Item 289 - Letter from Desmond MacCarthy to Mary Fletcher

Garrick's Villa, Hampton, Middlesex. - Wishes he could be sure that Cambridge would give Bob [Trevelyan] the honour he deserves; it is nearly a year since she and he discussed this, and MacCarthy approached Shepherd [sic: J. T. Sheppard?] and Roberts. The answer then was reassuring, but when he saw Roberts recently in the Athenaeum it seemed more doubtful. Has not heard from Trevelyan for a long time; gathers he has been up to Northumberland, and that he is suffering from eczema as well as his usual troubles; is glad the 'dear and wise Mrs Abercromby' [sic: Catherine Abercrombie?] stays with him. Has himself been unwell for a few weeks; is going to London for some special treatment. Went to the South of France in March; enjoyed the warmth and sun but did not get well. Thinks often of going to the Shiffolds or to see Ralph Wedgwood in order to see Trevelyan, but has not felt well enough to go for a short visit. Moore has written inviting him to Cambridge in May, though he doubts he will be able to come.