Item 245 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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Paris. - This is his 'last fortnight in France'; will be about a week in the Verdun district with [Francis] Birrell, leaving for there tomorrow morning, then a week more in Paris, after which they will start home, he expects around the 23rd. Has found a 'competent successor as librarian, a young American [John Leslie Hotson]', who Robert expects will need to move the books to the Verdun district before long. More than half the books are 'already in the country équipes'. Thinks the 'library has been a success, and the books have been a great deal read'; though it 'ought to have been started two or three years ago'.

Is very glad that Aunt Nora was 'not in a state to know about Truelove's death', as he understands from his mother's letter. Aunt Nora was 'always exceedingly kind' to them all, and Bessie too. Truelove was a 'very nice man', and Robert will be 'very sorry not to see him again'; met him in London last year, and he was 'as handsome as ever'. Hopes George's son Humphry has recovered [from scarlet fever, see 12/303]. Has 'quite good reports of Julian'.

Glad his father is going to 'read Lucretius through'. Has recently translated the whole of the fifth book; there is 'rather a tiresome part about the stars and the sun, but the first few hundred are fine, and the last 700 superb'. May do another book soon. Even when Lucretius is 'dull and absurd and unpoetical' he interests Robert, as his 'power of exposition seldom fails him, and the movement and texture of the verse is usually at a high level'. Acknowledges that 'his astronomy was bad, even for his time'.

Hopes to see his parents soon.