Pièce 301 - Part letter from Sir George Trevelyan to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item

[Beginning of letter missing]. Numerous people always die of heart complaints during general elections; the "Lancet" used to write an article on the cases; expects they will all die at once on the 29 or 30 of December [since the count will be on the same day in all seats for the first time]. Is finishing his letter on the back of another regarding an address to [Edwin] Abbott, who was 'Senior Classic' in his year; Sir George quoted in Latin [Virgil Aeneid 1.475] when he signed to express his inferiority to Abbott, which pleased him. Looking forward very much to seeing Julian and Elizabeth.

Sir George's letter is written on a typed one from W. G. Rushbrooke, St. Olave's Grammar School, Tower Bridge, S.E.1., dated 11 December 1918; this thanks him for signing the address to Abbott, Rushbrooke's old headmaster, but also thanks him for giving him the chance 'to come into touch with the biographer of Lord Macaulay and the author of "Horace at Athens"'; sure his signature will give Abbott great pleasure, which is important as his health is now very frail. Sir George has annotated the letter, noting that St. Olave's was Pepys's old church, that Rushbrooke was 8th Classic in 1872 and fellow of [St] John's [Cambridge], and that Abbott is an Achilles who has 'never sulked in his tent'.

The last sheets of 12/297 and 12/301 were found with this letter, and have now been restored to their proper place.