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West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Wonders if she might be 'going to London in a car on Thursday' or returning in one on Friday; expects not, but thought he would '"just mention it"'. Is hoping to see her on Tuesday.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter. Knew that Hsiao Ch'ien was coming to the Shiffolds; has seen him in London and asked him to 'turn up' whenever he likes on Thursday afternoon. They would be 'equally delighted' if it were more convenient for Hsiao Chi'en to come in the morning and stay to lunch: Forster will be in all day. However, could not give him a bed, as Miss Hill is stopping with them.

Thought he would write rather than calling from 'that dreadful buzzy telephone kiosk'. Sends love, and would like to come over and see her soon.

On headed notepaper for Kings College Cambridge, with note 'Coventry actually, where I am spending Christmas and New Year with the Buckinghams. - Thanks Bessie for her card and letter; is glad she is 'as comfortable as these uncomfortable times allow. The Suez imbecility has robbed us of both comfort and honour, and I do resent being deprived of both'.

Is well in himself, and still has 'enough money to stem the rising tide of prices', but is unsure how long that will continue; the 'transport problem is an immediate vexation'. Is very glad to have 'got to Greece in the spring', and Leiden for a week more recently.

Unfortunately Florence [Barger] 'lacks her old strength, and has to live more quietly'; Harriet 'looks after her splendidly', and Evert has 'a good and totally new job in London' so will settle there. Has 'satisfactory news of G. M. T. from [George Trevelyan's son] Humphry.

Had a 'charming and unexpected invitation' to eat Christmas dinner with George Moore and his wife; could not accept as he was going to Coventry. 'Various other professorial or semi-professorial lame or semi-lame dogs' would also have been there, 'an unusual and probably most agreeable occasion'. Kings 'seems to have started off well under its new Provost, Noel Annan. Provost [J. T.] Sheppard is in Texas!'

Encloses a Hungarian Relief card, which he 'only got by writing direct to the Lord Mayor [of London, Sir Cullum Welch, who launched the fund]. The Trash [perhaps the Times?] has boycotted it - really disgusting'.

Sends much love, and hopes to see her 'when things get easier - and may they!'.

K.C.C. [King's College Cambridge], 'as from 9 Arlington Park Mansions, Chiswick, W.4.'. - Thanks Bessie for her telegram and letter. 'That suits beautifully [see TRER/ADD/65 for meeting being arranged here'; will arrive at Dorking North on the 11.56 train on Thursday [9 Sept].

Kings College Cambridge [headed notepaper). - Asks if she would be free on Thursday 9th; if so, would 'very much like' to visit for lunch, to see her and 'talk about our talks on the 20th [at the ceremony to mark the opening of Robert Trevelyan's memorial library at Birkbeck'. Fears he would have to return in the afternoon. If that is not convenient, perhaps it would suit her to meet another day in London.

Is doing a broadcast on Bayreuth, and 'must tidy up my script! Florence [Barger] has gone off to America!"

'Near Bayreuth'; postmarked Kulmbach. - Bessie's 'kind letter' reached him and Florence [Barger] here in Germany, where they have been seeing the Ring and Parsifal 'under Evert [Barger]'s good auspices and management'. Gets back at the end of the month, and would 'much like' to see her in London or the Shiffolds before 20th Sept; was 'so pleased to be asked to speak [at the ceremony then to mark the opening of Robert Trevelyan's memorial library at Birkbeck College]. I shan't talk long!'. Very glad that Bessie will also be speaking.

Florence sends love, she is 'off to America! when she returns'

Kings College Cambridge [headed notepaper). - Thanks Bessie for her letter, and the 'welcome things' she says about his Hill of Devi. This 'cannot be called a letter in return', as he is 'so rushed and Christmas so accelerates the rush', but he wanted her to see the enclosed [no longer present], which 'gives him great pleasure'; also hopes it will please her. Sends love and good wishes for 1754.

Kings College Cambridge [headed notepaper). - Very nice to hear from her; will answer 'at once like a good boy - which I am not always!'. Agrees that Florence [Barger] is 'wonderful'; he 'found her looking out of the way well'. Has also had a 'good year'; his 'great achievement was getting to Italy for six weeks, to stay with American friends'.

Bessie asks about the London LIbrary; is not on the committee and thinks she should write directly to the Secretary and ask whether Bob's life membership entitles her to become an 'ordinary annual member without paying an entrance fee'; thinks the annual subscription is five or six pounds now but is unsure as he has a life membership himself. Would be more difficult for her to join on a reduced subscription; the Carlyle Fund provides for this, but 'the applicant has to prove special need'. It is 'very nice, and very right' that Birkbeck College allows her to borrow from Bob's library [which she has given to them as a memorial].

His book is about Dewas, the Indian state he was in years ago. Malcolm Darling, 'whom Bob liked and stayed with', has much information about it which Forster has worked in with his own letters from there to his mother. Hopes the book will be published next year; it will be called The Hill of Devi, which is the 'little acropolis that stands about Dewas and gives it its name'.

Would like to come and see her in the warmer weather; may be able to find a 'young friend to bring me in a car - they will sometimes'. Earlier this year he got to the Hammer with John Meade, son of a former rector at Abinger, now at the Staff College at Camberley, who is married to 'a grand-daughter of Major Lugard'.

As from 129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks her for her letter and news; does 'sympathise' with her over 'this miserable upheaval [the possibility of moving from the Shiffolds]. Sorrow in itself is wretched enough' and from it comes 'the necessity for choices and decisions - at a time when one longs to rest and drift'. She also does 'not have the haven Cambridge so miraculously opened for' him. Julian seems the 'obvious person' for advice, but Forster supposes he 'is not what is called "good" at it, and no amount of trying can produce that sort of "goodness".

Is writing partly as he is 'broadcasting on the Third Programme on the subject of the Third Programme on Saturday and Monday. Great solemnity - recording van sent specially to the Buckinghams in case my ankle [which he had recently broken] feels tired'. He 'got out of plaster earlier this month', and spent a 'pleasant week' in Aldeburgh. His ankle has been 'rather troublesome' since then, but he understands this is 'not unusual'. Has a 'most comfortable and genteel shoe', and is seeing the surgeon again next week. Is just about to leave for London now by car, partly so that he can pick up Agnes [Dowland] at Barnet.

Thinks 'the opera [Billy Budd, for which Forster had written the libretto] will be fine'; has now heard it all, and has been 'strumming at' a proof copy of the piano score this morning. They have still not found a singer to play Billy: he 'must look fine, so central European stomachs are unfortunately excluded'. The final possibility is 'a young man who cannot sing all the notes', as the part is a high baritone. Forster is 'all for having him. What do a few notes matter?'.

Has not seen Florence [Barger] since her return, but has spoken to her on the phone, she 'seemed most happy and prosperous'. Is using another sheet of paper to 'urge you, whatever you decide [about her home and future] not to be too unselfish, but to procure whatever money can provide towards the comfort of your body and mind'.

Occurs to him that she might like to see the enclosed piece [no longer present], written for 'a "Reader's Club" magazine in the States which has been founded by Auden, Trilling and Barzun', whom he respects: they have chosen his new book [Two Cheers for Democracy] for this October, and requested 'something for the magazine'; asks if she can return it.

Postcript: 'Unfinished novel [what was later published in short story form as The Open Boat?] in an awful mess I fear'.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - Of course realised that she would not be writing letters 'for some time [after her husband's death on 21 Mar]; is 'very glad' to hear from her. Hopes she is 'feeling somewhat rested now...'; good that she has 'people to look after [her]', and that she is for the present staying 'as you are, and where you are. After these great changes, it is much better that one should wait - when it is possible to do so - and should let the future shape itself'.

Afraid that he will not be able to come and visit her in early June, as he will be 'so wound up in Aldeburgh and other matters'; would like to come later in the year. His 'pleurisy went off very easily, thanks to a new pill', so he was 'able to receive the King, Queen, and Princess Margaret fairly well, and able very well indeed to receive an Hon[orary] Degree at Nottingham'. This was a 'very pleasant experience. After the ceremony, we all processed through the city in our coloured bits and odds and ends, with the Mayor and the Mace in front, and held up the traffic'. Sebastian Sprott is now Public Orator, and made a 'charming' speech about him.

Sends love and hopes to see her later.

Is 'so looking forward to Tuesday'; suggests she drive over to him since she is '"having the car out"', with Bob if he is free, then 'Agnes will also have the pleasure of seeing' her; she could come in the early afternoon and leave after tea. 'As for the Welcombe Rug', he is 'quite warm, but shall like to think of it in the distance as an influence'. Asks her to send a postcard about it; will still walk over to her and be driven back if it suits her best. Is just going to London; intends to stay till Monday, but 'shall I, with no gas?'

Postmarked Cambridge; sent to Bessie at the Shiffolds, and forwarded on to 36 Brunswick Gardens, London, W.8.- Has just paid a 'very pleasant call' on Bob, who 'seemed comfortable and cheerful, and said that no harm had been done him by the Dinner [given in his honour by the Apostles]'. Bob says Bessie is coming up to Cambridge shortly; Forster is going to Aldeburgh, but will be back here on Tuesday, when he hopes to see her.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. -Thanks her and Bob for sending the Abinger Chronicle 'so quickly [see TRER/ADD/87]; can return it, as he has found his own copy. No hurry for her to return his Skelton piece; in the 'revised version' he 'did mention R[alph] V[aughan] W[illiams] - his setting of Skelton's Hymn to the Father had been sung two days earlier in the church [at the Aldeburgh Festival]

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper, 'as from' added by hand]. -Sends a draft of his Skelton paper [no longer present], which she said she would like to read. The 'final script was rather longer, and started differently'; the paper [given at the Aldeburgh Festival 'went quite well and the people laughed - they had not been given the opportunity before'. The Festival was a 'great success'; he saw Julian, also meeting his wife [Julian Trevelyan and Mary Fedden did not in fact marry until 1951], and they had 'some pleasant talk'

Forster's health is 'much better after a month of sea air, sunshine, and easy living'. Returns to Cambridge tomorrow, and from there if all goes well to London. Can 'now walk about three miles without getting tired, a great improvement'.

Asks if Bob could lend him the issue of the Abinger Chronicle containing 'a piece of fun by me entitled Luncheon in Pretoria'; wants to have it typed out, as he is 'collecting together various pamphlets, articles, etc, to see whether they look like a book'. Will return it quickly. Sends love to both.

129 Wendell Road, W.12. - Writes to 'Dear dear Bob' and 'Dear dear Bessie' since 'a little bird whose name... begins with a J [Julian Trevelyan' has told him about their [golden wedding] anniversary'; has 'praised the bird highly and thanked it for enabling me to participate'.

Supposes the 'chief feeling' which comes to him on such occasions is 'a selfish one: memory of all the kindness and helpfulness that you have both shown me through so many years'; this letter conveys 'much gratitude', and also 'many good wishes and very much love''. Hopes they will 'spend this day, and many others, happily'. They must realise 'how much you have done for others' happiness', among them his own.

Adds postscript: Florence [Barger] visited yesterday, and he was 'tempted to pass on the news', knowing she would have liked to write. Thought however that he should not be 'officious'; knows they do not want 'anything of a celebration, or even of a snowball'.

3 Wilbraham Place; sent to Elizabeth Trevelyan at the Shiffolds. - Thanks her for letter; it [an operation] 'is not a big business, as before: only tiresomeness'. Hopes they may let him out soon; will then go for a few days to the Buckinghams, then to Cambridge, then to Aldeburgh. Very glad she 'saw and enjoyed the bluebells'. Sends love to her and Bob.

129 Wendell Road, London, W.12 [headed notepaper]. - Is glad to say that Morgan [Forster] is 'now out of danger, and the experts are quite certain he will make a good recovery'. If he 'continues to progress he may receive visitors in about a week from today'.

129 Wendell Road, London, W.12. - Since Mrs Barger has gone to Paris, and Morgan [Forster] was unsure whether she had written to Bessie, he has asked Buckingham to tell her he is 'over the first part of the operation & is feeling much better than he expected'; the 'major operation' will be in about ten days time, and Buckingham will let her know the result 'immediately'.

Reform Club, London, S.W.1, but postmarked Chiswick; sent to 'Mrs. R. C. Trevelyan' at the Shiffolds. - Sends thanks, also to Bob, for 'nice letter and kind greeting'. The address [of the nursing home he is to go to after an operation, see TRER/ADD/83-84] will be 3 Wilbraham Place, Sloane Sq, S.W., but he will not go there until next weeks. Sends 'all good wishes for 1950'.

4 Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, addressed to Bessie at the Shiffolds. - Glad his 'little thought' has arrived for Bessie, though 'it should have contained 2 lb of sugar not one'. Is here till the end of the month. When everyone is back at home would much like to come and see her and Bob.

King's Coll. Cambridge [on headed notepaper]. - Bessie has written him 'Two very lovely letters', which he 'value[s] greatly'. Has 'enjoyed becoming seventy, thanks to good health, and everyone's kindness'. What Bessie says about his 'Fiction Fragment', and his 'broadcasting of it', also gives him 'much pleasure. How nice it is to be praised, and I cannot believe it does one much harm'. It would do so 'if it led one to think one was always a success; but with the world as it is, and so completely ignoring the good advice one gives it, one cannot be led into that error.

Glad to hear of Bessie's 'better domestic arrangements'; hope they continue. Owes Bob a letter: has not yet thanked him for his From the Shiffolds. Was 'so glad to read that poem about Goldie again - it never fails to move me'. Hopes to come and see them both again in the spring.

Asks if Bessie knows that Florence [Barger] is a grandmother: the baby [Jennifer] was born to Evert and his wife in New York, and 'cradled in the cradle that lately cradled the baby of Lionel Trilling, who wrote a book on me' and lent it to them; 'Rather charming. All seems well'.

Is 'distressed to learn of Julian's unhappiness', and hopes 'life will become easier for him'.

19 M[anchester] St, W.1. - Is 'sure to be here Wednesday'; asks if a visiting time of 4 pm would suit her. Thanks her for her letter; wants to re-read it, 'but it has fallen on to the floor!'. If 'G[eorge] M[acaulay] T[revelyan]'s morality has gone sour' his own 'sensitivity is certainly doing likewise; as the date of his 'release' from the clinic 'recedes and recedes', he is 'seeing all its faults'. His wound 'went wrong again this morning' and he is back in bed. If her car is free when he is ready to come out, he 'might be very glad of it'; he has offers of transport from both Hilton Young and Leonard Woolf, but seems likely to lose them through delays. indeed he has 'certainly lost Hilton's, as he goes away in it on Thursday'.

Had a good long letter from Bob at Grasse; he seems to be 'enjoying himself' and to be 'entertained by H. G. Wells'. He himself is reading Paradise Lost 'with pleasure': it suits his mood, which is 'gloomy yet unable to contemplate realities. God's frightful muddles: his inability to make either Hell or Eden work:... his readiness to throw Christ into the soup - what a puerile yet what a terrific universe!'. Is also reading [his own] Abinger Harvest, 'though not alas on Worthing Pie'; it is a 'real comfort' to him that it has come out just now, is liked by his friends, and by many of the critics.

May D. [?Dickinson] has been to tea, at a time when Morgan was sitting up. Robin Mayor is visiting again soon: 'what a warm hearted nice chap he is'. Has 'quite lost the feeling of dryness' Mayor used to give him. Is very lucky to have 'friends in various generations', a good fortune which Bessie also shares. Note up the side of the letter saying that her letter has been picked up from the floor; his reply 'is not nearly nice enough for it, but shall go' all the same.

Postscript dated 'Sunday evening' [29 Mar] saying that he has had 'good and surprising news': MacDonald says whatever the state of the wound, he will be able to travel on Thursday; Leonard Woolf could therefore take him in his car. Will see her on Wednesday.

King's Coll. Cambridge [on headed notepaper, 'as from' added by hand]. - Had meant to answer her 'kind letter' before now, but his plans have been 'uncertain'; now he can suggest a time for him to visit it it is 'probably too near Christmas for your convenience'. Could come for a night on Friday 3rd [December]; if the Trevelyans are not free then perhaps Bessie could suggest another time around then.

Florence has 'shown her expected restraint and consideration for others [at the death of her sister Margaret]', and 'now seems fairly normal'. Believes 'his' Agnes [Dowland] is staying with her at the moment; asks if he told Bessie that [Florence's maid] Harriet 'alas! alas! has gone to take care of a father'.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - 'Delighted' that Friday 3rd December suits her for him to visit, 'What luck for me!'. Suggests coming on an early afternoon train from London; sees there is one which reaches Ockley at 2.13. Thought of suggesting himself for lunch at the Meades [Lionel Meade, rector of Abinger Hammer, and his wife?] on Saturday, then 'going on to the Hammer to see Bone and arrange about the felling of some trees in the wood' if he can. Will be at 9 Arlington Park Mansions from Wednesday to Friday; until Wednesday his 'Movements... err on the side of uncertainty (Other people's fault of course!)'.

Agnes was 'only paying a visit to Florence "as a lady"', and has now returned to her own flat; she seems to have enjoyed herself and 'laments' leaving '"just as she was finding out where all the things were kept"'. Currently, Florence is thinking of keeping on as she is until Harriet [her old maid] returns, as she may do one day. Thinks Florence would now be 'very pleased' to hear from Bessie about her news; she has 'taken up all her old employments [after the death of her sister]'.

Sends love to Bob and Bessie, is looking forward to next Friday.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed card]. - Florence [Barger] has asked him to give Bessie and Bob 'the tragic news that Margaret [her sister] died yesterday morning'. Florence herself returned from America a few hours later. 'Everything has been seen to for her by that splendid friend of Harold's and herself William Baxter, and she is bearing the shock as well as can be expected'.

Florence asks Bessie not to write at the moment, as 'Letters upset her', and she knows what the Trevelyans both feel. She sends her love, and looks forward to visiting them in the future. Margaret did not suffer.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - Good to hear from her, and to get good news, 'which is an unusual luxury in these days'. Met Julian in a train - 'we are rather clever at meeting in public conveyances - who told him about Bessie's 'improved domesticities'. Is also very glad about the car. Would like to visit later in the month, either to stay the night or for lunch.

'Chhatarpur's letter and card are charming [from the Maharaja to Bob, sent for him to see?]'; had meant to enclose them, but 'they are not lost but gone behind - i.e. left at Cambridge'. Will post them as soon as he returns. Like Bob, has been 'tearing up letters, and would they were only to myself!'. Has to 'go through what ladies wrote to ladies about ladies in the sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties in the last century. Really extraordinary! Miss Marianne Thornton leads', then there is his aunt Laura, and later his mother; they are mainly discussing their cousin Mrs Aylward, of whose second marriage they disapproved, and from whom there are also letters. As a 'cross current' there are all the letters written by his grandmother to his mother. The twelve boxes with which he was 'confronted at West Hackhurst have now been reduced to three'.

Has just been to Aldeburgh, 'partly to tear up letters, partly to tend' his friend E. K. Bennett, recovering from 'duodenal trouble... What an exasperating disease, and how prevalent! If it is indeed a nervous illness it may be due to the worries of the age'. Is very well himself, and 'even bathed!'. Sends love to her and Bob.

Mackenzie-Robinson Hotel, 40 Drumsheaugh Gardens, Edinboro'. -Thanks Bessie for her 'welcome and surprising note': 'delightful' that he will find her at Wallington, as he had no idea she was there. Hopes he will manage to get there, as 'Nothing could have been more miraculous' than his arrival in Edinburgh: he came up by plane, which landed him in Glasgow instead, and he did not reach Edinburgh until midnight when he was 'deposited on the pavement in a crowd of drunks'. One of them 'kindness itself' took Forster to his hotel in his car.

The Festival has started 'with a bang and a bit of a jerk. Wild welcome last to the Colonne Orchestra'. Is going to the Verdi tonight.

King's Coll., Cambridge. - Must write by return of post, and 'not delay until I compose that illusory 'real' letter which I am always intending to send'. Feels 'overtired and fidgeted', but 'alright in health', and has 'found much more comfort than I expected here, as well as the expected friendliness'. The 'young Wilkinsons' with whom he is lodging 'seem quite perfect'; thinks 'all that side of life will go on without jolts'.

His 'big room' at College is also starting to look right at last; now sits in it with 'my personal past and ancestral past stacked around me in comparative order, and quite a large coal fire inside my father's chimney-piece, reinforced by an electric fire'. Is 'exhausted mentally and intellectually, but the shock of being uprooted is bound to come out somehow', and he is glad that he can 'eat, sleep, and carry on socially'.

Called at Trinity recently, 'seeing the windows lit up [in the Master's Lodge] and thinking a reception in progress'. Found 'only the Master [G. M. Trevelyan] and his wife, and Robin Mayor and his wife', so they had 'a very nice old codgers' tea party'; Hilton Young and his wife appeared at the end, though Kathleen Kennet 'would scarcely relish being classed as a codger - or codgeress'.

Florence [Barger] has returned; her visit to America was 'a great success', and she has brought back her sister [Margaret?] with her. Sends love to Bob - his proof-correction must be interesting. Expects they will spend Christmas at the Shiffolds; hopes 'domestic arrangements keep all right'. Agnes' foot 'got very bad in the final pandemonium' and she went off to her niece's in Barnet in a car. Has been to see her; she 'seems happily placed', and her room is very nice.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking [headed notepaper]. - 'So pleased' to hear from Bessie; was about to write, partly to ask whether she might like to take on 'one of our pussies' when he leaves West Hackhurst - Bob thought she might. If so, he 'would describe their characteristics and their defects - for cats, unlike human beings, are imperfect. They are of the Tabby habit'.

Looks forward to seeing her, 'perhaps next month'; will bring the 'Tovey volume' [edition of Beethoven's Mass, see TRER/ADD/71], which was 'very helpful'. Is going to Cambridge again this week, to 'make some final arrangements' about his room; his move will probably be 'in two bits, the bigger bit not till October. Much has been done here, much still remains to do'. Has recently sent 'a lorry-load of jumble... off with the Rector's wife built up in the middle of it. She is a darling'.

Glad to hear of the Trevelyans' 'revised arrangements', and hopes they will work well. If Mrs Jane [?] 'is a chatterpie, Bob has only to trot, tell him, into another room. It's a chatterpie in the same room that is so trying'. Has had an 'Excited and delighted' postcard from Florence, who much enjoyed her flight across the Atlantic, and has been 'going round New York with her sister [Margaret?] in a bus'.

Is going to Glyndebourne, 'quite unexpectedly', tomorrow with some Indian friends; he 'rather hate[s] the snobby place, however, dress clothes are out of the question now, and Britten's new opera [The Rape of Lucretia] said to be very lovely'.

Postmarked Abinger Hammer, addressed to 'Mrs Trevelyan, The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking'. - Thanks Bessie for the 'precious volume' [the Donald Tovey edition of Beethoven's Mass]; looks forward to returning it. The 'sponge by the way imbibed tea at the Parrot and not beer!' [see TRER/ADD/71].