Robin Ghyll, Langdale, Ambleside. - As he and Janet have 'hoped and expected' for a while, Mary has got engaged to John Moorman, who came to Hallington for a week in August; they met in June, at the Cornfords' musical parties in Cambridge. He left Cambridge this year, having stayed after his degree to train as a clergyman, and is now a curate in Leeds; he studied under [George Gordon] Coulton, who 'thinks highly of him'. He is 'liberal-minded', and George has discussed religion and history with him 'with much agreement and no feeling of barrier'. Moorman is also a 'fine walker' and is 'small but wiry'; his father was Professor of English at Leeds, and his mother is 'much respected in academic circles', and matron of a University hall in Leeds; their closest family friend is [Arthur] Grant, recently retired from the History Professorship there, a 'first-rate man'. Moorman's 'most intimate older and younger friends are Bishop Wyld [sic: Herbert Wild, Bishop of Newcastle], who conducted George and Bob's parents' funerals, and his son [John?]; in fact his 'whole entourage and atmosphere is about equally academic and clerical'. Thinks he will suit Mary very well, though 'not many people would', so he and Janet are much pleased.
Was a 'delightful surprise' to get the 'beautiful little "Dream"' from 'Uncle Bob': she and her husband both like it, and she finds the rhythm 'very intriguing'. They find it strange that the 'dreamer' of the poem 'can see in the Christ of the Gospels only that shadowy, depressed, defeated figure' and think the "'self-knowledge' recommended by Socrates' is in fact also urged by Christ. Does not believe 'any great redemptive movement ever arises except through the Church', though 'in its official capacity' may 'hinder or even prevent it'. Also thinks the Church has been trying since the fourth century 'to repair the "error"' which Bob's Lucifer 'accuses Christ of making', though does not feel the efforts have been 'altogether successful or justified'. Is reading an interesting book by [Reginald Lane?] Poole ["Illustrations of the History of Medieval Thought and Learning"?]: finds John Scotus [Eriugena?] an 'interesting figure': most original and 'very much in the Platonic tradition'.
Nether Denton, Low Row, Carlisle. - She and [her husband] John were 'delighted' with 'Uncle Bob's poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"], particularly 'the one about the Roman peasant [his translation of "Moretum"] which was 'one of the most vivid descriptions' she has ever read. Expects Bob has seen John Dower's poems, some of which she thinks have 'real charm & pace'; thinks it good he has 'found pleasure in writing, as he draws near the end'; hears he is in bed again. She and John are having a quiet Christmas in the 'northern retreat' they have 'managed to find near Lanercost', and will return to Chichester around the middle of January.
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'.
23 Amherst Road [corrected from printed notepaper, 'Fallowfield Rectory'], Manchester 14. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for his 'delightful Christmas Card' ["From the Shiffolds"]. Very pleased to have more of his poetry, which is of the 'meditative quality' she personally enjoys; must be 'fun you can go on writing it "when you're old & grey"'. Very sorry she was away when he came to The Park; Aunt Annie 'keeps wonderfully well' despite her 'great age'. John has just accepted the living of Lanercost in the Borders; it is 'that old Norman Priory, and the church is the nave of the old building... highly romantic and extremely remote'. He is much looking forward to it, and she hopes he will be able to go on writing. Sends best wishes for Christmas; glad Aunt Bessie has 'the pleasure of little Philip', given the 'abysmal tragedy' which has overtaken the Netherlands.
24 Maid's Causeway, Cambridge. - Very kind of Bob to send her his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; unsure which ones she liked best since 'being so various they are difficult to compare'. Also good to 'have a reminder of civilised life', which she gets 'very little' of here, though she does on Sundays at her Aunt Sophy's, whose friend Maud Allen sometimes reads poetry aloud. They tried to arrange a meeting with Bertrand Russell for her, but she could not make the day when he and his wife had lunch with them; hopes to see him sometime. Recently saw Bob's niece Mary for the first time since her wedding; liked her husband 'very much'. Hopes that all at the Shiffolds are keeping well; hears about them occasionally from her mother and others such as Alys Russell, whose letters are 'always full of news in brief of many people', which is good as 'most people seem to have pretty well given up writing letters nowadays". Her colleague has resigned so she is now the only billeting officer for this ward; can manage as 'so many evacuees have gone back'. Is getting a week's holiday at Christmas which she will spend with her mother.
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'.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Very sorry not to see Bessie yesterday, and for the reason; hope the move will 'not be long held up by her lumbago'. [Mary's] 'was a very delightful wedding, thoroughly "Trinity"': the Master signed the register, [Reginald?] Parry was there, and A. E. Housman 'honoured the chapel with his presence'. There were about two hundred guests; Mary looked 'very dignified and beautiful'; the reception at home went well and Bessie's present of 'the Italian bowl' was admired; Aunt Annie [Philips] 'was in great form'. The newly-weds are in Italy now until 18 October. Very glad Bob likes his book ["England Under Queen Anne: Blenheim" - always pays 'special attention' to his judgments - and that he likes Mary's ["William the Third and the defence of Holland, 1672-4"]. He himself has a 'great admiration' for it; Mary has had letters 'highly praising it' from Sapitze [?] and Sir John Fortescue, who are 'the two people most capable of judging' the political and military aspects respectively.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - It is a 'real joy' that Bessie is pleased about 'the great event' [her engagement]; is happy that all her 'favourite [emphasised] relations' are sure to love the man she is going to marry. Does not think Bessie has ever met him, since he has only once been to her home; 'the rest of the business was done by correspondence at Hallington' and the proposal was last Friday at Bolton Abbey; describes his character and appearance; he is 'so small it is quite absurd, but very well-made and strong and has curly hair like Humphry. Thinks they will probably marry this time next year, since they want to finish their books first.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for writing; so glad he is pleased [about her engagement] and by what he wrote about parsons in his letter to her father; her 'darling John is just the most perfect parson that ever can have existed'. Hopes Bob will meet him soon. Her father is 'delighted', and it is one of her 'chief pleasures' to have given him 'so perfect a son-in-law'.
Fallowfield Rectory, Manchester 14. - Very sorry to hear of Bob's accident: Aunt Annie [Philips] says he has not broken a leg, as reported, but he will still find a stay in hospital 'a severe trial' since he is so rarely ill; expects he will manage as he is 'a true philosopher'. She herself is a 'grass widow': John has gone to work on a farm near Appleby, feeling 'he could not go on living comfortably when so many of his contemporaries are having to give up their homes and careers'; he is working 'frightfully hard' but is well looked-after; the local vicar is also a good man, and has asked John to help him on Sundays, which she is glad of. John;s new book, "Church Life in England in the Thirteenth Century" has been accepted by Cambridge University Press, on Powicke's recommendation, but he is not publishing it yet as he does not have the time for the revisions Powicke thinks necessary. Is staying in Manchester, but will have to move house since the Bishop has insisted on John giving up Fallowfield altogether. Aunt Annie keeps well, though Janet wishes she would go away for part of the winter. Sends love to Bessie.
Lanercost Priory, Brampton, Cumberland. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for sending his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; likes several of them 'very much, particularly "The Prison-House" which reminded her of a poem she herself wrote recently that was liked by Frances Cornford. Feels as Bob does about the 'modern poets - sure there is a spring of pure poetry there, but not very successful at making it flow!' Wishes 'somebody would write a book explaining T. S. Eliot, like Daddy did for [George] Meredith'. She 'hardly dare[s] ask, fearing the worst', whether Aunt Bessie has head any news about her Röntgen nephews, or whether Professor [Pieter] Geyl 'survived the ordeals he underwent'. She and her husband are 'very happy here, and thoroughly enjoy country life'; the church is 'superb - the ancient 12th century Augustinian priory'; the house 'partly consists of a tower built by Edward I', who came several times. They are just twenty miles from Hallington, which has been released from use as a hospital; her mother spent a few days there before Christmas organising redecoration, but it is 'still full of hospital furniture'. Saw Aunt Annie [Philips] before October, who is 'very old now, and tired, but her interest in things is undiminished' and she 'much appreciates Aunt Bessie's letters'.