11 Walton Str[eet], Oxford. - Thanks Bob for his book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; read it in the Christmas 'rush', then lost it; has found again and enjoyed re-reading 'so much'; apologises for his delay in thanks. Enjoys the "Moretum" especially, which is a 'wonderful picture of the Dutch school'. Very kind of Bob to remember him. Clara [his wife] is well; four of the children are at home with whooping cough. Saw 'Aunt Molly McCarthy' recently when she was staying with the Cecils, and saw something of Betty [Muntz] when he was in Dorset in August, but otherwise has not heard news of Bob; looks out for him at the London Library, where they last met. Had a letter at Christmas from Oliver Lodge, now living in Gloucestershire; would like very much to visit him but it is difficult to leave home. Expecting David from Athens later in the year. Goes to London to teach each week; hopes he may see Bob there one day.
11 Walton Street, Oxford. - Thanks from himself and Clare for Bob's poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; they congratulate him on the birth of a grandson. Lists his favourite poems; also has Bob's epistle to Lady Allen, which he 'reread with pleasure'. Asks whether he ever hears from the Lodges; has had no news from them since they left the country, though received a copy of Oliver's "The Candle". They have had 'a Christening and a Christmas', and all the children but the baby have 'gone to stay with Hester in the country'. Clare recovered well [after the birth] and is 'back in her kitchen'; they find that 'just looking after ourselves takes up almost all our time', though he still works a little in his studio, and has Bob's Ward's "Anthology" [of English verse] and other books 'for recreation'. Tells him to let them know if he is ever in Oxford. Uncle Desmond and Aunt Molly [MacCarthy] are here staying with the Cecils, and Belloc came down early in the year.
1 Kildare G[ar]d[e]ns W2. - Thanks for the book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"], which he found at his father's house last week. Good to hear the 'praises sung' of Trevelyan's woodlands; remembers with 'elation' their visit to the Shiffolds one spring or early summer; also still 'spell[s] out' his Virgil, though he often 'neglect[s]' his contemporaries' verse. He and his wife took their children to Dorset after Christmas, and were 'allowed to leave them there this weekend' to come to London. They have seen 'as many friends and exhibitions as possible', and spent last night with the MacCarthys: Aunt Molly was 'quite well again', and Uncle Desmond 'in very good form'. Went to see [Ronald Duncan's] "This Way to the Tomb" at the Mercury theatre, which was 'awfully good', particularly Britten's music. Hopes that if Trevelyan comes to Oxford he will visit them; they can 'hardly stir from there nowadays' [because of the children].