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One of a set of eight testimonial letters printed when Frazer was an applicant for the Chair of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen: in addition to being a sound scholar, Frazer has a high degree of thoughtfulness and originality. Accompanied by a duplicate.

Trinity College, Cambridge. - Very sorry to hear that Mrs Hubrecht is so ill, which must be a great distress to her. Is coming round to Elizabeth and Bob's view of the origin of the [Second Boer] war, 'taught by the odious follies and horrors of the last 3 months'; having never been a 'very strong Imperialist', he is now 'ashamed of having gone even as far as [he] did'. Everyone he meets 'capable of thought and feeling' is 'undergoing much the same chance', but these are 'not a large proportion of mankind' and he does not see any prospect of a reaction in the near future.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Beautiful weather; they have always taken their tea outside and sometimes gone for a walk after dinner. They were very sorry to hear about Arthur [Llewelyn] Davies; [his diagnosis with cancer] is a 'sad blow' for his brother and sister and Sir George is 'much grieved' for Arthur himself. Was worth missing the dentist to have seen the Lancaster Churchmen. Glad the [Apostles'?] Dinner has 'got back to Richmond'; 'So old an institution should be kept up in all its parts'; was told recently that the Society had 'come to an end at the University'. He and Caroline are driving out to Broadway, seventeen miles away, today; on Thursday they entertain the Corporation [of Stratford on Avon] and 'people in any public position' and are expecting a hundred and sixty guests. Likes thinking of Robert and Elizabeth in 'that beautiful eyrie' [The Shiffolds]. Notes in a postscript that their guests were 'astonished' by the beauty at Welcombe, 'as they always are'.

Emsworth House, Emsworth, Hants. - Has looked into his notes for the story he wrote, and found a copy of an article about Sven Hedin's discoveries in the Teklamakan desert which had a short passage with the information that served as his inspiration. Responding to 'Uncle Don's' offer to do research into the story, he quotes from this passage at length. Comments that 'Mr Trevelyan' will be probably be able to tell Uncle Don about Fa Hsien, who introduced Buddhism into China, and, 'having travelled through the desert to China' returned with a tale about a beautiful city in the desert, destroyed because of the wickedness of its inhabitants; would like to know more about Fa Hsien and his book, and believes there is an English translation as 'Kipling mentions it as "Beal and Stanislas Julien" in Kim'. Does not expect Mr Trevelyan has the book, but would be very grateful if Uncle Don could find a fuller account of Fa Hsien's tale, or any more information about the desert cities; wonders if [Herbert?] Giles discusses them in the book Uncle Don told him about. Hopes he is well, and that Aunt Grettie is better; tells him to come to the sports [day at school?] if he can; it will probably be about the middle of June.

Seatoller. - Thanks his mother for her letters, and for the Times [Literary] Supplement. The article on Petrarch was interesting; he is a 'gentleman' Robert knows little about, and though the article was good it does not make him 'particularly anxious to be further acquainted with him, at least with his poetry'. The weather has generally been good, and he has got on 'fairly' with his work. Was 'very sorry about Searle [his death] though... expected it'.

Sent on his mother's letter to [Roger] Fry: 'unfortunate that it is a pastille', as they are 'rather difficult to deal with' and he doubts 'travelling improves them; if Fry thought he could do anything Robert could possibly take it with him when he goes South [see also 13/21]. Supposes George does not want him to read more proofs [of England under the Stuarts]; of course if he does, Robert would have time and willingness to go through more at Wallington. Hears Aunt Annie will be there, which will be nice.

Has little to say, as 'nothing happens here'; Bessie will arrive on Friday, and seems well. Hopes both his mother and father are well.

46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury. - Has just read Bob's latest book ["Poems and Fables"] and liked it so much that he is writing to tell him so.

Meeting No.20
Minutes.

Meeting No.21, 7 November 1957.
Notice of meeting (with Thomson's ms. notes on verso), Minutes.

Typescript draft; transcript of programme as broadcast.

Foxlease, Southbourne, Bournemouth - Admires 'Folk-Lore in the Old Testament', finds it 'wonderfully confirmatory of one's faith in the inner validity of the Holy Scripture'.

Athenaeum - While WB was in Mainz last year armed with WW's treatise on German architecture ['Architectural Notes on German Churches', new edn., 1835], he became acquainted with the architect Mr Wetter. He was very impressed with WW's treatise and 'begged me to present you with his work on the History of printing'. WB has also given a work by Wetter on theatre buildings to the Institute of British Architects: Wetter is anxious that the above works get reviewed - can WW help out.

Acknowledges receipt of Sidgwick's letter the previous day, and expresses regret that he would not see him that day as he has 'some very important and interesting news to tell [him]'. Tells Sidgwick to inform him as soon as he is settled in Cambridge. States that he only had seven days at Clifton as he was summoned back the previous Monday because his father was ill. Asks Sidgwick to find a Spiritist book that he lent to him entitled Le Docteur Houat, and asks him to write on it 'Henry Sidgwick 1865', and to send it on to him. Refers to 'Southern Independence' and owns to be 'full of pity and admiration; and of horror and burning indignation against the most wicked and hypocritical tyrants' who destroyed 'thirteen sovereign republics and subjugate[d] 8 millions of civilized men.'