Pièce 267 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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Casa Boccaccio, Settignano, Firenze [on headed notepaper for I Tatti, Settignano, though headed address is crossed through]. - Hopes his letter will reach his father 'without too much delay'; they do not know yet 'whether a railway strike has begun [in Britain] but still hope there may be a settlement'. There is also a 'general strike at Pisa, owing to an outrage by the fascisti, which may delay the post. Bessie and Julian seem well; Julian 'has gone to the Georges [ie, to stay with George and Janet Trevelyan]' but is probably home by now. Robert is 'staying with [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson and [Harry] Norton in the Casa Boccaccio, near the Berensons' villa [I Tatti], 'in whose garden and library' Robert spends much time working. The Berensons are not yet here, but return before the end of the month. Generally the weather is good, with a little rain; the 'flowers and leaves are all coming out fast, and the cuckoo is singing', though he has not yet heard the nightingale.

Is 'just going to tea with an old lady, Mrs Forbes Moss [Irene Forbes-Mosse] who is the grand-daughter of Goethe's Bettina', about whom he is 'embarrassed to say' he knows little, except that she 'was one of many Goethe was in love with'; her grand-daugher 'married an Englishman, and is now a widow'. Sends love to his mother; will write to her soon.