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Originally enclosing a letter to Julian which Bob found on the return home, probably from Nicky [Mariano]. Lina [Waterfield] said in a telephone call that she thought it would be all right even if [her husband] Aubrey had not written to Aulla; he is currently away in Gloucestershire, but [the people at Aulla] will understand Julian's telegram and get things ready [for his and Ursula's honeymoon]. Hopes Julian and Ursula had time for everything in London. Bob and Bessie stopped to see Mrs V[aughan] W[illiams] and Adeline on the way back, and gave them some cakes; Ralph [Vaughan Williams] is 'getting on well'. Glad that everything went so well, and hopes they have a good time.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Since Miss Barthorp wrote by the early post, Elizabeth will know they have all arrived safely. The inconvenience to Miss Barthorp and Julian was Caroline's fault, as she did not tell Hearn to order the fly for them; still, Julian had two motor car rides. A car from Birmingham brought Miss Barthorp, Julian, Booa, Caroline and Sir George; Hearn and the luggage did not arrive till ten at night. Annie [Philips] is coming on Wednesday for a week; she is paying visits in Somerset. Supposes Elizabeth is at Leith Hill Place, but sends this letter to the Shiffolds. Sends regards to Mrs V[aughan] Williams and Margaret; is glad she is with them.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad that Elizabeth has decided to take on Miss Boneleu and hopes Julian likes her; Janet's governess has turned out to be 'a great success'. Thinks an 'educated woman (however inexperienced)' will be easier to deal with. Asks when Elizabeth proposes to come to Wallington. Annie [Philips] comes on 12 August, and the Ilberts from 21-24 August. Charles and Mary are away for a few days from 25 August, and Kitty may stay at Wallington; Janet and the children come on 1 September. George and Janet visited on Sunday; George goes to Italy again this week to arrange about the ambulance; he says 'practical work & arrangements are not congenial' but she thinks he does it well, and he thinks it is the best he can do. A 'nice gentle little widow' is staying at Wallington, liked by both Caroline and Sir George. Sorry to hear Mrs Vaughan Williams still suffers from shingles: she should see a specialist; she herself still has some irritation from her outbreak.

[Constance Vaughan Williams was run over by a car at] 'the gates of Leith Hill Place, and is still in great danger'; it does not seem likely she will recover. The car did not stop; 'Cook's boy', who was on his bicycle, was also hurt, but not too seriously. A 'bad business'; fortunately 'old Mrs V. W.' is 'taking it well so far'. He is very sorry for Hervey, and Bessie is 'rather upset'. Sends love to 'you both' [Julian and Ursula].

Furzen Wood, Abinger, Dorking. - Sends a bill for Julian to pay, and asks him to return the small one she sent him so that she can deal with it as she proposed. Glad to get Julian's letter, as she wondered how he was getting on since her departure. Hopes the furniture he is bought from the 'marché de Puce [flea market]' really is 'puceless'. Uncle Charles has resigned office [as Labour minister for education]; though his reasons 'must have seemed imperative to him'; she and Bob think it 'very unwise', and his political career is now at an end. His criticism of the Government was also 'rather unfortunate' when they were 'doing so well over Indian settlement & Naval agreements'. Charles may well lose his seat; it would be 'disastrous if he did not have Wallington estate as his absorbing interest'; she thinks he and Molly are 'doing splendid work there'. Has been reading Will Rothenstein's memoirs ["Men and Memories"]; Julian should look at it if he can, as it is about artistic life in Paris in the 1880s and 1890s, which would amuse him. Still struggling with her 'cold and lumbago' and will not go to London until she has got rid of it. She and Bob had to meet [Kenneth?] Cross at the Shiffolds, and Bob 'made great strides in settling abt his shelves and cupboards'. The attic, with 'its big dormer to the front' is now a 'splendid' room with a fine view; it will be 'the nicest room in the house'. She then had tea with Mrs [Margaret] Vaughan Williams, who 'kept saying jokingly' that she was not allowed to do or have certain things, 'as if Constance [her daughter in law] was hectoring her'. Constance and Hervey came in later; they are 'kind, but C is bossy of course, but then Mrs V W is very independent'. She wanted to know all about Paris and Julian's flat. Bessie is very glad Julian is eating more, so 'will avoid the transparency of the Eiffel tower'. Asks who cooks 'that beautiful breakfast'; longs for 'those epinards [spinach] aux croutons', as 'England is entirely devoid of decent vegetables' at the moment. Asks to be remembered to [George] Reavey.

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is certainly better, and his doctor still thinks that in time he will be as well as he was three months ago, but recovery is taking longer than he had hoped at first and so he has not been able to go to Leith Hill Place. Does not think he ever went inside when 'old Mrs Vaughan-Williams' was alive and perhaps never saw her, though he often saw Ralph's sister when she was visiting the Shiffolds. Agrees that the house is in perfect condition now. Thinks he would be interested to see his old letters to Bob, though he doubts he ever wrote anything important enough to make them worth keeping. Did get up the Easter parties every year, except once when Keynes did it, and supposes it was a bother, though less than he would find it now. Interested to hear that Ralph was reworking his "Pilgrim's Progress" after hearing it again.

Trevelyan has filled in the sections printed on the front: 'Written by' with 'R.C.T'; 'Commenced' with 27 August 1923 [looks like 8]; 'School' with 'Ἡ ΓΗ' ['The Earth' in Ancient Greek]. Notes in his first entry that he has been reading Ponsonby's book ["English Diaries" by Arthur Ponsonby] which has inspired him to start this diary.

Mentions of Mabel [Godwin?], Marian [?], Alice, Bert and Bobbie Elms; Bessie and Julian; his parents; Miles Malleson and his wife [Joan] and uncle [Philip Malleson]; O[liver] Simon at the "Fleuron" (who asks him to translate the "Acts of the Apostles", to be illustrated by Paul Nash); Miss Ewing [later wife of Walter Rea], Nicky Mariano; Bernard and Mary Berenson; Frances and Arthur Dakyns (visiting the Ponsonbys at Fernhurst); his brother George (who has written to the "Times" saying the matter between Greece and Italy should be referred to the Powers not the League of Nations); Margaret and Ralph Vaughan Williams and their mother; Mrs [Jane] Russell Rea; Irene [Cooper Willis or Noel-Baker]; 'Miss [blank left], with whom Rennier had an affair. She is now private secretary to [Henry?] Hamilton Fyfe'; Francis Birrell; Clifford and Joan Allen; 'an Italian-French lady' whom Trevelyan had met at I Tatti; Barbara Strachey; [Simon] Bussy [paintings by]; John Rodker 'and his child [Joan] by Sonia [Cohen]'; a 'nice rather muddle-headed young man.. Labour candidate for Petersfield' [Dudley Aman]; Bertrand Russell.

Works on: translations of Theocritus; his 'Flood poem' ["The Deluge"]; possible continuation of "Pterodamozels"; review of books on metre by Lascelles Abercrombie and E[gerton Smith] (Smith is the first person he has 'attacked' in a review; wonders if Desmond MacCarthy will think his comments 'too strong); review of Sturge Morre's "Judas" for Leonard Woolf at the "Nation"; his 'Pandora play'.

Reads (as well as Ponsonby, and sometimes with Julian): the "Manchester Guardian", Spenser's "Mother Hubbard ['s Tale]", Epicharmus, "Henry IV pt 1", Phaedrus, Macaulay, Aristophanes, the 'Summer number' of Julian's "Hurtenham Magazine", Lucian, the "Mikado"; Ssuma Ch'ien [Sima Qian]; Hastings' "Dictionary of the Bible" [at the London Library]; a "Classical Review" with Duff and Bailey on Lucretius; Molly MacCarthy's autobiography ["A Nineteenth-Century Childhood", 'Very charming']

The White Gates, Dorking. - This letter is 'dictated for legibility's sake!'. Has offered Leith Hill Place to the National Trust; thinks they will take it, but they 'must let the house and the immediate surroundings' for an income to keep up the estate. Therefore to him and the Trevelyans 'as neighbours' to find a tenant who is both 'desirable and rich'. Would prefer an individual to 'some form of community' since they would probably be 'more human in their relations with the cottagers and workmen'; wants to 'keep up the great tradition in that respect' of his grandfather, mother, and [brother] Hervey. The house will be let partly furnished; he will take 'the valuable pictures china and furniture', but a good amount of '"utility" stuff' will remain. A few desirable tenants have 'already nibbled', but nobody has yet taken it.

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Donald got home safely; he is tired, but Dr Thin saw him on Saturday and is satisfied that last week's activity has not done him any harm. He enjoyed himself very much and Clara wishes she had been there; they heard the Cello Concerto very well on the wireless but the applause was cut off; Donald says she should mention that Molly [Grierson?] played the Brahms Concerto 'absolutely magnificently'. Last night his usual Sunday concert was transferred to St Mary's Cathedral - programme [originally] enclosed with the letter - which was 'packed', with 'hundreds' standing, and many people turned away. Is afraid Bessie will miss Mrs [Margaret] Vaughan Williams, since she visited her so often.

Les Capucines - writing "absurd" poem, may send it to John after working on it, describes method of writing, Clare learning to ski, death of Meggie Vaughan-Williams:

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'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for her letter, and for Aunt Annie's, which he returns; he and Bessie are glad Aunt Annie is 'enjoying herself so much' [in Italy]. Nurse Godwin left this morning, which they much regret, but the new nurse seems good and he expects will do well. Bessie is very well: she gets tired sometimes but that is to be expected. Paul is well, and has 'gained 9 oz every week so far'. The Frys are coming from Holmwood tomorrow morning and will see the baby: he and Bessie 'hope they will approve of him, aesthetically'. Thinks he thanked Caroline for the pheasants, which were very good.

Mrs Vaughan Williams came to see Bessie this afternoon as 'all fear of [influenza] infection is considered over'. Noel has not been yet, as 'the Judge has had the influenza very badly'; thinks he is recovering now. Is glad his father is well; will write to him soon. The weather today is 'very unpleasant', with fog, so neither Bessie nor Paul have been out; was much sunnier yesterday. Bessie was 'a little distressed' about the nurse leaving, but he thinks she has 'got over it now', as the new one is 'quite efficient and thoughtful'.

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'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - All well with Bessie and baby Paul. The thaw is 'very complete now': they had had enough of the snow so are glad; last night 'was quite a hurricane'. Tomorrow is going up [to London] to lunch with Roger Fry, who has returned from London. Bessie has started reading to herself: [H. G. Wells'] Kipps; Robert still reads to her after dinner, usually Keats' letters.

Hopes his parents are well and 'will have nice weather now'; will write soon about paying a brief visit to Welcombe. Hopes Wallington is free of snow now. The V[aughan] Williamses at High Ashes, and Mrs Vaughan Williams at Leith Hill Place, have influenza, so Bessie cannot have visitors at the moment, Does not expect they will get it themselves, but they have to be careful. Sends love.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Bessie is doing well, and 'sits up in bed a great deal'; Paul is also well. The thaw 'set in last night', and Robert hopes it will continue. Sees in the papers that Wallington is 'cut off': that is 'unpleasant' but may not matter so much, but it could be 'serious for some of the scattered farms' and he hopes it will not last long. Bessie says that 'but for Paul' his parents might both be snowed in at Wallington, so 'in spite of all the inconvenience he has caused' he may at least have saved them from that.

They have not suffered much here as the snow was never too deep. Some of the neighbours have influenza: both at High Ashes [home of Sir Roland and Lady Vaughan Williams] and Mrs Vaughan Williams at Leith Hill Place, so they 'must take care not to let it come here'. Has 'Sent Jim [? Conrad's Lord Jim, see 12/105] by this morning's post': it is Tom [Sturge] Moore's, but he 'won't want it back yet'. Wonders whether his father will 'make anything of it': Robert 'found it tough at first, but afterwards was quite held by it'.

The doctor has just come and says Bessie is 'doing very well indeed'. Has been writing many letters recently, some at Bessie's dictation. People have been 'most kind in writing', some have sent presents for Paul. Hopes his parents and Booa are well; sends love and 'best wishes for 1907' from him and his family'.

The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.

Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.

Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.

Glad to receive Robert's book ["The Bride of Dionysus"]: has been a 'little ill' in bed and so had chance to read it all and get an 'oversight'; thinks it might be nice for Robert to be able to do so and 'forget the labour'. The poems make a 'grand effect'. Has seen several of the songs, as [Julius] Röntgen has been busy composing them and setting them to music; when he read them aloud in a 'compassionate tone' they made a 'great impression' on her. Röntgen has 'very musically translated' one of Robert's "Dirges"; thinks his 'own heart sang [emphasised] it with you, in remembrance of his own escaped bird' [perhaps his first wife and daughter]. She tried yesterday to read the poems while 'mending the stockings of the whole household', but found these tasks 'rather hard to unite'. Has been thinking a great deal about Robert, Bessy, the child [Julian] and the Shiffolds; keeps composing letters in her head but not writing them, and she never seems to finish the 'little presents for Bessie' . They are 'without patients' in the house for the first time, but she has much to 'learn... and do'; was reading a book by Novalis yesterday in which he compared Goethe to [Josiah] Wedgwood, which made her think of Robert's 'friends and neighbours in your solitude' [perhaps the Vaughan Williamses, relations of the Wedgwoods?]. Asks to him to greet them from her and 'Doorty, "Little Dorrit"', who wants to greet them though she 'doesn't even know whom I mean'. Hopes Bessie will translate this letter; does not think it is 'pure English'. Will have to visit the Trevelyans again. Is making a collar for Julian, which perhaps she will send for Bessie's birthday. Their 'house & hands are still full' of the Trevelyans' presents, which serve as constant reminders. It will be beautiful at the Shiffolds and in the woods now, as the spring is 'more beautiful than ever before'. There is no trace of the 'difficulties of the becoming' of Robert's book in it now; switches into Dutch. Discusses the type, says goodbye to her 'beste broeder & sister; mentions the Enticknaps

Leith Hill Place, Nr Dorking. - Found Bob's 'delightful present', the "New Parsifal", when they got home yesterday; thanks him and will 'value it very much as yet another proof' of Bob's friendship, which he knows is 'very precious' to her. Has as yet only looked at the 'very nice outside', but hopes to begin reading it today. Is 'very proud' to have it as a gift from Bob. Hopes he has had better news of his father; he must have had some 'very anxious days'. Also hopes Bessie and Julian are well again. Her mother is quite well now; they are 'rejoicing in the freshness and clearness of home - and birds singing'. Tells Bob he can come and stay any time he likes while Bessie is away; they can give him a 'quiet room to work in'. Asks if he has seen that the "Times Literary Supplement" is now to be sold separately: Evelyn Richmond says this is 'very important for her brother Bruce', since Lord Northcliffe apparently 'wants to get rid of the Supplement', returning book-reviewing to the main body of the paper, and 'does not believe there is a demand for it'. Would therefore be a good thing if many people who do not take the "Times" write in and subscribe for the "Supplement".