The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Here they are 'enjoying the most beautiful weather'. Bessie has gone to London to stay with Molly for a night, do shopping and see friends. They had a 'very pleasant visit' from Aunt Annie, who he thinks will… read more
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Here they are 'enjoying the most beautiful weather'. Bessie has gone to London to stay with Molly for a night, do shopping and see friends. They had a 'very pleasant visit' from Aunt Annie, who he thinks will now be with his parents; they thought her 'very well and cheerful, and not too tired by her house-moving'.
Has taken his father's advice [in 12/314] and read [Lucian's On Salaried Posts in Great Houses/The Dependent Scholar, which he had forgotten; it is 'admirable', as is The Life of Alexander [the False Prophet]. Notes 'how modern the point of view is; it might almost be Anatole France'.
Was at Haslemere during the [Diamond] Jubilee of 1897, so his bonfire was 'the one on Blackdowne'; it was a good one, but 'not forty feet high' [like the one at Wallington, see 12/314]. Quotes Aeschylus' Agamemnon 270, 280-281 on kindling beacons in Greek; hopes to publish his translation of the Agamemnon, but [Gilbert] Murray is just now bringing out his translation with the same publisher [Allen & Unwin], so Robert must 'wait another season'.
Sends love to his mother, Aunt Annie, and Booa [Mary Prestwich].
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