West Melville, Northam, Devon. - Thanks Bob for the 'truly lovely book' ["Translations from Latin Poetry"?]. Enjoys the 'pictures of life' in it, and comments on 'how fresh that past seems to our ageing present!'. Thinks he has mentioned that he has also tried to 'live in that distant time': his book is finished and he has sent it to Constables to see if they will publish. Had a 'very friendly and favourable recommendation' from Helen Waddell - expects Bob knows her, or at least her work. Bob knows he is not a classical scholar, but he has been reading about the first century for the last two years and 'lived [himself] a little way into it'. Quotes approvingly from Bob's translation of Catullus [4: "Phaselus ille..."]. Wishes he could see Bob and hear him read, but the distance between them is 'so far'. Hopes to be in London in September, or perhaps November, and will see if he can visit then. Hopes Bob and Bessie are 'as well as we ageing creatures can hope to be'. Still enjoys bathing, and finds he feels 'young again, if only for a few minutes' when swimming. Katharine has had a 'bad summer and spring', with tonsillitis leading to a 'long operation' from which she is only slowly recovering; she gets 'very depressed at times'. Would like to take her somewhere for a change, but hotels are busy, so in October they hope to go to Cornwall; meanwhile Katharine might spend some time at her sister's flat in Hampstead. Thanks Bob again for the book which will take him 'far from this troublous age.
Originally enclosing the Glyndebourne tickets for [Mozart's "Marriage of] Figaro" and "Zauberflöte", as well as the libretto for "Figaro" and a German "Zauberflöte". Roy Randal[l] was at his reading yesterday, the 'only human being there' at what was a 'very seedy hole-in-the-corner affair'. Randall seemed to be expecting Julian and Ursula for the weekend, which 'seems inconsistent' with them coming to the Shiffolds on Saturday, but they would be glad to see them.
12 Holland Street, London, W.8. - Thanks Bob 'immensely'; is reading [Bob's translation of?] Virgil himself with 'great pleasure'; encloses the Lucretius [see 19/92] for Bob to inscribe: [his son's name is spelled] Jocelin 'after Jocelin of Brakeland', and he has chosen to hyphenate his surname. Adds a postscript saying that the 'reading was delightful' [a recent reading by Bob of his work?].
Collingsbourne, Addlestone, Surrey. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; is very glad he was pleased with the play ["Meleager"], which was 'great fun' to act, particularly the second act. Practice of 'actual performance' would benefit the final scene, which needs to go as 'smoothly as possible' to have its full effect. Also thanks Trevelyan for the book; did not know he had 'made so many incursions in the dramatic field'. Hopes Trevelyan will get some rest during his travels abroad, and that his cold and cough are better by now. Adds a postscript saying his own ballet will 'for better of for worse!' be 'shown to the world in the "London Mercury"'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Happy they will see Elizabeth soon; Rounton [Grange, the home of the Bells] will be a good place to break the journey. Annie [Philips] will enjoy Elizabeth's visit. A pleasure to look at Julian's photograph and think that he is now so well; glad Nurse Catt is recovered. Enticknap is to bring Gussie up on 28 July, and will stay in the house while Gussie goes into lodgings; Keith will arrange it when he returns from a week away. The 'young men at the Portico' buy their own food and pay Mrs Davidson to cook and housekeep for them. The 'W.S. [Women's Suffrage] debate was very interesting, but not very satisfactory... it seems rather an "impasse". Postscript saying it is very kind of Elizabeth to offer to play at the part; asks if they can talk it over when she comes.
Trin[ity] Coll[ege], Cambridge. - Thanks Elizabeth for her letter; [he and Charles] were lucky as 'it is so difficult to get wedding presents which are not bores'. Wishes she had been at Welcombe last week; the weather was perfect, the 'primroses and daffodils and violets were all out', it was 'the best week of the English year, and at its very best in Warwickshire'. Wonders if she will like Northumberland; hopes she will have a chance to see this summer. Is looking forward to coming to Holland for the wedding very much.
'Near Bayreuth'; postmarked Kulmbach. - Bessie's 'kind letter' reached him and Florence [Barger] here in Germany, where they have been seeing the Ring and Parsifal 'under Evert [Barger]'s good auspices and management'. Gets back at the end of the month, and would 'much like' to see her in London or the Shiffolds before 20th Sept; was 'so pleased to be asked to speak [at the ceremony then to mark the opening of Robert Trevelyan's memorial library at Birkbeck College]. I shan't talk long!'. Very glad that Bessie will also be speaking.
Florence sends love, she is 'off to America! when she returns'
Mowden School - John's journey to Switzerland, anecdote about Graham Greene.
Trinity College Cambridge - Has not given up winning the election for the Cardiff chair which is on on 8th, Mary Emma Cornford to come to Cambridge.
Tigné Barracks, Malta. Delight at Nevile Butler's release.
Is in want of a butler
Returns a form for Lincoln's Inn
Enquires if CJM will stand for Gloucester as part of an electoral pact between the Liberal Unionists and the Conservatives if the latter will entertain the proposal, description of the state of the parties in Gloucester and their positions on major issues
Written from Pall Mall.
Written from Rigmaden, Kirkby Lonsdale.
Informs Sidgwick that he will have to write to the [British] Museum himself in order to obtain a reader's ticket; proposes that they write to the Head Librarian, and he encloses a letter accordingly [not included]. Reports the Hunts' arrival, but doubts that their presence will interfere with their plans for G[ ] S[ ].