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Perrystone Court, Ross, Herefordshire. - Thanks Bobby for returning the book on Harrow; is reading his book of essays ["Windfalls"] with 'great interest' though he knows very little of poetry and only tends to remember [Browning's] "Rabbi ben Ezra" and much of "Cyrano de Bergerac". Thinks rhythm plays a 'far bigger part' in his life than in Bobby's; whenever he goes up or down stairs he notes whether the number of steps fits the time in his head; there are twenty-nine in this house which suits almost every Harrow song, hymn and so on.

Perrystone Court, Ross, Herefordshire. - Thanks Bobby for his 'delightful little poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?] which are 'like a little hyphen' between the Grove [their house at Harrow] dinner and the next day they meet. Best wishes for 1948.

The Grove, Harrow. - Had a pleasant week at Wallington; spent the night with Aunt Annie [Philips] on Tuesday, and saw Miss Martin before he came back. Found Sophie [Wicksteed?] 'much more cheerful and talkative' than expected. Gives results of a battle between his and Robert's toy soldiers. Lady Frederick Cavendish will be at Wallington by now. Few people have left school this term, though of those several are from Grove House. Clive has failed his Sandhurst exam and returned: a 'pleasant surprise'. The 'finds' [room sharing] have been arranged 'very satisfactorily': he, Tregoning and Farquhar are in Tregoning's room - the library -in the morning, and he and Farquhar in his own room for tea. Has to read prayers now. Complains [in capital letters] about the changes initiated because of Welldon's 'terrible funk of the influenza' until the weather improved: no 'first school', only one half holiday a week, and they all have to wear sweaters to go 'down to footer in'; hopes they 'all get the influenza and die of it to pay Welldon out'. Pencil annotation at top of letter, perhaps by Robert Trevelyan, says that 'Spider and Spot' are alright; took Spider back to Mrs Webster; Webster is recovering slowly after a relapse.

The Grove, Harrow on the Hill. - Will not write to his father or mother today; Robert can tell them anything they want from this letter. Has three photographs from Hills & Saunders, and has given one to Tom [Macaulay Booth?] and one to Moss; Moss has 'already made himself popular in the house' with 'several common-sense reforms which Crooker [J. A. Cruikshank?] was too old to see'. Stow [?] says [Arthur] Bentinck gets along but is 'too retiring'; does not know anything about the new backs yet; Gilmore has grown a beard; has seen Hicks in chapel but nowhere else. Discussion of various reforms; thinks Robert will approve of the replacement of the Greek Test[ament] by Old Test[ament] history from the English Bible. Was surprised to get his remove; there were not many; sits with [Gordon William] Stow at the separate desk for two on Welldon's left and 'swot[s] with [Frank?] Elliott', who has Robert's old room; George may have it next term or soon, as Clive, Booth and Elliott are all leaving, probably also Farquhar, though George does not think 'Mo will let them all go'. The house is much changed this term, he himself is one of the large number of people who 'seem to be much more important', and he thinks he will enjoy the year very much. Sandilands is a 'capital head'; he and Arne [?] are going to join the Corps, but Tom is not. Explains in detail how he comes to be sharing a room with [Arthur Langford] Tregoning; Tregoning does what George likes, and 'does not make himself at all objectionable', but George will 'be most heartily sick of him by the end of the term'. El[liot] is leaving for India in the first week of the holiday; he will 'wander about the country with a tutor' and thinks he will do 'a lot of swot there'; George told him he will not do any at all. Tom [Booth?] is going to try to spend a year or two at Trinity before entering business. A Rothschild [Nathaniel Charles] has joined the house this term, but he 'has to conform, and will be allowed to eat the breakfast cold ham... one of the advantages of Xtianity'. Discusses [rugby] 'footer' and various members of the team; the '"sporting element"' is completely suppressed', with Lefroy 'quite a fish out of water'. Young Sandilands also encountered Haddock at the Balmoral a year or so ago.

The Grove, Harrow. - Statham thinks the [rugby?] balls will 'travel safest unblown'. There has just been a thaw, after some days 'skating on the much vexed pond'. [Edward?] Bowen lost his case last holidays; however, he had consolation recently when 'the son of Belial who has been his chief enemy throughout' entered the Grove to check on the pond, was turned out by Bowen, appealed to a magistrate but was forbidden by him to go there again. [The Grove] will 'only be average at torpids'; 'old Harré [?] 'coming on tremendously'. Welldon caught [Charles?] Crofton, [George] Wilson and some others having a boxing match last Sunday, and was 'most terrible in his righteous wrath'. There is a rumour that Bowen is to stand for as a candidate for Leeds in the next general election, based on a paragraph in the "Harrow Gazette", but it was around 1855 that he intended to do this. Has been 'shewing Bible reps lately' - they have 'relapsed into epistles again' since Robert left - and Welldon makes him write out sixty-three verses every Sunday. [Sydney] Clive has not been 'redeemed from a carreer [sic] of vice' [by failing his Sandhurst examination], instead his 'military ardour' has been heated; he will return to the attack next June and is meanwhile 'busily employed in mobilization'. He goes to Charter's lectures with George and 'appreciates them more than most of the audience'. Studying the constitution from 1689-1760 this term.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Good that she did 'not come down' yesterday, as it 'rained a good deal'; today it is 'quite fine'. There have been two cases of German measles in his house, which has meant he has been able to 'find [? share] with Clive and not with Pope' for a while, since 'one of the invalids used to find with Clive'. Is glad of this, and 'hope[s] the boy may be ill for a long time'.

Georgie is well, and playing fives; Robert is glad of this, as it 'is a very good game'. Thanks his mother for the food: the 'sausages were a great success, and are as good cold as hot'. Asks her to thanks Booa (Mary Prestwich) for the parkin. Luckock is coming for tea this evening; he is in Welldon's house, but Robert knows nothing more about him.

Asks her to give leave for him to see Woodhouse [his dentist] for another hour next Thursday; had forgotten to tell her. Also asks for leave for 'a pair of cricket gloves and one canvass shirt'. The Gregory [prize text] is 'not out yet'; wishes it was. Hopes his father 'will not be tired on Wednesday', and that they [the Liberal Party?] 'do well at Leicester at all events'.