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Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for the 'splendid' second volume [of his "Collected Works"], which will join Dante's "Inferno", Shakespeare, Boccaccio 'in the task of propping, in these bad days, [George's] mind'. Reopens the letter to add a postscript saying that he has just read "A Custom of Thrace", which is 'very fine'; the 'last page of the book is very fine indeed'.

Casa Boccaccio, Settignano, Firenze, Italy. - Thanks Julian for the two "Hurtenham News" and letters; is pleased that the newspaper [written by Julian for his imaginary town] is 'keeping up to the standard of the first number', which is very often not the case. Particularly 'admired the translation of the war-song', and would like to meet the translator and discuss poetry some day. This letter may not reach Julian at once if there is a strike in England. Originally enclosing some photographs of pictures in Paris. [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson and [Harry] Norton in this old house where 'a great Italian writer' [Boccaccio] lived. The weather is beautiful, there are lots of flowers and butterflies, but no cactuses, for which he would have to go further south. Hopes the strike will not stop Julian visiting Berkhamsted or his mother 'playing in the orchestra at Dorking'. An eight-year old boy here, 'half German, half Italian' [Cecil von Anrep?], knows some English and wants Robert to repeat "The Quangle Wangle ['s Hat". by Edward Lear] whenever he sees him; Robert has forgotten a few words and asks Julian to remind him of them.

Nice. - Is here for a few days on his way to Florence to see a friend; it is 'not an attractive town, but the weather is lovely'. Spent three days in Paris seeing people he got to know two years ago. He will be staying at the Casa Boccaccio with [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson, [Harry] Norton and [Lascelles] Abercrombie: 'quite a houseful', but they will 'all get in somehow'. The Berensons, whose villa [I Tatti] is quite near, are still in America, though returning soon; Robert and his friends will still 'be able to use their library'.

Julian was recovering from his [whooping] cough when Robert left, and 'should be quite strong again by next term'. Robert sends thanks to his mother for her letter; will write to her soon from Italy; she asked if he would like the Times Literary Supplement, and he would be 'very glad to have it' if she can send it; the address will be Casa Boccaccio, Corbignano, Settignano, Florence, Italy. The house 'was Boccaccio's property', though Robert does not think he lived there.

On Boccaccio and Don Quixote.