Cercle Mohammed Aly. - Asks Trevelyan always to write beforehand saying which books he is going to send, as the anticipation gives much pleasure: he and [George] Antonius have discussed the matter extensively. Unfortunately he is prejudiced against 'the poetry, prose, personality and papa of Edward Thomas', and his aunt has already sent him "Years of Childhood" which he will return for the Trevelyans. Praises 'Askanov' [sic: Sergei Aksakov]: the Stracheys 'never grow up' [cf letter from Trevelyan to Forster, 22 Dec 1917, King's College Cambridge]. Is reading James' "Piddle Years" ["The Middle Years"; discusses James's flatness. Is Glad Trevelyan liked his poem [satire on the Duchess of Connaught]. Is doing some journalism, and reading Racine and Claudel. When he goes for a weekend with Furness at Cairo, is sure Furness will read Edward Thomas to him 'for everyone except me likes him'. Asks for a copy of Trevelyan's Lucretius ["Lucretius on Death"]. In a post-script dated 11 Feb, Forster thanks Trevelyan for the Lucretius and suggests "The Principles of Social Reconstruction" [Bertrand Russell] as another book he would like.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Comments under the date that it is 'a precious dreary bank holiday'. Asks whether 'Mr Clifford Allen is of the publishing firm'. Asks for the name and address of the friend who lent them Aksakov's "Russian Gentleman" so they can return it; mistakes [Harry] Norton's name for 'Norrey', though remembers that he is a fellow of Trinity; perhaps Elizabeth can bring any later volumes; wonders whether these might cover 1812, the 'biggest thing of modern history except our recent Armageddon'. Caroline has been reading Robert's [translation of] Lucretius, while he himself has been comparing it with the Latin; quotes Lord Courtney's praise of Lucretius, from Gooch's 'excellent biography'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad Robert was interested in the ceremony at Cambo [the unveiling of the war memorial?]; there was a 'very imposing gathering of people', and he discovered a minute in that he should not be 'making a speech, but... preaching a sermon'; strange to 'preach one's first sermon at 82'. Good to hear about Bessie; hopes the Tanhurst concert went well. Has been looking through Paley's edition of Aeschylus, which he has thoroughly studied and annotated in the past; quotes some of Uncle Tom [Macaulay]'s comments on the plays of the "Oresteia". Will be grateful to [Harry?] Norton for his copy of Aksakoff. [Charles and Mary's son] Geoffrey Washington Trevelyan was registered today as 'born on the 4th July, having been born at 12.10 on the 5th, summer time'. Since Georgie was born on 5 November, the two boys 'were born on the two "Journées" of the Anglo-Saxon Race'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Will think of Robert 'dining with the brotherhood [of the Society of Apostles]' this evening. Thinks he has told Robert about the Charles Merivale biography, which is an 'excellent book for a Harrow and Cambridge man'; thinks Merivale was one of the first twelve Apostles. Sees in the catalogue of the London Library that they have a German [translation of Sergev?] Aksakoff, so 'he must be famous'; would like to read it at some point if Robert finds it as good as he expects.
c/o B[ernard] Berenson Esq., I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Thanks his father for his letter, with his mother's, which reached him quickly; thinks 'the posts are working better'. Hears 'quite regularly from Bessie and Julian' who seem to be greatly enjoying themselves in the Netherlands; Julian seems to have 'made great friends with his young cousins', who are a little older.
Has had 'very bad weather' since he came, except for a few days, but 'Italy is delightful in all weathers' if, as now, it is not too cold. Heard a cuckoo this morning for the 'first time [this spring]', and expects he would have heard nightingales by now were it not for the rain. Is glad his father finds 'the Tchekof stories interesting [see 12/317]'; has six other volumes he could lend him when he returns home. Chekhov is 'certainly not at his best in those short sordid stories, though he tells them skilfully enough'; he needed to 'write to make money for his family, and so did quite a good many pot-boilers'. Likes him best when he 'gets hold of a character that really interests him, and gives himself room to develop it a little'. Has a volume of Chekhov, 'all stories about peasants and country priests, which are perhaps more moving than any others of his' he knows, which he could lend to his father; also suggests that if his father wants 'another good Russian book' he should 'get Aksakof's memoirs, in three volumes, perfectly translated by Duff the classical Trinity don'. The London Library has them, but they are 'often out'.
The Berensons send their 'kindest remembrances'; Robert sends his love to his mother, to whom he will write soon. The Uffizi 'has all been rearranged, and the best pictures, such as the Primavera of Botticelli, have been brought from the Ac[c]ademia'; this is 'on the whole... an improvement'.