Saw Simon Nicholson [ie Reginald Popham Nicholson] yesterday; cannot remember whether Julian knows him; he and his wife live near [E.M.] Forster and are 'great friends of his and B.B. [Bernard Berenson] and now of Bob and Bessie. Has given Bob the address of a friend whom Julian might like to meet, a 'camouflage during the last war' and also a painter, 'about 60 years old, and very intelligent etc'; however, he is based 'up beyond Fort William, nearer the [Loch Ness] Monster than to [Julian]'. Bessie is home from the Park [home of Annie Philips], and seems well; they hope to see Ursula soon. Simon Nicholson was in the colonial service with Lugard in west Africa 'for years'; said he was shown some of Julian's 'Africa sketches by K[enneth?] Clark and liked them very much'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has heard all about the Hunt from young George, who has been here for several meals recently with his father [Charles]; if Robert had not told them his hand was getting better they would have been anxious about it. Looking forward to Forster's novel; has been 'much in communication with him' recently, and he has sent some interesting reminiscences by his aunt Laura ; realises Forster cannot be the son of his friend Henry [Thornton] Forster, but of a much younger brother, Edward; there are two 'very characteristic stories' in Laura Forster's memoirs of Sir George's mother at fourteen or fifteen, and himself at seven. Very interested to read the descriptions in the "Times" about 'the undertakings of the Balliol Dramatic Society' [notices of the Balliol Players' tour of Robert's "Oresteia" translation: Jun 12, 1924; pg. 10; Issue 43676 and Jun 14, 1924; pg. 8; Issue 43678] and would like to hear more about it; has Robert's "Oresteia" from 1922, but not an 'acting copy' here if it has been published.