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3 Via Camerata, Florence. - Has received two letters from her, one forwarded from 'Varello' [Ravello]. Thinks he will start back on Friday 2nd and reach the Hague on Saturday evening; if his train would get in too late, would arrive on Sunday morning instead. Thinks he may go to the Twee Staden hotel, as was not very comfortable at the Angleterre and it was not cheap. Having a good time in Florence, though he has not done any work. Maeterlinck's "La sagesse et la destinée" is 'surprisingly good', much better than "Le Trésor des humbles" . Dined at Mrs [Janet] Ross's last night; has only just recovered from the 'exceedingly good dinner'. Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] 'very pleasant' and they are good friends again now; she was pleased with his bat ["The Lady's Bat"]. Had a 'little brush with Berenson about the war, as he is frantically cynical on such matters' but otherwise they have got on well. Berenson likes some of his work, but thinks his 'Indian poem dull' and is probably right'; Bob has not yet read him the play. Has to go down to Florence in the rain to lunch with people he doesn't much care for, but Berenson will probably show him some pictures afterwards. The myrtle [see the enclosure with 9/107] is indeed the 'tree of Venus'. Is glad her aunt is better, and hopes her recovery will continue; hopes Grandmont will not be long in bed ill. Is sending him some wine from Ravello, but fears it will not be good enough for 'his fastidious palate'.

Richmond. - Has just finished reading Trevelyan's "Birth of Parsival", and thanks him for the pleasure of reading it and his kindness in sending it and his other books. Apologises for not replying before, which Trevelyan must have thought 'strange and rude'. Thinks Trevelyan's poetry 'the best, the most pleasing' being written at present, and could have written many sincere compliments; however, he has 'fallen out of love with poetry, and feel[s] a kind of incompetence in speaking of it' as one might of a 'sweetheart that had jilted one'. Seems to see 'the author's intention rather than his achievement' in what he reads, and cannot help wondering whether writers are 'doing more than indulge a sort of school-boys day-dream, dealing with nothing real'. Does not say this to discourage Trevelyan from writing more - 'heaven forbid!' - but to explain his long silence and lack of anything pertinent to say.

Cud Hill House, Upton-St-Leonards, Glos. - Has been unable and so was not able to write earlier to thank Bob for his translations ["Translations from Latin Poetry"]. Particularly enjoyed the Leopardi.: does not know the originals, but Bob has made very good poems of them; few people seem to be able to write such 'bell-like musical verse now' as he does, and Lodge misses it. Has been interested to read the new life of Tennyson by his grandson [Sir Charles Tennyson], which 'will do good to his legitimate fame'. Hopes Bob and 'dear Bessy' and their family are well, the 'dear Shiffolds flourishing, & all its woods'.

Monk's House, Rodmell, near Lewes, Sussex. - Very good of Bob to send them the second volume [of his "Collected Works"], which 'looks extraordinarily impressive': an adjective 'also appropriate to its contents'. Has a 'particular affection' for "Sisyphus.

Calcutta. - Letter of introduction to Arindam Dutt, who is coming to England to study for the Bar and join a British university; his father, Charu Dutt, a retired Civil Service man is 'one of the finest men in India'. Young Dutt will try to get into Cambridge through the 'usual wearisome official channels' such as the India High Commissioner's office; should he fail, Suhrawardy asks if Trevelyan can give him an introduction to Lowes Dickinson, Keynes, or his brother [George]. Also asks if Trevelyan can invite Dutt to his club; fears he will have a lonely time at first. Has been enjoying "The Fountain", by [Charles] Morgan, which has much about Holland and the Dutch; thought Bessie might be interested, if she has not read it. A postscript notes that their mutual friend Chanda has married young Dutt's only sister.

Postmarked Abinger Hammer. - Will come to lunch on Sunday, with dog if Trevelyan can feed him too.

With extract, and Ackerley's reply at the end of the letter.

Robert Mayor taking morphia; his faith in the face of death

Typescript report by Synge and M. Klungsøyr (1949); material re refererring.

Typed copy. Lindsay Sap. Many letters and parcels have now reached him, would love to see Simpson in khaki, Nevile Butler's job should not damage the prospects of English interned in Germany, exchange of fire and storm, Captains Loring and Sloan died of festering wounds.

Notebook continuation of 108 with numerous editorial notes. A portion written in Vienna in December and January in MS-110 fits chronologically within it.

Admiralty, Whitehall.—Refers apologetically to her behaviour the previous night. Is looking forward to seeing him (at Alderley) on Friday.

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Transcript

Admiralty, Whitehall

My darling (I begin like this not because I find you expect it but because I want to). Am I [a] devil after what you said about Raymond, to behave like that, or dont you care. I cant take him at all seriously emotionally, neither his emotions nor mine are in the least touched.

Dont fail me on Friday. {1} I want you very much, and write me one line to say you still love me. Can you?

Love
Venetia

In the cold light of morning I’m full of shame at my gross vulgarity.

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Written in red pencil.

{1} Venetia had invited Montagu to join her at Alderley on Friday the 16th. She herself went there by train on the 14th. See H. H. Asquith: Letters to Venetia Stanley, pp. 539–40.

(Bibliog. 118).

6pp. typescript draft, with ms. corrections by both authors.

40: copy of letter to "Mrs A. B. C.", May 1843
73: enclosing letter from J. W. Langtree.

Reading Aristotle's Ethics I with Shilleto, making slow progress at Mathematics, Walton says CJM has no chance of being among the Senior Optimes while Shilleto thinks he will be in the second class in the Classical Tripos, worried that his performance will disappoint JHM

Thanks him for information on a resolution passed by the Gloucester Conservative Council

12 Downing Street, S. W. Note in Childers' hand at top of letter: 'Master of Elibank. Chief Liberal Whip'.

Claims to be really ashamed to have been the cause of so much trouble. Explains that his wife is still nervous about his undertaking anything, and fears that he must again 'adjourn' himself 'and let the foundations of morality remain unshaken till October.' Remarks that at his time of life 'recovery is a most wearisomely slow process', but believes himself to be regaining strength. Remarks that if he cannot recover by October, he is unlikely to recover at all.

Press cuttings on RAB's resignation as Vice-President of the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene over the Street Offences Bill, 1959 General Election campaign, engagement and marriage to Mollie Courtauld, election as Chairman of the Conservative Party, Home Office work including Betting Bill, inquiry into police-public relations, introduction of traffic warden, Licensing Law reform, young offenders and the 'flogging' Lobby, prison building programme, no change in homosexual law, capital punishment with reports of various cases and the Criminal Justice Bill, report of Scottish Unionists Association Conference 1960, breakdown of Paris Summit Talks, RAB's support for more teachers/smaller classes, his installation as Chancellor of Sheffield University, Cabinet changes July 1960, speculation on his succeeding Macmillan, Scarborough Annual Conference; articles on Conservative Research Department and Conservative Political Centre, the 'four Tory chancellors', New York Times on British and American Conservatives; original letter from RAB to Peggy Bridge with comments on politics; press cuttings on marriage of James Butler and Lucilla Borthwick; undated photograph of RAB and Mollie at presentation of bouquet to Morrie