Showing 69 results

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is well; he says Wallington is 'a nice warm little house' whereas the Shiffolds is cold. He has gone to Cambo this morning; Charlie arrived yesterday and Mary, who was staying at Wallington, has gone home with him. Hopes Elizabeth's guests [Catherine Abercrombie and her baby?] are well and do not give her trouble. Asks if Robert is returning soon; he will find it dreary where he is if it rains. Sir George is well and very busy; good that his book is done. Graham has made Julian a 'little besom to sweep the leaves with'. Thinks Mrs Evans is good with him, but 'she is a talker'.

7A Stanley Gardens, W.11. - Has been sounding out the Oxford [University] Press regarding the possible publication of a collected edition of Trevelyan's poetry. The Press seems likely to be willing given a satisfactory financial agreement (a substantial contribution to costs of publication from Trevelyan himself) and Trevelyan may therefore write to Milford and make the proposal. Catherine [his wife] still unwell.

Postmarked Gloucester. - Pleased to see Trevelyan's poems in the "Nation"; discusses them briefly. Catherine continues to make excellent progress.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Expecting Elizabeth with pleasure on the 9th. Julian is very well. Hopes Elizabeth has a good time at Cambridge; it will be interesting to stay in the College [Newnham?]; asks to be remembered to Miss [Mary?] Fletcher, whose post [Librarian] must be 'delightful. Elizabeth must not worry about Caroline's [Belgian] refugees: George thinks there might be a delay in sending them [to Snitterfield: see 11/10] as the Central Committee is 'so overwhelmed'. It is George's birthday; Mary planned that he should plant a tree, but it is pouring with rain. Elizabeth will be glad when her guest [Catherine Abercrombie] is 'sent off home': she should be very grateful to Elizabeth. Thinks Miss Evans 'manages Julian very well'; he is not always obedient and 'wants a strong hand'.

Ryton, Dymock, Glos. - Catherine is to go into a nursing home in Gloucester to investigate a lump in her breast, which appears malignant.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - The tumour in Catherine's breast (see 1/114) proved to be cancer, and she has undergone an extensive operation. She will have to have X-ray treatment for some time.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - Thanks the Trevelyans for their letters following Catherine's operation [see 1/113 and 1/114]. She seems to be recovering well. The children are well and being cared for by grandmother or aunt. It is very good of the Trevelyans to offer a home for David, and please thank Lady Trevelyan for her kindness.

Gosberton House, near Spalding. - Arrival of the Abercrombie's third son [Ralph]. Catherine is doing well. He himself was away and missed the birth.

Catherine recovering well from the operation; her mother is with the children at home and they prefer to keep them there as she hopes to be able to see them soon. They are very grateful, though, for the Trevelyans' kind suggestion. [See also 1/113-115].

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry to hear that 'Nannie is "hors de combat"'; was afraid the large group would be too much. Elizabeth must get one of her extra nurses, or she will wear herself out. Hopes Mrs Abercrombie recovers soon; if the baby [Ralph] needs to be hand-fed, Elizabeth must certainly get help. G[eorge's] expedition [to Serbia?] is risky but 'very useful, & the best he could do'; since no-one is safe, it is best to be doing something. She and Sir George are very busy, so she does not feel 'quite useless'. Feels 'more angry than alarmed', which the Germans will find is the general response of the English to their 'methods'.

Postmarked Birkenhead. Addressed to The Shiffolds, but forwarded c/o Miss Leaf, 4 Barton St, Westminster SW. - Catherine has had another operation, but the trouble [cancer] should be cleared up now. Bob should be home soon, and they hope to see him. Hopes Wilfrid [Gibson] will be released [from his duties as a medical clerk] soon.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has found the photograph of Julian which she likes, and put it into a frame so she does not lose it again. Asks if Elizabeth knows Lady Bell's reading book ["Pauline's First Reading Book"?]; will send it if not. Asks if she likes teaching; she herself liked reading to the children, but 'never managed to teach them anything'. They hope to get through [to Welcombe] on Wednesday. Hopes Mrs A[bercrombie] is better, and that Elizabeth's nannie returns in better health. Janet and the children are coming on the 9th; there is news of G[eorge], and a 'very interesting letter from Rome'. Annie [Philips] is expecting Robin [Price] for a short stay at Pen Moel; supposes he will go abroad soon. Sends best wishes to Mrs V[aughan] Williams and Margaret, and love to Robert; his 'little "pome" looks nice in print'.

13 Kutchery Road, Karachi (Pakistan) - Read Trevelyan's Homeric Hymn [in that year's "From The Shiffolds"] with great pleasure; praises his diction, not 'Wordsworth's language of the people but the language cultivated people should use'. Has to write an inaugural address for Wordsworth's centenary, organised by the British Council. Agreed to do this, even though he is 'shy of writing', because Wordsworth has never been a favourite of his and he wanted the chance to read up and clarify why to himself. Finds him 'too much of an Englishman'; every experience seems to be 'of equal value' to him, and there are 'long passages of bathos'. However, the "Solitary Reaper" is great, and as Suhrawardy grows older and nostalgic for 'England and her scenery', Wordsworth has become 'close & more acceptable'. Has not read Po-chui's life [translated by Arthur Waley]; the bookshops only have 'political controversial' literature; thanks Trevelyan for offering to send it. His life is 'routinal, dull & lazy' and he is depressed by the situation in India and Pakistan: it is all very different from what was dreamt of. Sends love to Bessie and regards to Mrs [Catherine] Abercrombie.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon - Glad to hear that all is well; hopes the extra nurse will stay until the A[bercrombies] move as she thinks the large party is too much for Elizabeth's nannie's nerves, though she is very good for Julian alone. Mary and H[umphry] leave today, to general regret. Thinks people are 'very foolish to take Belgians into there [sic] own families'; the money they spend would be much more efficiently used by the Committee. '[Q]uite wonderful how far Janet makes it go'; never realised she was so capable; hopes she will not over-tire herself, though understand why people do too much as the war is 'so pitiful & ghastly'. Finds it hard herself to stay at home and do so little, and 'one's power of helping in money is rapidly diminishing'. Nothing yet settled about No. 8 [Grosvenor Crescent], but it is not too expensive now. 57 men from Snitterfield have joined the army; they see 'a good deal' of the regiment based at Stratford. Lucky that Elizabeth is not nearer the sea because of the bombing. Charlie seems well; the little girls [Marjorie and Kitty, perhaps Pauline?] are to come to London soon.

Grand Hôtel, Florence. - Have just arrived and found Elizabeth's letter of the 14th; glad to have news, but wishes Elizabeth were 'less bothered'; it is hard that she has 'nurse trouble' after 'such a strain and sorrow' [the death of her cousin Bramine]. She must not worry about Julian 'being naughty'; is sure that he has felt the 'depression' and that a change would do him good; thought him quiet when she saw him. Would probably be best for them to go to the sea, but that would be dull for Elizabeth; she would be welcome to stay at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent]; suggests arrangements, and initially writes that she will enclose a note for Emily [Lee, the cook?]; in a postscript suggests that Elizabeth should write herself. Julian was naughty last year but it 'all went off'. Is afraid the Malvern nurse may be too churchy'; suggests that Annie [Philips] could find one 'trained in her institution'; the training sounds sensible, and Elizabeth need not have an inexperienced nurse as 'they keep a hold over them for three years'. Sir George is coping with travel better than she expected; they stopped at Milan, Padua and Bologna on the way, and will stop at Florence for a week. Very sorry that Elizabeth is at home and troubled, while they are enjoying themselves. Their rooms are very smart. Hopes to see Robert tomorrow for lunch or tea, and to 'entertain the poets' [Lascelles Abercrombie and Wilfrid Gibson] some day. Hopes the [Ambrosius?] Hubrechts were not badly affected by 'the journey & the trouble'; she thought he 'looked older' and felt sorry for him; she was so cheerful. Worries again over Elizabeth, and wishes they could talk; stresses that she does 'a great deal to make other people happy'.

Florence. - Robert and his friends lunched with them yesterday; Caroline liked Mrs Abercrombie very much; found her 'cheerful & energetic' and expects she has a hard time 'with that sensitive little man [her husband Lascelles] and small means'. They were all happy in Italy, and Bob looks very well; he seems to 'take the party in hand & arrange for them', and she thinks he is 'developing some of Charlie's love of making plans'. Is taking a rest from sight-seeing this morning; Sir George is very well; they have a nice courier who takes great care of them. Appreciates the beauty of Florence more than even; they drove out to Prato yesterday. Hopes she will learn that Elizabeth's interview with the nurse went well when Robert comes to dinner tomorrow. He seems to have many friends here; he is anxious they should call on Mrs [Janet] Ross, but Sir George does not like her so she doubts it will happen. Wonders whether Elizabeth has been to London; if she has to start her search for a nurse again, it might be worth trying Massey's agency, which she has always found good. Thinks Julian's temper must have derived partly from ill health; hopes he will be 'more amiable' now he has seen the doctor. Aunt Annie [Philips] is looking forward to seeing Elizabeth, and will let Caroline know how she is. Caroline hopes Elizabeth has a friend with her. Hears it is very cold at Cambo. Letter originally enclosed a clipping from "The Times'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon - Annie [Philips] is staying with them and is well; she takes a 'good walk' with Sir George in the afternoon. Has news of Bob in London; hopes he will not catch Mary's cold; was glad to hear from Mary that she was deferring her daughters' returns as they would catch colds if they came to London in this weather. There is influenza in Stratford, and the town is full: over a thousand soldiers, plus refugees and wounded. They went to see the hospital, which is 'a curious sight'; 'really wonderful how everyone is working'. Sir George is fairly well, and 'enjoys talking to the officers'; they miss the children. Sure the Abercrombies will be sorry to leave the Shiffolds when the time comes; asks if David could stay a while longer, or if he would be 'an anxiety'. Hopes Miss Evans has come back better; asks if Nurse Godwin has gone. Sends love to Robert. Sir George has recently read her "The Old Curiosity Shop"; it is a 'child's book, but the characters are vivid, and dreadfully exaggerated'. They have just started "Middlemarch", which is very good to read aloud. Has little time for reading as she is doing the accounts and 'making all sorts of resolutions of economy'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] sends her love.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Apologies for not having written earlier to thank Benn for sending his book ["The Greek Philosophers", 2nd edition?]. Had not read the first edition, only Benn's 'subsequent smaller books on the same subject' so it was 'a very great pleasure' to read his views in more detail. Not himself a student of Greek philosophy, so has 'little right to criticise', feeling 'much more inclined to enjoy and admire and learn'. Particularly interested in the chapter on the 'Religious Revival', and the chapters on Plato, whom he now hopes to re-read. Feels Benn is a 'little too severe on Aristotle's poetics', and that Aristotle may have meant something more like 'representation' than 'imitation' by mimesis, and 'a good deal more' by plot than Benn seems to think. Thinks he remembers some remarks of Matthew Arnold on this point. Benn says that Zeno's puzzles has 'never yet been satisfactorily solved'; this may be true 'but B[ertrand] Russell would not admit it' and insists that modern mathematics have done so; Trevelyan cannot judge. Has recently read Russell's last book, and found much of it too difficult to fully understand, though he was very interested it; recommends it. Hopes the Benns are 'keeping well and as cheerful as may be in so sad a time'. They had the Abercrombie family - Lascelles Abercrombie, his wife, and their three children - here for December and January, so the house was full.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon - Very sorry for Elizabeth's 'fresh trouble'; it is a 'slight complaint', so even if Julian does catch it he will soon recover, but it is still a nuisance. Mrs V[aughan] W[illiams] is a 'real "friend in need"'. Hopes it will not spread among Elizabeth's children; Elizabeth is right to get Miss Evans away. She herself has been ill since Saturday, with a bad attack of shingles, which is very painful. Hopes Elizabeth's trouble soon resolves itself; thinks '"other people's children" [in this case the Abercrombies] are always a bother'. Asks to be remembered to Mrs Vaughan Williams and Margaret; was hearing news of 'Mr Ralph V.W. in Khakhi'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Elizabeth for the photographs; particularly likes the one in which 'Julian & the cow contemplate each other'. Glad that the Shiffolds will soon be 'clear & disinfected' [when the Abercrombies move away]; she should know by Monday if Julian has 'escaped infection', though it will not much matter if he does have it. Hopes Miss Evans will now get well. Is recovering [from shingles] and thinks she will not have lasting neuralgia. Booa [Mary Prestwich] has her knee strapped up, but seems to be suffering from shock from the accident and for not resting enough. Hopes Bob's cold is better; they will be glad to be together again.

Wallington. - The journey here was 'most luxurious', as Bob will have said, with a 'reserved carriage' to themselves so Bob could 'lie up all the time'. Everything needed was packed, and their welcome was 'most heartening'. Bob's leg is quickly improving, and he seems 'very well in other ways'; he is playing chess with Charles at the moment. The house is warm and everything very comfortable; 'Lady T' [Molly] is 'a dear, but has no voice [due to laryngitis]'. The only other guests are a 'weekending doctor' and his wife [Dr Boon, see 16/51] who 'come often to shoot'. Has not seen the 'treasures' yet, as Bob wants to show them her himself when he is better; the weather is still 'marvellous' so they can sit out in the sun. She was 'rather alarmed by Sir Charles at first, but that has worn off' and he is 'very kind'. Bob sends his love and will write tomorrow.

Casa Boccaccio. - Thanks his mother for her letter; asks her to tell Bessie that he will write to her tomorrow. Is glad to have a good account of her and Julian. The weather here is 'now quite hot again'. Is getting on 'fairly' with his work, and is having a pleasant time. The Abercrombies seem to enjoy it here very much, and Lascelles has got on well with his work. They are 'very pleasant companions'. [Will] Arnold Forster has not yet arrived, but they expect him next week.

Has a 'very uneventful' life here, and has not yet been down to Florence. Occasionally dines with the Berensons, and met Edith Wharton 'the novellist [sic] there' last time; she 'seemed clever', but he did not see much of her; she says [Henry] James is 'very much better'. Hears James is coming to Welcombe at Easter. Wharton does not think James' 'last book [The Outcry], about picture-dealing, one of his best; and it seems anyhow to have been originally designed as a play'.

Must finish now, as the weather is so good. Expects it was 'too late for the Grafton to ask for the picture'; she should see the show if possible. They hear nothing about the [Italo-Turkish] war here, and he does not take an Italian paper. Sends love to his father, Bessie and Julian.

Casa Boccaccio. - Thanks his mother for her letter. Has also just had a postcard from Bessie in London saying she has found Julian 'very happy, though a bit livery after the journey'. He seems to have enjoyed his stay at Wallington very much; Robert is 'so glad he seems to have given you and Papa so much pleasure'. Wants to see him 'very much', but thinks he would be 'unwise' to return before the end of the month as the weather is 'splendid' again and he should be able to do more work. The Abercrombies went home on Wednesday; [Will Arnold] Forster is here now and has been 'rather seedy' but is better now. He is a 'very pleasant companion'.

Is sorry George is 'so depressed', and sympathises with him about Italy [the Italo-Turkish war], but 'really one cannot bear the burdens of the world beyond a point, even the burdens of the sins of one's favourite country'. They had a 'delightful tour round Arezzo, Assisi, Perugia, Siena and San Geminianio [sic: Gimignano]'. The 'colours now are at their best, as the oaks are beginning to turn'. Is very sorry that his parents had some trees blown down in the latest storm.

Sends love to his father, is 'very glad he is going to bring out his Vol I this winter'. He wants to publish his own book in the Spring, but wants to include Ariadne [The Bride of Dionysus] and will 'have to consult Donald [Tovey]'. Is glad she enjoyed Tovey's 'Casals concert': Casals is a 'wonderful player, and Donald always plays his best with him'. Now must go out 'onto the hills to work'.

The Shiffolds. - Thanks his mother for the presents: the tie and 'very nice edition of the Sonnets', which 'will be a good excuse for reading them again'. But she has got the date of his birthday wrong: he is not 42 until the 28th; as he 'never remembers the date of anyone's birthday' himself, he is not surprised. He and Bessie have just been having the 'panetti di passe' which she kindly sent them; they are very good, 'not quite the same as we used to have at Ravello, but just as good'. The Abercrombies, who are staying till Monday, liked them very much. They are 'very pleasant guests, and the company of the children is good for Julian'.

Is going to London on Friday for Charles's 'Greenwich party'. He and Bessie 'entertained 7 of the tramps last Sunday at lunch'; [the Vaughan Williamses at] 'Leith Hill Place gave lunch to Haldane and several elders'. Haldane 'walked very bravely, though deliberately'. Robert and [Lascelles] Abercrombie walked to Dorking to meet them, then they all walked 'about seven miles to Leith Hill'; the Tramps then went to Gomshall [to catch the train], 'about five more miles. It was enough for a hot thundery day'. Sends love to his father.

The Shiffolds. - He and Bessie have just heard from Aunt Annie that his parents are both well. They are having 'very wet weather again, and the last of the snow has gone'. The Abercrombies leave on Friday; it has been a 'very pleasant visit', and it has been 'very good for Julian to be with the other children, in spite of occasional squabbles'. Robert now reads to him in bed for a while every evening; they 'get through a good deal, mostly poetry'. Julian 'listens to all with equal interest, but says he likes difficult poems best'; he certainly 'cannot understand all he hears', such as the Ancient Mariner. He likes Lucy Gray [by Wordsworth] and [Browning's] Pied Piper 'better still', as well as 'any poem about storms at sea, and people being drowned. His 'special poem', though, is Allingham's Up the airy mountain...[The Faeries], which 'is indeed a perfect bit of literature'. Julian almost knows it by heart now.

Bessie and Robert are now reading Great Expectations; it is a 'far better book than Our Mutual Friend, though the comic parts are hardly as good'. Bessie is very well. Robert saw Molly in London last week, who was 'cheerful, despite a cold'. George [her son, rather than her brother-in-law] 'seemed well, and had just had his first game of football at school'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Interested to hear about the Hunt; read something in a London newspaper about a hunt at Wastwater, but it mentioned undergraduates and may have been an 'imitation party'. Amused to hear about Phil [Morgan Philips Price], who is a 'Trojan'. Very pleasant about the [Lascelles] Abercrombies whom Bessy has written more about. Has enjoyed a three night visit from [Lord] Welby and Courtenay Ilbert. Ilbert is 'wonderful company', having the 'vigour and vitality' of his 'Alpine comrade' [James] Bryce, but also 'something more ideal about him'. Both good and bad for 'a very able man to be under authority to the last'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Robert's poem certainly 'comes home': there is quite an alternation between 'detestable, and... depressing' weather and 'exhilarating days between'. Is going shooting for the last time this year, possibly his 'last in life'. Sorry Robert has had 'so much illness about'. Asks to be remembered to Mr and Mrs [Lascelles] Abercrombie. George's 'errand' [to Serbia] will bring anxiety to those at home, but the family 'never grudged going on service'. Has read the twenty-seventh book of Livy; discusses the article by [William?] Smith on Livy in the 'great three volume edition' of his biographies.

Furzen Wood, addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Lascelles and Catherine Abercrombie will be in Paris on their way to Greece from 19-27 March, staying at the Trianon Palace Hotel. They have 'lots of engagements', but would like to see Julian, so perhaps he could look them up at their hotel. Has written to [Hugh and Kathleen] Sykes [Davies] inviting them to visit. Has just heard from Terence [Gray] that he may want to do [Bob's [ranslation of Sophocles'] "Antigone" next term; supposes he will give him 'leave to misproduce it'.

Garricks Villa. - Very sorry to hear from Bessie that he is ill, and has been worse; however, George got over his far worse pulmonary attack, and the Trevelyans are tough, like 'not a few of the old families in England'. Wants more news, but is writing to Bessie and Catherine Abercromby [sic: Abercrombie?] so Trevelyan should not trouble to write himself. Discusses the pleasure he gets from Trevelyan's writing, which if 'civilisation founders' due to expanding population, 'sentimental humanitarianism... coupled with practical callousness' and 'scientific technology' (television, for instance, is an 'asinine invention') has been loyal to the 'sinking ship'. Met a friend of Julian's recently, who told him that Julian is happy and has found a partner [Mary Fedden], and that Ursula has also found 'consolation' [Norman Mommens]; Trevelyan and Bessie must be relieved. Had a letter from Dorothy Moore yesterday, with two pots of marmalade, saying that Moore was well. Molly wants to 'hoof him out of England' for a while for his health, so he plans to stay with Somerset Maugham at Cap Ferrat in March, and would like to see Trevelyan before he goes; thinks he will ask to Iris and Ralph [Wedgwood] to put him up so that he can visit without being a strain at the Shiffolds.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - The 'greatest artist of the age, [Ivan] Mestrovic' who 'has the advantage of being a Serbian [in fact Croatian], & therefore every thing that is gentle and nice', has an exhibition in South Kensington [at the Victoria and Albert Museum] which opens this Thursday [24 June]. Catherine [his wife] thinks she 'deserves some dissipation', so they are like to go to London on Thursday, returning on Saturday; this could be an opportunity to meet and discuss the "Annual [of New Poetry]"; asks Bob to suggest a time and place if it would be convenient as Bob might be passing through London on the way to Silverdale. Gives the address of their hotel.