Showing 67 results

Rocca Bella, Taormina. - has heard the news of the Frys' move to Hampstead from Mrs Enticknap; it is very sad, but hopes they will soon forget Dorking. Will be back in England by Easter to be at [G.E.] Moore's Easter party, which he thinks is to be in the New Forest. Asks Fry if he could come, and persuade Goldie [Dickinson] to come also; has written to [Bertrand] Russell to suggest his coming. Will go to the Berensons next week. Saw a great deal of the Waterfields at Palermo and has got to like [Aubrey] Waterfield very much; wishes Fry could appreciate him more, as Berenson now seems to. Must see Fry as soon as possible as he must settle with Johnson [publisher of Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"].

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Has received his father's letter [12/89] and is sorry to have annoyed him by not writing more often; this is 'not through indifference', and he hopes in future to write more regularly. He and Bessie go abroad next Tuesday, and hope to reach Aulla [home of Aubrey and Lina Waterfield] on Thursday; hopes by then Campbell-Bannerman will have formed his cabinet. The Times's 'assertion about Sir Edward Grey' yesterday caused great alarm, but so far it seems unfounded. If they had indeed failed to agree, someone would be much to blame, but Robert thought George was being 'unduly pessimistic'; he thought if there had been a split nobody but 'strong radicals would vote against Protection' and the election would be a 'fiasco' for the Liberals. Robert doubts that 'principles are not just now more important than men in most minds'. Quotes [from Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3, 2115-2132], with Grey in Cassius' place, Campbell-Bannerman playing Brutus, and the Times the Poet.

He and Bessie are both well, though have had bad colds. Has sent the first act of their translation of Vondel's Lucifer to the Independent [Review]; George and Dickinson 'seem to like it' so he hopes they might print it; there is more of the translation, but the first act stands well alone. George, Janet, and Mary seem well. Sends love to his mother.

La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are 'comfortably settled in this castle' which is a real one: he is not mistaking a hotel for a castle like Don Quixote. Describes the surrounding countryside. The Waterfields have been here for almost a year; gives details of the building and its history. He and Bessie are well, though have had bad colds recently. Hopes his parents are enjoying their time in Rome; had thought they would return for the election; everything seems to be going well [for the Liberal Party] so far. Hopes Charles may still get an appointment; is sure he would deserve it. Haldane at the War Office is 'rather comic', but he 'may just be the right man for the job'.

Jebb's death is 'very sad'; Robert had little opportunity to see him, but the one time he heard him talking at length, he thought him 'delightful'. Bessie sends love and will write soon. Robert is 'well started' on his work again; thinks this place will be as good for wriring as Ravello.

c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear of his father's accident [see 11/134, 12/90], and hope the rheumatism will have gone by the 28th so that his parents may start back then as planned, or soon after. Hears from the Waterfields that his parents' hotel is a good one, so hopes they are comfortable.

Is very sorry that Charles 'has not got a place [in Campbell-Bannerman's government]'; had expected he would, and hopes 'his chance may yet come' soon. Is sure he will 'take his disappointment in the best spirit'; he 'cannot have long to wait' if he continues to do as well as he has so far as a private member. Generally, 'it seems a very good Government'; glad that even the Tories seem to respect Campbell-Bannerman now.

Has just bought Jebb's edition of Bacchylides, an 'excellent book'. Jebb 'made a beautiful speech at the [Apostles'?] dinner' a few years ago which made Robert 'like him very much'.

La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - She and Robert are very sorry to hear of Sir George's accident [see 12/90, 11/134]; hopes that he is recovered by the time Sir George and Caroline had planned to return home. It is 'so dreary being ill in a hotel'; hopes they have 'plenty of amusing books' and wishes she were there to read to him. Neither she nor Robert knew the Villa Livia, where the accident happened, but their hosts [the Waterfields] described it and it sounds 'a most charming place'.

They are 'happily settled' here; Robert 'started working at once' and the weather has been very good. They like the surroundings more and more as they get to know it on walks. They are all very busy with their 'usual occupations' which makes life together 'very agreeable'; she practises the violin in the morning, in the afternoon they go out separately or together; after tea, when Robert is generally still out at work, they read or 'play with the 2 year old baby, a nice chubby little boy'. In the evening they read aloud; presently they are reading Hogg's Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley, which she and the Waterfields had not read before; since they are near Lerici it 'seems appropriate'.

There are 'great preparations for Christmas', as the Waterfields want to have a tree for the 'servants & contadini & the people in the town who work for them', whom they have got to know well. The people of Aulla 'seem such a contented flourishing population', with each farmer having 'their own small properties' which they work themselves and 'just manage to live comfortably'; does not think 'there is much progress, & the thing goes on from father to son' but there is 'little real poverty, or misery'. There will also be a small dance here on the 31st for the Aulla people whom the Waterfields know, with the band coming from a neighbouring village; this gives 'immense joy' and is 'very little trouble or expense'. Last autumn a similar dance was given; when the guests arrived they were told the baby was asleep and they 'all marched upstairs on tiptoe to the studio... & told each other to be quiet'.

They have also been 'much disappointed not to see Charlie's name in the new Government', as she is sure many people will be; hopes he will not 'feel it too bitterly' and is sure he will have 'a good chance soon'. Hopes Caroline will let her know soon how Sir George is doing, that she is keeping well, and that they have a 'pleasant Xmas'.

c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - Thanks his father for his 'very kind letter' [12/93], and for the 'most generous arrangement on making good the income tax' on his allowance, which the previous arrangement was enough to cover; he and Bessie wish to thank his parents 'for this and other constant kindnesses of the same kind'. Wonders whether the Chancellor [Asquith] will 'introduce a graduated tax of some kind': the debate would 'give Charles an opportunity, as it is one of his subjects'. Thinks Theodore [Llewelyn Davies] 'was in favour of graduation in principle, though admitting the practical difficulties'; it is at times like this that he will be much missed. Robert used to get him to 'discuss politics at great length' about once a year, usually at their Cambridge Easter parties.

There has been 'thick snow' which has kept them in for several days, but it is beginning to disappear today and they are all going out: Robert by himself, the others [Bessie and the Waterfields] visiting the country villa of the Admiral who is 'the head of the arsenals at Spezzia [La Spezia]'. Last week they went to Lerici and saw Shelley's villa; the outside has recently been 'spoiled with hideous decorations' but the interior is 'very interesting and even beautiful'; some of the furniture is quite old and might well be from Shelley's time.

Today news has come in the Italian newspapers that Balfour has '"surprised the world by surrendering himself con armi e bagagli to his great amico nemico [friend enemy] Chamberlain'". It is a pretty end to the whole story'. Hopes a few of the 'late Balfourians will have the courage to stand out and... form the nucleus of a Conservative free-trade party'. Discusses the Pervergilium Veneris, a 'curious poem' for which he has 'always had a weakness'.

Pension Rigoni, Piazza San Francesco, Siena. - Weather was bad for the first week in Italy, and his mother suffered from rheumatism. They did go to Aulla [see 3/20], and W[aterfield] was very kind about it: a glorious place. Siena is very busy, but their pensione is good. Drove out today to Belcaro to see the Peruzzi frescoes, and a 'jolly view'.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Will think about what she asks, as no-one is in his mind at the moment; the sum she suggests is very moderate. Thanks Bob for his letter: was about to write about the C.A.s [Clifford Allens] and is glad to be able to help. Has sent £10 to [Charles Roden] Buxton and will send more if the Allens go to Egypt; suspects that they will not have time with only six weeks and a visit to Aulla [to the Waterfields?], though he wishes they could. Reference to the manhunt, and to Bob Trevelyan's consumption of claret and orange brandy. Has visited [Sebastian] Sprott in Nottingham; saw little of the town but did go to a gallery and saw 'an excessively beautiful picture by an 18th century Frenchman - name Liotard, I think'.

c/o A[ubrey] Waterfield Esq., La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana, Italy. - Was very interested in Everett's two essays; what he says about Shakespeare [in "Six Cleopatras", "The Atlantic Monthly" (February 1905) 252-263] seems 'very just', and if he knew the other Cleopatras would probably agree with Everett's thoughts on them too. Ashamed to say he has never read the Dryden ["All for Love or, the World Well Lost"] though he has long meant to; the version by Delphine Gay [de Girardin] also sounds interesting. Finds it harder to agree totally with Everett's paper on Catullus and Horace ["Catullus vs Horace", "Harvard Studies in Classical Philology" 12 (1901): 7-17]; glad to hear Horace praised, as he is 'often now unjustly deprecated', but obviously thinks more of Catullus than Everett does. Though he admits the faults Everett finds, nothing in Horace appeals to him 'personally in the way that the Attys and the first Epithalium [sic: of Catullus] do'. Responds to a few of Everett's criticisms in detail, and says he would 'be prepared to defend Catullus as one of the very greatest poets in the world'. Everett's 'comparison of [Sophocles'] "Ajax" with "Othello" is 'a very just one'; agrees in some respects with what Everett says about the play, though feels the 'repulsive and sordid elements' may be needed to relieve Othello's characters, which is 'essentially noble and beautiful'. Thanks Everett for sending him Mr [William?] Bradford's poems; was much interested in them but disappointed; did not care for the lyrics and, though the sonnets read well, he found htem 'lacking in real poetical quality'; seems to him a difficult genre of poetry to succeed in, though Wordsworth's "Extinction of the Venetian Republic" and sonnet about Toussaint L'Ouverture show what may be done. Is writing a 'lyrical drama on Ariadne and Theseus ["The Bride of Dionysus"]... intended as a libretto for a musical friend [Donald Tovey]". The last act 'will be the most difficult, and should be the best'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Starts tomorrow to Aulla for a stay with 'our friends the Waterfields'; is leaving Bessie and Julian 'very well', and hopes they will be able to visit his parents at Wallington 'after the new nurse has come'. They are 'very sorry to lose Mrs Catt', but have no choice [due to her continuing illness]. Was very nice having his mother to visit last week; hopes it did not tire her. She saw Julian at his best, as since then he has 'developed a kind of rash on his face, which makes his cheeks absurdly red'; the doctor says it is harmless and will not last, and otherwise Julian is very well.

The 'cloud-burst near Naples seems to have been very bad, especially on the Amalfi coast', where they have been so often: does not think Ravello itself can have been too much affected, since it is on the top of a ridge, but Amalfi, Minori and Maiori have 'all suffered badly'. Will write again soon.

c/o A[ubrey] Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana, Italy. - Reached here safely on Sunday, and found everyone well. Had 'one fine day, but now there is a tremendous storm'; however, it is 'very comfortable inside... as it ought to be with walls more than twelve feet thick'. Left Bessie and Julian very well, and has heard from Bessie since that they are all right; Julian had 'some sort of mild eczema,', but the doctor was reassuring and it is 'already better'. The nurse here knows nurse Stevens [the Trevelyan's new nurse] - in fact, she originally recommended her - speaks 'very highly of her'.

He and the Waterfields are all going to Florence in about a week, to stay for a fortnight at a villa near the Berensons'; will then return and stay a few more days here before returning 'about the time Bessie is coming South', if, as he hopes, she goes to stay with his parents at Wallington.

Is just finishing Forster's new novel Howard's End; sees that he probably will not like the end, but generally thinks it is 'much better than anything he has done hitherto, both better written and more interesting characters', anyway she should read it.

Hopes his parents are both well, and that 'Charlie is all right again'. Saw some 'judicious remarks of you about the blessèd Conference, reported in my Guardian Angel, who watches over my political welfare here as everywhere'. Sends love to all, and will write to his father soon.

Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana, Italy. - Sends a 'thousand congratulations on the happy event'; they [he and Lina] were glad to get Bob's letter with news of Paul and Bessie. Glad the Enticknaps approve. Is following Bob's plan and goes for walks with 'pockets full of books' everyday, but rarely reads them, instead sits 'basking in the sunshine & the stillness'; describes the surroundings. Lina is 'doing away with the pigions [sic] because they don't pay'; he objects, but will have their tower room for 'a study from which to wander in the roof garden' as compensation. Needs Bessie 'badly to paint the ringhiera [banisters or railing]'; sends love. They miss the Trevelyans both very much this Christmas.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for "Aftermath": glad he has been able to 'salvage' so many poems of which George is so fond [from the fire at the publisher's warehouse which destroyed the stock of Bob's recent "Collected Works"]; they have both suffered from the 'family connection with Longmans, though he does not mind much for himself, as he is 'past caring whether anyone reads one's books... in this night of time' and has 'no more desire for continued existence as a writer than for life after death'. The Geoffrey Youngs are staying in the Lodge for a few days, preparing to move into 'half a house near by'; good to have them back in Cambridge. Tells Bob to visit some time in summer. He and Janet hope to go to Hallington at Easter, staying in the gardener's cottage; the Hall has begun again as a hospital, and they will see 'more of it and its inmates than when it was an RAF affair'. Hopes that they have good news of Julian from Egypt. Notes in a postscript that Aubrey and Lina Waterfield's son John has been killed in Malta.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Happy to be expecting Elizabeth and Julian today. Interested to hear about the castle [at Aulla, owned by Aubrey and Lina Waterfield?], and envies Robert's chance of 'a fine fortnight near Florence' [with the Berensons]. Caroline has just finished reading Colonel Young's book on the Medicis, which pleased her greatly, and Sir George intends to try it. Young appears to be 'an old Indian officer', and his work to be 'free from that sort of canting way in which people think it is necessary to write about Italy... like Symonds, Hare, and in some sort Ruskin' and 'hundreds' of other lesser writers. There was a 'glorious eclipse of the moon' last night, and 'much distress of politicians for it to portend'. They are going to read Forster's novel ["Howards End"] aloud, having finished [Arnold Bennett's] "Clayhanger" which was 'admirable'. Adds in a postscript that Major Dobbin [in Thackeray's "Vanity Fair"] might have written Colonel Young's book, 'instead of his history of the Sikhs'; it has 'the honesty and thoroughness of [Sir George's] Colonel Gerald Boyle" [who composed a manuscript "Notes on the War of the American Revolution"?].

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for 'G.V': will return it when he has copied it into his Baedeker. Asks if he has been to Pontremoli, and if the Waterfields would mind if he went over [their home, la Fortezza di] Brunella at Aulla: it is partly Lina Waterfield's book ["Home Life in Italy: Letters from the Apennines"?] which makes him want to go.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Was glad to hear his parents had reached Rome on Saturday, and that his mother is well again; hopes she will now 'keep well', and that they are having good weather. Reached home on Wednesday, and found Bessie and Julian well. The 'nurse problem' seems to have been solved 'quite happily': Julian 'seems to take to the new nurse, and she seems a strong, sensible young woman'. The Bottomleys are staying with them, and are 'cheerful guests'.

Had a 'wonderful five days at Aulla with his friends [Lascelles Abercrombie and W. W. Gibson] at [Aubrey] Waterfield's castle'; thinks it is the 'finest country' he knows in Italy, 'or anywhere almost'. They went one day to Lerici and visited the Casa Magni [the Shelleys' house]; some 'quite terrible houses' have recently been built just beyond it, but 'the bay is too lovely to be really spoiled'. They walked three miles south along the coast to Fiascherino, 'a tiny village where a friend was staying', which was 'as beautiful as anything I have seen on the rocky part of the Mediterranean coast, in France or Italy'. Then they walked back about four or five miles over the hills to catch the train at Sarzana.

His parents will have Charles and Molly with them by now; sends them his love. Bessie saw them in London the day he returned; he fears they 'had a stormy crossing', as he did. Bessie says she will write to Caroline tomorrow; he expects 'chiefly about the new nurse', who came yesterday. Julian woke up at five this morning and asked her to light a candle, as he said he wanted to 'see her face'. Then he said "' Yes, I like your face. That's all right. You can put the candle out now, and try to go to sleep again'. He 'certainly seems satisfied with her, and so does Bessie so far'. Sends love to his mother.

Cortona, addressed to Julian c/o Mrs [Lina] Waterfield, Poggio Gherardo, Settignano, Firenze. - Is writing to [Roger] Sessions to say he will come if it 'really suits him'; may do so on the 3 or 4 January, a few days before [Umberto] Morra, in order to see Julian if he does not go to Rome. Julian need not suggest a pension to the W[aterfield]s for so short a time. The weather here stays 'damp and horrid'. [Alberto] Moravia left yesterday; Tonino [Morra's majordomo] has a bad cough.

Addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Thinks Bessie has let Julian know by telegraph that the Toveys [Donald and Clara] are leaving on Friday morning, so if he wants to see them he would have to cross to England on Wednesday to be at the Shiffolds for Thursday afternoon; this may not be possible. Glad Julian has seen the Waterfields [Lina and Aubrey]. Heard from [Maria] Germanova last week. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy seems 'all right'. Afraid Julian missed B.B. [Bernard Berenson] at Florence and Paris too.

Hotel Cavour, via del Proconsolo, Florence; addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIV, France. - Wants to send a book to Andryusha but cannot remember the Kalitinskis' address now they have moved; also asks how to spell 'Andryusha'. He and Betty [Muntz] are going to [Umberto] Morra's on Saturday, and then to Assisi, but Julian should write to this address. They found B.B. [Bernard Berenson] and Nicky [Mariano] still in Italy, but they have gone to Hyeres now. Had a 'very enjoyable time at Paris'. Has not yet seen the Waterfields [Lina and Aubrey], as they have gone to Aulla for a few days.

Casa di Boccaccio, Settignano, Firenze, Italy [on headed notepaper for I Tatti, Settignano]. - Thanks his mother for her letter. Bessie says she will be with his mother until Saturday, so this letter may come while she is there. Is 'very glad she is going to Holland'; is sure she will enjoy it and that it will 'do her good'. Julian seems well again now. The weather here is 'very changeable', but he has done 'a fair amount of work'. Is 'quite comfortable' in his lodgings, and has meals with the Waterfields in the Casa di Boccaccio. Usually works in the Berensons' library in the morning, then goes 'out on the hills in the afternoon, unless the weather is impossible, as it often is'. Glad his mother had a 'pleasant visit from Audrey [Trevelyan]'; hopes Hilda is now better.

Prefers the English translation of War and Peace by [Constance] Garnett to the French, as it is 'more accurate, and does not leave things out'; however, he 'like[s] reading Turgeneff best in French'. The 'postage for letters abroad' is now three pence, not two and a half; it is a lira from Italy to England, which is just over two pence. Asks her to thank his father for his letter [12/349?]; will write to him soon. [Bernard] Berenson sends his 'kind regards'; he and his wife are going to Greece next month, about the time Robert will start home.

Casa Boccaccio, Settignano, Firenze, Italy. - Is 'comfortably settled in lodgings two minutes away from the Casa Boccaccio, where the Waterfields live', and where he has all his meals. The weather is 'very fine, bright and fairly warm'; though the last couple of days have been cloudy there has been no rain. Has been able to start work already, and has 'written a great deal'. Gave his father's message to the Berensons, who ask to be remembered kindly to him. Sees 'a good deal of [Bernard] Berenson, whose villa is just on the other side of the valley'.

Bessie has sent him 'two very cheerful letters from Julian', showing he is 'settling down quite happily at his new school [Bedales]'. Bessie will be going to London again this week; expects she will soon arrange to visit his parents. Asks his father to let his mother know that she need not send him the Times Literary Supplement here, as the Waterfields take it; when he returns home he will be 'very glad to have it again'. Will write to her soon. Sends love to his parents, and to Aunt Annie if she is with them.

c/o A. Waterfield, Fortezza la Brunella, Aulla, Massa Carrara, Italy. - Bessie will be with them by now; hopes they are having the same good weather with 'at last' is beginning here today; until now there has been 'nothing but rain and wind'. However, since the castle walls are 'about 15 feet thick', they are 'quite warm and sheltered within'. Must have been through Aulla, along the valley at the foot of the hill, that 'Hannibal marched after crossing the Appennines'; likes to think of him 'riding along down below on his last elephant, on which he crossed the flooded Arno'. The bones of an elephant, 'supposed to be of some extinct kind' were recently found about two miles from here; Robert prefers 'to imagine that they belong to Hannibal's last but one elephant, which had wandered away... and that Hannibal was in too great a hurry to send after it and recapture it'.

Wrote a paper about poetry for the Heretics Society at Cambridge last November; Kegan Paul have now offered to publish it 'as a small book' if he writes some more, so he will work on that now. It will be part of 'a series of books by various writers, some of them quite good, each with a classical title'. Thinks he will call his Thamyris, possibly Marsyas; the 'sub-title will be Is There a Future for Poetry', and of course he concludes that there is, but first 'point[s] out various problems to which modern poetry is liable'.

Does not think his translation of Theocritus will now be out before Easter, nor his 'small book of poems' [Poems and Fables, to be published by the Hogarth Press]. Expects his father is still reading the Gibbon letters, which 'Bessie would be sure to enjoy listening to'. Encloses a letter for her, and sends love to his mother.

La Fortezza, Aulla, Massa Carrara, Italy. - Arrived last Sunday, and will stay some weeks here; the weather is 'beautiful' and the sun quite warm, though north of the Apennines in Lombardy there was '6 or 8 inches of snow'. Is staying in the castle with Aubrey Waterfield; Mrs Waterfield is in England but will return soon. Travelled out with his friends the Allens, who will go on to Naples in a few days leaving Robert here. Bessie saw them off on Friday; has had a postcard from her already. Julian 'wrote quite happily from school lat week'.

Life in the castle is 'very quiet, but very pleasant'; the views of the Carraras and Apennines from the roof garden are 'very wonderful'. Hopes to begin working today or tomorrow, since 'at first one wants just to look about at things, and recover from two days journey'. Hopes his parents are well and that the weather is good. Sends love to Aunt Annie and to his father, to whom he will write soon. Enjoyed his visit to Welcombe very much.

c/o A[ubrey] Waterfield, Fortezza la Brunella, Aulla, Massa Carrara, Italy. - Is writing his letter in the garden on the roof of the castle; describes the view, and sketches a plan of the castle. Will be here for about ten more days, then go to Florence for a fortnight before returning home. Finished his short book about poetry ["Thamyris: or, is there a future for poetry?"] yesterday, and now must copy it out and correct it, but will now also be able to think about writing some new poetry himself. Is sending Julian a few seeds: cypress, wisteria, Mediterranean pine and stone pine, which he may be able to grow in his garden. Hopes 'the Ray' is a success, and looks forward to reading it.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - They have been enjoying Robert's account of the chestnut trees and red heath above Aulla [home of Robert's friends the Waterfields] which makes a pleasing contrast with the 'utter want of colour' here; however, the current frost is likely to bring Elizabeth back from Edinburgh a day early and they want as much of her company as they can get. They have enjoyed two concerts in which the commercial school-master's wife, Mrs Howe, 'whom Elizabeth had discovered and made friends with' acted as accompanyist. Is just finishing the eleventh book of Tacitus ["Annals"].

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Has left Aulla [Aubrey and Lina Waterfield's home] and come here for a few weeks; will return around 12 Feb. Originally enclosing a few stamps; will look out for new issues in Florence. The Allens have been for tea; they leave for England today; [Clifford] is 'much better for his tour abroad'. Encloses 'a stupid bad p[ost] c[ard]. photo of the castle at Aulla', as he 'could not get a good one'. Hears from Elizabeth that Julian's scenery [for a school play] was 'quite a success'.