Item 282 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Sir George Trevelyan

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The Shiffolds, Holmbury, St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes his parents have a good journey to Welcombe. The 'summer seems scarcely over here, and the oaks have most of their leaves still'. Bessie went to London yesterday, and Robert will join her this afternoon for a few days while their 'cesspool is cleaned out, which is a considerable operation'. Is going to tea with Lady Russell [Elizabeth von Arnim], who 'has just written a very clever but disagreeable book, Vera, based upon her recent marriage experience'; this union was 'bound to be a failure, for Earl Russell, though a clever man, is an impossible egotist'. Hopes her next book will have a 'more pleasant subject, for she has a great talent for novel-writing'.

Has been reading Beaumont and Fletcher's The Maid's Tragedy, as there will be a performance this month with Sybil Thorndike, whom he believes to be 'our finest English actress', as Evadne; had forgotten what a 'wonderful play' it was. A 'pity that Fletcher did not die young, rather than Fletcher' as Beaumont seems to have been 'far the greatest of the two'. Sends love to his mother, and thanks for her letter.