Showing 826 results

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Bessie for her letter, and for enclosing Madame [Irene] Zocco's; very glad to hear 'how well and splendid Julian is ', which makes up for their sadness about the nurse's illness. Glad Julian has curls; Humphry is also 'very curly' but this is 'more out of the family line' for them. He and Mary 'play Lake Regillus and Horatius on the Museum floor' with some soldiers and some 'ancient Romans' he once got in Switzerland; she is 'very clever and sharp at the uptake'. Meanwhile Theo usually rides the rocking horse, though he looks on a little, 'and spouts the poems' [by Macaulay]. He is 'very much interested' ('much' is an insertion as 'concession to Jan's hereditary ideas of grammar') about [Donald] Tovey; takes it that his progress [on the opera "The Bride of Dionysus", to Robert's libretto] is 'slow but sure'. Must be very interesting to watch him at work. Can easily believe what she says about Forster's book ["Howard's End"], which would make it 'like all his others'; he is 'just one half of a great writer' and could do with being boiled down by 'Peer Gynt's button moulder' with 'some ordinary mechanic writer who can spin him a common likely plot'. Sends love to Bob and wishes 'success to his Solomon, and the Sage' [a reference to Bob's "Foolishness of Solomon"?].

Note from Janet offering condolences for 'poor Nurse Catt's departure'; asks to be remembered to her before she leaves.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has sent Withers's letter to Robert on to George; sorry about the trouble Robert and Elizabeth are having [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; luckily Sir George and Caroline have plenty [of money] of their own, which will 'all be for [their] sons and daughters'. Discusses a letter he has had from Philipson; does not know the value of the land at Taormina and imagines Robert may incline towards not acting as executor, not paying the sixty thousand francs, and renouncing the property; Withers and Davies are 'wise advisers'. Glad that he himself refused to be a Trustee, which none of the family ought to be 'on any account'.

Delighted to hearButler is moving back to Cambridge, compliments him having read 'Passing of the Great Reform Bill'.

Postmarked Chelsea. - Janet has had appendicitis; had a 'very successful operation this afternoon'; 'all is well'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Glad to hear from Charles that 'the Name & Arms are dead'. Originally enclosing something which 'may interest' Bob. Notes in a postscript that he has read 'nearly all the Macaulay journals' and thinks it would be 'a mistake to make an extensive publication of them': their father had produced an edited version 'with great skill' ["Marginal notes by Lord Macaulay"]; much of the rest is interesting 'if one really cares about Macaulay' but never meant for publication.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has been looking at the books left to him in their father's will, and believes that Bob should have the collection of over a hundred volumes in the 'Pipontine [sic: Bipontine] or Deux Ponts Edition in old white binding', currently in Sir George's study, many of which contain notes by Macaulay. Feels that Bob would appreciate these notes much better than he would himself, since they are 'on points of classical scholarship and history in which [he is] an ignoramus'. Would give him great pleasure to think of the books 'in the new Library at the Shiffolds' and often read by Bob.

Hotel des Alpes, Mürren. - Arrived yesterday and plan to stay for more than a week; it is a 'wonderful place' though the air is 'rather fatiguing' at first. She will rest today; Sir George is very well and 'walks a great deal'. The electric railway to Interlaken is pleasant and travels through some fine passes. Very sorry to hear from Elizabeth about the Russells; [their separation] is 'surprising and very sad'; sure Russell is 'difficult, & the family are rather uncompromising' but he is 'a quiet good fellow'; does not know her [Alys] well but thought she seemed 'to belong to another "monde"'. Likes to think of Julian almost walking; asked what is settled about the nurses, and whether Mrs Catt is going to the hospital; it is very sad. People must be very anxious about the weather [for the Coronation]; is glad to be 'out of it all'; Mürren is completely quiet, with no road for carriages, and Bob would love it. Glad Julian likes his cart. George says [he and Janet] are going on 12 July to the Lakes, and would like to come to Wallington in September; asks if Elizabeth and Robert could be there for some of that time. Is glad the [Lake] Hunt was a success once more, it is 'a wonderful institution'. Thinks C[harles] and M[ary] will enjoy themselves at the [Coronation] festivities. Sends love to Robert, and asks if Mr [Roger] Fry is coming.

5 St Mary's Passage - new subject for dissertation, Cambridge Review book to appear within a month, defends Rousseau, G M Trevelyan to publish his dissertation ["England in the Age of Wycliffe"].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear that Elizabeth is well and that Robert is losing his cold; hopes the Booths [Charles and Meg] arrive safely. Sir George has been troubled by rheumatism for a while; thinks he is recovering but he is 'low & out of sorts'; he has been able to work and take walks everyday, not liking to stay in bed which she thinks may have been best. S[idney] Colvin and Morton Philips are coming on Sunday, alone as both their wives are ill; they have also had neighbours visiting for tea. Has been busy with things in the village; Mr Clarke was here this week. They are expecting news from Cheyne Gardens [of the birth of Janet and George's child]; the preparations were made long ago. The ["Independent] review" is 'in a bad way' but George 'has made up his mind to it'. Meggy [Price] has sent her a very amusing letter from Phil [Morgan Philips Price], who 'led the interruptions' at [Henry] Chaplin's meeting at Cambridge in 'a most intelligent & effective way'. Sir George enjoyed Robert's letter about classics and 'keeps it as a marker!'; sends love from him and Booa [Mary Prestwich], who was 'quite anxious' about Elizabeth.

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Bessie will have heard about what has happened today [the death of George and Janet Trevelyan's son Theo]. Cannot write about it except to say he 'often thought about [her] and Bob' [remembering the death of their son Paul in 1909?]

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Has arranged with [William] Rothenstein to go to be sketched by him early next year; is too busy before Christmas. Has told the publishers to send a copy of the [George] Meredith poems to Bessie at the Shiffolds when they come out next week; Sir George and Caroline will get a copy at Wallington, so she can leave her copy at home or send for it as she likes; the letters, out this week, are 'well worth reading'. Adds a postscript sending 'love to the Stadtholder'.

Is delighted that Trevelyan is on his way and in good company; Lina [Waterfield] may not have seen the article he encloses, he expects she will be pleased with the passage about herself and Mrs Ross. Must see Trevelyan, and would be very pleased to host him and Julian; 'Mr Artuffo', whom he names for the first time [see also 5/118] feels that he must work for the money he received, as suggested 'by some lady-interventionists... afraid of hurting his pride' and mistaking Trevelyan for his brother [George]. A historical work on Piedmont has been suggested. Mrs Waterfield probably knows Artuffo, and may be able to come up with something. He must think he is doing something for the money he has already received, even if the work would be 'quite useless'; this is 'a typical Italian request'.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Charles showed him a letter from Bob about Welcombe yesterday, which gave him 'the greatest satisfaction'; had always hoped that Bob would sell the house if offered £100 000; glad that he is likely to get more. The National Trust 'had dealings with Place' over both Ashridge and Hatfield Forest, and found him ''much better in his ideas and conduct than many other "estate breakers"' who are 'often ruthless both to tenants and to beauty'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Not surprised that the Apostles are considering whether they should 'take notice of JECW' [James Edward Cowell Weldon, who had cancelled the annual dinner with little warning], but expects there is 'something to be said on both sides'. Is interested in both [Crompton and Theodore Llewelyn] Davies, and hopes they will both get fellowships next year; supposes postponement is 'not as bad a thing' as it was in his time. Glad that George is doing so well. Is rather busy; has never seen less game around the lower estate, but does well without it.

Seatoller. - Expects Bob is enjoying himself abroad. Is having a good time at Seatoller with [Maurice?] Amos, [Ralph] Wedgwood and [George] Moore; Vaughan Williams left a few days ago; he and Wedgwood 'bathe in Cambridge pool every morning'; Amos and Wedgwood work hard for their triposes, while Moore chiefly reads "Jane Eyre" and other novels, and George 'all sorts of jolly books', none for his tripos. They are all getting on well, even better than at Stye since there is not the 'slight distance between Moore and Wedgwood'. They go up the mountains in the afternoon; he and Moore, as 'the Wordsworthians of the party' went over to Grasmere and Rydal; describes Dove Cottage, de Quincey's extension to it, and S.T.C. [Samuel Taylor Coleridge]'s house. Declares that there were 'men in England then', also naming Scott, Shelley, Byron and Keats. George got his scholarship; does not seem fair that Wedgwood has not, while they give one to someone like Charlie Buxton 'of very ordinary ability' in their first year; thinks this is 'bolstering up classics'. It is however a sign that the college is doing 'their duty to history' that there is now an entrance scholarship for it. Is glad at a personal level that Buxton has a scholarship: he and George will have plenty of money to go abroad in the long vacation now. Elliott has not got a scholarship, but is spoken of as 'certain' next year. Had a nice letter from Bowen; German measles is active in [Grove] house. Asks Bob to write to him about the novel if he needs someone to discuss it with: he knows the plan and beginning, and will keep it secret. Wedgwood is a really good rock climber. Notes in postscript that he will be seeing Moore's brother [Thomas] in London again next week, so Bob should write there.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Sends good wishes for Elizabeth's birthday tomorrow, and a present to match the brushes she gave her last year. Very interesting about the houses; hopes to hear what they find at Fernhurst. George left yesterday; hopes he will have a good holiday. Asks if her last letter went astray. Glad Elizabeth enjoyed having her sister Mien Rontgen] to stay; she 'looks such an amiable sensible person'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Sorry to hear that 'Nannie is "hors de combat"'; was afraid the large group would be too much. Elizabeth must get one of her extra nurses, or she will wear herself out. Hopes Mrs Abercrombie recovers soon; if the baby [Ralph] needs to be hand-fed, Elizabeth must certainly get help. G[eorge's] expedition [to Serbia?] is risky but 'very useful, & the best he could do'; since no-one is safe, it is best to be doing something. She and Sir George are very busy, so she does not feel 'quite useless'. Feels 'more angry than alarmed', which the Germans will find is the general response of the English to their 'methods'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Delighted that Elizabeth is 'enjoying the Booths' company'; very sorry that C[harles] Booth is so unwell, as heart problems are hard to deal with. She and Sir George agree with what she says about him: it is 'extraordinary' that he has such a 'knowledge of the working class' and yet 'his conclusions are so vague & formless, & so absolutely unsuited to practical politics'. Thinks something must happen soon at Cheyne Gardens; Janet [due to give birth] is well, but when Caroline took her on a drive yesterday she 'seemed less comfortable'. Charles and Mary are well and come to dine tonight. Politics very interesting: the Government have 'got into another disgraceful mess about Ireland' but obviously 'intend to stay in as long as possible'. She and Sir George went to a Court last night; she had a new grey dress, and Pantlin 'made up [her] last years train with grey chiffon'; they saw many friends and left early. Went to Broadwoods about pianos; they say they pay little for grand pianos since 'no one buys them now', so she thinks they must put up with the size of the piano in London and buy a small upright for Welcombe, in light oak to suit the room; Elizabeth can choose it. Asks if she will return to England much before Easter. Mr Gow [Thomas Gow, a Northumberland neighbour?] is very ill and may die; he is eighty-seven. Has written to Robert about his book ["The Birth of Parsival"?]. Janet likes it and quoted a passage she found beautiful. Annie [Philiips] is coming up this afternoon. Good that Elizabeth and Robert's new house is nearly finished; it has been a 'wonderful winter for building'.

The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W.1. - Delighted to get Elizabeth's letter; interesting that her life falls 'exactly into 2 parts of 25'. Enjoyed Holland very much at Easter, and Bessie's friends were very kind to them; this made a big impression on his mind, and 'on the perhaps more impressionable virgin soil of Mary's'. Much enjoyed seeing Bob at the Hunt, and reading his 'book of poetic criticism' ["Thamyris: or, is there a future for poetry?"]. Love from himself and Janet; tells Bessie to 'live another 25 years until Julian is a very distinguished architect'; to reach seventy-five is all he asks for himself and others.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has received a letter from Withers saying that Bob will pay George 1500 francs, which will be 'very useful'; this is a 'very pleasant after-math to the whole of our family business' beginning four years ago [on the death of Florence Trevelyan's husband Salvatore Cacciola]. Has just finished writing a memoir on their father, which he plans to publish 'next spring unless the country has been ruined'; has had copies made and will give them to his brothers; suggests possible weekends for Bob to come to Cambridge, or for George himself to visit the Shiffolds, to discuss it.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Elizabeth will have heard that George and Janet's baby was born on Sunday morning. Janet stayed well despite the delay, and all went well for the birth. The baby is 'plump & peaceful & quite pretty', with grey eyes and lots of brown hair; Sir George went to see her yesterday and seemed pleased. George gazes at her 'in quite a sentimental way'. Caroline has not yet seen Janet, but will soon, and she seems to be comfortable; the baby is to be called Mary Caroline after her grandmothers. Has not asked 'what religious denomination she is to be brought up in!!'. Aunt Margaret [Holland] has returned from a visit to Brighton and seems fairly well again; Caroline thinks she is unwise to go to Court on Friday to see Margaret Smith and 'two other grand daughters' presented. Sends love to Mary [Booth] if she has arrived. Asks when Elizabeth and Robert will return to England. She and Sir George have been to see Bernard Shaw's "John Bull ['s Other Island]"; found it 'amusing' but not his best play. Charles and Mary are well. The Government is 'getting more & more discredited'.

Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Has got the typescript [of Bessie's translation of Robert Fruin's "The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574"], and will begin reading it 'most eagerly'; the map looks 'just what one wants'; will read it at once; begins his 'peregrinations' to Cornwall, Ireland and elsewhere at the end of next week, so asks if he should return the typescript before he leaves then get it back when they meet in Northumberland at the end of August; perhaps by then he can see [Pieter] Geyl's notes, which he ought to see before writing a preface. She may wish him to keep it if it is a duplicate. Apologises, but he knows no-one connected with Bumpus [John and Edward Bumpus Ltd, publisher?]

The Mill House, Westcot, Dorking. - Discusses post times. The weather has been 'absolutely beastly' and he has a cold, which gave him a nose-bleed this morning. Took a day off yesterday and lunched with the Frys; [Roger] Fry is very busy, having had to give an extra lecture last week, so Bob conveys his advice on house decoration. Need good painters, as [George?] Moore had trouble when he was having his Cambridge rooms done, due to the 'stupidity of the workmen'. Gives his aunt Meg Price's address. Thinks he is becoming 'more romantic' about her; wishes he had been with her to 'caress... and explain away [his] last cruel letter' in which he thoughtlessly exaggerated his 'regret at [his] fading days of singleness' [9/119]. She will certainly not come between him and his friends, as she has 'quite enough of their own intellectual qualities to be their friend in the same way' he is. Has usually gone abroad alone and not allowed his 'sensations to be interfered with by those of others'; will probably enjoy going to Greece more with her than with 'people like Daniel and Mayor'. Attempts to explain his feelings in detail. Will be able to talk freely to his friends after his marriage, though 'it is true that men do talk more obscenely, and more blasphemously, than they ever quite dare to talk before women' and he thinks that this difference is right. Should not have written 'so carelessly' and caused her pain. Has written to her uncle saying he and she should fix the date. Crompton [Llewelyn] Davies came for tea last Sunday; he is probably going to the Lizard at Easter; he said his brother [Arthur?] and his wife went to Land's End for his honeymoon which was 'very satisfactory', but that Savernake near Salisbury plain was the 'best place conceivable', with 'every kind of scenery' only an hour from London. He says it has a good inn; Bob may look on his way to Cornwall. Seatoller [in Borrowdale] is very nice too, but much further away. Has not yet heard from Daniel how Sanger is; will tell Bessie [about Sanger's unhappy love affair] when he sees her; she guessed correctly that the woman was Dora. He and Fry still think it would have been best for them to marry, but that now seems unlikely; her treatment of him is 'not through heartlessness exactly... but owing to circumstances, and also to her rather unusual temperament'. Has done some work, and has been re-reading Flaubert's letters; feels more in sympathy with him than any other modern writer. His mother says Charles and George are thinking of giving Bessie a 'very pretty sort of box to keep music in'; wishes they would give them the flying trunk or carpet Bessie mentioned. They will have to content themselves with meeting in dreams, though it seems [Empedocle] Gaglio has a dream-carpet which will take him into Bessie's brain; still, he does not have a lock of her hair so Bob has a start.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Thanks Bob for the letters: the 'only new fact' is that their father 'behaved worse than [George] knew under pressure from Uncle Mark [Philips]"; will go through his narrative ["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A Memoir"] and make any changes necessary; will of course not go into details; Aunt Annie [Philips] has approved what he has written so far. Much looking forward to his visit to the Shiffolds. Remembers in a postscript how their father would sit at Welcombe 'saying cheerfully "We shall all end in the workhouse" - and never thought it less'; the 'workhouse seems a bit nearer today' but they must hope.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will send this letter to Florence as expects Elizabeth and Robert will leave Ravello today; sorry that they have not had good weather. Has been very busy this week visiting Cheyne Gardens: [George and Janet's new baby Mary] is very sweet and Janet is doing well; George was worried until it was over but now is cheerful. He and Sir George, and perhaps Charlie, are going to Cambridge next Friday to vote against compulsory Greek; they do not expect to succeed but there is 'a great rally on both sides'; it is said it would be carried if it depended on the residents. The Watts and Whistler exhibitions [at the Royal Academy and the New Gallery, Regent Street] are both 'most interesting collections', and there is a 'wonderful show of Oriental China in Bond Street'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert will prefer to go straight home or stay the night in London; is anxious to see them again. It will be interesting for them to see the [new] house and the Enticknaps' baby. Sorry that Charles Booth is still so unwell; has not quite understood whether Mary and Imogen joined them. Glad Elizabeth is not going to Holland; thinks it would be too cold and damp. There is much illness about here; Uncle Harry has bronchitis, and Nora [Trevelyan?] a bad cold. They have decided to keep the old Broadwood piano in London, and want Elizabeth to choose a little one for Welcombe before Easter. Has heard no music, but they have been to a Bernard Shaw play ["John Bull's Other Island"]. Booa [Mary Prestwich] cheerful and looking forward to seeing Elizabeth; Janet much pleased with her letters. '"Mother" [possibly Florence Bell?] is very active and... good on such an occasion'.

Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Glad there is a duplicate [of the typescript of Bessie's translation of Robert Fruin's "The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574"]; will keep the copy he has and bring it to Northumberland. Is 'most enthusiastic' about it; [John] Motley does not seem to have known about 'the internal situation at politics inside Leyden', and the 'two accounts supplement each other splendidly'. [Pieter] Geyl has sent George his notes; thinks them 'very good, but incomplete'; has sent them back with a few small suggestions. Will write the preface after having seen Bessie at the end of August and Geyl at the end of September.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The photographs [of Julian] are 'delightful'. They have been very anxious about Mary [who has suffered a miscarriage]; Dr Williams stayed two nights 'as there was danger of Haemerrage [sic] and then things would not come away entirely', but she is recovering now; it is very unfortunate and she hopes Mary 'will be more careful another time'. Is sure Elizabeth is 'not running the risks she has done'; hopes she is well and can confirm her news [that she is pregnant]. Hugo Bell has been visiting, and has seen [Donald] Tovey recently, who was 'very full of the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]; glad Tovey is working hard on it. George plans to visit soon 'by way of a walk'. '[G]reatly excited about politics'; wishes the '[constitutional] crisis were over'. Asks if Margaret V[aughan] Williams would like to visit towards the end of Elizabeth's stay at Wallington.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Robert for his 'marks' [suggested corrections to "Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A Memoir"]. Originally enclosing a copy of some excerpts from their father's letters to Bob, asking for comments; intends to print them at the end of the memoir, before "Horace at Athens", if Bob does not object. Very glad that C.A. [Clifford Allen] is better; agrees with him that 'the PM [Ramsay MacDonald] is cutting the best and most dignified figure of the lot', though does not know wheter that will 'save our unfortunate country and world'; hope is necessary.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the Petersfield Festival, and that Robert could be there some of the time; nice for her to meet 'Miss Davies & other musical people'. Will be 'very interesting at Dorking' [the Leith Hill Music Festival?]; asks to hear how things go. Amused to think of Elizabeth and Robert driving a horse; expects the one chosen was very safe. Busy with the meetings for the next three days, and expects to be very hot: hopes 'the debates will not be very excited!'. Charles and Mary have been away, but she has seen G[eorge], J[anet], and 'Little M[ary]'; they are soon going to the country, though have not been able to let their house. They say the review [of "The Birth of Parsival"?] and feared Robert would be 'vexed'; it does though 'speak very respectfully of him as a writer' and only criticises the subject. Longman [the publisher] is advertising it well, also for America. A postscript confirms they will put Elizabeth up on the 16th.