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Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Sorry that Bob cannot come to Hallington at Easter, but will look forward to seeing him there in August or September; asks whether Bob will stay with them in Cambridge next term when he comes 'about the "Medea"'. Thinks the Memoir ["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A Memoir"] 'has done what was wanted'; some people think it was 'too short', but he himself is unsure.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Sends 'two capital reports' [not included]. Cannot predict the result of the Harrow examination: Bobbie 'is not a quick worker, and he is too liable to lose his head just when put to the test', but he has 'at times done quite as good and probably better work' when compared with Hicks. Arnold has asked Bobbie to show Trevelyan a piece of Latin prose which 'struck me as quite promising', and he has 'made a good start' in verse, though Arnold wishes they 'could have had another month'. At the moment Bobbie 'is slow and his ideas are often too far-fetched though his attempts show power'. Is sure that, 'whatever he does next week', Bobbie will 'soon prove himself at least fit for Lower Remove'. Is 'thoroughly satisfied' with him, and also with George 'who is very promising, and more wide awake than his brother'. Bobbie's 'influence in the school has throughout been excellent [underlined]'.

Asks if he may beg 'a favour': they [Arnold and his wife] will be in London tomorrow and Tuesday evening, and if possible Arnold would 'so much like to go' to the House of Commons on Tuesday evening as he has 'never heard a debate', though he is unsure whether the House will still be sitting. If so, and Trevelyan can help, he directs him to send the 'order to 24 Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Park; Trevelyan should not trouble to write if it is impossible.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Marked 'Private and Confidential'. Interested to hear about Paul, and 'about the reading room and clericalism'. Wants to write 'a few lines, between which' Robert and Elizabeth may read; has seen Crompton Davies who was 'much alive' to his suggestions, and will communicate them to Withers, that [Florence Trevelyan's] will should be proved and amount and whereabouts of the personal property ascertained. Asks Robert to find out whether Withers is working on this, and who the Trustees now are. Does not understand about the twenty thousand lire; perhaps however information has by now been given to Withers about the property in which Robert and George have an interest. Notes in a postscript that he has had three letters from the Poet Laureate [Alfred Austin], who 'sounds a jolly old chap'; also asks whether Robert knew that the Callias whose 'fine fragments' appear in Bergk ["Poetae Lyrici Graeci"] was the 'coryphoeus of the thirty tyrants [of Athens in the last days of the Peloponnesian War]'; there is an 'evident allusion' to his lines on the cottabus in the story of the death of Theramenes, but Sir George has never seen this mentioned.

The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S. W. 1. - Note by the address says that he has just arrived back. Very glad about Julian going to Trinity; pleased that Janet could be useful; the 'Trinity folks' obviously wanted him very much. That and Kitty's scholarship make him feel much happier.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes Elizabeth is not over-burdened with 'guests & small worries', and that she might be able to do some good for her cousin [one of the Hubrechts?] and his wife; always difficult, but 'the mere fact of his relations being kind to her' may help; it is all very sad and unfortunate for their child. Is glad Julian 'flourishes'; expects it will be good for him to be in the nursery with the other children [Mary and Humphry], who will be there throughout Elizabeth's visit. G[eorge] and J[anet] will come for a week, and Aunt Annie [Philips] will also be visiting then. Hopes to hear about Robert's plans for travel abroad in the winter. Hopes the game arrived; will send some grapes on Monday. Thoughts on the strikes: sympathises with the men, and there is 'something fine in them acting together', but the violence has been very unfortunate, and the economic impact great. Churchill 'seems to have made mistakes' but it was hard 'in such a storm' to see clearly; Sir George thinks he was 'not strong enough at first'. Amusing that the House of Lords has been so entirely forgotten. The [tenants'] party was on Thursday, and went well except for a little rain; Sir George and Charles made speeches, and Geordie said afterwards 'That was nice poetry'. He, Pauline and Kitty gave their grandparents a concert the other day; their governess is 'clever at getting up little entertainments' and they sing 'very prettily' now. Audrey Trevelyan has been to visit, and they like her a lot. Sends love to Bob; hopes Mr [Donald] Tovey will have done much work on the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] before he goes.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - All well: Bessie is 'getting stronger quickly' and the boy [Paul] 'usually sleeps and feeds well'. Thanks her for her last letter, and Bessie thanks Booa for her letter. Lady V[aughan] Williams called yesterday and 'admired Paul very much'. Does not think the snow here is as bad as in many places: it is only about 3 inches thick. Encloses G[eorge's] letter, which is 'very interesting'. Is 'glad Aunt Annie is enjoying her travels'.

Bessie would like to know how long his parents will be at Welcombe. She says she is 'perfectly happy being quite idle in bed, and feels very warm and cosy'. Thanks his mother for suggesting he comes to Welcombe: might do so for a 'day or two in January', but since their plans are unsettled will 'leave it now'. Sends all love from all of them to his parents.

Pen Rose, Berkhamsted - Congratulates Frazer: 'Trinity seems to be making a corner in O.M.s.'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is giving five pounds to the Harrow fund. Glad there is still a chance of Bob coming to Hallington; asks him to let them know by the end of the week, Hopes Bob gets his copy of the '["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A] Memoir" soon: the letters from Sir George to Bob and Bessie provided material he is 'more and more glad [he] used'. Glad that Clifford Allen is better, and hopes he remains so. Much looking forward to Bob's new poems ["Rimeless Numbers"]. Notes in a postscript that John Buchan's new book on [Sir Walter] Scott is good.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Thanks Bessie for her letter; still thinks he should 'buy those Welcombe books', but they can settle that along with the other items; perhaps they will let him give more than they want for some of the other things. Sir George has, as she said, definitely given him the maps in the case, and spoke to him about it today. Has had some 'long talks' with his father, who is 'very affectionate about everyone, but shrinking strangely from wanting to see anyone'. Has also had a 'serious talk' with Dr [Edward] Hewer about the move; the doctor believes that 'under modern hospital conditions' it will be no more dangerous to Sir George than any other day of his life, and that since Sir George's heart is 'very weak' it would be dangerous to forbid him to go to Wallington, since he so wants to go. As for what Bessie wrote, George showed it to CPT [Charles] and discussed it; Charles said he writes 'frequent and friendly letters to him' on business and about Kitty; George has found the atmosphere 'cleared and settled', and talked to his father about it this evening. Thinks that 'all that either party can prevail on their natures and mind to do is being done, and further interference may do more harm than good'; reassures her that 'the situation is not so tragic as [she seems] to believe' and has improved even since she was here.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes that the move to the new house has gone well. Thanks Elizabeth for the key; has sent it back to Lane [at Welcombe] who says it belongs to the piano. There was a 'fearful thunderstorm' on Tuesday, with one and a half inches of rain in an hour and a half, 'like a waterspout'; it came in the back door of Charlie's house and flooded the ground floor. George and Janet were arriving that evening, so they fetched them to Wallington, where they stayed till yesterday; she 'enjoyed the baby very much'. She and Sir George are pleased with the 'large new lawn in place of the garden', which is 'capital for games'; is looking forward to Elizabeth playing croquet there; she and Sir George are trying bowls.

Sandford Hotel, Niton, I[sle] of Wight [using Wixenford headed notepaper]:- The Arnolds have 'just arrived' after a 'most pleasant journey'. Arnold picked up Mrs Trevelyan's 'kind letter' at the Hartley Row post office, on the way to Winchfield Station, and thanks her for all he says. He also received an 'interesting letter from Mr Bowen' which he encloses [not now present] as Trevelyan will want to see it. It has been a 'great delight... to hear of Bobbie's success [in the Harrow examination]', which has 'doubled and more than doubled' his pleasure in the holidays, particularly for the happiness it will have given Mr and Mrs Trevelyan. Thinks nothing could better 'drive away the memory of the worries of last session than the return home of two such refreshing young people as Bobbie and George'. First heard the 'good news from Mr Welldon' who said that as far as he could tell from the viva voce examination, Bobbie seems 'to be a boy of wide interests as well as considerable classical attainments'.

Arnold finds what Bowen says to be just what he expected, and considers it 'very satisfactory, though it may not sound so to everyone. Bobbie's work all through showed power and ability' and pleased the examiners, though 'his blunders almost proved fatal'. Believes that the ability will grow 'rapidly', and the 'inaccuracy will disappear before long'; this will require a 'constant effort', but he thinks that Bobbie will 'triumph'. Latin Prose is in fact Bobbie's strongest subject - thinks Mr Trevelyan will agree if he looks over the piece which Bobbie took home - but 'again and again [in class] he did what he must have done in the examination'. He 'really is a fairly sound scholar for his age', as he can almost always correct the mistakes he makes as soon as he is asked. Arnold was surprised he did so well in verse, for which he needed more time, and 'of course forgive[s] him his bad Latin Prose in return for his good verses'.

Was very glad Bobbie did a good Homer paper, which he owes 'chiefly to the work he did with his father last holidays'. His French is 'really rather good' and he could have 'made it tell' in the examination with 'very little brushing up', but Arnold spent almost all the time for this on Greek. Apologises for 'such a number of details', but offers them in support of the hope that 'if Bobbie's work was so good to place him 3rd in spite of his many blunders', they may 'soon hope to see him in the very first place'. It is obvious that Mr Bowen is interested in Bobbie, which Arnold is glad of, 'for no one can help him better'. Sends thanks to Mr Trevelyan for his letter last week, and best regards from himself and his wife. Adds a postscript saying that he should have written to Bobbie yesterday but was too busy; will write to him very soon.

11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Does not know whether he will stay [in Cambridge] for Saturday night; probably yes, unless he feels 'too much out of sympathy with "Prometheus"' [the production of his translation of Aeschylus' play]. Julian should therefore do what he likes about dining at Uncle George's. He himself does not want to dine there to meet Sir R[ennell] Rodd, whom he does 'not much like'; he served as British ambassador at Rome, and Bob has heard him talk about 'things in Italy' in a way he did not like; he is also a 'poor minor poet'. However he is 'of course quite nice to meet etc, and a great friend of Janet's'. In any case, he and Julian will lunch together. Thinks he will see the play on Friday evening, as he may want to meet people on Saturday evening. Julian may find it hard to 'cry off' the dinner at George's. Supposes the "Prometheus" will be 'right enough', but is 'terrified' by something in a Cambridge newspaper, 'evidently inspired by Terence [Gray]', suggesting it would have 'a sort of Prometheus-Christ, a double blasphemy'. Notes in a postscript that when he gets to Cambridge he will go straight to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'s, where he is staying, then on to the F[estival] Theatre.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Has been meaning to write for 'some days', but has spent 'the last few lovely days almost entirely outdoors', as he hopes Bobbie has also done. Knows Bobbie does not need to be told how 'greatly delighted' Arnold is that all his work has been 'rewarded with success'. They tried their best to 'persuade one another.. it did not so much matter which way things went in the [Harrow entrance] examination', but Arnold is 'not too proud to confess' that since success is 'one of the most practical tests of good work', he at least 'hold[s] greatly to results'. Thanks Bobbie for his 'kind letter' and the postcard sent from Oxford, and offers congratulations.

Is 'much interested by the papers'; probably by now Bobbie will have seen what Mr Bowen said in a letter Arnold sent to Mrs Trevelyan. This was 'not all praise', and Bobbie 'shocked the examiners with blunders', as well as Arnold, but he 'also delighted them all through'. Arnold will 'sadly.. miss' their 'pleasant lessons together'. Thinks that what delighted the examiners is the 'permanent part', and that Bobbie will 'entirely get over' the errors which shocked them if he works hard over the next few years; 'Precision and accuracy is not a talent [Bobbie has] by nature', but he should take courage from the 'great strides' he has already made and feel it is in his power to fit himself 'for the highest achievements' over the next eight or nine years before he takes his degree at Cambridge. Arnold thinks that success which comes from hard work is superior to that which come only from talent without much effort.

Has had good news from Tomlin and from Leveson and Lawrence at Eton. Tomlin, 'not a scholar, mind you', writes that he was first in his form: first in classics, second in mathematics and natural science, and fourth in modern languages, with a prize for 'coming out top in Pupil-room'; he writes that he is 'so glad to see Trevelyan got a scholarship'. Arnold notes that Tomlin has 'done so well since he went to Harrow, without ever flagging', that he intends to give the Wixenford boys a half-holiday in his honour next term. Supposes they may have one in Trevelyan's honour: when Hicks got a scholarship, 'some fellows' said something about a whole holiday. Will give another half-holiday if Trevelyan is 'top of Lower Remove twice in the 3 first fortnights marks'

It is the 'peculiarity of Wixenford boys to wear well', though they do not 'always show all they know at first'; if Robert had not been 'unfortunate' in the Latin prose paper and the 'Greek passage about military tactics', he would undoubtedly have been placed much higher. Arnold wonders if he was hurried in the prose, as he thought an hour and a half short for this. Will be interested to hear what Robert's father thought of the prose Robert took home from Wixenford to show him: Arnold himself considered it 'very promising'. The Greek passage was not harder than many Robert had tried; supposes he went wrong somewhere and 'could not find the red thread again'; the verses were a 'triumph'.

Mrs Arnold sends good wishes and congratulations. Arnold will certainly not forget 'dear Bob', who should come and visit; sometimes Harrow holidays begin before Wixenford's, and then he can visit George. Robert can also send news occasionally 'as short epistles'; apologises for the length of this one. It is kind of Robert to send a present; will find it when they return on Monday, hopes it will be Robert's 'last photograph'. as he will have to have another one taken with his 'new honours'.

Hopes Robert is 'getting plenty of rest and enjoyment' on his holiday, and that George is also having 'plenty of fun'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for the paper, though he does not know Gribble [?] either and will not sign. Hopes that Bob will come to stay when he is in Cambridge for the "Medea". Wishes good luck for the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. Was glad that Clifford Allen was in better health when he visited. Has been much enjoying Bob's "Rimeless Numbers"; thinks he writes 'better and better" as he gets older, like [Robert] Bridges; 'loves' Bob's letters to his 'initialled friends' and some others 'very much indeed'.

Woodthorpe, The Thrupp, Nr. Stroud, Glos. - Good of Trevelyan to send his poems ["Aftermath"]; knew some already, but it is good to have them together with 'such a splendid increment'. Finds that the keynote is 'sincerity'. Is 'usually behind the times' and has only just got hold of Trevelyan's brother [George]'s essays ["Clio, A Muse"/ "The Recreations of a Historian"] on loan from a friend; knows of no other similar collection offering such 'sustained interest'. The sentence in tribute to [Arthur Woolgar] Verrall made him 'weep'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Glad the 'high backed chairs sold so well'. Afraid that Sir George, 'owing to his debility', has made 'rather a mess about the papers in the bureau'; George went all the way to Northumberland since his father said he had something very important to tell him at once (it was all right, since he was able to do 'some Hallington business' while he was there) which turned out to be that he wanted to give George the papers; however, he was unable to find the key when he looked for it, so George thinks it would be better to leave it until after Sir George's death. Is very glad of the good news about Julian.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Very glad that Bob can visit for the last weekend in April; will be able to spend all Sunday with him. Has to be in London on Saturday night, returning on a late train, but Janet and Humphry will be here. Asks Bob to let them know whether there is anyone he particularly wants to see.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne (22 miles). - Glad there has been no 'hitch'; thinks that Bessie is to be 'altogether congratulated without reservation', and hopes she will have much less trouble in the future than she has this last year; she faced it 'so well and successfully that it ought to be a pleasant recollection'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - [The death of Theodore Llewelyn Davies] is 'indeed the most tragic event', and his family, friends and country will all miss him; he was 'one of the ablest & most useful of men'. Can tell her nothing more than the 'scraps' appearing in the newspapers: that he 'went out on Tuesday & was found drowned in the stream on Friday'. [Ralph?] Wedgwood wrote to Janet saying that the funeral was on Friday; none of his friends could have been there as it was so soon. George feels it 'most terribly'; Caroline is sure Bob will also miss him, and he is a 'great loss to Charles, as he was of the greatest help to him'. Everyone is thinking of [his brother] Crompton. She and Sir George feel it very much: Theodore 'seemed in a way to belong to the family' and he had great hopes of what he would do when the Liberals came to government. Hoping Charles and Mary will come for a couple of nights while their servants settle at Cambo; Charles may see Crompton before he comes and hear more, but 'there is evidently nothing to be found out'. Janet and the baby leave today. Is trying to discover whether the Carr Bosanquets are in the north, and will invite them if possible.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Janet has shown him a copy of a letter by Mr Withers to Philipson forwarded to George; has written to Withers that he inclines towards enabling Robert and Elizabeth to pay the death duties if [Florence Trevelyan's] will was proved; would also make sure they could settle any other claims in case they could not come to an agreement with Cacciola, and would consider any money spent to be on George's behalf as well.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Bessie came downstairs for the first time [since the birth of their baby] yesterday. She and Paul are both well: she washed him yesterday, and is to have lessons in this. Thanks his mother for the 'three pheasants', which arrived yesterday; they have 'just had one for lunch.

Hopes George, Charles, J[anet], M[olly] and the children are 'all enjoying themselves'. Does not think he should leave Bessie at the moment, as he will be 'going abroad so soon, some time in February' and probably to La Croix. Margaret Vaughan Williams has come to visit Bessie this afternoon; the 'fear of influenza infection is considered over by now'.

Yesterday was beautifully warm, but today it is 'dull and cold'; he thinks though that he must 'go out into the Leith Hill Wood', smoke his pipe, and do some work. Hopes when he comes back from 'abroad' he will have finished his play [Sisyphus], and will not mind her seeing it then, as 'a proper ending will make it twice as interesting'.

Sends love to his father and everyone else; asks her to tell Charles he meant to write to him but then Bessie wrote to Molly; will do so soon unless they see each other in London.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Advises Elizabeth to get [Sir John James?] Withers to have the papers looked at in his office, to see whether they are title deeds which should pass with the sale [of Welcombe]; he could also then report on the 'general nature of the papers', as George cannot advise about their disposal until he knows that. The Moormans have been to visit this weekend; he and Janet 'liked them very much' and thinks they will get on well; they are 'really cultivated and also have character'.

He and Aunt Annie are here till Monday: it is 'very pretty - by the sea side', but foggy today. Had a letter from Bob's father two days ago: he and Bob's mother are 'quite well'. Supposes Bob is 'very busy with lessons every day'. He and Aunt Annie will be back at the Park on Tuesday next; hopes Bob and Georgie are well.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for his corrections [to "Ramillies and the Union with Scotland"]; asks him to thank Mr [Claude?] Montefiore from him for his approval and corrections. Fears it is 'too late to mend' [the section on] Lille; expects Montefiore is right, but George has been 'terrified by the fear of [the book] becoming a 'drum & trumpet' history, especially in these anti-war times' and as he himself likes 'drums and trumpets... so much, provided they were blown a good 100 yrs or more ago!'.

Handwritten copy, on printed paper from the Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. Beerbohm's letter is dated Abinger Manor, 11 Feb 1941, and addresses G. M. Trevelyan as "Master of Trinity." Beerbohm honoured by the proposal that he should deliver the Clark Lectures, but now feels that he has 'no great co-ordinated body of views on any subject' and must decline. Offers a parody of Leigh Hunt ["Jenny Kiss't Me"] to express his gratitude at the offer. A postscript records his deep affection for Trevelyan's brother Bob.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge - Thanks her for letting him see [an article about G. H. Hardy?].

Hotel Todi, Thierfehd, Glarus, Switzerland. - Will have to 'break the golden rule' Bob gave him last year, that the person at home should write first to the one abroad. [Charles] Buxton has gone home after their extensive travels together; George is staying for a fortnight's study. Enjoying his best health for a year; describes his daily routine; is reading Homer and Vergil 'in the original at last', and talking with one of his fellow-guests in French, a young lady 'whose heart he has won' by bringing her back some golden lilies from the hills. Has realised 'the horror of distance': would not be able to bear the distance from 'one's country' if it were not for 'swift locomotion'. Often thinks 'the poem of the greatest horror remains to be written': it would describe a man propelled to the moon who can see the earth but is unable to return. Wonders whether Bob is working on his novel at Wallington.; he is very interested to see what his brother will eventually do; is sure he will 'work out his own salvation' and does not want advice, but wishes he would 'take to "one sided" history', that is 'telling the story of some great movement sympathetically, not critically or scientifically'. Is writing another lecture for Cambo about England in the 14th century; much enjoys writing 'for an uncritical audience after Cambridge'. Expects to hear that Charles has been elected [as MP for Lambeth North] tomorrow; thinks Charles's health is now good enough to 'allow of his success in life'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has found the photograph of Julian which she likes, and put it into a frame so she does not lose it again. Asks if Elizabeth knows Lady Bell's reading book ["Pauline's First Reading Book"?]; will send it if not. Asks if she likes teaching; she herself liked reading to the children, but 'never managed to teach them anything'. They hope to get through [to Welcombe] on Wednesday. Hopes Mrs A[bercrombie] is better, and that Elizabeth's nannie returns in better health. Janet and the children are coming on the 9th; there is news of G[eorge], and a 'very interesting letter from Rome'. Annie [Philips] is expecting Robin [Price] for a short stay at Pen Moel; supposes he will go abroad soon. Sends best wishes to Mrs V[aughan] Williams and Margaret, and love to Robert; his 'little "pome" looks nice in print'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will not repeat what she has written to Robert about George's engagement; thinks that Elizabeth will find her [Janet Penrose Ward] 'a very nice sister-in-law' and that she will be 'a bright addition to the family'. Would like to discuss this and much more with Elizabeth, but is not sure how this can be arranged; if Mr [Bertrand?] Russell is visiting Elizabeth on Tuesday then she will not be able to visit; she should not travel during Epsom week; then Caroline and Sir George go to Welcombe until 8 June. Will come and visit when they return. Very interesting about the house, but there would have to be 'a very definite understanding; for building always costs more than is expected'. A postscript notes that Mrs W[ard] and Janet are returning, and Caroline will see them on Monday or Tuesday.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is sorry that he is so busy that he 'cannot undertake to read Dr [G.J.?] Renier's work [perhaps in relation to Bessie's translation of Fruin's "Siege and Relief of Leyden..."]. Asks whether [Archibald] Flower's purchase of Welcombe includes 'the dingles and little wooded valleys exactly opposite the windows of the large Hall..' which are for him 'the really sacred place, the unspoiled Welcombe where Shakespeare undoubtedly roamed' and bought a tithe. Had always hoped that land would 'not be sold in Villa lots', and Withers said it must go with the house which might otherwise be 'unsaleable'; hopes that it has done so and is not in any danger of being 'cut up for bungalos [sic]'.