Originally enclosing several photographs of pictures and statues from the [Louvre] Museum in Paris: two drawings by Leonardo da Vinci; a picture of Charles I; an old man's head by Durer; a lady making lace - 'perhaps an ancestor of Mummy' - by Van der Meer [Vermeer]; Italian paintings of an old man with 'a big bulbous nose' and of Mary and Jesus; a Giorgione; and a Watteau; Julian has probably never heard of the French painter Corot, who 'liked bent trees'; the 'Man-bull' comes from Nineveh, and it would be 'fun to see him fly'; the winged bull and lion made from coloured bricks come from Persia; the 'little ladies' made out of earthenware are Greek grave goods, so that 'the dead may have lady friends to talk to', one carries a fan; 'Cesar is Cesar [Julius Caesar?]' and no doubt Julian has heard about him; finally an Egyptian sphinx. Will be starting home in about eighteen days.
Paris. - Originally enclosing four more photographs of pictures by Corot [one was sent with 15/14] from a Parisian gallery; the broken Roman bridge is at Narni in Italy, where Corot travelled as a young man.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Looking forward to welcoming Julian. There is a 'murderous drought', which combined with the lack of labour means that the 'fields are one wilderness of thistles'. Interesting about [André] Tolédano; he will be better up on Leith Hill with Robert than on the plain. Caroline is copying a 'lovely Corot'. Is reading Pindar for the first time in sixty two years, with some difficulty but 'great enjoyment and admiration'.
Is 'very culpable and negligent' towards Trevelyan, but he is 'always so indulgent' that Marchand hopes he will be pardoned again; he is obviously an 'almost disgustingly lazy being'. Begins by thanking Trevelyan as well as 'the young artist' [Julian]: asks if Julian still likes Corot, and if so to continue his appreciation of that artist, whom Marchand himself loves more and more. As Trevelyan thought, they are at Vence; he had a hard job 'detaching Sonia [Lewitska] from the hill' where she 'incrusts herself every winter like a crab on a rock'. Hasn't seen Trevelyan for a long time; has a fond memory of the first time he met Madame Trevelyan, for whom he feels much affinity; his regret for not visiting her at 'Gluffolds' [an error for Shiffolds?] is greater, and he regrets that he no longer knows when he will be in London again, since the exchange rate is 'ruinous' and the future 'quite sombre'. Wonders what has become of everyone who was gathered then: has not seen [Francis] Birrell or [Arthur?] Waley since then, though he thinks often of them. Waley sent him a book which he read slowly and has re-read continuously about the works of Lao-tse and other Chinese writers, translated by Vignier: it is both full of old experience and new goodness, and some phrases apply perfectly to the current situation. Is only returning to Paris in the last week of April; Trevelyan will give him great pleasure if they can meet then. Adds a postscript as Sonia sends best regards to both Trevelyans. Marchand asks if Trevelyan is still working on his translation of Aeschylus and Sophocles. Has seen that in the last election 'notre ami' Winston Churchill was beaten again: he can then leave it all for his 'mad passion - that of painting'. Asks Trevelyan to send him Waley's address if he has a chance.
Originally enclosing a few more promotional notices [for the forthcoming production of his own "Meleager" and Sturge Moore's "Medea"], which Julian could send to [his Cambridge contemporaries?] [Douglas Elliott?] Braithwaite, Lintot, and [Evert?] Barger, though they may not go even if they are in London. Could not come to the "Bacchae", as he fell from a bus step, sprained his knee, and has been laid up for six days at the Abercrombies' house. Had a rehearsal today, then Bessie fetched him home in their 'new second-hand Vauxhall'. [Ronald?] Watkins said today that he found the "Bacchae" rather disappointing; however, asks Julian to let [J.T.] Sheppard know why he could not come, if he sees him. Originally enclosing a card for the Independent Gallery, where there are ' '6 lovely early Corots... a very fine Degas, a Courbet' and some other things. Will go to the [Jan?] Hubrechts' party on 18 March. Bessie and the Röntgens are going to Edinburgh on Tuesday; he will probably take the night train that day or go up the day after; if Julian also goes to the party he could travel up with him.