Item 29 - Letter from Francis Birrell to R.C. Trevelyan

70 Elm Park Road, Chelsea, S.W. - Has just had the 'shocking news' from Geoffrey Hardern that Felix [Gicquel] has 'died of galloping consumption after a month's illness'; encloses the letter [no longer present]. Bob may also have had news of the internment. Geoffrey is 'very overwrought', and Birrell fears this may 'finally send him over the edge'. Finds Felix's death 'extremely distressing'; Birrell 'loved him very much indeed &... shall never [meet] anyone quite like him again'; is sure Bob feels the same. Wonders if Bob could write a letter to Hardern: understands if he cannot, but feels a letter 'from someone definitely considerably older... might be advantageous to his morale'. Has written himself in a 'rather unaccustomed strain... urging him not to collapse under this. After all, Felix was his only check'.