Pièce 121 - Letter from Sir George Trevelyan to R. C. Trevelyan

Palace Hotel, Rome. - Sorry to hear about the fall of the cedar and the little dog's death; Elizabeth must be sad. Glad about Paul; had never noticed how much 'gymnastics' a year old child does pulling itself onto its feet until Geordie was around them this autumn. They have been out to the Appian Way to lunch, and spent a morning going over the grounds of the Villa Mills on the Palatine which is to be pulled down for excavations. Always thinks of Robert at the Farnese casino on the Clivus Victoriae, where he had the 'altercation with the friend of the custode'. Has read [Cicero's] Philippics, inspired by Ferrero, and has 'rarely enjoyed a book more'; also delighting in reading Terence. Glad to hear what [James Stoddart?] Bain told Robert; there are beginning to be signs that the book [Volume III of "The American Revolution"] is a success and is doing well in America, though it came out in the midst of an unprecedented 'financial tornado'. Their hotel is quite full of 'very quiet, respectable Americans', most of whom are ladies.