73 Longton Avenue, Sydenham, SE26. - She and her husband thank Trevelyan 'most warmly' for another volume "From the Shiffolds", which they greatly value; has 'read & reread' the others. Was just about to write to Mrs Trevelyan when the book came; much appreciates how 'beautifully printed' it is, given her bad eyesight. Will include a letter for Mrs Trevelyan with their 'little news'. She is aging and her memory is certainly getting worse, though she recalls things from the 'far past' such as going for a walk with Trevelyan and her sister while their mothers talked. She tore her 'poor summer frock.. nearly from waist to hem' when they climbed a fence with barbed wire, and she remembers Lady Trevelyan mending it 'in the lovely Wallington hall'. Seems a 'far cry' from then to her golden wedding anniversary, which she and her husband celebrated in March; 'what a new world, not alas "brave new world"' it is now. Adds a postscript saying that her husband's arm 'made a perfect recovery': the surgeons said it was '"like a young man's"'.
73 Longton Avenue, Sydenham, SE26. - They are delighted to have Trevelyan's "From the Shiffolds"; Ernest [her husband] has not been well, so has not yet enjoyed it, but is looking forward to doing so. The poems give her 'nostalgia... yet happiness too'. Was interested in Trevelyan's poem "The Dandelion", since the flower is 'so beautiful & rarely celebrated by poets'. Long ago her mother, a 'friend and great admirer' of Trevelyan's mother, went to Coniston and visited the last surviving [Susanna] of the four Miss Beevers, Ruskin's friends. Expects Trevelyan knows the sisters each had 'their own terrace in their lovely garden', where they each grew their favourite flowers. Miss Beever asked her mother whether she knew [James Russell] Lowell's poem "To The Dandelion", which was the only one she had encountered before Trevelyan's. Thanks and good wishes from them both to both Trevelyans.
Robin Ghyll, Langdale, Ambleside. - As he and Janet have 'hoped and expected' for a while, Mary has got engaged to John Moorman, who came to Hallington for a week in August; they met in June, at the Cornfords' musical parties in Cambridge. He left Cambridge this year, having stayed after his degree to train as a clergyman, and is now a curate in Leeds; he studied under [George Gordon] Coulton, who 'thinks highly of him'. He is 'liberal-minded', and George has discussed religion and history with him 'with much agreement and no feeling of barrier'. Moorman is also a 'fine walker' and is 'small but wiry'; his father was Professor of English at Leeds, and his mother is 'much respected in academic circles', and matron of a University hall in Leeds; their closest family friend is [Arthur] Grant, recently retired from the History Professorship there, a 'first-rate man'. Moorman's 'most intimate older and younger friends are Bishop Wyld [sic: Herbert Wild, Bishop of Newcastle], who conducted George and Bob's parents' funerals, and his son [John?]; in fact his 'whole entourage and atmosphere is about equally academic and clerical'. Thinks he will suit Mary very well, though 'not many people would', so he and Janet are much pleased.
7A Stanley Gardens. - Has left the Trevelyan's umbrella with the rug at Horbury Crescent; was surprised to find Miss [Marie?] Busch there. Liked what he saw of the theological students to whom he gave an address yesterday, though he is unsure whether these talks do much good. Pleased to see Bessie and Julian: hopes to see Julian in Cambridge. Asks about [Bob Trevelyan's mother's] will. Ends by quoting a 'maxim of Goethe' in German.
Thanks Eddie for his letter on his mother's death; she had 'become very feeble, both in body and mind, of late years', so her death was 'not unexpected'; Bob's father still 'feels it a great deal, though he takes it stoically'; Bob fears he is 'becoming very weak physically', though still has much vitality. It was a very happy marriage, of almost sixty years; she was 'a very affectionate mother to us all, and to Bessie too'. Glad that Eddie knew her 'in old days', just as he has 'so pleasant a recollection' of Eddie's mother.
I Tatti, Ponte a Mensola (sotto Settignano). - Has read in the papers of Trevelyan's mother's death; knows it was expected but imagines his sorrow and sends sympathies. Expresses an 'egoistical hope' that Trevelyan's travel plans, even if postponed, are not cancelled altogether. Has just returned from Turin, where 'Death has played terrible tricks' with some of his cousins recently, not at a great age. Sets out his immediate plans; he can come at any time from Rome to put Trevelyan up at Cortona.
Describes: his studies at Cambridge; brief time as a pupil in the chambers of T. E. Scrutton, which would have been a 'great privilege and opportunity' if he had only had 'any talent for the law'; a long holiday at Corpo di Cava in southern Italy to recover from influenza, where he began to write a 'long, rambling... romantic modern novel' on the theme of incest, inspired by Ibsen's "Little Eyolf; outdoor composition; his turn to writing poetry, in which he was encouraged by Roger Fry.
Pencil notes at the back of the book sketching out further topics for the autobiographical account, such as [Thomas] Sturge Moore; 'Taormina - Bessie - Mrs [Florence] Cacciola - Holland'; writing the libretto [for the "Bride of Dionysus"] for Donald Tovey; his translation of Aeschylus; Welcombe [his inheritance of the house from his mother?]; at the bottom of this page, the other way up, there is the beginning of an account of a gentleman living 'not long since, in one of the northern counties of England'.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Headed 'Private'. Encloses a letter from Aunt Annie [Philips: 13/229]. Suggests that if Bob does decide to write to their father as she suggests, he should begin by saying that he does not know whether their mother is 'really likely to leave us quite soon', but understands from Aunt Annie that this is a possibility, and that he is anxious that in that event their father should not hurry to leave Welcombe. Also thinks that Bob should say he and Bessie have 'no thought of moving into Welcombe' themselves.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Gives a detailed account of [Caroline Trevelyan's] condition, which is 'much the same as on 21st'; thinks she will keep going 'a week or two longer' and will write on Wednesday. Sir George sits with her '3 or 4 times daily holding her hand'. Suggests that Robert should write to tell Sir George that it would be better for him to stay on at Welcombe for some time: she has just seen a letter from Mrs Watson saying the house at Wallington will be made ready quickly at short notice as requested, which must be in response to a letter from Sir George. She believes it is 'not safe' for him to go North until May or June, but she must get home at the end of February, for two weeks if possible. Glad she and George talked in November; feels they 'understand each other'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes Robert's weather is better than the 'dreary' conditions they are 'surviving'; they are very comfortable indoors. Aunt Annie [Philips] has 'unearthed a new novelist', [Ralph Hale] Mottram, who was a bank clerk until he went to the Front in France; discusses the novels he has read of his. Caroline sends her love.
Is sorry for 'this upset' [probably the last illness of either or both of Robert Trevelyan's parents]. Advice on Julian's application to Cambridge. Morgan [Forster] is no better: he is going to town to have an X-ray today. Enjoyed his afternoon with the Trevelyans; thinks [Gordon?] Bottomley 'most delightful'. Presumes she has told Allen not to call for him tomorrow.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Amused by Robert's letter about Julian; their family could always 'read aloud, write poetry, and declaim, but none of them were actors'; Julian has the technical, and pictorial, and manual power in which we were utterly destitute'; means the Macaulay and Trevelyan families, as Caroline is a 'beautiful artist'. Has given Robert's love to her and Aunt Anna.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie went to Bedales recently and saw Julian act the part of Fag in The Rivals; 'he is not a good actor, but his elocution is good and sensitive'. He 'is said to speak verse better than anyone else at the school', and will therefore play the part of the Chorus, Time, in The Winter's Tale, in the next Bedales performance. He also 'did the scenery for The Rivals, on the whole very successfully', especially the two indoor scenes 'with windows opening on views of Bath'; perhaps his scenery for the duel, though 'delightful', was 'almost too pictorial for a scene painting'. He is going up for his entrance examination at Kings next March, specialising in mathematics at least for his first year 'which is rather a new thing in our family'.
Hopes the current 'relatively fine and warm weather' here will last, and that his mother can 'get out into the garden every day'. Expects Aunt Annie is with them at the moment.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Elizabeth's 'comfort and pleasure' are increased by her room at Horbury Crescent; he and Caroline like to think of it. They are 'both much weaker and ailing', but have a 'vast and constant source of satisfaction' in those nearest to them, and in each other.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has instructed Drummond [his banker] to pay eighty pounds into Robert's account. Sends love to Elizabeth. Has been 'terribly busy for [his] age and strength' for a while with household and estate business. Caroline was taken ill a fortnight ago on Wednesday, and is only just starting to be carried downstairs for a few hours in the day. Aunt Annie [Philips] has given up all her engagements to come and nurse her.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for the affection in his letter; he is very busy at the moment, and has little strength to do what needs to be done, but he and Caroline 'greatly felt' all Robert said about himself and Elizabeth. Caroline is liable to sudden, unpredictable attacks. Thanks for the news about Mary Caroline.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has not yet transferred the second fifty pounds to Bob's account since the lawyers have not yet 'transferred the personalty' [personal property of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan, which has come to George and Bob on the death of her husband Salvatore Trevelyan]. Mary is going to the Netherlands again in the first week of October, to work. He and Janet are going to Cambridge on Monday to look for a house; he will take up 'residence and full work there [as Regius Professor of History] in January'. Their mother was taken 'seriously ill' a few days ago; she has a nurse, but the doctor thinks she is over the immediate danger. George thinks it 'unlikely she will live more than another year' and that she will get to Welcombe again, though the plan was for her and Sir George to go in about three weeks. Their father 'seems fairly well, though on a permanently lower level than last year'.
National Liberal Club.- His father's letter reached him yesterday, having been forwarded. Is writing to his mother to thank her for her 'great kindness in making us these presents on her birthday'; also thanks his father 'most gratefully' for his 'participation in the plan'. Is writing to Bessie, and hopes she will get his letter tomorrow. No doubt his father will see her soon when she is at Cambo with Julian.
Is going to Anglesey next week to stay with Lascelles Abercrombie, Professor of English Literature at Leeds, 'a fine critic, and a fine poet too, though of late years lecturing has taken up all his time'. Is just going to lunch with 'young [Francis] Birrell'; expects he will also see Birrell's father, whom he 'always like[s] meeting. He is still as charming a talker as ever'.
Before Bessie went away they had just finished reading Orley Farm, which seemed to them 'as fine a novel as any of Trollope's' though some things in the 'trial and the procedure seemed somewhat improbable and even a little absurd. But it is a superb plot'. Will join Bessie at Scarborough later in the month, then return with her and Julian to the Shiffolds.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Read Robert's letter aloud to Caroline; they were both very interested by what he said about the [solar] eclipse, which was similar to their own experiences; also by the account of Canon [James Maurice] Wilson who has always been 'something of a myth' to Sir George, since his closest associates mentioned Wilson frequently but he himself never met him; he must have been an 'extraordinary genius' given what Robert says of the 'relative powers' of Henry Sidgwick, with whom Wilson shared the Bell Scholarship. Julian will remember knowing such a man all his life. George has been staying at Oriel [College, Oxford] to read at the Bodleian and reports seeing a 'beautiful mural tablet' to Arthur Sidgwick' at Corpus [Christi]; quotes and discusses the last line. He and Caroline both value Robert and Bessy's letters, but he does not know how they can 'adequately answer them': Caroline is 'incapable' of writing letters 'with any business in them' and cannot really exert herself to write at all, while he has a great deal to do about the estates and domestic management but is 'very weak and often ill'.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for sending back the Maupassants [see 46/338], and also for the Saturday Review. He and Bessie were very much interested in his father's letter 'as a delightful bit of biography and autobiography', as was his 'chapter in the Life of Dr Butler [The Harrow Life of Henry Montagu Butler]'. Wonders where the quote about 'Gladstone rising to make his reply to Disraeli' came from;: 'perhaps from Morley's Life [of Gladstone]'.
The only time he himself 'ever saw or heard Disraeli' was when his mother took him, he thinks 'as a boy of seven or eight... into the Ladies' Gallery [at the House of Commons]'; of course he has 'only a very dim recollection of him', especially since his short-sightedness meant he 'could not see him distinctly'.
'[B]eautiful Spring weather here today', with the leaves 'coming out everywhere, though not on the oaks yet'. Has 'just been assisting Julian to shave himself'; he now has to shave 'twice or even three times a week'.
The Shiffolds. - Thanks his father for his letter, and also for the eighty pounds [allowance] paid into his account. Enjoyed his visit very much, and was glad to find his mother 'so well'. Has 'only been able to find one of the Maupassants', and seems to have lost the others. Sends one volume, in which La Ficelle, Deux Amis and La Parure are 'among his best'. Forgets about Yvette and La Papa de Simon. Is asking the London Library to send him two other volumes, and will send them on soon to his father if 'they seem to have some of his best work'.
Bessie is now in London, in 'her new room', and will return on Friday. Today Robert walked to Abinger, five miles, and back again, to lunch with E. M. Forster, so is 'quite tired and ready for bed'.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his mother for her letter, which arrived yesterday; they are having 'chilly weather now, but already a daffodil is out in the copse in front of the house, and the hazel-buds are nearly opening'. Bessie went to town last week to 'furnish her new room, which will be ready in about a week from now'; it is very kind of his parents to make her 'such a splendid present, which will be more than enough for the furnishing, and will enable to give some help to her friend and house-mate Miss Busch'. She has just gone to the village, Forest Green, to 'give her musical lecture and illustrate it by playing two violin sonatas with quite a good pianist'. Robert is staying at home and listening to the wireless, though 'there is nothing interesting tonight'; soon he will 'go down the lane to meet her and carry up her violin'. Julian 'seems quite well'.
Pension Palumbo, Ravello. - Will leave here next Thursday, after almost a month, to go to the Berensons at Florence for two weeks. Last week there was almost continual rain for six days; at last it is fine again today, though still cold, with 'snow upon the higher hills'. Despite the bad weather, has done 'a fair amount of work'. Forgets whether his mother has been to Ravello, or to Amalfi; calls the views of both the mountains and over the sea towards Paestum and the Apennines beyond 'very wonderful', but thinks he prefers the beauty of Tuscany and Umbria.
The Alingtons are staying in the Ruffalo palace, and come to meals here in the hotel; he is headmaster of Eton, and is 'quite pleasant and friendly', but Robert likes his wife better, 'who was Hester Lyttelton' and is now middle-aged, with six children, four girls and two boys, all here. They are a 'very jolly family, and two of the girls are quite musical' and sometimes play the hotel piano and on the violin. There is also a 'young English painter' whom Robert likes, and 'two quite pleasant Americans, an invalid and his wife', so he does 'not lack company' when he wants it.
Bessie seems well, and Julian has enjoyed his holiday and now has returned to school. Will be back at home before the end of February, and hopes to visit his mother at Welcombe 'sometime this spring'. Hopes the weather has been good, and that 'the primroses and snowdrops are coming out'. There are 'plenty of wild narcissuses among the rocks' here, and 'the wild crocuses are beginning'.
Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, prov. di Salerno. - Has been here since New Year, and will leave on the 27th to go to the Berensons at Florence for two weeks; will then return home after a few days at Pisa. There has been a 'chilly and rainy scirocco for the last three days', but he expects it to be 'fine and sunny again tomorrow'. Is mainly busy with his translation of Lucretius, which he would like to finish. Has now done all of books I, III, and V [of De Rerum Natura], half of II and some of the rest; has 'still about a third of the whole to do, and the dullest part too, unfortunately'. Thinks though that it is 'worth finishing'.
The headmaster of Eton, Alington, is here with his family; he is 'quite a pleasant man, and a scholar'. Robert likes his wife, 'who was a Lyttelton'; there are 'six children, from 7 to 20, who make a very pleasant family'. Has not been to Ravello for 'twenty three years', and greatly enjoys seeing it again. Spent a 'very interesting day at Pompeii, seeing the new excavations'; these were most interesting archaeologically though there was 'nothing very remarkable in the new paintings'. The frescoes at the Casa dei Misteri outside the town, however, which he had not seen before, seemed to be the 'finest classical painting' he has ever seen, and gave him 'some idea of what really fine Greek painting may have been'; they illustrate an 'initiation into the Orphic, or rather Dionysian mysteries' and he has photographs which he will bring on his next visit to Welcombe.
Hopes his mother is well and enjoying the milder weather. Bessie and Julian seem well, and have been 'spending two very full days in London'. Will write to his mother soon.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - States that in "Domesday Book" 'Treveljan' is listed with a proprietor called Offa; suggests he was an ancestor. He himself begins the 'authentic' family history later; there are twelve Trevelyans succeeding each other, father and eldest son, between the reigns of Henry III and Victoria. The author of the article about the Trevelyans wrote beforehand, but Sir George only told him about places where he could find photograph. Agrees completely with what Robert says about George's book ["History of England"]. He and Caroline very much want Robert to come and stay for a few nights in November; they are 'more or less invalids' but 'very contented' ones.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Caroline slept a good deal on the journey from Wallington, and 'bore it well'; he was more tired than ever before, and 'infinitely saddened' by seeing the 'same smokeless factories of the Industrial Midlands' and 'long rows of empty coal trucks as they saw on their way north four months ago [due to the coal workers' strike].
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - He and Caroline received and Robert and Elizabeth's letters this morning about Julian's success in the School Certificate; Julian impressed them favourably in 'character, intellect, and body'; found him very similar to his cousin George, which is a 'compliment to them both'. Envies Julian seeing the "Mikado" for the first time. Has had two months now of the 'horrid wound' [to his hand], though it is now a scar rather than a war; is much weaker but cannot expect to be otherwise.
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Thanks Caroline for her 'kind letter of sympathy' on Elizabeth's 'troublesome lumbago'; this is 'nothing at all serious, only it makes one quite helpless at the time'. Is getting better 'rapidly' now, as she has Aunt Annie's 'excellent doctor' and now knows what to do. Is 'dreadfully sorry to have upset everybody's arrangements; Aunt Annie has been wonderfully kind' in arranging for her to stay on. Wilmshurst gives her 'a good rubbing night and morning', and the housemaid is also 'most kind' and 'seemed a perfect nurse'. Has been 'up and about again' since yesterday, and finds she can do more each day.
Julian seems to have enjoyed being with Caroline [at Wallington] 'so much'; he wrote to her 'very happily' and is 'no doubt having a very gay time up at the top'. Hopes she will be able to travel on Tuesday, and then she and Julian will meet at Scarborough. Hears Molly took a 'photograph of you and Grandpapa and all [the grandchildren? Letter breaks off here].
Was 'very much interested' in the correspondence his father sent him [about Sir Charles Dilke's refusal to go to Ireland as Cief Secretary, see 12/396] , which Bessie returned with her letter. Wonders what the 'real motives of Dilke's "gran rifiuto"' were; seems 'hardly credible that it was mere lack of physical courage'; supposes that 'in some way it did not fit with his personal ambitions. But it was not a moment for calculations of that kind'.
Is reading George's History [of England], 'slowly, but with the greatest interest. It is very quietly and soberly told, but with great art'; thinks George 'was right to resist the temptation of putting in brilliant passages, as he could easily have done'. Bessie finished reading Pride and Prejudice aloud to Robert and Julian this evening, and began Great Expectations: a 'greater contrast between two first-rate books would be hard to find. The scene with the convict, and the Christmas dinner that follows, make as fine a beginning of a novel as any' he knows. Fortunately for Julian, he 'seems to be able to enjoy both kinds'. Sends thanks to his mother for her letter; will write to her soon. Hopes his father's hand has got better by now, or 'at least is no more troublesome'.