Pièce 43 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Julian Trevelyan

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Cortona. - Hopes that will reach Julian in time to give best wishes for the New Year; by then he will be in Naples, Pompeii, or perhaps Ravello already. Is staying in a 'plain rather ugly house built in 1767' near Cortona, which they visited last week 'in a blizzard', and saw 'a lot of fine old buildings, and some dull pictures', except for an 'enchanting' Fra Angelico. His friend [Umberto] Morra lives here alone, and is a 'very pleasant host'; they read Shakespeare together, sometimes Morra reads him Italian poetry. Has had a bad cold, but it has almost gone now. Goes to Naples tomorrow and hopes to see snow on Soracte [Monte Saratte]; quotes Horace in Latin. Asks Julian to tell his mother that her letter from Bedales has just reached him, and that he is glad she enjoyed her visit; Julian seems to have done well in the part of Snout [in "Midsummer Night's Dream"]. Hopes Jacobs has sent back [Donald] Tovey's music and that she has sent it on. Expects the Russells are now at the Shiffolds; jokingly [?] advises Julian to be on his guard against Russell, who is 'that dangerous thing, a philosopher'; Russell 'ought to have stuck to his mathematics, at which, they say, he was quite good. But philosophy never leads one anywhere in particular'. Tells Julian to be kind to Russell's children: not to put John to swim in the rain-tank 'at least not if you have to break the ice'; and not to 'lock up the girl [Kate] in the box-room for more than half an hour at a time'. If Russell 'becomes too superior', suggests Julian should 'bring out [Cicero's] "Pro Milone" and ask him to construe some not too difficult passage', or get him to name the mouths of the Nile; if he 'retaliates' by asking what Mr Elton's first name is in Jane Austen's "Emma", which Julian has not yet read, the answer is Philip. 'Nevertheless', sends Russell and his family love and best wishes for the New Year.