Item 276 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/331]. Here they are 'still waiting for the rain, and keeping as cool as possible'; the rain on Saturday 'did not amount to much', though they were 'grateful for it'. Fortunately their water supply has not given out. Has just heard from Lascelles Abercrombie, his 'poet friend, who is a lecturer at Liverpool University' that he and his brother '[Patrick] an important architect "have been asked to report to Stratford-upon-Avon corporation on possible (industrial) developments of Stratford - whether desirable or not, and if desirable under what conditions"'. Lascelles Abercrombie calls this '"a difficult question"', and thinks that '"Welcombe is concerned in it"'; wonders whether Robert's father '"would like to express any opinion"'. Robert is replying to say that his parents are not currently at Stratford, but that if the Abercrombies wish to have his father's opnion, he sees no objection to them writing to him; realises it is 'quite likely' that his father 'may not care to commit [himself] to any definite opinion'. Patrick Abercrombie is 'very eminent'; Robert thinks he is 'Professor of Town-planning, and perhaps the chief authority on town-planning in the country'. Supposes Lascelles Abercrombie 'was chosen [for the Stratford report] to represent literature and culture generally, and no one could do it better than he'.

Julian returns [from school] next week; they had a 'cheerful letter from him this morning'.