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Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Julian looks well, and he and Miss B[arthorp] 'take long walks': on the roads, as the fields are so wet. Annie [Philips] has gone today to an Ed[ucatio]n meeting at [?] Stroud, but hopes to be back tomorrow by tea. They are enjoying her visit; she played Halma with Julian last night. He also plays Reversi, Beggar My Neighbour, Drafts [sic] and Dominos with them. Hopes that Alice (Elms?) will be up before very long. They are glad to keep Julian as long as he can be spared. Expects Elizabeth and Bob will both be glad to be home. News from both George and Robin [Price] this morning.

He and Marie are very grateful for the Trevelyans' kindness and hospitality in having them to stay over the winter, so that ill-health seems 'at least temporarily a good fortune'. He himself is pleased to have got some work done, due to the 'almost excessive freedom' allowed him by Bessie; he has his 'little ways' which do not always please other members of the household. Has happy memories of the way Julian joined in the Christmas play. Sends kind remembrances to Bert, Alice, Peter and Mabel [Elms]. 'Tremble[s] in [his] boots' when he thinks of what an 'old donkey' Wordsworth turned into at his age.

The Shiffolds. - Returned yesterday after a 'very wet hunt [the Lake Hunt], though they had a 'good day on Monday, and plenty of fun', which partly made up for the wet weekend. They went out on Saturday despite the rain, but it was 'rather poor sport'; they stayed at home on Sunday, and walked to Lodore after tea. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, but it was 'disappointing only to have one good day'.

Bessie seems very well; the Sangers and 'Mrs Clifford Allen with the baby', are here till Sunday, and the weather is fine but cold. Julian writes 'quite cheerfully'. Remembers liking James's The American Scene, 'especially the chapter about Richmond. They have heard of 'two promising couples, that may do as successors to Alice and Bert [Elms], but nothing is yet settled. Thought Charles and Molly 'both very well, and in good spirits'. Has been translating much of Theocritus' poetry, and hopes to bring it out in a book this autumn or next spring; perhaps also a book of new poems, but he 'must try to write a few more this summer'.

The Shiffolds. - Is sorry that his father is not recovering more quickly; must be 'tiresome for him to be in bed for so long'. Hopes that when he can get up the bad weather will be gone, and there will be a 'fine autumn. Bessie and Julian came home last night; both 'seemed very well, and all the better for their two weeks in the North'. Had 'quite a pleasant time here alone', but was still glad when they returned. The Elms family leave some time next week, when 'it comes to the point we are very sorry they are going'.

Would have liked to see more of his mother, and had brought some poems and translations from Theocritus to show her; if she likes, could send her typewritten copies of some since he has duplicates. Hopes to bring out a book of translations next year, and perhaps also a book of poems. Sends love to his father and Booa [Mary Prestwich]

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie went up to London on Monday 'to see Julian off [to school]. He quite enjoyed his extra days at home', but Robert thinks this was needed, as 'he had been quite seedy'; thinks he was 'fairly all right again' when he went back. Robert's lumbago 'still linger, owing to this villainous damp weather', but there is not much left now, and Bessie is well. Had a 'glimpse of Charles in town'. Sad that Booa [Mary Prestwich] has been ill again; will write to her soon.

Nurse Godwin is here, and they are waiting for the arrival of Alice [Elms]' baby; 'She herself seems very well'. Robert found [Gordon] Bottomley 'in fairly good health, considering the horrid weather'. Robert 'arranged for the printing of... Aeschylus [his translation of the Oresteia] at Liverpool; hopes it will be out before Christmas.

The Shiffolds. - Bessie sends thanks to his mother for her 'kind letter', which came this morning; she was planning to suggest that she and Julian should come to Welcombe on Monday, but yesterday Julian 'was rather unwell, and has evidently got influenza'; he is currently in bed 'with a temperature, though nothing serious'. Dr Cornish came this morning, and 'seemed to think it was the ordinary thing' and that Julian would have to stay in bed for two or three days. Unfortunate that it should come, as Alice and Peter [Elms] are 'only just recovering, so the household is a little disorganized'. Julian is also 'fretful as he wants to get up'; but Robert expects he will get used to it. Bessie needs to be with him, so cannot write; will probably do so tomorrow. Though it is a 'nuisance, and tiring for her', there is no need for alarm. Otherwise, they would much liked to have gone to Welcombe. Robert 'only had a single night of it' and was nearly well by next morning. Bessie is well, though tired.

Sorry he did not return earlier and see Julian, and must try to visit him at Mayortorn[e] this term; glad he and Elizabeth had such a good time in the Netherlands; he also enjoyed his time in Italy, though he did get a mild case of the mumps. The people he stayed with were burning old letters, and gave him some old stamps, 'mostly Russian and German' which may be valuable; also sends some modern ones which Julian can use as swaps if he has them. [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson is visiting; he hoped to see the azaleas but they are late flowering this year; they heard nightingales singing last night; asks if Julian knows which of the poets who 'has a street called after him in the new suburb of Hurtenham [his imaginary town]' wrote a poem about nightingales. Saw [Gordon] Luce, 'who also has the honour of a street', in Paris, and visited various oriental museums with him; Luce then went to Marseille to board his ship; very sad that he will not return from Burma for three or four years. Glad that Julian is 'now in the second class'. When in Italy, paid several visits to the father of Miss [Avice] Trench [a teacher at Julian's school, Mayortone] at his 'beautiful villa'. Alice and Peter [Elms] have had bad colds, but are now recovering.

Quotes from a poet who 'has not yet had a Hurtenham street called after him' [Julian?] but is still much interested in that city; has been reading the April number of his magazine, which seems 'on the whole a very well-written publication' and the spelling shows a 'marked improvement'. The 'affair of the ghosts is very remarkable'; would like to visit Hurtenham and bring his 'friend Roger Fry the art-critic, who would write an account of this interesting ghostly statuary for the Burlington Magazine'. Happy to be home; Italy 'very beautiful, but no more than here, though some day they 'must all go to Italy together'. Must stop now, as Dickinson wants him to play chess.

Sent to Julian c/o Mrs [Isabel] Fry, Mayortorne Manor, Wendover, Bucks. - Julian's mother is in bed with a 'slight chill' so cannot write as she promised, but will do so in a day or so. Asks if Julian gets the "Children's Newspaper" regularly; tells him to keep them and bring them home for Alice [Elms?]. Sends 'Love to the pigs, and to Signor Fabian' [a reference to a recent production of "Twelfth Night"?].

W[est] H[ackhurst], Monday. - Thanks Bessie for her letter; will be here all tomorrow (Wednesday) 'getting rid of a slight cold', perhaps Thursday morning too, in case she wants to 'look in'. Is 'very sorry to hear about your poor Alice [Elms]'s operation'; hopes things go well. Adds postscript saying that they [he and his mother?] had a 'pleasant joining up with Bob that day'.

Trevelyan has filled in the sections printed on the front: 'Written by' with 'R.C.T'; 'Commenced' with 27 August 1923 [looks like 8]; 'School' with 'Ἡ ΓΗ' ['The Earth' in Ancient Greek]. Notes in his first entry that he has been reading Ponsonby's book ["English Diaries" by Arthur Ponsonby] which has inspired him to start this diary.

Mentions of Mabel [Godwin?], Marian [?], Alice, Bert and Bobbie Elms; Bessie and Julian; his parents; Miles Malleson and his wife [Joan] and uncle [Philip Malleson]; O[liver] Simon at the "Fleuron" (who asks him to translate the "Acts of the Apostles", to be illustrated by Paul Nash); Miss Ewing [later wife of Walter Rea], Nicky Mariano; Bernard and Mary Berenson; Frances and Arthur Dakyns (visiting the Ponsonbys at Fernhurst); his brother George (who has written to the "Times" saying the matter between Greece and Italy should be referred to the Powers not the League of Nations); Margaret and Ralph Vaughan Williams and their mother; Mrs [Jane] Russell Rea; Irene [Cooper Willis or Noel-Baker]; 'Miss [blank left], with whom Rennier had an affair. She is now private secretary to [Henry?] Hamilton Fyfe'; Francis Birrell; Clifford and Joan Allen; 'an Italian-French lady' whom Trevelyan had met at I Tatti; Barbara Strachey; [Simon] Bussy [paintings by]; John Rodker 'and his child [Joan] by Sonia [Cohen]'; a 'nice rather muddle-headed young man.. Labour candidate for Petersfield' [Dudley Aman]; Bertrand Russell.

Works on: translations of Theocritus; his 'Flood poem' ["The Deluge"]; possible continuation of "Pterodamozels"; review of books on metre by Lascelles Abercrombie and E[gerton Smith] (Smith is the first person he has 'attacked' in a review; wonders if Desmond MacCarthy will think his comments 'too strong); review of Sturge Morre's "Judas" for Leonard Woolf at the "Nation"; his 'Pandora play'.

Reads (as well as Ponsonby, and sometimes with Julian): the "Manchester Guardian", Spenser's "Mother Hubbard ['s Tale]", Epicharmus, "Henry IV pt 1", Phaedrus, Macaulay, Aristophanes, the 'Summer number' of Julian's "Hurtenham Magazine", Lucian, the "Mikado"; Ssuma Ch'ien [Sima Qian]; Hastings' "Dictionary of the Bible" [at the London Library]; a "Classical Review" with Duff and Bailey on Lucretius; Molly MacCarthy's autobiography ["A Nineteenth-Century Childhood", 'Very charming']

The White Gates. - They are happy that Bessie is home again, her 'courage rewarded'; she must 'feel so satisfied at having got through so brilliantly'. Hopes she will have a 'satisfactory report of Mrs [Alice] Elms'; her own cook has fallen and broken her arm, and will be away for six weeks, luckily they have a 'substitute'. Returns Mrs Löwenbach's letter; was glad to see it as they have heard from her 'but not at so much length'. Believes it will be hard to persuade her to stay with them, as she will be 'so scrupulous', but hopes to see her as she remembers her as being 'very attractive'. They expect a visit from 'Bob de Ropp and his Eileen on Monday'. Notes in a postscript that 'work for LHMC [Leith Hill Music Competition]' is 'in full swing'.

Hopes that Julian is recovering and will be able to come home on Wednesday. The rabbits are in 'their moving hutch on the lower lawn', and one of the black hens is in the oat field below the garden, 'near the didikai's hut', expects the 'naughty thing' is 'eating Shaw's oats'. Asks how "Baron Munchausen" is getting on and whether he has caught 'the eight-legged hare yet'. Bert, Alice, Mabel and Peter [servants and family] went to a 'Peace tea at Coldharbour last night and did not come home until quite late'; Peter enjoyed himself as there was 'a brass band and dancing'. Will now post this at the box on the Abinger Road. Comments in a postscript that this is a 'fine sheet of paper'; tells Julian not to look inside [the two pages are stuck together] as 'something might jump out': 'BO! says the bogie' is written inside.

The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Very kind of Robert to send her the 'splendid new edition' of his "Collected Works": it is a 'joy to touch such excellent paper' as well as to read Robert's 'charming' earlier poems again; thanks him for inscribing it to her. Had read about the forthcoming publication of this new edition in the "Times". Asks him to hand an enclosure to Elizabeth: hopes her 'general health' is still good, and wonders when her next eye operation is due. Glad Elizabeth can soon go to Wallington; is sure the 'change & air there do her much good'. It is very kind of Molly to take in the Trevelyans' guests as well; wonders whether they will go north by car or train. If Bob later visits the Bottomleys [Gordon and Emily], hopes they will drive him to The Park to visit her as they did some years ago. Very glad that Alice [Elms?] is 'safe back at the Shiffolds" and can 'move about a little'.

The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.

Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.

Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.

Very glad that Ursula is better. [Edward] Renton has not answered his letter; expects he will not; Bob should not have written, and it was a greater mistake not to remember to ask for the piano-score and [German] translation [for Bob and Donald Tovey's opera, the "Bride of Dionysus"] Does not like to ask, but perhaps Julian could go to see Renton and ask for it; suspects when he went Renton 'did not want [him] to see what little of the score he had recopied'. Would like the translation, as it would 'be at any rate something for the hundreds of pounds Donald and I have thrown away on him'. Donald Tovey is 'evidently dying', and 'poor Alice Elms died yesterday, rather suddenly'. Quite likely that Renton would say there is 'no piano-score and translation there', but he is a 'complete lyar [sic]'. Not vitally important now, as there is no question of a German translation 'for years to come', but Donald had 'set his heart on getting it ready for the future' and approved Renton's version. A 'great thing' to have got back the score.

Dr [Karl] Bluth has telephoned to say he has been to see Ursula, and 'all is going as well as can be expected'. They are very relieved; thinks Bessie is writing to Ursula. Is afraid it has been a 'very worrying time', but hopes this will 'get rid of the trouble for good and all'. Bessie has not been well today, but Bob thinks it is 'nothing much'. Alice [Elms?]'s operation seems to have been successful.

Hotel Rockville, Darjeeling. - This letter is for Julian and his Nannie, who must read it to him. Is high in the mountains, having come up on a 'little Indian train' of which he sends Julian a picture. Is leaving this afternoon, and will go via a train all night and then an Indian steamboat on a 'great river' for five hours, until he reaches an 'Indian house in an Indian village' where the people are all brown and 'speak in a funny way'. Nannie should choose a picture of the train, as well as having the one of 'the Nepaly mother with her baby in a basket', and Alice and Emily should have the one of the mountains. Will return soon from China, when he will 'have to travel in a great Russian puff-puff... for ten days without stopping'. Julian must pass on a kiss to his mother, if she is at home.