Showing 54 results

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Elizabeth will have heard that George and Janet's baby was born on Sunday morning. Janet stayed well despite the delay, and all went well for the birth. The baby is 'plump & peaceful & quite pretty', with grey eyes and lots of brown hair; Sir George went to see her yesterday and seemed pleased. George gazes at her 'in quite a sentimental way'. Caroline has not yet seen Janet, but will soon, and she seems to be comfortable; the baby is to be called Mary Caroline after her grandmothers. Has not asked 'what religious denomination she is to be brought up in!!'. Aunt Margaret [Holland] has returned from a visit to Brighton and seems fairly well again; Caroline thinks she is unwise to go to Court on Friday to see Margaret Smith and 'two other grand daughters' presented. Sends love to Mary [Booth] if she has arrived. Asks when Elizabeth and Robert will return to England. She and Sir George have been to see Bernard Shaw's "John Bull ['s Other Island]"; found it 'amusing' but not his best play. Charles and Mary are well. The Government is 'getting more & more discredited'.

Dictated (not in hand of M. J. Holland).

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The baby [Mary and Charles's daughter Pauline] was born this morning, and all is going well, though Mary 'is to be kept very quiet'. Everyone thinks it is nice she is a girl; she and her cousin [Mary] 'will be so happy together'. The nurse was there, and the car fetched the doctor in good time; it was Dr Ethel Williams, and they 'seem to have liked her very much'. Asks Elizabeth to let her know how she finds Aunt Margaret [Holland?], as the accounts they have had are 'conflicting'. Glad Elizabeth is seeing her friends, and is much looking forward to coming; sends love to Bob in a postscript, is sure he will be enjoying the weather.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Discusses arrangements for her visit on Wednesday 1 November; Tuesday would be difficult as she has a Com[mittee] all day. If it would be inconvenient due to the departure of Elizabeth's 'troublesome little maid', she could come on the 9th or 10th if she knew at once. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is not coming up before they go abroad, but will be in London over Christmas so Elizabeth could invite her to visit then. Caroline will not bring Pantlin [her maid] so Elizabeth must excuse her appearance. Very sorry about Florence [the maid]; she thinks the mother 'very foolish'. Suggests finding a girl from further away; she herself never takes them from the village as 'they do nothing but talk & gossip'. Asks when Elizabeth and Robert think of going abroad; asks if they will come south, and see Caroline and Sir George in Rome on the way; they start on 12 December. Glad Elizabeth likes the name Pauline; the baby is nice and placid, not as lively as Mary was; Mary does not like her at the moment 'as she is not allowed to seize her by the head, & put her nose into her mouth'; they leave on Wednesday. Thanks Elizabeth for the news about Aunt Margaret [Holland?]. Wonders whether next year Elizabeth should get a 'regular house parlourmaid, & let Mrs Enticknap do the cooking'. Sends love to Robert; glad he is getting some shooting.

3 Hare Court, Inner Temple, London E.C. - It is very good of her to see the matter [his father's wish that Sir Henry Howard and his wife be invited to the wedding] the way she does; not possible for 'these sort of things' to be ideal; does not think the Howards will really spoil much, and hopes the Grandmonts will not be 'unreasonable' and come too. Had to tell his father of the Grandmonts' objections or he would been angry when he called on Sir Henry at the Hague and found he had not been invited. His father does not know Sir Henry well, but his aunt [Alice] Dugdale does, and in general his family 'are on very good terms with the Howards of Corby, though not very closely related'. His relations would very likely be offended if Sir Henry were not invited; does not particularly care about Aunt Alice, but his father does, and he does care for his Aunt Margaret and does not know how she would react. Sanger is engaged, and therefore quite recovered. True that she [Dora Pease] 'behaved so badly to him' and there is a doubt whether she is really in love with him, but Bob is optimistic; [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson knows more and is reassuring; Bob has not yet seen Roger. Expects Sanger's wedding will be in July or August; wonders whether Bessie will like Dora, as people often do not and she has plenty of faults; yet she is not heartless. Splendid that Sanger is 'so miraculously cured'. Thinks he will go to Dorking on Thursday; MacCarthy and Sickert are coming to visit. Will write more later of what he did in Cambridge. Curious about Lily H[odgkin]; did know she was there [Dresden] and had just written to thank her for returning a book he lent her two years ago. Is glad to have her new photos, though does not think them very good.

Pinewood, Godalming. -Very interested to hear Robert's news [of his engagement], and pleased he has 'such a happy prospect' before him; she and his uncle join in 'the most cordial & affectionate messages' to him and to their 'future niece', whom she greatly looks forward to meeting. It will be 'indeed be a delight to hear her play'; wants Robert to bring her to see them if she visits his father and mother before the marriage; they will be in London after Christmas, but are spending December with Meta in Hertfordshire. Is writing to tell Meta, who will 'sympathise' with Elizabeth about music, especially the violin; 'little Margaret' [Meta's daughter] is learning to play it 'most promisingly'. Good of Robert to let her know himself; thinks Miss van der Hoeven is 'a very fortunate girl in securing your affections'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to have Elizabeth's news of Aunt Margaret [Holland]. Is following Elizabeth and Robert's negotiations about the new house closely, and agrees that the most recent proposal to let the land for ten years, with the house returning to the landlord at the end, is 'quite impossible'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wishes Bessie and her uncle and aunt a very happy new year. Very pleased to receive Bessie's photographs; asks if she could send copies to her sister Miss [Anna Maria] Philips, who has always been very good to Robert and his brothers and takes great interest in them. This aunt lives at Tunbridge Wells in the winter with an invalid friend, Miss Wicksteed, who is also very fond of the boys and would like a photograph, and in the summer near Manchester. Caroline has another sister [Margaret Price], a widow living in Gloucestershire; Sir George has two sisters, Lady Knutsford and Mrs Dugdale. Not a large family of near relations; looks forward to introducing them to Bessie. Hopes to hear from Robert about the disaster at Amalfi [the landslip at the Cappuccini Hotel]. Will be in Welcombe from next week.

43, Cadogan Square, S.W. - Was 'so immensely interested' to hear of Bob's engagement to Miss van der Hoeven from her mother, though they have not met in 'perfect ages'. Would have written with congratulations earlier, but has been 'ill & in bed' for three weeks. Hopes he has the 'greatest of all earthly happiness' and is very glad about it; hopes he will visit when he returns to England, and she looks forward very much to meeting his fiancée.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear that 'the contributions to [Elizabeth's] commissariat turned out well'. Amused to think of her playing croquet at the Rectory. They have had a quiet week, with only George there as Charles has been 'away shooting and visiting'. The Archbishop of York and his wife are coming today 'which amuses us much', as well as Miss Dalrymple, Dorothy Ward and Carr Bosanquet. The [Herbert?] Pauls and Theo [Llewelyn?] Davies are coming tomorrow, so they will be 'quite gay till Monday'. [Sir George's] elbow is much better; he is reading her a 'most amusing novel by Bernard Shaw... discovered in a Socialist magazine called The Corner'. Will be in London on 9 Oct and hopes to come and see them; asks whether she should stay the night. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is 'rather envious of the blackberries' are there are none in Northumberland. Sure Elizabeth will 'think Pinewood [the Knutsfords' home] very pretty'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The dissolution [of Parliament] has changed their plans: she no longer needs to be in London on the 9th as 'the Committee has been altered', while Sir George must stay to vote for [Charles] Fenwick but the date of the election is not yet known. Will come down a little later and pay a visit, but cannot yet be sure when. Hopes Elizabeth is having a 'pleasant day' with the Knutsfords; would like to know how they find Lady Knutsford. Also asks whether she likes McKenzie [?] and thinks him likely to help; hopes she is feeling 'pretty well'. She and Sir George were glad to be alone again: likes having 'young people here' but there was a lot of coming and going which 'required a good deal of arranging'. She and Sir George went to Hallington yesterday, having not managed to go when Elizabeth and Robert were there; it is a long drive through 'rather dreary country'; the house is pleasant and there were a 'nice couple' there as caretakers; made a 'little hurried sketch' so if they get to Taormina next spring they can tell Mrs C[acciola: Florence Trevelyan] all about it. Charles went to Elland as soon as he heard about the dissolution; no-one is standing against him but there will definitely be a Tory. Asks Elizabeth to tell her 'if the lady turns out to be a musician' and whether she has 'settled many lessons'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wonders if they have gone to town; wants to hear how they 'found them [the Knutsfords] at Pinewood'. George leaves tomorrow. Charles 'seems pretty safe to be re-elected'. Supposes Elizabeth and Robert do not 'hear much about the fight', but though she and Sir George 'are doing nothing this time of course [they] are intensely interested in it all'. They have had some 'delightful walks on the moors' in the lovely weather; often wishes Elizabeth were there. Hopes she has good news of her aunt and Marie. Is sending some figs; some game will follow tomorrow. Will let them know when they have been able to make plans about coming south.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looks forward to visiting on the 11th. Is going to the Park [Prestwich: to see her sister Annie?] on the 12th and does not like to leave Sir George for long so may only come to town on the 10th; if she comes the day before she will spend the night of the 10th in Surrey as well. Sir George cannot leave until the 13th because of the voting for Hexham. Would be sorry to miss Robert. Very sorry to hear about [Alphonse] Grandmont, though reassures her that 'surgery is so wonderful now' and there is less to fear. Her aunt's 'weakness' will also add to the 'family anxiety'. Glad that the doctor was able to treat Elizabeth herself; hopes she liked him. They were 'astonished beyond measure at Lionel [Holland]'s reappearance', not that he is standing as a Liberal as they 'knew he was not a real Conservative', but that he has returned, and wonders 'how he gets the money to stand'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert have heard anything about it; supposes they [the Knutsfords] knew nothing of Lionel's plans when they were at Pinewood. Very sad about Meta [Smith]'s child. They have 'cheerful news from Charles, & [the Liberals] are hopeful of winning seats in the north', though 'the reaction [against the Second Boer War?] is not yet in full swing'. Suggests in a postscript on a separate sheet that Elizabeth could travel back with her to London in the evening, stay the night at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escen]t and dine at her club; George will also be in town.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad Jan Hubrecht is visiting England; hopes he will see Cambridge and enjoy his time with Elizabeth and Robert; will be good for him after his illness. Is sending the Christmas present directly to the Mill House as [Mary] Prestwich does not have room in the hamper; there is also a pair of slippers which she has made. Hopes Elizabeth will use the purse [?] at once, in London and the Hague. Glad she is trying new ways to do her hair, and that her cough has gone.

Expects Aunt Margaret [Holland] 'would be much amused by a "Dolmetsch"'; Caroline and Sir George are reading her book [Life and letters of Zachary Macaulay] with much interest; Zachary was 'rather boring ' but 'did a great work' and the life is well written and edited. Sir George is very glad Elizabeth likes Persuasion; he thinks 'the offer is the best in fiction'. Caroline is reading Mrs Humphry Ward's Eleanor, whose novels always interest her though she feels 'critical about them'; Sir George 'cannot abide them'.

Robert's sonnet is 'very pretty'; asks whether Elizabeth could get him to write one about the [Second Boer] war like William Watson, as he feels so strongly; thinks it would do good. Expects she has seen George's letter in the Westminster and Charlie's to the Times; Charlie has also making good speeches and getting his views known. Asks her to thank Robert for his letter about the portraits; there is no hurry as they will not be back till Easter, but thinks Sir George would sit if she urged him to. Glad Elizabeth's aunt is improving; her visit will cheer her.

Hotel Bristol, Rome. - Pleased to hear that the weather at Taormina had improved; she and Sir George were unlucky there. Arrived in Rome on Saturday evening, and they have had some lovely days; have just returned from a long expedition to the site of the old town of Veii, near Isola Farnese, when they had to 'cross rivers on stepping stones & get across boggy places, & slip down banks' but enjoyed it very much. They will make many excursions to places round Rome; just regret there are no flowers or green leaves out yet; their guide today said the woods were 'usually carpeted with violets & anemones' at this time of year. Elizabeth should 'arrange it with the little people' if she thinks it would be best for the five lire to be saved; agrees it would 'be a very nice thing if they are not disappointed at not having it to spend'. Asks if they can send some bougainvillea and an asphodel plant to Mr Keith [the gardener] at Wallington before they leave Ravello. Aunt Margaret [Holland?] has had laryngitis but has recovered. Sir George is very happy; 'he loves Rome'. Lanciani [?] is going to take them 'over the Forum to explain the new discoveries'. Hopes Elizabeth has 'made friends with the dogs' and is 'enjoying Mrs C. T.'s [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's] gardens'

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Originally enclosing a note from Dolmetsch; hopes Elizabeth will agree to play with him; she 'can join him in the Purcell' and perhaps play something 'after his program is finished'. Asks her to write direct to him and say if she can 'undertake the Sonata'. Hopes she will have a good evening with the Daveys [sic: Llewelyn Davies family?]. Going to Welcombe on Thursday. Would like to visit for lunch if Elizabeth and Robert are at home in the week of 17 June; Sir George says he wants to very much, and they are visiting Aunt Margaret [Holland] at Witley then. Aunt Annie [Philips] was here yesterday, and discussed arranging a visit to her by Elizabeth and Robert. Caroline hopes they will spend a fortnight at Wallington; would be best if Robert could come for the shooting. Annie is coming on 15 August for a week, and has Aunt Meg [Price] staying with her until the 12th. Hopes there is good news from the Hague [of Elizabeth's uncle]. A postscript says Elizabeth may stay the night on the 12th.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Very glad Elizabeth likes the dress; sorry it is 'not quite right'; Pantlin will alter it when Elizabeth next comes to town. Will be glad to give her a bed on the 11th-12th. Very kind of her to play with Dolmetsch; perhaps it will 'be better only to do that'; would not have asked her [to play a solo piece?] if Dolmetsch had not suggested it; they must be careful it is 'his concert'. Sir George has had an attack of rheumatism; not too bad but he is 'feverish & uncomfortable & gets low spirited'. Mr Calvin is spending Sunday here, but he is 'fortunately a quiet person'. Ascot Week begins 17 June and 'the Waterloo line is so crowded' that Sir George says 'nothing will induce him' to go to Aunt Margaret [Holland]'s then; she has suggested visiting on the 13th instead but has not yet had a reply from Margaret; asks if they may come to visit Elizabeth and Robert on the 14th if she agrees. Sorry that Marie [Hubrecht] has been ill again.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Happy to go with Elizabeth to see the doctor; says she should make the appointment herself and gives Mrs Scharlieb's Harley Street address. Will be back in London on Monday. Glad Elizabeth is going; believes the doctor is 'very able in all such matters. A real pity the dress will not fit. Sir George is recovered from his [rheumatic] 'feverishness' now. Aunt Margaret [Holland] cannot have them on the 13th, and Sir George will not go in Ascot week, so thinks their visit will fall through; asks if they could still visit Elizabeth and Robert for a day as Sir George 'seems anxious for it'. Will 'ask the Sangers &c' but fears she is now 'getting too full'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - They have settled with Thornton Trevelyan to shoot the covers at Wallington on 4 October; asks if Robert will be able to come; predicts the game will be good. They have a large party of visitors: the Knutsfords, Jebbs, and Sir Spencer Walpole; Sir Alfred Lyall and the [Henry?] Sidgwicks come tomorrow. Is getting on well with his book [the first volume of the "History of the American Revolution"], and has revised the first half with 'great help' from Robert's comments; it is 'very much improved' and he hopes to have it all finished in a fortnight.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit of her friend [Miss de Natrys]. Sorry to hear she has nettle rash, which is a 'horrid thing'; she herself had it for several weeks on her return from therr travels this year. Glad Robert is better and hopes he will soon make progress; asks if he is working on the novel. Asks if [Roger Fry's] illustrations [for Robert's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"] are finished, and if the arrangement has been made with the publisher [Johnson]. Theo [Llewelyn] Davies is here today, as are Mr [Charles Francis, Jr] and Mrs Adams; the Adamses are American, and he has corresponded with Sir George for a long time so they are keen to meet each other. Tomorrow they are expecting the G [?] Buxtons and two daughters. Asks Elizabeth to write from Pinewood to say how Aunt Margaret [Holland] is. Hopes Robert and Elizabeth will be able to make their landlord do the repairs.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear the news of the 'Pinewood relations [the Knutsfords]; sure they are happy to have made it up with L[ionel?], though she does not understand quite 'how things stand about him'. Expects Dolmetsch is 'very interesting to talk to about music'; he has a 'touch of genius'; asks if his 'money difficulties' are settled. Sent some game on Thursday as it was the last grouse shooting on Wednesday and Sir George thought they should go; they should be eaten quite soon. Expecting the H[enry] Y[ates] Thompsons and R[obin] Mayor today; Charles leaves on Monday and G[eorge] on Tuesday. Glad Elizabeth has recovered; 'curious how hurtful fruit seems'. George read an extract from his history yesterday, which they 'all thought very good'. Hopes Robert is refreshed by his 'outing this week'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear things 'are comfortable at Pinewood'; they hope to go there for a day in November [to see the Knutsfords] as they will probably be in London for a while to give Sir George 'a little change'. Very amused by Elizabeth's account of the church, which must have been the Irvingite [Catholic Apostolic] Church at Albury, for the sect founded by Edward Irving; describes this; Elizabeth should read Carlyle's life of Irving in his '"Reminiscences " and "Miscellanies" if she is interested; Mrs Oliphant also wrote a 'very readable life' of him. The Duke of Northumberland of the day 'was a great Irvingite'; believes 'the present family also belong to the Church'. Asks if Elizabeth saw the 'Silent Pool' at Albury, which is very pretty. Tells her they should not be in a hurry to move. Thinks it a good idea to be revaccinated if there is smallpox about. Asks what she thinks of doing about Mrs Scharlieb; good that she is stronger, but this does not mean she should not 'have the weakness put right'; Mrs Scharlieb might advise her by letter what she should do. Will be in London for a few days around 4 November; asks her to remind Robert to reply to his father's letter if he has not 'as it seems rather indifferent'; a postscript says that a reply has just arrived.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letters; it is a great pleasure to Caroline and Sir George to help her and Robert settle themselves 'really comfortably'; hopes the V[aughan] Williams proposal [to lease them land at Leith Hill on which to build a house] comes to pass. Is very sorry that Elizabeth has been 'worried & upset'; quite understands that Robert is 'trying' when he is upset, as 'All Trevelyans are inclined to be so sometimes, & "get on the nerves" of their women-kind'. Does not like to think of her being alone, and hopes her Dutch friend came yesterday and that she will go to stay with Aunt Annie [Philips] for a night. Aunt Margaret [Holland] has been 'laid up' for more than a fortnight 'with clots'; she has one in her hand and so cannot write; thinks she will tell her Elizabeth could come over and see her. Also suggests that Elizabeth could come to Wallington for a while, and Robert come to join her; they could then go home together and return on 1 September with George and Janet. Does not want Robert before 20 July, but Elizabeth could come earlier. Asks if she is getting any music; must find someone to accompany her at Wallington. Has been 'too cool for a cotton dress' here, though she hears dreadful things from a lady in London who 'nearly died' from the heat when she had to spend two days at the cricket with young people. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is very busy, as Grace has taken a holiday.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Expects that Elizabeth has returned home and that the weather is 'cooler & pleasanter'; it was fine yesterday for the school treat. Sir George has been out fishing twice, which is very good for him. Does not think there will be fine weather in the North for some time, so perhaps Robert will not stay so long; thinks September will be better than August this year and is glad Elizabeth is coming then. They are alone at the moment, but expect Mr Milnes Gaskell and his daughter on Tuesday. Hopes Janet [Ward] will be able to visit Elizabeth; she and George have taken a house in Chelsea and are very happy; their prolonged engagement obviously suits them. Is reading [Elliot's] "Daniel Deronda"; thinks it is 'much too long, and rather tedious', though some minor episodes such as Klesmer's 'talk about art' are very good; also has 'the last new Vol. of Le Gorce [?]' and the newspapers; Sir George is reading Meredith's "Egoist" aloud, which she thinks better every time she reads it. Hopes the negotiations [about the land and house at Leith Hill] are going well; asks whether Elizabeth and Robert intend to build themselves, or whether the V[aughan] W[illiamses] will build and let it to them. Sad that Aunt Margaret [Holland] is laid up for so long and unable to write. Asks how 'the little maid' is getting on, and Gussy [Enticknap]'s violin lessons.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to have 'so cheerful and hopeful an account of Julian' [from school]; sure Robert and Elizabeth will be most interested. They have much enjoyed a six day visit from Iris [Abel Smith] who has been working for three years as a nurse at the convalescent hospital set up by Meta [Abel Smith] at her house, Goldings; she is a charming good girl 'with her grandmother [Sir George's sister Margaret]'s height and beautiful, expressive eyes', and reminded him very much of Margaret 'as an unmarried pet of her uncle [Macaulay?], which was the way to [his own] heart'. Has instructed Drummond's to pay fifty pounds into Robert's account as usual. Some 'very hopeful and at all events resigned' news about Geoffrey [Winthrop Young] and [?] Sessions; does not know if the latter is a friend of Roberts.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to get Elizabeth's long letters; she and Sir George are very interested about the house, and Elizabeth seems 'to have a good hold over all the plans and details'; hopes a satisfactory arrangement can be made. Much will depend on the length of lease [the Vaughan Williamses] are prepared to grant; thinks there would be more freedom and less complication if Elizabeth and Robert have it built themselves, but she and Sir George think Elizabeth is the best judge; Sir George will look over the final plans if she likes and say if he thinks them 'wise & safe'. Delightful that Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht] can come to visit Elizabeth. They have just heard from Uncle Harry [Viscount Knutsford] and are very sorry that Aunt M[argaret] is still so ill; asks for news about her; wants to know if Meta [Smith] has reached Norway; must be 'very depressing for them'. Hopes the weather is better tomorrow when Mr Milnes Gaskell and his daughter come. They 'walked across Shafto' yesterday; Sir George has had two days fishing and shoots a few rabbits in the garden every day; lots got in 'when they varnished the gate' and needed to be exterminated. Hope that G[? George?, or Grandmont?] will bring the violin and that Elizabeth will 'like it and get it'; is sure it will be a joy to her. Charlie spoke at a 'great liberal meeting at Welcombe on Saturday', which seems to have been a success. Asks for the names of any interesting books Aunt Margaret has been reading; wants to get a parcel from the library before guests come. Glad Robert is all right and hopes he will stay as long as it suits him [in the Lakes] now Elizabeth has company; lucky she did not come to Wallington or go to The Park [to stay with Annie Philips]. Says in a postscript that it is a good idea for Elizabeth to send her girl [maid] to the dressmaker as it would be useful if she could do some altering and mending.