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The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - The Interludes [in Prose and Verse, by G O Trevelyan] arrived this morning, and they look forward to reading it; Bessie will write soon to his father to thank him for it. Robert has 'just read most of Horace [at the University of Athens], which seems just as good as it ever was', and he expects the whole work will be improved by 'the slight alterations and 'the unimaginable touch of Time" [a quote from Wordworth's Mutability]'.

They have had a 'pleasant visit at the [Augustus Moore?] Daniels, and found all well at home'. George Moore has been for a short visit; now [Donald] Tovey is here for a week and there is 'an immense deal of music'. Bessie likes Tovey's playing as much if not more as anyone's, and he is 'very interesting when he talks about music, in a way few musicians are'; he plays 'a great deal of Bach' on the Trevelyan's clavichord, and their piano 'has a beautiful tone'.

Aunt Meg [Price] will visit in October and they hope also [her son] Phil. The Grandmonts are coming for a few nights next Monday. Does not know whether they will like returning to Taormina 'while the earthquakes still continue'; supposes 'Taormina is untouched, as it usually escapes', but Messina suffered greatly. Hopes there will not be a bad earthquake near Vesuvius, which 'is in great activity just now'; everyone near Naples seems 'very much frightened'. Will not be sorry if 'Cook's railway gets demolished', as long as nothing worse happens.

Hopes his parents are well, as well as the 'Cambo household [Charles and Molly]'; G[eorge], J[anet] and M[ary] C[aroline] seemed well when they dined with them in London; Crompton [Llewelyn Davies] was there 'and seemed fairly cheerful, though looking rather tired and worn perhaps [after the death of his brother Theodore in July].

2 Hampstead Hill Gardens, Rosslyn Hill, N.W.3. - Very good of Trevy to send "From the Shiffolds" as Christmas greetings: he and his wife send best wishes in return. Asks how the Trevelyans are; has not seen any works by Julian recently, though he 'much frequent[s] Picture Galleries'. Nick [their son], his wife, and small daughter are staying here while the house they have bought in Chelsea is repaired; Nick is staying in the Army, and is now an acting Major. He himself is 'always reading poetry in scraps, in the bus, in bed...'; he has recently regained some of his 'old passion for Fitzgerald', and always has Rilke and Horace by him, whom Trevy will call an 'odd couple'; has recently 'turned to Pope - stranger still' but now will 'turn to' Trevy.

Hopes that all is well, and that Mrs J. Fenwick's cold is better. Has been talking to Miss Goddard; they think Bob should go in the car to London next Thursday to bring back Catherine [Abercrombie]; he could read the Leopardi to Bessie. Would bring up Miss Goddard, who could look after Bessie if Miss Jones still had her cold. Does not know how this would fit in with Bessie's own arrangements for visits from friends or medical treatments, but hopes it would suit. He would take Miss Goddard to the nursing home, talk to Bessie, and leave Miss Goddard there while he perhaps visited Lady Daniel; would then come in the car with Catherine to pick up Miss Goddard. Is 'so much looking forward' to seeing Bessie again. All 'well and harmonious here'; encloses a letter from G[eorge] M[acaulay] T[revelyan] and some others; is keeping most cards and letters in a box. His 'Greek book' ["Translations from Greek Poetry"] is 'out at last'; will bring Bessie a copy.

2 Hampstead Hill Gardens, Rosslyn Hill, N.W.3. - Very glad to have Trevelyan's Christmas greetings "From the Shiffolds"; his 'research among the Grecian Sages is wonderful'. Wishes he could 'rival' Trevelyan, but his 'zeal is now many expended on French literature'. Has just visited Julian's exhibition at Lefevre's gallery, and intends to go again. Hopes to see Trevelyan again if he comes to London; sends best wishes to him and his wife for 1947.

2 Hampstead Hill Gardens, Rosslyn Hill, N.W.3. - He and his wife thank the Trevelyans for the Christmas greetings, and "From the Shiffolds". They hope to see Trevelyan here again next time he visits his 'friend nearby' [Robert Lynd and wife Sylvia]; Margery sends best wishes to Bessie.

Hampstead. - Apologises for their 'silence': Gus [her husband] is in a nursing home; has had two operations and seems to be doing He read the poem ["The Dream"?] which Bob 'so kindly' sent to her, and she is sure he will soon dictate a letter to them. They were both very glad that Bob remembered them with the poem. Gus hopes to be 'set free' in about three weeks.

2 Hampstead Hill Gardens, N.W.3. - Gus [her husband] 'finds 'writing rather an effort', so sends thanks from both of them for Bob's 'delightful' Christmas present [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] which has led her to find out her 'long-neglected Homer' to read the Hymn again. Gus reads poetry out loud most evenings, so it is good to have this new book. Sorry that Bob's friend Robert Lynd has died, and there will be 'less occasion' for him to come to Hampstead, but hopes he will still visit them: they 'have a cook!'. Nick [their son] and his wife have separated; thinks the long parting [during the war] 'chiefly to blame' and wishes they had been 'more patient in trying to adjust themselves again; they are both 'such nice people', and 'poor little Sarah' [their daughter] is 'very fond of Nick' though she has not seen much of him; has been a 'great worry. Sends love to Bessie.

14 Royal Crescent, Scarborough. - Has just received a book ["Sisyphus"] by Trevy from the publishers [Longmans]; it is 'most elegant', and he sees it contains 'rich full sounding Grecian names'. They [he and his wife] will read it together before Christmas; if Daniel 'dare[s]' form a conclusion on it he will write; thanks for the gift. Would also much like a letter saying how the Trevelyans all are. The Moore household are all well, except for the 'all important cook' who is suffering from a very high temperature; they hope she will soon recover. His wife sends best love to Trevy's, and will write to her soon.