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Containing transcription of obituary of Walter Glover, Robert Burns' contemporary, from The Scotsman, 22 Dec. 1861.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking :- The weather has deteriorated recently and it is 'alternatively rainy and sultry'. Saw George briefly in London yesterday; he seemed 'very well and cheerful', except that he and Janet are 'distressed' about the health of her uncle [William Thomas Arnold], which Robert's father has 'doubtless' heard of. George was 'beginning the last chapter of his history [England Under the Stuarts].

Bessie is well; her friend Miss [Laetitia] Ede is visiting for a few days, 'having just passed her final medical examination'. They have 'signed the agreement with the V[aughan] Williamses [for the lease of land on which to build a house]' but there are still delays, since both their and the Vaughan Williamses' architects think they should 'try to get a cheaper tender from other builders'; this is 'very tiresome', but at least it does not seem to be the Vaughan Williamses' fault this time, and Robert and Elizabeth will be sure they are getting their 'full money's worth'. Does not expect the delays will be longer than a few weeks, so the roof should still be on before Christmas and they should be able to move in next spring.

Saw Murray's translation of Hippolytus acted in London yesterday [at the Lyric Theatre, produced by Harley Granville-Barker], but thought it so poor a performance that he 'could not stay till the end. No one could act well, or even make themselves heard properly, though there was plenty of ranting, and the beautiful choruses were drowned out in an intolerably affected and ineffective manner'. The play is 'very fine... and well suited for the modern style, and the translation has many unusual merits': it is a 'great pity that these abortive efforts should be made, as it only makes the intelligent public more and more sceptical as to the possibility of acting poetical drama finely, and yet it is perfectly possible, if only they would go about it in the right way'. At least they should not use 'quite incompetent actors'. Yet some papers have said it was 'very successful'.

They both send love to Robert's father and mother; Bessie will write soon.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for his letter of 13 September; is glad Bessie is enjoying Bob's reading of the book ["Windfalls" ?] to her. Pleased that Bob feels he should write further in the 'general style of "Notes on Poetry and Prose"; thought that section 'very good indeed... a method of criticism and appreciation peculiar to [Bob himself]', and based on much more real 'scholarship... thought... and love... than in usual in literary criticism'.

Authors' Club, 2 Whitehall Court, SW1. - Sir Barry Jackson will be pleased to give him 'three weeks release' to play Prometheus [in Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' play]. Has written to tell [Terence] Gray [the producer]. Asks if Trevelyan got the 'copy of Nessus & Dianeira" Toyne sent him, and whether it might be 'suitable or acceptable'.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - If Trevelyan is in Edinburgh in autumn or early winter, the Griersons would always be glad if he stayed with them for a day or two. Has been 'burdened with the duty' of collecting essays and studies by members of the English Association; finds this difficult, as he does not have a 'very wide literary acquaintance', having lived so far from London. Several younger men have promised him articles, but they 'are all rather comers-on than established names' and he has been 'ignored' by the older ones he approached on the Secretary's advice. Realised last night that he should ask Trevelyan whether he would be willing to offer the article on Metre which he read aloud to them, or another; asks him to reply at least since 'M.L. James [sic: M. R. James?] and other Olympians... have not deemed a poor Scottish Professor worth even of that'. Hopes Trevelyan is having a good holiday. He himself lectured eight hours a week at Heidelberg till the end of July, and since then has been busy with 'Scott letters and Carlyle and students' theses' and so on: thinks he needs to get away. Thinks [Donald] Tovey will be in Germany in September; the Griersons had hopes he would come to Heidelberg when they were there and help him entertain his friends; they gave a reception at the Hotel but 'had to rely on Janet for the music'. This went off well, however, and everyone was very kind; Grierson 'struck up quite a friendship with [Friedrich] Gundolf'. Sends regards to Trevelyan's wife and son. Dined with the Dutch poet Boutens on the way home and had a 'great evening'. Notes in a postscript that he had a 'pleasant lunch' in Cambridge with [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson in June.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He and Caroline agree that it is 'poor work' seeing North Italian cities at the beginning of January; the contrast between the North and South of the Apennines is very great: even so early the Val d'Arno was lovely. Expects the 'quiet life' at Welcombe will soon 'set him up'. Much interested by Robert and Bessie's accounts of the New Year festivities at Aulla [Fortezza della Brunella, home of the Waterfields]; could not find an account of the siege in Gregorovius as he ends in 1527, so must look it up in Sismondi. Parliament has been dissolved [for the general election]; they have a 'very energetic candidate' [Thomas Kincaid-Smith]' at Stratford who 'has canvassed the whole division in a motor' and is 'learning some politics as he goes along'. There are plenty of 'humorous incidents all about', including at Elland [Charles's constituency]. Balfour 'kicked off at the beginning of a football match [at Manchester United] and Sir James Fergusson in the middle' and both were 'hooted'; comments on 'such a function' being given to 'a London swell, born in 1832, who was wounded at Inkerman! [Fergusson]'. Is finishing Bergk [his edition of the Greek lyric poets] with the help of Weir Smith [Herbert Weir Smyth]; an excellent book recommended to him by 'dear Jebb'. Sends love to Bessie; the [new] piano has come and 'looks beautiful'.

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Sorry not to have seen or heard from Bessie this autumn; misses her very much and was 'distressed' to hear from Donald [Tovey] that there has been 'some sorrow' in their house. Encourages her not to 'lose the habit' of visiting, even if the concert dates do not suit. Has been very busy with work, and worried about Donald's symphony; this has turned out 'a huge and... beautiful and splendid thing', as far as she can judge, but he has 'only just finished the third movement', all of the finale still needs to be put on paper, 'and he starts for Germany on Friday next!'. Four copyists are already at work on it. He stayed very 'serene and equable' until some 'annoying letters' came a few days ago from Hugh Godley, whose conduct 'as an English gentleman' and as Donald's friend she doubts, and now his appearance worries her. Fears this will always be the case; 'the thought of leaving him truly makes [her] afraid of death'. But the symphony exists, it would not be too terrible even if the performance were be delayed; Donald will recover and she thinks he will finish the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] quickly now. Invites Bessie to stay the night on Thursday if the Klinglers stay; has just had a card from [Karl?] Klingler.

52 Tavistock Square. - Read Bob's stories 'with great enjoyment'; perhaps liked 'the unchristened one on Love best'. Thinks they are 'full of interesting and subtle things and beautifully smooth and finished'; knows her doubt about the 'dialogue form' comes from her 'novelists [sic] prejudice', since when characters are brought in she wants to 'know quantities of things about them' but in Bob's method of using them here they are 'kept severely to the rails'; with, as she also used to feel about Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'s dialogues, 'something too restricted, too formed'. She does however appreciated the 'subtlety of the thought, and the melody of the expression', and is 'puzzled' as to what other form could 'carry the idea'. Always wants Bob to 'break through into a less formed, more natural medium', and wishes he could 'dismiss the dead, who inevitably silence so much and deal with Monday and Tuesday': the present, perhaps in a 'dialogue between the different parts of yourself'. She and Leonard are 'just off to tour in Ireland'.

The British Academy - They would like to honour Sir James but they do not make contributions to tributes to its Fellows, and they do not have a library, so they will not be subscribing.

The Royal Societies Club, 63 St. James's St, London, S.W.1. - Asks if they can meet to discuss anthropological data gathered in Nigeria, as he has material of interest to Frazer, e.g. sun-rites, treatment of the dead, divine kingship, and data relating to Osiris.

Madeira Cottage, Lyme Regis. - Intends to go to Paris on March 15th, then Vence, and on to Florence at the beginning of April. Is keen to see Trevelyan, Norton, Abercrombie and Clifford Allen. Asks if he might be accommodated comfortably, and if Allen will have all he needs for his health. Can come later to avoid overcrowding. Will see Trevelyan in Cambridge.

The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London - Asks Frazer to give a Friday evening discourse at the Royal Institution on his work on Ovid in the spring.

22, Avenue Reine Elisabeth, Anvers - Has received 'Atys et Osiris', admires it, and is planning to write reviews on all his works.

Metelliano. - Morra thinks it best to send his queries to Trevelyan, given what he says about his brother [George]'s handwriting. Encloses a list of passages from George's book ["British History in the Nineteenth Century"] for which he would like to know the source, as well as one of points which are obscure to him or on which he would like to make a footnote. Hopes this will not be too much trouble. Wonders what the new year will bring.

Postmarked Weybridge; addressed to Trevelyan at Pensione Palumba, Ravello, Italy. - Has transformed [his story] "The Purple Envelope" into 'something comparatively respectable' which probably will be rejected by "Temple Bar".

R. M. Academy, Woolwich - TSD is planning a mathematical work with Mr Potts [Robert Potts] of Trinity College. They cannot afford the expense of publication and there really is no market for such a book. It therefore must depend upon the sympathy of men of science like WW to help. Mr Potts claims 'that it is not usual, nor considered in etiquette, to ask subscriptions of this kind in the university'. Nevertheless TSD hopes WW understands him asking for support.

Thanks JCH for his corrections of WW's translation of Goethe's Hermann and Dorothea. WW gives a brief explanation for the choice in words he used.

Asks for pocket-money to buy a leaving-book for his friend Worcester

Apologises for having caused so much trouble, suspects he will have to come up himself.