Pièce 98 - Letter from Umberto Morra di Lavriano to R. C. Trevelyan

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Centro Italiano Propaganda, Viale Calascione, 7 - Napoli. - Pleasure at reading Trevelyan's news: had heard something of him through [Cecil?] Sprigge but not in detail; knew about Trevelyan's fall and his recovery, but not about the birth of his grandchild [Philip Erasmus]. His own news is good: 'it is a great deal to have passed all this period without injury'; all was well with B.B. [Berenson] up until the 8th of September, as the fascists kept him safe at I Tatti, but he has had no news from Florence, though he has spoken to their friend Reeber [sic: Samuel Reber III], US representative in the Allied Control Commission, who said he would try and intervene through the Swiss legation. Feels helpless. His people at home knew nothing of his intention to escape, and may not be able to 'understand or measure the reasons' and feel abandoned, then there are his hidden friends and 'worse, those who couldn't hide'. Reminds himself that all of Europe is passing through the same ordeal. To renew his link of friendship with Trevelyan openly is 'a good omen, it is like breathing again a pure breath of fresh air'.