Pièce 239 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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Paris. - Is glad that his parents 'have made a safe migration to Welcombe', and that his mother is well. Has recently been very busy preparing his catalogue [of books in the Friends War Victims Relief Committee's library], which is 'now printed, and will appear tomorrow as a Supplement to Reconstruction, our Monthly paper'; will send his father a copy. Has bought almost six hundred books for 971.80 francs, and thinks has got his money's worth on the whole. The other books 'belong to various members of the Mission, or to local équipe libraries'. 'Already, nearly a hundred books have been taken out by individuals'; has 'also lent about 350 to the local équipe libraries, and shall lend more from time to time'.

Sometimes sees 'quite interesting people' in the evenings, French, American, and English. Young [Francis] Birrell, his 'chief friend on the Mission', is coming up to Paris from Verdun soon 'to look after our publicity department, the purpose of which is to get money from America and England to carry on our work'. Robert follows politics as closely as he can from the newspapers, but 'of course hear nothing at first hand, except sometimes about French politics'. Does not know 'what will come of it all'; is 'not very hopeful' for his own lifetime, but 'cannot help hoping that the new world will be a better world one than the old one for Julian and his contemporaries when they are men and women'.

Is glad Aunt Annie will stay with his parents 'for some time'; asks his father to give his love to her when she comes; also to his mother, to whom he will write soon.