, Chepauk, Madras. - Have been here since 10 January, staying with Dickinson's old Cambridge friend [Joseph Henry Stone] in the educational department. They have lunched with the Pentlands, and he called again on Lady Pentland this morning; they seem to like it here, and have been 'very busy entertaining and seeing people'; their children also seemed well. Lady Pentland sent 'many kind messages' to Robert's parents, and to Molly, Charles and their children. She showed Robert the banquet hall where there was a picture of his grandfather [Sir Charles Trevelyan], though he did not think it very good; there are some 'quite good earlier portraits of Governors', and a 'rather dull Watts'; also an 'ugly one of Grant Duff', and a good one by Dickinson's father of Lord Napier. Robert and Dickinson have been to hear the commission [the Royal Commission on the Public Services in India] and may go again today; it is 'almost impossible to hear anything' due to bad acoustics, but they have met several of the commissioners. Likes R[amsay] Macdonald 'very much'; he and [Gopal Krishna] Gokhale seem the 'ablest men on the commission'. Have also met Sir T[heodore] Morison and Sir V[alentine] Chirol, both seem 'sensible men'. H[erbert] Fisher has not yet arrived; fortunate for him, as 'the commission must be a great bore'. Wishes they did not have to see so much 'second rate Anglo Indian society here'; their host is 'amiable, but rather dull'. Going to see the Seven Pagodas [at Mahabalipuram] tomorrow, before joining 'a Mr Bedford, a civilian, in his camp near Salem'; will stay several days before going on to Trichinopoly and Madura[i?], then to Trivandrum in Travancore and on to Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. They will probably leave Colombo for Java on 14 February, a week later than he had hoped. The post and where to write next. Will finish packing now and go for a 'last look at the sea'; as it is a holiday, 'everyone is strolling about in their most brilliant shawls and dresses; the Madras crowd is 'the most picturesque' he has yet seen. Finishes the letter on the evening of 15 January. Is quite looking forward to a week in camp. Has been to dinner with the Pentlands, who are 'admirable hosts'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Read Robert's letter to Caroline [16/6] with great interest; glad he is sailing with the Pentlands; remembers travelling to Southampton in early 1859 with his father, who was 'leaving England on the same errand' [going out as Governor of Madras like Lord Pentland]; comments on his father's 'avoidable catastrophe'. They will take good care of Elizabeth and Julian when Robert is away. Interested to hear about the Indian poet [Rabindranath Tagore]; wonders whether his plays are on modern themes. Pepys made a note about deciding a bet between two of his friends on whether a tragedy needed to be true; Pepys thought not and Dr Fuller agreed with him. He and Charles shot a hundred and one rabbits one morning recently, round Sir E[dward] Grey's covers.
Bombay Y.M.C.A., Student Branch, Lamington Road, Girgaum, Bombay. Dated 9th September, 1916 - Concerning research on the Todas of Ootacamund, has interested Sir John Marshall and Lord Pentland and so J. R. [John Robertson?] Henderson will be sent to do research; his boy Ralph has died in France in the war.
The Bombay Y.M.C.A., Student Branch, Lamington Road, Girgaum, Bombay. Dated Oct. 8, 1916 - Encloses Sir A. G. Cardew's letter [not transcribed] with answers to Frazer's questions, sent him by Lord Pentland; is sure if Frazer writes him he would pass on fresh queries to this lady missionary [Miss Grove?] or her predecessor Miss [C. F.] Ling, or to [John Robertson?] Henderson; will be teaching at the United Theological College, Bangalore and will be joined by Rendel Harris; is working on his 'Treasure of the Magi'; tells of his son Ralph, killed in France after two days at the front.
Government House, Madras. - 'Their Excellencies' [John Sinclair, 1st Baron Pentland, Governor of Madras, and his wife Lady Marjorie Sinclair] would be pleased if Trevelyan could join them 'at luncheon tomorrow... at 1.30 and at dinner on Monday 13th at 8 o'clock'.
Written in pencil below in Trevelyan's hand: 'C Sankaran Nair, Poondmalee Rd'
Government House, Madras (headed notepaper of Military Secretary). - As Trevelyan's host is dining here tonight, asks if he and Lowes Dickinson are free to dine as well.
The Shiffolds. - Julian's nurse seems to be 'better and more cheerful'. Will have to start packing soon [for his trip to India and China], as some of his luggage needs to be sent on early. An Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore, is coming to stay tomorrow, he is 'a very interesting man.. and also the most remarkable writer of his time in India'; Bob has read 'translations of three of his plays, and a good many of his poems' and thinks them 'as good as anything anyone is doing in Europe just now'. Tagore's father [Debendranath] was 'a famous religious reformer, a sort of Stopford Brooke'. Has nearly got all his 'travelling kit' but needs to go to London once more next week. Hopes his mother and father are well; will write to his father before he sets off. [William] Rothenstein has done 'several beautiful drawings of Bessie', though only one is really like her and he will try again; he 'is not very good at getting likenesses'. Thinks Lord Pentland is going out on the same boat, to be governor of Madras.