| Content Description | Begins long and discursive letter to Sallie and Willie [Hopkin] by acknowledging receipt of letters and a hanky from Florence, which has finally reached them after their journey south to Rome and then to the wilds of the Apennines; comments on Frieda's return from Baden-Baden, the shortages of all essentials there and strongly criticises the French and the Allies' trials of German war-leaders; briefly gives his impression of Florence and of Rome and follows this with a longer vivid description of the isolated village of Picinisco; graphically describes their long and uncomfortable boat journey over to Capri; describes their flat, its location, the island itself and its many 'cosmopolitan dwellers', naming Compton Mackenzie, 'a good sort', Mary Cannan and the novelist Brett Young.
Comments on the cost of living and the climate; promises to send some good olive oil; refers to library books that Ada [Clarke, his sister] has not yet returned; urges them to come and see them and suggests Thomas Cook could make all arrangements.
The letter bears the reference number DD 670/1/32 on f 2. |