BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, 30 SEPT. 1911
BRACERS 17285. ALS. Morrell papers #203, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.

<letterhead>
Trinity College,
Cambridge.1^, 2
Sat. evg. Sp. 30. ’11

My Darling

Your first letter from Prag reached me here very soon after my arrival, so I have had two letters today to reward me for none yesterday and very likely none tomorrow. I don’t know when this will reach you, considering the nature of the British Sabbath. — I reached Cambridge at 12.30, in a biting gale from the North — I met everybody at lunch, Jackson, Bevan, my Lamb, Hardy, Littlewood and various others. I told Bevan of my Persian last night, so he said “I suppose you know he’s an absolute fraud”. But I couldn’t discover wherein his fraudulence consisted. Apparently the Bab appointed a successor who was ousted by this man’s father because he was not a good man of business. Everybody among the disciples, with one or two exceptions, followed this man’s father, who, according to Bevan, increased his pretensions till his followers wrote hymns to him saying they wouldn’t insult him by comparing him to the Deity. Bevan spoke as an Ersene might have spoken of S. Paul. He says the interesting thing about the movement is that it is the first thing which has ever led Mohammedans to abandon their religion for another.

Meredith and his wife came to tea. He has been in Japan with Norton since I saw him last. He says Norton was better, but had been ill in Pekin, and had been much upset by the events when he was with the others in Turkey. He has been overwrought for a long time.

I found a pile of books returned by Karin, with a very nice letter, which I will send you when I have answered it. She says she hopes I shall be willing to talk philosophy with her when she comes to Cambridge — which will only be occasionally, after she comes back from India. In view of Alys’s letter some time back (you remember?) I suppose there is no reason why I shouldn’t, don’t you? Talking about her with Mrs Whitehead, I was rather confirmed in the view that Mrs Whitehead will not give her just what she needs. But perhaps she will marry in India.

You seem to have left Marienbad in a whirlwind of passion and fury. In my nocturnal conversation with the manager, I did nothing to vex him, as I didn’t want a row; he has no reason to be vindictive against me. I think he must be mad.

I enjoy being back here — it is the only place where I have roots. Apart from work, my life has been rather lacking in continuity, and here I get a sense of continuity which I like. I got stacks of proofs here, which I have attended to. The old bedmaker is gone; I had a pathetic interview with her. The help thought she ought to have been promoted and is cross with the new bedmaker; the new one has been pouring out her grievances.

I am very sorry you are so tired Darling — I do hope you will get rested. Tolstoy’s Life has not come but no doubt it will come in time. I have just been having a talk with Hardy (who did that review in the Times); he has been telling me about the mathematical candidates for fellowships. One man, who did very well last year, and might have succeeded this year, is mad and in an asylum.

Tomorrow I go to tea with Jourdain, Monday I dine at the Master’s.

I asked my Lamb whether there was anything to be said for Aristotle, and it appears he invented a very good cure for insomnia in elephants. So the next time I come across an elephant whose nerves are tried by the hurry of modern life I will remember Aristotle.

I send my love to your flea. I am very very sorry that you and P. have had unpleasantries in consequence of me, with your manager. I hope P. didn’t mind very much.

Goodnight Darling. I am so glad you were here once so that I can see you in these rooms. I long for you Dearest.

Your
B.

Your letters are anything but dull — every word of them is interesting.

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