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Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey. - Thanks Bob for writing with his and Bessie's congratulations and good wishes [on being appointed Secretary of State for India and Burma. A 'Cabinet Minister's job may be defined as follows:- to reconcile the irreconcilable, to solve the insoluble & generally to achieve the impossible' but the 'attempt is exhilarating'.

Farney Close, Peaslake, Guildford. - Thanks Bob for the 'calming poetry' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?], which is a 'welcome escape from the tormenting questions & difficulties of life today'; expects troubles in 'ancient times' were 'more local', whereas now the 'whole world is perturbed'. Finds the policies of the current government worrying, and fears 'this idea of nationalisation will lead to a state not very different from a dictatorship'; wishes they would 'go more slowly'. Hears reliable reports that the British Zone in Germany is 'very badly administered': this means a 'daily' loss of prestige, and it is very important to 'get Germany on her feet again'; however, the Government largely ignores this and concentrates on nationalisation. 'Poor Pethick-Lawrence is ageing fast under the stress and disappointment'; he 'works far too hard'. He visits them most weekends, and they 'try to divert him' but this is hard. Is glad the "Social History" [George Macaulay Trevelyan's "English Social History"] is 'such a prodigious success', though is 'annoyed... the Government makes quite so much out of the author's brains and hard work'. Sorry that Bob has 'lost E M. Forster' [due to Forster selling his Surrey house], but as they get old 'friends die or circumstances move them away. Only books are left!'.

11 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.2. - Thinks that Mr [Peter?] Grant-Watson is coming to stay for a week with Mrs Anderson at Peaslake, and hears it would be a 'great pleasure' to both if she could bring them to see the Trevelyans. Understands Mr Grant-Watson is a friend of the Trevelyans, and Mrs Anderson is a 'great admirer' of Trevelyan's poetry; asks him to send a postcard to Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey, where she will be all next week, if the visit will be convenient. Knows that a 'visitation of 4 people' - those named, herself and her 'friend & driver Mrs Gabriel' will have 'implications' in 'these days of rationing'; asks whether they may bring their rations of tea and milk if they come in the afternoon. Would be a 'great pleasure' to see the Trevelyans again, and to thank him for his Christmas poems ["From the Shiffolds"] in person which have been a 'delight'. Has had a message from the India Office saying that [her husband] Fred arrived in Tunis yesterday [on his way to India for the Cabinet Mission on Indian independence?]; he 'went off full of serenity [?] & optimism'.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey. - 'Delightful' to hear from Bobby again and get his 'charming book of poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]. Is still 'between the shafts' [as Secretary of State for India and Burma]: it is a 'fascinating but exhausting job' and he often works from 7.30 in the morning until midnight; if he can 'pull anything out of the bag about India it will be worth it'. The job of a cabinet minister is 'to reconcile the irreconcilable, solve the insoluble & generally to achieve the impossible!'. Emmeline joins with him in 'love and greetings' to Bobby and his 'circle. Adds a postscript saying that he likes the poem "Old Aeschylus" best, and 'feel[s] like that about modern music'.

Was 'made a walker alone' last Monday, as were Bramwell, [Frederick Pethick] Lawrence, Holt and Whitelaw; walked with Smith and Whitelaw today. Mr Viner has lent him "The Ladies in Parliament" [written by Robert's father]; thinks "Horace at Athens" is 'so funny'. They will have fun at Eastbourne at Easter. Is getting on well. Wrote to Grandpapa P[hilips] and to Archie this morning. They went to church this morning.