Item 8 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Julian Trevelyan

1 item

Friends War Victims Relief Committee, A.P.O., S.5., B.E.F., France. - Glad to hear from Julian's letter that he is getting on 'quite well' [at school'; he must have enjoyed his visit from his mother; wishes he could have come too. Sorry he cannot be home for Christmas, but will have to stay until March. Glad Julian has heard from Tom Ugle, whom he hopes is better; supposes he will have to 'find a new engine' unless he is going to give up engine-driving. Went on a long train journey last week to Sermaize [les-Bains] to see the relief workers and ask what books he should get for them. All the houses there were burnt in a great battle four years ago [the Battle of the Marne], and the people have to live in wooden huts which are being made for them until proper ones can be built again. Everyone in France is glad the war is over; he hopes there will be no more wars in his own or Julian's lifetime. Is going to lunch with 'Monsieur Coquetot' [Jean Cocteau?], who is 'very clever and writes plays and also draws very well', and is 'very pleasant company' but talks so fast Robert cannot always understand him. Has made friends with 'a very good French painter called [Jean?] Marchand, who talks more slowly' so he understands him better; Marchand paints 'chiefly landscapes, but sometimes portraits or still-life'. Is going for lunch by underground railway: the 'Tubes in Paris are not so deep down'.