Announces that they are going to stay a night in London, and are only passing through. States that he will go up early and see Myers between 12 and 1, before lunching with Nora. Suggests Albemarle or elsewhere, and asks if this would suit. States that he wants much 'audire et [ ] voce[s]'.
Letter declining invitation to the 1905 Apostles' dinner.
Brixton Prison.—Looks forward to seeing her on Thursday, and reflects on the privilege of playing a part in the present struggle (the suffrage movement). Refers to his visitors and his activities, and discusses Prescott’s Conquest of Mexico.
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Transcript
Brixton Prison
19 March 1912
Dearest
It is very good to know that I shall see you again on Thursday & in the meantime I have the confidence that you are well & content. I feel very deeply how great is our privelege† that we are able to play our part in this great struggle fraught with so much hope & blessing for the human race.
I had a visit from Rev Hugh Chapman this morning; he gave me a number of ideas which I prize; he is also going to send me a book by Lecky wh† he says he knows I shall like.
I have just finished reading Prescott’s “Conquest of Mexico”—what a wonderful story it is! Though all the tales of bloodshed & barbarity are rather horrid reading, it is wonderful to realise that Cortes landing in Mexico with a total army of about 400 or 500 men suceeded† in winning battle after battle & ultimately entering the capital itself without any reinforcements. And that his final conquest of the whole country was acheived† with only two or three times this number of Spaniards. He was opposed not only by the Indians but by his own countrymen & had disaffection to face inside his own ranks as well.
Brother Jack {1} came to see me yesterday & brought me a little book on Bergson’s philosophy; I have been wanting some time to read about this.
Tomorrow I am to have another visit from Mort.
Owing to the wet weather we have had to have a lot of our exercise inside lately, but the wing is large & there is a good deal of room for a walk; but this afternoon we have had a lovely walk in the sunshine outside. I keep pegging away with my Italian & hope really to have learnt a lot before I come out, I am also starting to get a more thorough grip of French.
With dear love
Ever Your own
Husband.
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One folded sheet. At the head is printed, ‘In replying to this letter, please write on the envelope:— Number 3408 Name F. P. Lawrence’, the name and number being filled in by hand. The word ‘Prison’ of the address and the first two digits of the year are also printed, and the letter is marked with the reference ‘C1/12’ and some initials. Strokes of letters omitted either deliberately or in haste have been supplied silently.
{1} John Herbert Greenhalgh.
† Sic.
Heavily corrected first proof, 16 pp. + 3 figs., marked 'Rec. May 16 1958'.
Brief correspondence with N.F. Mott re publication of article in Phil.Mag.
This is based on one of Thomson's research papers prepared for, or related to, work on thermonuclear power at A.E.I./Harwell.
40 Weymouth Street - dividends on stocks, consols left for heirs, Frederick Donne repaying his debts to Donne, Petumber "kicked out of the Bombay Rialto", annual survey of 35 theatres, death of a man caused by falling down theatre stairs
Wittgenstein has been appointed professor; much of the impetus for applying was vanity.
As from 20 Hinde House, Hinde Street, W.1. - Hopes he does not mind the address 'dear Bob': they have 'a distant cousinship' but it is one she values. Thanks him for sending his "Dream"; his 'Lucifer is a nobler fellow than Milton's', though she feels his Christ is 'too mild a man'; asks who the 'old wizard' is, she supposes Merlin. Would have liked to read more. Read it in bed as she is 'laid up at present'; was in King's College Hospital for a short time, as her doctor is Mrs Hennant [?] who is now on the staff there; knows she and her sister are friends of Bob's. Likes her 'so much'; they spoke about Bob. Is very grateful for the books Bob gave her in the summer. Best Christmas wishes to him and his family.
Lowestoft:- Thanks Mrs Trevelyan for her 'kind letter and good wishes', and for sending the cheque; is very glad that Bobbie is 'looking himself again', and hopes he will have a 'very refreshing holiday' and return ready for a 'good terms work'. Sends 'kind regards' and thanks to Mr Trevelyan, and 'our hearty New Years wishes' to all the Trevelyans' party, with a 'special message' to Bobbie. They [Arnold and his wife?] are 'much enjoying the rest and leisure to prepare for the coming term'; they spent a week in town before coming to Lowestoft, and hope to return home around the 10th.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - News of Julian, who is well and does not seem to be too much disturbed by teething. He is always very excited when he sees Hearn [the butler] and 'insists on his lifting him up to look at the pictures'. Took him for a drive to the village yesterday, and now he has gone for his 'last poney [sic] cart drive'. Elizabeth's dinner on Monday will be very amusing; hopes she will not get tired out with her busy fortnight. Annie [Philips] is coming from Monday till Thursday; expects she will be in an 'over-energetic mood'; she must have helped the two young men [her Price nephews] very much as they have been making inventories. Has had no more letters from George, but C[harles] says he is quieter [after the death of his son Theodore]. Sends love and a "Times Literary Supplement" for Bob.
Shantiniketan, Bolpur. - Particularly grateful for Trevelyan's letter of appreciation for "The Gardener" as it has had little praise from critics; was warned to expect 'a great deal of acrimonious criticisms this time,' which has indeed come about. Trevelyan will know by now that he has received the Nobel prize for literature this year, which is 'a great honour to me and to my country'; thanks Trevelyan and his other 'friends in England, whose kind encouragement has been of such a great help'. Sends his 'kindest remembrances' to Mrs Trevelyan.
Newnham Cottage, Queen's Road, Cambridge - Is sorry to hear about Sir James' eyesight; is enclosing a subscription for the bibliography.
Department of Manuscripts, British Museum, London, W.C.1. - Is happy to hear the work is completed; confirms permission to have the two cases there; will be pleased to receive the promised manuscript; is grateful for the offer of the chairs and folding table.
Accompanied by an envelope with note "From The Keeper of the MSS British Museum about the 2 boxes of books & Notebooks Left in the lobby M.S.S. Department B. Museum".
Imperial Hotel, Barnstaple - Has just returned from an expedition and heard about Frazer's election to the Royal Society under special circumstances which enhance the honour; they are in Devonshire for the first holiday they've had in two years, as he was ill last summer.
Accompanied by the envelope.
Aldeburgh - Agrees that Frazer should be in London; is angry America refused to cancel war debts, gives his low opinion of that country; urges him to complete 'The Worship of Nature'; has just read 'The Pagan Background of Christianity' by [Sir William Reginald] Halliday, has seen a review of [Edward Gordon Selwyn's] 'Essays Catholic and Critical' in which Stanhope calls Catholicism a ‘treacherous institution’; is critical of the Anglo-Catholics as well; says Inge in his 'Outspoken Essays' isn’t clear enough on whether he believes in personal survival; Thomas Hardy writes that Radiant Religion is entering a back current; for himself the only child of his elder daughter has died and there is no consolation to the sorrow.
Sayescourt Hotel, 2 Inverness Terrace, London W.2. - Is home on leave from Kenya, and Juxon Barton suggested they meet - Silvester has information on the circumcision ceremony of the Akamba, is the only European to have witnessed the ceremony now banned by the Government.
Postmarked Egham. - Trevelyan is right that the sarcasm does not come across in a line of Minos [in Act I of "The Bride of Dionysus"]; asks if there could therefore be a new introduction to this speech. An accelerando at the 'Behold us' chorus makes it 'one of the best joints in the work; it is because connections 'are of paramount importance where the action is at rest' that he is so concerned about the one into Minos's speech. Suggests the logical movement he wants, which 'suits Minos's legal mind'. Tells Trevelyan to look him up before the concert, as he is catching a train after it.
Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - Only book of Trevelyan's which Forster has is R.R. [Romain Rolland, "Jean-Christophe"], which he has finished and will return. Meant to write about the 'N.P.' [Trevelyan's "The New Parsifal: An operatic fable"] which he very much enjoyed; also to ask where Trevelyan got his rugs, as he himself has to buy a carpet. Is writing some 'Indian articles' for the 'New Squeakly' ["New Weekly"]; this week's is on Jodhpur.
Requires a large iron copper for cooking