Pièce 181 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - The hot weather has returned, here the thermometer reads over 80 [degrees Fahrenheit] in the shade; hopes it is less hot for his parents. Was in London on Wednesday, which he thinks was the worst day, and saw at a distance 'the column of smoke from the Carlton Hotel' as he was on the way to see Fanny's First Play [by George Bernard Shaw]. Afterwards he went to see what was happening, but only saw a 'moderate crowd', and at least ten fire-engines preparing to leave. The fire did not seem to have done any external damage, but more may be visible by day. The 'Revolution [the passing of the Parliament Act] seems to have accomplished itself very quietly', and everyone now seems 'very grateful to Asquith for his management of affairs'.

Julian and Bessie are well. Tovey is at the Shiffolds, working on the score of the opera [The Bride of Dionysus]. Saw Charles on Monday, and had lunch with him 'just before the Censure Debate'; he 'gave a good account of Molly, and seemed quite cheerful'. Robert and Bessie are looking forward to their visit to Wallington in September.

Encloses, as a present for his mother, a poem from a 'young friend [Lascelles Abercrombie]... a descendant of Sir Ralph Abercromby, though he spells himself differently'. Thinks he has 'some real genius' and 'will do finer things before long'.