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Gorringes, Downe, Kent. - His and his wife's thanks for Bob's 'nice poetical Christmas card ["From the Shiffolds"]; he likes "The Pleasure" and "The Dream", perhaps he likes "The Pleasure" best as he 'likes some rhymes', and 'can't help it' if that is a 'weakness'. Hopes Bob's Leith Hill is not as 'badly scarred' as it was when he described it. The Darwins are looking forward to Ursula and Philip coming on Monday, and Julian on Christmas Eve. 'Poor little Philip sounds wonderfully well' after his illness; expects he is still 'rather weak in the hind legs'. Robin and Nicola are also coming; there is a turkey, 'the first to have occurred for several years', and he thinks 'enough to drink'. Hopes Bob has a good, 'though probably a more tranquil Xmas'.

Will send on some letters to Julian as soon as he has an address. Julian will see he has got a 2.2 in his 'Mays' [examinations]; not bad, especially since [J.R.M.] Butler says he only just missed a 2:1. Bessie has gone on a week's trip to Guernsey and Jersey with Radcliffe, who is inspecting schools there. Hopes Julian did not have too rough a crossing, and is enjoying his time abroad. One of the letters is addressed to Julian Tryon; Julian should send it back to Trinity if it is not for him. Wonders if he found the 'Welcombe picture at Brusselles [by Gossaert, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels]. Sends his regards in a postscript to [Robin] Darwin.

Saw Jellé [Jelly d'Aranyi] yesterday, who hopes that if Julian comes to her concert with Myra Hess in Cambridge, he will visit her afterwards. Thinks Julian should go and see [Frederick] Porter as soon as he can in London; suggests writing to see when would be best; Porter will be in Chiswick for most of the summer but is going to France to paint for two or three weeks at the end of June; he seemed to think Julian might like to go with him. Julian could probably also arrange to travel with [Robin] Darwin, but It might be a shame to miss the 'chance of getting the most out of Porter' since 'everyone seems to think very well' of him as a teacher. Will not come to Cambridge on Saturday, but hopes all will go well.

Gorringes, Down, Kent. - Thanks Bob for the 'Christmas card of verses' ["From the Shiffolds"], which they [he and Eily] both enjoyed greatly; mentions some of his favourite parts. They are looking forward to a brief Christmas visit from Julian, Ursula and Philip; Robin will also be with them. They have 'enough gin but no servants!'.