Item 314 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Caroline Trevelyan

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The Shiffolds. - Returned yesterday after a 'very wet hunt [the Lake Hunt], though they had a 'good day on Monday, and plenty of fun', which partly made up for the wet weekend. They went out on Saturday despite the rain, but it was 'rather poor sport'; they stayed at home on Sunday, and walked to Lodore after tea. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, but it was 'disappointing only to have one good day'.

Bessie seems very well; the Sangers and 'Mrs Clifford Allen with the baby', are here till Sunday, and the weather is fine but cold. Julian writes 'quite cheerfully'. Remembers liking James's The American Scene, 'especially the chapter about Richmond. They have heard of 'two promising couples, that may do as successors to Alice and Bert [Elms], but nothing is yet settled. Thought Charles and Molly 'both very well, and in good spirits'. Has been translating much of Theocritus' poetry, and hopes to bring it out in a book this autumn or next spring; perhaps also a book of new poems, but he 'must try to write a few more this summer'.

The letter is dated '24 May 1924', but this does not fit with any other letter referring to the Lake Hunt of 1924; these suggest that the Hunt took place on the long weekend of 7-9 June. See 15/33; 46/315; 12/365; 46/316. The last says that Robert returned on 'Wednesday [11 June]', making the date of this letter 12 June. Probably Robert used notepaper on which he had begun to write a letter to his mother and did not change the date.