Pièce 27 - Letter from Caroline Trevelyan to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Cooler here than at Welcombe, but still 'dry and parched'; sorry Elizabeth is suffering so much from the drought. The hay is 'being carried everywhere'; it is a poor crop but will be got in with little difficulty. Annie [Philips] seems well; she was 'delighted with Julian' and seems to have enjoyed Elizabeth's visit. He should be sent up to Wallington if he feels the heat too much. Interesting about Elizabeth's Dutch friend: hopes she will be able to 'use her musical talents', but fears it is 'a sadly difficult time to begin'. Very good that Mr [Donald] Tovey now has a fixed position [at Edinburgh]. Annie has just shown her Bob's "[The Foolishness of] Solomon", which she received this morning; wonders where Sir George will get their copy; hopes it will be successful. Is reading the Emma Darwin letters; sure an earlier book printed privately reproduced some of them. Asks what news Elizabeth has of Mrs Abercrombie; hopes she is recovering and that they feel 'easier about the results of the operation'. Sir George is going to Newcastle today then driving to Wallington tomorrow; they are looking forward to seeing [Charles and Mary's] 'Cambo children', who seem to be having a good time there. Thinks she is turning into 'a real "country cousin"', finding the crowds and traffic of Birmingham or Manchester 'almost bewildering'. It seems 'less black' here than it used too, but perhaps it is just the best month. There are people coming for tea today and lunch tomorrow, and Morton is coming this evening. An enclosure which Elizabeth need not return is mentioned in a postscript.