Pièce 240 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Is spending a 'very pleasant Christmas and New Year' in Paris; they had 'plum-pudding on Christmas evening, though only chicken, not turkey'. Generally the food in Paris is 'quite good, though not cheap'. Francis Birrell has come to Paris 'to edit Reconstruction [the F.W.V.R.C.'s monthly] and manage our Publicity department', and is sharing a room with Robert. He is 'very good company', and Robert imagines that he is 'rather like his father [Augustine Birrell]'; certainly he quite resembles him in appearance, though he is 'much smaller'.

Expects his father has seen George by now; spent 'a very pleasant evening with him when he was on his way through Paris'. Is glad to know that Bessie hopes to come to Welcombe soon with Julian, who 'seems to have developed a good deal during his first term at school'. They are having 'very wet cold weather, and the streets are horribly muddy. Also the Seine is very full, and about the colour of the Tiber in flood'. Paris is 'crowded as never before, and it is impossible to get rooms anywhere'; the 'streets and the metros are packed'. No interesting plays on at the moment, except 'a few good farces'. Notes that '[o]ne really never sees bad acting here, as one does in London', and that even the plays, 'though often trivial and incredibly risqué, are at least well written and well put together'.

Went to the Musée Grevin [showing waxworks] recently; the 'old revolutionary scenes were there still, and looked as well as ever. The new war scenes were good enough, but nothing out of the way.' Sends love to his mother and Aunt Annie.