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

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Perhaps the strongest proof of the strangeness of the times is the 'oversetting of very familiar British institutions': it should be the first day of the black game shooting season, yet they have been eating both grouse and black game for a fortnight, 'at a lunch which begins at 12.30!'. Very interested by Robert's list of Macaulay's 'naturalisations of words', which show 'the sure touch of a man who knows what was wanted' and supports Bryce's claim that in two thousand years people would debate whether Macaulay had more influence on English prose, or Cicero on Latin. Asks if Robert has found out about the country members' payment for the National Liberal Club; would pay the town subscription for him if it is more convenient, but time times call for 'any practicable economy'. Looks forward to seeing Robert's treatment of Lucretius; is reading 'the first decade of Livy', strangely for the first time, and quite sympathises with '[Barthold] Niebuhr's manly and uncompromising love of it'.