4 Onslow Gardens. - Has only just read "The Bride of Dionysus", which George gave him, and found it 'delightful'. Had been reading the two odes about Theseus by Bacchylides the day before, inspired by a remark by 'W.P.K.' [William Paton Ker] in his "Art of Poetry", and so was pleased by the reminiscences of them in Bob's poem. It is an 'exercise', but the kind which can 'come from a poet'; wishes there were more like it. Finds Phaedra a little undeveloped as a character, but Theseus, Ariadne, Minos and Dionysus are 'great figures'. Has just received the Oxford Calendar with the news of his own nomination for the Chair of Poetry, but [H. W.] Garrod will be appointed since he will get the 'local vote'; when he reads Ker, [Walter] Raleigh and [A.C.] Bradley it is 'almost (not quite!) a delight to think [his] chances are very small!'. Adds a postscript saying that he sees that George is lecturing at Oxford.
c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear of his father's accident [see 11/134, 12/90], and hope the rheumatism will have gone by the 28th so that his parents may start back then as planned, or soon after. Hears from the Waterfields that his parents' hotel is a good one, so hopes they are comfortable.
Is very sorry that Charles 'has not got a place [in Campbell-Bannerman's government]'; had expected he would, and hopes 'his chance may yet come' soon. Is sure he will 'take his disappointment in the best spirit'; he 'cannot have long to wait' if he continues to do as well as he has so far as a private member. Generally, 'it seems a very good Government'; glad that even the Tories seem to respect Campbell-Bannerman now.
Has just bought Jebb's edition of Bacchylides, an 'excellent book'. Jebb 'made a beautiful speech at the [Apostles'?] dinner' a few years ago which made Robert 'like him very much'.