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Contains: poems, "There Must Be Time For Grief" and "Spider", by Ursula Wood; "Mon Camarade est Anglais" by E. M. Forster; poem, "Homo Sum", by Anthony Wilson; "The Wallington Ponds" by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "To a Friend", by Logan Pearsall Smith.

The White Gates. - He and Adeline send thanks for Bob's 'Xmas Poem' ["A Dream"]; has read it twice and is 'getting into it'; does not yet 'follow the end of the whole matter', but a third reading may put him right. Sends his 'latest small thing' [perhaps "England, My England"] in return. Sends love to Bessie. Ursula [Wood] is in 'raptures [?] about her weekends at the Shiffolds'.

9 Grand Parade, St. Leonards, Sussex. - Her husband sends 'thanks and greetings'; very kind of Trevelyan to remember him. He has gone downhill a great deal since last Christmas: he is now 'almost entirely bedridden' [with arthritis], cannot use his right hand and is hardly able to use his right, and his joints are very painful; he is pleased to know he is 'not forgotten by friends'. Ursula Wood is 'wonderful & his friendship with her, by letter, is his greatest pleasure'.

The White Gates, Westcott Road, Dorking. - Thanks Bob for the new poems [ his yearly 'Christmas card' "From the Shiffolds"]; likes them very much, especially the Catullus, Finds none of them 'quite up to the poem to Ursula last year' but perhaps this is because they are translations.

Wanford House, Rudgwick. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send such a 'delightful Christmas present' ["From the Shiffolds"]. His 'Muse is constant': the "Epistle" to his grandson is 'charming' and one day should give him 'great pleasure to read'. Particularly enjoyed meeting his favourite Catullus, Tennyson's 'tenderest of Roman poets', 'in an English dress that becomes him well'. "Ten Years Ago" is 'sad but beautiful'; the price that must be paid for growing old is losing friends and loved ones, but Trevelyan 'strike[s] a manly cheerful note that does one good to read'. Jokingly presents Trevelyan with his own poem 'In 1944 / It did nothing but pour'. 'Ursula [perhaps Ursula Wood?] seems to be flourishing', and is happy to have received royalties and to learn that her poems have sold out, which 'does credit to the public taste'.

The White Gates, Dorking, Surrey. - Thanks Bessie for her letter, 'wishes and... blessings' [in response to the news of his forthcoming marriage to Ursula Wood, see 16/217]; sends love from them both.

The White Gates, Dorking. - Very 'dear' of Bessie to write 'such an affectionate letter'. Is still in Dorking, as 'Ursula will not have [him] in London till all is ready!' The removal men will take him 'and the rest of the moveables on Tuesday!' They have not had an invitation to Birkbeck yet [in connection of the presentation of Robert Trevelyan's books to the library?], and hopes they will get one.

10, Hanover Terrace, Regent's Park, London, N.W.1. - Good to hear from Bessie; they hope they will see Bessie here at their new house; they love it and 'Ursula has made it beautiful'. Is sending a copy of one of his arrangements of "Greensleeves", from which he thinks Philip Erasmus can 'pick out the tune'; confesses it is a '"cento". There are several versions of the tune, and [he] took the best bits' from each', but feels he is 'quite justified'.

The White Gates, Dorking. - Bob's poem to Ursula is 'beautiful', particularly the lines 'Then let the house...' to 'royally'; this is what he himself has 'been trying to explain' to his pupils all his life in his 'clumsy way' is 'the meaning of "technique"'.

Ursula Wood, 57 Gordon Mansions, Torrington Place, WC1; Ralph Vaughan Williams, The White Gates, Dorking, Surrey. - Thinks recipients 'will not be surprised to hear' that they have decided to marry soon [on 7 Feb, 1953]; their addresses will stay as above until they find a 'suitable house'. Asks for their 'blessing'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Bessie's letter with the six poems came this morning; will see John [Dower] again tomorrow and show him some, though John 'chiefly wishes to show [Bob] some new ones of his own'. John 'talked a good deal' yesterday, but was 'rather breathless'; seems he 'still tries to believe that he can get well'. Is in the room with George L[owthian Trevelyan]'s furniture in which used to be his father's room; the bed is 'very comfortable', though there is 'no washing apparatus'. Besides Kitty and her family there are several children, but he 'can't make out who they all are'; they spend all day outside, and are 'quite quiet as a rule'. There is also 'a Mrs [Esther?] Bicknell' and a friend of Kitty's whose name he has forgotten; and a daughter of Sybil Thorndike [Ann or Mary Casson] who sings 'chiefly folk-songs - not very interesting, but quite nice'. Len and Geoffrey [Winthrop Young] are coming just as he leaves, but Bessie will see them. Charles and George have gone out shooting; saw George at breakfast, and expects he will visit him [at Hallington] before he leaves on Tuesday. Expects Bessie will soon hear from Miss Dyson; asks whether 'that really is a certainty now'. Asks to be remembered to Miss Cook. Forgot to give Bessie a 'note Ursula Wood made about nurse-housekeepers', which he thinks might be worthwhile Gordon B[ottomley] trying; sends it now to send on if he thinks it worthwhile. Sends love to Bessie; is sorry he will not be at Wallington with her, but at least will see her on 27 August.

The Sheiling, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancs. - Thanks Bob for his 'Christmas Leaves' ["From the Shiffolds"]; everything is 'engaging, coming to its height in the epistle to Monna Ursula [Wood].. old Aeschylus - and (probably) Dream-Truth'. Says that Bob writes very 'like another Landor' in his 'old age - but more sure footed than Landor ever was'. Knows his 'Reciprocation' [originally enclosed] will not please Bob as much, but it conveys as much love to him and Bessie 'as it would if it were much better'; he and Emily hope to see them in the New Year.

'as from' Conduit Head, Madingley Road, Cambridge. - Receiving "From the Shiffolds" was one of the best things about Christmas this year; thanks Trevelyan, and apologises for not doing so earlier due to her son Christopher's leave, 'influenza in the house & no domestic help all happening at one'. Thinks the end of the poem to Ursula Wood about Virgil touches her most, as well as "Dream Truth", whose 'finality & clear, sure shape' she praises. Trevelyan will probably guess that she is 'deeply interested to read translations - being [herself] a translation addict'; she is a 'good subject to try the Petronius on', as she knows no Latin - which she believes to be 'an almost hopeless handicap for any writer of English'. Thinks she gets a 'fresh & firsthand sense of the originals', which must be 'enchanting'. Makes the 'tentative criticism' that sometimes Trevelyan uses word order 'which is just too foreign'; has noticed the same 'almost stilted inversions' in Trevelyans own verse, mixed with others that have a more modern tone, and is not sure whether the content of the lines justifies the difference. Asks whether Trevelyan is 'developing a new & more intimate manner of writing' and this is 'a transition period'.

Has been reading the 'Demeter story' [the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter" in the latest "From the Shiffolds"], which is a favourite of hers; praises the telling and Bob's translation. When in Malta she remembers going for a walk, she supposes with her governess though does not remember, on which she 'found a root of flowering narcissus' which smelled beautiful; she was about to pick it when she remembered Persephone and feared 'that strange rocky country would open' and the black horses of Hades' chariot come forth. Discusses the concept that 'nothing can be told except obliquely... as a story'; links Persephone picking flowers to the nymphs doing the same in [Spenser's] "Prothalamion", a 'lovely pattern that flows like a river across time... like the way the music of a dance contains all the dancers who have ever danced to it'.

8 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Ursula [Wood?] asked him to send on "Tess [of the D'Urbervilles"]?', which he does now. Would like to write a 'decent letter', but finds it difficult to hold a pen due to rheumatoid arthritis. Thanks Trevelyan for the 'great pleasure' which his translation of the "Georgics" has given him; thinks it a 'very scholarly poetic rendering' which 'should supersede all others'; cannot think of a better translation for those who do not know Latin but 'would like to get in touch with the original'. Owes Trevelyan more thanks for his selection of "Poems from the Chinese"; praises him for his introduction and notes, while 'the poems speak for themselves'. Points out his change of address.

8 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Thanks Trevelyan for his 'Christmas card' ["From the Shiffolds"], which 'voice[s] so many of [Mallam's] thoughts'. "Old Aeschylus" expresses his own attitude towards modern poets 'exactly', except that Trevelyan is 'far more modest... in saying "the fault is mine"' while Mallam does not 'believe in the wealth [?] below their surface obscurity'. Loved "Two Hundred Years Hence", which made him nostalgic. Had already read the dedication to Ursula [Wood], but was glad to do so again. Would like to discuss all the poems, but it hurts too much to write [due to rheumatoid arthritis] so ends with best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

The Times Literary Supplement, The Times Publishing Company Ltd, Printing House Square, London, E.C.4. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send him his 'little book of poems' ["From the Shiffolds"] last Christmas; apologises for taking so long to thank him, 'nonwithstanding the long interval that has elapsed' since their last meeting. His life is such 'turmoil' that he 'does not have time for writing'; apologises for also sending only a typewritten acknowledgement of Trevelyan's letter about Ursula Wood; would be glad to meet her and suggests she visits him one afternoon; has a 'few particulars' about her from Trevelyan's letter, and remembers that there is a poem 'inscribed to her' in "From the Shiffolds". Asks if he might see Trevelyan some day, as 'there is counsel that [he] should like to ask, and few but [Trevelyan] can give it, or would'.

Lemon Corner. - Thanks Bob for his 'beautiful gift' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; loves the 'autumn-leaf colouring' of the cover; means to read a poem each morning to put her into a 'good temper for the day', but finds that 'one is not enough' and has already almost read them all. "Dream Truth" is 'very, very lovely and touching'; the "Simple Pleasure" is as 'beautiful as any by Po Chui". Hopes Ursula Wood 'feels pround to have inspired such a true poem'.

Horn Hill. - Trevelyan's Christmas gift ["From the Shiffolds"] has given her 'great pleasure'; is inspired by his lines on Virgil to go on and 'to try to express "each winged thought"'; liked that poem, to Ursula Wood, best,; enjoyed Wood's own poems. Quotes lines she likes. Will read "Pusska" to a 'Russian friend'. Notes in a postscript that she wanted to send him a poem she once wrote about the snow in their garden, but cannot at the moment find the old notebook in which it is written.

Addressed to Bessie at 36 Brunswick Gardens, London W.8. - Very glad that Bessie is 'going along well'; hopes it will now get less cold. Mr MacEvoy is home for a few days break between treatment. Has not been too well himself, and has stayed in during the bad weather, but is much better today. Ursula [Wood or Mommens?] came to tea yesterday; Dilston [Radclyffe?] has just been to lunch.

Greenway, Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight. - Thanks Bob for the 'pamphlet of poems" [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] which has 'followed' him to their new home; they moved here last April so that he and his wife could 'indulge [their] passion for the sea' and 'enjoy the "simple pleasure"' Bob writes so eloquently about, and their grandson could 'have a handy beach to play on'. Has read Bob's poems with 'much pleasure', particularly "To Ursula Wood"; appreciates especially the 'intimate nature' of much of Bob's new work, which 'conveys so skilfully [his] personal reactions to existence in these troubled times'. Encloses a selection from his own poetry, chosen by his friend Charles Williams shortly before his death ["Solway Ford and Other Poems"].

9 Grand Parade, St Leonards, Sussex. - Her husband asks her to thank Trevelyan very much for sending his book of essays ["Windfalls"], and to say how much he is enjoying them; everyone else is looking forward to reading them once he has finished. His arthritis is getting worse, as are the other complications, and 'his life is very weary'; friends' sympathy and thoughts are therefore a 'great consolation'. Ursula Wood is 'wonderful': it cannot be easy to keep up a '(now) one-sided correspondence with someone of another generation whom you have never even seen!'; they are 'very grateful' to her.

Contains: poem, "End of Snowfall", by G. Rostrevor Hamilton; "A Short But True Story" by Max Beerbohm; poem, "A Prayer of Dives to Mammon", by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "Requiem", by Dorothy Gibson; poem, "The Thunder Storm (After the French of Béranger)", by Eiluned Lewis; "The Refugee and the Home Office (An Untrue Story)" by S.S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; poem, "That Thoughts Are A Continual Surprise", by Ursula Woods [sic: Wood]; reminder to renew subscriptions by the Editor [Sylvia Sprigge].