Written from Boston, Massachusetts.
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'
Headed notepaper for 23 Wilton Crescent, S.W. - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton.
Miscellaneous correspondence: 1955, 1955, 1958.
2 typescript drafts with various ms. corrections and additions.
Includes correspondence between Thomson and A. N. Chamberlain re Thomson's resignation as a member of the University Grants Committee, 27 October 1923.
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.
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
Two manuscript drafts in English, one rough, one corrected in an unidentified hand [J.G.F.'s secretary?] in a bound notebook with covers missing, and unrelated notes on the first page. The drafts are dated 9 and 16 December.
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.
17 Amherst Park, Highbury N5 [Royal College of Surgeons of England letterhead] - Thanks her for the present; is on leave until May 1st.
British Embassy, Paris - Thanks the Frazers for the Bibliography, admires the range of his work, is pleased to hear that worries with French publishers are at an end.
comments on a book by Bertrand Russell
Originally enclosing three publicity notices for the "Abinger Chronicle" for Julian and Ursula to distribute to possible subscribers, such as Imogen [Gore-Browne?]; they should avoid people likely to be on Oliver [Lodge], Bob, [E.M.] Forster or Sylvia [Sprigge]'s lists. Max [Beerbohm] and Forster are both contributing to the Christmas number; does not think he himself will have anything ready. Bessie has a persistent cold, but he hopes she will soon get away to Hove for a few days. Hopes that Diana [Brinton-Lee?]'s 'expedition' was successful. Is trying to write an 'epistle in Alexandrines' to B.B. [Bernard Berenson], but it is 'rather uphill work'; quotes Pope ["Essay on Criticism"]. Tom S[turge] M[oore] is 'fairly all right', though Marie is still in Paris.
Cambo, Morpeth. - Booa [Mary Prestwich]'s funeral went 'very well today'; the weather allowed 'long views of the moors and hills she loved'. The cortège went from Wallington to Cambo, and she was buried in the churchyard 'almost next to' their grandfather [Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan]. Asks Bob to tell Bessie that 'Mary has developed one of her enthusiasms for William III and Holland', since she is studying 1688 as a 'special period' [at university], and has tried to learn some Dutch. They are going to the Netherlands at Easter partly because of this; should meet and discuss before then.
Headland, Mount Park, Harrow-on-the-Hill. - He 'insist[s] on forgiving E. B. Osborn' due to the 'surprising cheek of the idea' [see 21/103]; would be 'fun... to write critiques of plays with imaginary casts'. Also knew Osborn in 'old days', and now 'owe[s] him much' for his 'fantastic articles' in the "Morning Post".
Typed copy. S S Canada. Met J R M Butler on The Aragon for lunch.