Pièce 199 - Letter from Janet Trevelyan to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Has 'never heard of such touching fraternal loyalty' as Bessie and Bob having her book ["The Life of Mrs. Humphry Ward"] and George's ["Manin and the Venetian Revolution of 1848 "], 'reading one to yourselves and one aloud'. Delighted they both like hers, as she values their judgement highly; she tried had to make it 'objective' and not 'mawkish', which is the risk with family biographies. Mary seems happy at Somerville, and to have 'found many people who are willing to be kind to her'; she writes about 'explorings & bicycle rides with other girls' and is 'only bored by Political Economy'; has to do that and Latin until next term for 'Pass Mods' but then can 'revel in history alone'. Her character is very similar to Janet's mother's at the same age; she is 'even already writing her first novel!'. The 'world is just about as horrible as it can be' but Jan Smuts is 'a grand fellow' [for his work with the League of Nations]; wonders whether he will 'yet save us all'.