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Embu, Kenia Province, B.E.A. Dated 30.[3?].10 - Has Frazer's [Anthropological] 'Questions' and is at a station where he can study the Bantu natives of Kikuyu stock; has been gathering information, curios, photographs, and would like to get native songs as well with his phonograph, wondered how much they have been studied already.

Expresses his gratitude for Ward's having called his attention 'to the dialogue between Henry Sidgwick and John Grote in the C[lassical] R[eview] for March 1889' [“A Discussion Between Professor Henry Sidgwick and the Late Professor John Grote, on the Utilitarian Basis of Plato's Republic.” (1889) 3 Classical Review 97], and hopes that he will see his way to publishing it. Refers to the fact that Sidgwick always had an interest in the subject and 'always comes to this question from the point of view of ancient ethics.' Finds it surprising that he never read that 'curious paper', and reports that he 'read with great care [ ] Wilson's mendacious attack upon Archer Hind.' Explains that at the time, however, he had been very busy, and had completely forgotten that the paper had appeared. Remarks that 'anything of Sidgwick's about ancient ethics ought to be considered', since it always seemed to him that the subject 'had an especial fascination for him, and brought out in full force his critical quality.' Returns with the letter the copy of the Classical Review [not included]. Also expresses his gratitude to Ward for his having given him his paper 'on the [ ] of psychology', which he 'shall read with all the more interest' because he is lecturing on [Aristotle's?] De Anima and believes that the paper will very directly bear upon that subject.

Enclosing letter, 5 Aug 1875, from S. E. Smith to her brother J. E. Parker.

Letter declining invitation to the 1905 Apostles' dinner.

Congratulations on engagement.

Typed copy. Luxor Hotel, Luxor. To embark for Philae and Aswan, visits to Egyptian antiquities, camel riding.

(The British Hospital, Wimereux.)—Is pleased that Oliver is friendly (towards their engagement). Thanks him for the gift of a bag. Discusses her experiences at the hospital. Has been into Boulogne to see Frances and may go to Julian’s funeral tomorrow.

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Transcript

May 27th 1915

My darling one your letters are such a joy to me, I cant tell you what they mean. They usually come about 6.30 or 7 & I collect them then, but usually have to thrust them into my pocket & read them later, about 8.30 when we are having a disgusting meal. Tonight I opened one from Asprey first and of course jumped to the conclusion that you had told Geoffrey & that he was hostile and felt very much dashed, however your letter reassured me, particularly as it brought me the news that Oliver also was friendly. Darling its too divine of you to give me a bag. I shall risk being murdered at night for the sake of it, in order always to use it, tho’ so far the only expense I have to meet is 6d a day in train fares to and from Boulogne. Washing will be another item, but that is yet to come! I cant describe to you how disgusting I’ve become, my hands are far far worse than they ever were in the worst London days, As to “experience” it certainly is completely different, thank God, from anything one has ever seen or imagined before, and up to now I dont believe we have had a really bad rush. However I’ve had the priviledge† of seeing a mans leg turn black almost while one watched it, and be whipped off above the knee! Sometimes I feel I cant bear it, its so dreadfully grim, and unlike the other beastly place there are no alleviations, I mean I cant come to tea with you as I did then. My only fun is toiling into Boulogne in a very slow dusty train and seeing Frances for a quarter of an hour, very depressed because Edwards temperature will keep up to 103, and then toil back. Tomorrow I shall perhaps go to Julian’s funeral {1}. Isnt it ghastly? Yet I believe I should be miserable if I had to go home, I cant help hoping the Norman will sack me after my month as I’m afraid I shall never have the strength of mind to say I must leave. And yet I want to see you quite as much as you do me.

Your letters are the only things I read now, I’ve given up books.

I must go to bed now.

Goodnight my most dearest, dont be sad about yourself, I know you are all right, and you know that my judgement is incomparable! I think you’ve been marvellous about all this considering how bloody it is.

Your loving
Venetia

I’ve not seen so much as a glimpse of Gilbert, or of any real human being.

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{1} Julian Grenfell was wounded near Ypres on 13 May and died from his injuries in the military hospital at Boulogne on the 26th. He was buried in a cemetery above the town two days later. His sister Monica was at this time, like Venetia, a nurse at Wimereux (cf. A1/148).

† Sic.

States that he would be very glad to assist with the index, but clarifies that what he means by the latter is 'a somewhat fuller table of contents than that in the Encyc[opaedia] Brit[annica].' Admits that he has no experience in constructing alphabetical indexes, but believes that it should not be difficult 'to arrange the chief names and subjects alphabetically. States that he would not advise the change 'from "English" to "British"', and announced that he would prefer the phrase "English and Scottish" to "British". States however that he would not recommend any change in this edition.

26 Abercromby Square, Liverpool. Dated 6.6.1913 - Returns the proofs, thanks him for the references, makes a few notes of corrections, making reference to his 'Israel'.

One of 48 notebooks, Add.MS.c.113-150, used for Powell's edition of Thucydides published in 1942. Notebook with just 1 p. of notes, a collation of Parisinus Coislinianus 317.

After a second visit to the show, his feeling that Julian had 'made a great advance, and come nearer than ever before to the kind of painting [he is] aiming at' was confirmed: could enjoy some pictures, such as the "Fox" and the river scenes with no reservations. All well here except for the 'usual domestic difficulties', and Bessie seems so used to these that she minds them less now.

Paris, 40 Rue de Villejust. - Miss [Natalie Clifford] Barney has showed him the letter which Trevelyan was kind enough to write to her about M. Teste [in Valéry's "La Soirée avec M. Teste"]; he was very flattered by the terms in which Trevelyan spoke of that work of his youth, which contains, in caricature, a figure resembling Valéry himself at that blessed time full of the torments of the will and clumsiness of first energy'. Does not know why he has taken the fancy to see this 'sketch' translated into English. Miss Barney has taken on the 'thankless task'; the text is difficult, and she has done her best to make it acceptable to an English reader. Discusses the problems of translation, particularly of 'pure literature'. Thanks Trevelyan for taking an interest and giving Miss Barney 'such precise and precious advice'. Did not know, when Trevelyan gave him such pleasure by reading those 'admirable verses by Keats', that he would give in response the 'torment' of M. Teste. Hopes to see Trevelyan if he travels again through Paris.

Grand Hôtel Continental, Siena. - Rather 'arctic' in Siena; Hilda Trevelyan has been staying here a while and will come to tea tonight; she is leaving tomorrow. He and Caroline enjoyed Florence very much; all the new building is in the suburbs so the 'essential part of the city' is not at all spoiled. They had a good visit to the Berensons, whose house must be good to stay in. Supposes Robert is at Cambridge today. Sends love to Elizabeth, with assurances of their interest in Paul and his 'troubles'; made friends with a 'lovely little Italian baby' in a street near the Duomo yesterday. Has read about the Sicilian property [left to Robert by Florence Trevelyan, but only after her husband's death]; does not feel great confidence and dislikes the way the will was arranged in Sicily rather than by the Trustees' lawyer, which benefits Dr Cacciola; however, Robert 'is in good hands,' and his financial prospects mean he need not 'undertake certain worry for an uncertain prospective gain'. Is very interested in the third volume of [Guglielmo] Ferrero's ["The Greatness and Decline of Rome": "The Fall of An Aristocracy"] and has Cicero's "Philippics" with him. Currently reading the "Heauton Timorumenos" [Terence's "The Self-Tormentor"], which is a 'rattling comedy'.

14 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh, 12 - Is sorry to hear about Sir James' eyesight; cherishes fond recollections of Dr J. Sutherland Black; is enclosing a subscription for the bibliography; until her letter arrived they had not heard of her letter to Mr Buyers Black, who must have misunderstood her meaning.

Glad to receive Robert's book ["The Bride of Dionysus"]: has been a 'little ill' in bed and so had chance to read it all and get an 'oversight'; thinks it might be nice for Robert to be able to do so and 'forget the labour'. The poems make a 'grand effect'. Has seen several of the songs, as [Julius] Röntgen has been busy composing them and setting them to music; when he read them aloud in a 'compassionate tone' they made a 'great impression' on her. Röntgen has 'very musically translated' one of Robert's "Dirges"; thinks his 'own heart sang [emphasised] it with you, in remembrance of his own escaped bird' [perhaps his first wife and daughter]. She tried yesterday to read the poems while 'mending the stockings of the whole household', but found these tasks 'rather hard to unite'. Has been thinking a great deal about Robert, Bessy, the child [Julian] and the Shiffolds; keeps composing letters in her head but not writing them, and she never seems to finish the 'little presents for Bessie' . They are 'without patients' in the house for the first time, but she has much to 'learn... and do'; was reading a book by Novalis yesterday in which he compared Goethe to [Josiah] Wedgwood, which made her think of Robert's 'friends and neighbours in your solitude' [perhaps the Vaughan Williamses, relations of the Wedgwoods?]. Asks to him to greet them from her and 'Doorty, "Little Dorrit"', who wants to greet them though she 'doesn't even know whom I mean'. Hopes Bessie will translate this letter; does not think it is 'pure English'. Will have to visit the Trevelyans again. Is making a collar for Julian, which perhaps she will send for Bessie's birthday. Their 'house & hands are still full' of the Trevelyans' presents, which serve as constant reminders. It will be beautiful at the Shiffolds and in the woods now, as the spring is 'more beautiful than ever before'. There is no trace of the 'difficulties of the becoming' of Robert's book in it now; switches into Dutch. Discusses the type, says goodbye to her 'beste broeder & sister; mentions the Enticknaps

Robert's place in class, with masters' comments, for Latin, French, English, Divinity, History, Geography and Arithmetic, with comments on Music, Drawing and General Conduct. Date for the beginning of the holidays given.

The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.

Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.

Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.