Item 76 - Letter from E. M. Forster to Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 sheet

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.