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Peterborough. Advice re reading for H M Butler's Latin and Greek.

Informs him that he has won the first Members' Prize

Miscellaneous correspondence: 1955, 1955, 1958.

Accompanied by three extracts from Henry Jackson's commonplace book about the '77 Club, two menus for dinners of the '77 Club from 1904 and 1911, with signatures of those present, including Gurdon and Jackson, and a cutting about the '77 Club.

RJ has been seized with one of his 'fits of sinful non-writing'. On behalf of two different people RJ has been asked to write to WW requesting favours for their respective sons. Robert Peel's speech last night has I think quenched his reputation as a statesman for ever - on looking attentively at the speech you will see that two very distinct objects pressed on him last autumn which he has fused violently...The first the state of Ireland - which required efficient - prompt nay instant measures. He does not take them even when his submissive cabinet came back - though he holds out now any delay in opening the Irish ports to Rice[,] Maize and Oats as almost a crime'. This emergency 'forces on him a conviction that a general review of our commercial and fiscal system, more especially of the corn laws is wise - if not essential - granted - this surely is an operation which both from its nature and from the expectations and temper of his own party required deliberation temper full investigation tact. But he who has neglected the emergency seems to have done so only that he might preserve it whole to use as an argument for making the great change of commercial policy abrupt[,] harsh and not merely distasteful but so odious and apparently so unfair and in the eyes of his surprised friends that all the advantages[,] preparation and persuasion might have given him in the great undertaking are gone. The argument that because there is a temporary dearth of potatoes in Ireland there must be an instant permanent and entire change in the system of England as to wheat for instance is absurd. He might as well attempt to feed the Irish on turtle soup as on wheat'. RJ thinks 'it just possible that with rational management he might have conciliated and kept together the greater part of his party and attained all it was wise to attempt at once. For till now no one ever thought it possible to change in a day a system complicated by colonial maritime and fiscal regulation for really free trade. In fact he has not fairly interpreted it and for that I do not blame him. He has attempted a larger step than he shewed in his circumstances I am well convinced'. The whole public horizon looks gloomy. The House of Lords 'will either throw the bill out or change it in committee - there must come a dissolution which all say will bring in parties too nearly balanced for either of them to conduct the government - and no one pretends to see what next'. However RJ thinks the measures themselves were in the right direction: 'I heartily wish I saw any chance of their gradual and wholesome progress - I see none. If after the coming struggle they pass in their present shape the unusual demand neated by the railway expenditure which more than equals our late war expenditure at home, may ward off a share of evil for a time and to the adjustments which take place during that time we must look for our best chance of escaping with institutions and property - unsmashed - It is well to have this ray and hope'.

Including copy of correspondence with Lord Malmesbury and of note by Sir Henry Bulwer.
Copy in unidentified hand; paper watermarked 1840.

Written from Boston, Massachusetts.

Letter of acceptance for the 1905 Apostles' dinner.

2 Brook Street - Thanks WW for his book [Indications of the Creator, 1845]: 'I had been expressing my wish that the last two or three chapters in your Bridgewater Treatise [Astronomy and General Physics Considered with Reference to Natural Theology, 1833] could be republished in relation to those very topics. What you have printed has in considerable degree fulfilled this object'. HH cannot think who the author of the Vestiges of Creation can be - 'though from his familiarity with modern science...it seems as if he were a person that must be known. I think him not to be a medical man...The 3rd edition, which is the one I have, is improved in many respects; but the essential faults remain'

Rome. - Is still not sure where he will be at Easter, as he has not yet fixed when accounts with the peasants will be settled. Gives directions for reaching Metelliano from Florence; Nicky [Mariano] will be able to help. He, Tonino and Ebe, the house and the dog will all be happy to see Trevelyan and Julian. Has one last query about Trevelyan's brother's book [G.M. Trevelyan, "English Social History"] for his translation

Madeira Cottage, Lyme Regis. - Good of Trevelyan to write so promptly about the scheme for a masque to mark the opening of the new Library [at Somerville College, Oxford, see 4/55 and 4/56]; sketches the loggia below the library, with disposition of pillars inside and steps in front, where she thinks the masque could be put on. Expects she could get twenty or thirty performers; it would be convenient if a rout of beasts were included as many old students made themselves costumes for a former performance. Feels it should be more of a pageant than a drama: does not think there are any particularly good actors, and it would fit the spirit of the occasion. The opening of the library will be early in June, which may not leave Trevelyan enough time.

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks Bessie if she can send back an enclosure; despairs as to how they can get D.F.T. [Donald Tovey] to get the symphony ready in time [for its British premiere]. Is now going to Edinburgh for a week, after an attack of influenza; Kate [Friskin] is playing the Schumann allegro and Beethoven G major concerto, with Donald conducting, on the 20th. The critic at the Hague is 'delightful'; is astonished any newspaperman could understand Donald so well; asks Bessie to translate it exactly for her. Her 'world is full of Belgians - two more, convalescent officers, arrived today'. Madame de Beughen will be in charge of them till she returns.

Woodside, Cove, Dumbartonshire - Thanks him for his kind words about her father Baldwin Spencer in the 'Times'; had a letter from her father dated 22 April, asks if Frazer would like to see any notes her father made on his last expedition, and give advice on what to do with them.

Accompanied by the envelope.

22 Sussex Villas, W. - Has written to Mrs Grammont [sic: Bramine Hubrecht] 'about her young Russian'. Tells Bessie to make sure Bob writes the article on [Thomas Sturge] Moore as soon as he gets home. Will be away from the middle of March to the middle of May, so Bob must communicate directly with [Edward] Jenks about the article, unless [Nathaniel] Wedd or [Goldie Lowes] Dickinson return from their Easter holiday in time to take it. Glad they have got 'such a jolly place'.

Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi. - Very sorry to hear her aunt is no better; wishes her uncle would get a nurse; agrees that Bessie should not go to England yet and will therefore stay longer in Ravello; if her aunt is no better by the time he reaches the Hague he will stay only a few days and could come back later.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that they found Caroline 'a great comfort and pleasure'; is not 'anxious' but 'much interested' about Elizabeth [due to give birth]. Interested by what Robert says about [Aeschylus's] "Eumenides", which he thinks the best Greek tragedy he has read. Hopes the newspaper reports of the discovery of a substantial fragment of Menander are true. Discusses his recent reading of Lucian, whom Macaulay quotes in his essay on Madame D'Arblay.

Summer Quarter

67pp. typescript notes made by G. Hedrick.

Created while at Stanford University, California, 1947-48, 1950.

comments on a book by Bertrand Russell

(London Hospital, Whitechapel?)—Is unable to see him this afternoon, as her mother is in London. Defends herself against his criticisms. She has only three more weeks left (at the hospital). Yesterday she went for a drive with Bongie; she supposes Montagu was with Edward Grey.

(Dated Monday.)

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Transcript

Monday

Alas! I cant manage this afternoon as Mother has come to London & I have to go out with her. I should have liked to have seen you, you wrote me rather a crusty letter {1} which you sent by Bongie, its rather hard to spend 2 whole days unable to see a real human being (Friday I never went out & Saturday only till 11.A.M.) from “bitter constraint & sad occasion drear” {2} & then to be cursed for it. But Wednesday I’ll come to tea at 4.30. I’ve not heard from old Kath, she has behaved vilely to me.

Only 3 more weeks to day. 21 days. Not so very long is it. One would stand anything for only that time, & besides I again dont much mind it.

What a glorious day yesterday. Bong & I drove along Chelsea Embankment, I suppose you were walking with E. Grey.

Yrs
Venetia

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Probably written at the London Hospital, Whitechapel.

{1} MONT II B1/89, dated 14 March.

{2} A slight misquotation from Milton’s ‘Lycidas’. Cf. MONT II A1/64.