Brieg [Brig-Glis]. - The [Italian] lakes did not suit Sir George and his rheumatism was bad for a few days; they had good weather at Menaggio and Baveno; Friday was wet, but they went to Domodossola. Had a 'splendid' day yesterday driving over the Simplon [Pass]; they stop at Brig today then tomorrow go to Zermatt as the hotels at Saas Fee, where they had intended to go, are not yet open. Booa 'enjoyed herself immensely' yesterday, and is 'rejoicing' to be back in Switzerland. Hopes that Elizabeth and Robert will be able to show her the foundations [of their new house] if she comes to visit them. Will not be away later than 26 June. Good of Robert to look through the proofs of George's book ["England Under The Stuarts"]; looks forward to seeing his article soon. Odd to be away from letters and papers for a while. Asks if Elizabeth has had any music since Whitsun. Does not think the northern Italians sing much, but there was some 'pretty, gay, playing' in the evenings at Basseno. Has been sketching a little and feels idle. Would like to 'bring home' some of the Swiss cows which 'look so clean and clever', and come to drink in the fountain in the square twice a day. Elizabeth must tell Gussie [Enticknap] that if he were a Swiss boy he would have to mind the goats on the hillside and 'do all his school-going in the winter'. Asks if they have had any other visitors or 'gaieties'.
14, Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16e. - Madame G[ermanova] is in bed with fever, but asks him to thank Trevelyan for his postcard and says it will suit her if he comes on the 13th. Everyone in the household, except the dog, has been ill. Thanks Trevelyan for sending all the cuttings about [the death of] his 'poor friend H[eseltine]', who was 'the most loveable of men, to those whom he cared for' and the 'most interesting, though wayward' of Suhrawardy's Oxford contemporaries. Only now realises how much he cared for him. Asks if Trevelyan could find the Persian number of the "Times" and send it too him; wishes he could see the exhibition [at the Royal Academy] and hopes Trevelyan will go and tell him about it. Looks forward to his coming to Paris.
Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if Bessie and Bobbie could not come for a night: has 'so much' to tell them and is 'aching to add even a feather's weight to the influences for peace'; she saw Bessie's sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] a few days ago; is also 'stricken with dismay to find Donald [Tovey]' so ill and to 'hear him raving all these utterances of the English press'.
Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/77] and for sending the second five hundred pounds: his and Caroline's 'kindness will have been of great importance', as without it he and Elizabeth would 'not at all have been able to build the house as [they] wanted'. The weather remains good, which is favourable 'as the roof ought to be begun in a week or two'.
They are going to spend tonight with Mr [Ernest Penrose] Arnold, who has lately retired to Godalming; has not seen him 'for years' except very briefly this year, and will be glad to see him and his wife again. Bessie is 'playing the viol d'amore in two pieces at a Dolmetsch concert here next Wednesday'. She is not going abroad at the end of the week: she did not think it worthwhile, since 'the Grandmonts are leaving Holland on the first of October'. They are disappointed that Bessie's friend Miss Halbertsma cannot come abroad with them this winter; maybe it will be possible another time, as she would have liked to if she had been able.
Has just received his mother's letter; sends thanks. Is glad 'little Cacciola [presumably a relative of Salvatore Cacciola, husband of Florence Trevelyan; perhaps Cesare Acrosso?] enjoyed his visit at Wallington'; they 'like him better than his uncle, though no doubt he is not such a character'. The eruption of Vesuvius seems 'very bad': if the cone falls in, as is feared, there 'may be some great catastrophe, as it will block up the crater, and have to be blown out again somehow or other, and nobody knows what might happen then'.
Hears his parents had a 'large dinner party' recently; is 'sorry to have missed [Herbert] Craig', whom he used to know 'quite well'; hopes he will win his seat, which he thinks is Sir George's old one, as he 'ought to be a very good Member of Parliament'. Supposes George's book [England under the Stuarts] will be out soon; looks forward to reading the 'last half'. Sends love to his mother, and will write to her soon.
The Manor House, Garsington, Oxford. - 'No, no! my dear Trevy, I'm shocked. Such / ribald verse as you sent us / Is alas! to [sic] often admired / For me to admire it....' Criticises Trevy for 'burlesquing.... a man of genius, in / his moment of sentimentality' and feels a 'sense of moral indignation'; 'desire to be read and / the need of appreciation' are very poor excuses. Turns from 'the parodist of today' to the Trevy he 'loved long ago, a grave / And traditional poet'.
Typed copy. Shepheard's Hotel, Cairo. Pleased at fellowships for Neil Adam and John Burnaby, Cairo preferable to Alexandria, visit to a native village.
Peterborough Deanery. Requires him to have measured the frontage of a cottage in Harrow owned by him.
St Mary's Hall, 22 King's Parade, Cambridge - has a portrait of his mother over his desk, he is now treasurer and librarian of the Institute at St Mary's Hall, recommends Walter Pater's "Imaginary Portraits".
Collections at Tetbury and Cirencester
Contains sketch of disembarkation.
Trinity College - HAH returns to WW the proof sheet: 'The corrections I have noted on the margin refer principally to errors of the press'.
Discusses dates when they might meet for lunch at the House of Lords, and offers to show her round the Houses of Parliament first.
32nd Meeting
Agenda, Minutes.
Meeting No.33, 12 June 1961.
Agenda, Minutes.
Meeting No.34, 12 October 1961.
Agenda, 8 pp. duplicated typescript re `A.E.I. Plasma Research Programme', Minutes.
Informs Sidgwick that the holidays have given him time to read the E[ncyclopedia Britannica?], which he had sent to him. Remarks that his analysis of 'Public Morality' 'clears up several matters'. Discusses the principles on which a historian ought to judge the actions of a statesman, claims that Acton 'does not face the difference...between the principles on which a statesman may act and those aforementioned historian's principles', and warns against the critic introducing his own presuppositions. Remarks that Sidgwick had not touched on the moral influence on the historian's generation of a public war, and uses Bismarck to illustrate his point. Agrees with Sidgwick about 'clerical veracity', and remarks that it is 'curious how the moral sense of the community has practically ruled out Rashdall's view.' States that he is enjoying 'this place' very much.
Broadmoor Cottages (near Dorking).—Thanks him for his letter, and refers to today’s activities.
Removals and decorations for Joseph's new house: 27 Kensington Square
Accounts by RAB of talks with Roy Welensky and of Rhodesian situation in general, 3 personal letters of support, 2 from Paul Channon, article on RAB from Wall Street Journal
Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, 3 East 64th Street, New York.—Agrees with his views regarding the actions of the British Government in the Middle East, and shares his concern for Indo-British relations. Discusses the current situation in Egypt.
—————
Transcript
Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations,
3 East 64th Street, New York 21, N.Y.
17 November 1956
My dear Lord Pethwick† Lawrence,
Thank you for your letter. It was kind of you to have written to me. I had no doubt at all about your position or indeed of any responsible sane person in England! I share your apprehensions about Indo-British relations. There is much pressure in India in regard to this but I think and hope we will behave with a sense of maturity and proportion. I have fear, however, that if the U.K. pursues its predatory policy and finds a pretext for waging more war or pursuing expansionism perhaps using the Russian menace as an excuse we shall have serious difficulty.
The situation in regard to Egypt is anything but satisfactory. The reports we have of atrocities and the nature of the campaign waged there are shocking. It is inconceivable to us that in the present age that† British or their Commanders would behave in this way. I understand that Mr Gaitskell has been sent some information from independent sources by eye witnesses. As you probably know, journalists are not allowed into this area and our report, which I do not wish to be quoted, is that some of them have been arrested and detained for short periods. These are European journalists.
However, in regard to British policy, there is appreciation in India that the U.K. is very divided on this matter, and while there was much regret in the initial position of the Labour Party in August, there is understanding now that this is a fanatical approach to a difficult problem by the present Government and leaders. The next phase of this, if it is not renewal of war, would be an attempt to use the present crisis and the fact that the Middle East affairs† is before the United Nations, to attain through the U.N. and the U.S. the control of the Suez Canal under the guise of international organization. This issue of course is part of the general problem of internationalisation of waterways to which we all subscribe.
I am personally very apprehensive for all that goes on and whether it will be in regard to the Middle East or Hungary events can drift to a situation of world war.
On the topic that you have kindly written to me, namely, Indo-British relations, there is at present no danger of precipitate action. But I can envisage a situation where nothing else becomes possible say in the case of Britain being involved in a prolonged war.
Kind regards
Yours ever
Krishna
Lord Pethwick† Lawrence,
11 Old Square,
London, W.C.2. England.
—————
Marked by a secretary, ‘Let P-L ack: receipt of this letter on his Xmas card to Menon. 22/11/56.’
† Sic.