Item 84 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven

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Hotel de la Poste, Bruxelles. - Is writing between courses at lunch after a morning at the gallery; may go to the Palais Arenburg to see the pictures, and perhaps to the Wiertz [Museum]. If the weather is fine tomorrow, may go to Waterloo and be 'as patriotic and Brittish [sic] and military' as he likes. Finds Brussels to be a nice town with much to see and much going on, so he is 'nearly compensated' for their separation; fewer 'really good pictures' than he remembered, but the Metzys was 'magnificent', as were several other Flemish paintings. Went last night to see Massenet's "Cendrillon", but was not impressed and left before the end. Will try a play tonight, then tomorrow thinks he will attend a Beethoven recital by [Frederic] Lamond; saw him as a boy but has forgotten all about him. Has not yet handed in the parcel and note from her uncle, but will do. Plans to return on Thursday. Has written to his mother 'telling her some more home-truths' about Bessie; must send her the photo when he gets back. Dreamed of Bessie last night; cannot remember details, but was glad to do so on their first separation since they 'loved one another openly'. Wishes it was possible to 'kiss at a distance', as the telephone allows one to speak at a distance; writes a poem over the part of the paper he has kissed which urges her to kiss it in her turn.