Stuk 98 - Letter from J. L. Hammond to R. C. Trevelyan

Catfield, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. - Thanks to Trevelyan from both Hammonds for the 'Christmas gift' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?], which gave them 'great pleasure'; the poems' 'grace and charm are specially agreeabl[e] at a time when politics are so depressing and alarming'; they 'bring real peace and comfort'. They will soon send him a 'shillingworth of Hammond in a Pelican ["The Bleak Age"], but are waiting for copies. Asks Trevelyan to forgive the 'behaviour' of the letter el on his typewriter [in fact the letter I] , which has 'nothing to do with Xmaa' but is 'unfortunately organic'. Sends best wishes to both Trevelyans; hopes Robert 'live[s] long' to send out his Christmas greetings. Adds a postscript noting that Bertrand Russell was born in May 1872 while Trevelyan was born in June and he himself in July; when they were 'all young men together in the days of the "Speaker"', they little 'dreamt of the sort of world' they would live to see.