Nice. - Is here for a week's holiday with Francis Birrell, 'staying with a friend two miles outside the town'; the weather has been unpleasant, but changed yesterday for the better. Birrell caught a 'bad chill in Nice, and was in bed for two days', but… read more
Nice. - Is here for a week's holiday with Francis Birrell, 'staying with a friend two miles outside the town'; the weather has been unpleasant, but changed yesterday for the better. Birrell caught a 'bad chill in Nice, and was in bed for two days', but is now up again. They are both glad to have a change from Paris where it was dreadfully cold, particularly in their 'badly warmed hotel'.
Soon after his holiday, he will go to the Friends War Victim's Relief Committee's 'new headquarters at Grange le Comte, in the Verdun area, to make arrangements about the library', which will need to be transferred there gradually. Also needs to find a successor to carry on the library when he returns home in March. The FWVRC are 'more and more concentrating on the Verdun area, where there will soon be one big metropolis at Grange le Comte, and a number of small équipes scattered about in the surrounding villages'.
Has had generally good news from Bessie about Julian, though he 'still seems to have his difficulties'. Bessie has sent him the 'very kind letter [12/302] which his father recently wrote to her saying he would give them fifty pounds towards Julian's education. Thanks his parents for the 'great kindness both of the thought and of the act'; is sorry he cannot thank them personally, but hopes he will be able to do so before long.
His mother's letter has just arrived; is glad to hear his parents are both well. Hopes they are by now having good weather. This morning he and Birrell 'sauntered up the road, and got a fine view of the distant Alps. The near country is very Italian, and it did one good to see terraces and olives and ilices after so many years'. Physically, this area is 'as much a part of Italy as Genoa'; the people also talk a 'sort of half Italian half French patois'. Nice is 'crammed full to bursting, chiefly with Americans', and the trains are 'terribly crowded'; however, they have got seats on next Tuesday's train. The cost of living is higher than in Paris, and 'what one gets is less good'.
Very glad to hear George will 'soon be getting back to writing history'; was a 'great pleasure seeing him in Paris last month'. Sends love to his mother, and thanks for her letter.
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