Written at Grand Hotel, Eastbourne. Has been for a drive to see Pevensey Castle. Has spent a couple of hours last evening preparing his Kirkaldy speech and a further two hours of the same on Beachy Head this morning. Is quite pleased with his speech.
Written at Grand Hotel Victoria, E Wessinger, 'Monday evening'. Has received letters from William George and Captain Thomas Iorwerth. Will write to the Postmaster General the following day. Legal matters. The weather.
Written at Grand Hotel Victoria, E. Wessinger, Beatenberg. The fortunes of Lloyd George and George - 'Be exceedingly careful of the cases we now take. Avoid doubtful cases - that is cases where the result is doubtful. ... Greed of sweeping everything into the office would be fatal'. Describes the locality - 'an infinite variety of scenery at every turn - a perfect kaleidoscope'.
Written at Grand Hotel Victoria, E. Wessinger, Beatenberg. Roberts v Jones and legal matters. Describes the local scenery and his holiday 'snoozing & reading Ruskin. Both of them highly delightful occupations in their way, both also highly restful'. May be forced to return to London by the collapse of the Evicted Tenants Bill. Could William George send a £5 note 'as I may be short of cash'.
Written at Grand Hotel Victoria, E. Wessinger, Beatenberg. Is travelling over the Brunig Pass to Lucerne. Describes their journey. Thanks for the £5 note. Legal matters. William George's proposed visit to Ireland. Addendum - 'Just arrived Lucerne'.
Written at Grand Hotel Victoria, E. Wessinger, Beatenberg. Has just walked the seven and a half miles down to Interlaken - 'charming walk'. Is to leave Beatenberg the following day.
Written at Grand Hotel Verdi, Rapallo. Feels lonely after William George's departure and will be glad to leave for Genoa. Declined the offer to go on further excursions that day. Hopes that William George had a comfortable return journey. Agrees with the speeches made by Asquith and Grey - 'I agree with every word of their forecast of the policy to be adopted by a Liberal Government towards Ireland & when I get back, I mean to say so. ... Victory is so assured to the Liberal party that it is only their own chieftains can prevent it'. Has heard nothing from McKenna.
Written at Grand Hótel de Russie, H. Silenzi, Rome. Describes his attendance at a service at the Pope's private chapel in the Vatican. Met Sir George Trevelyan at St Peters afterwards. Incomplete.
Written at Grand Hotel de l'Europe, Salzburg. Would like to learn more from William George of the Pan Celtic Congress. Spender's health. Philip Davies's prospects. 'Still prosecuting at Penrhyn? The idiots. Why don't they make peace on honourable terms? Same observation applies to South Africa'. 'This town not very interesting. In fact all towns are dull & uninspiring after the mountains. They are glorious. We shall stay here another day & then work our way to Vienna'.
Written at Grand Hótel Christol & Bristol, Boulogne. Have returned from the holiday much restored: '... a most beneficial little trip'. Is going home to prepare for Kingston on Thursday.
Written at Grand Committee. Is unable to make it to Llanelly or to the Pan-Celtic Congress because he expects to be on holiday near Mont Blanc at the time: '... I want the whole of Septr. as I have a hard winter's work in front of me'.
Written at Glenfield, Altrincham, Cheshire. The Shrewsbury accident. Is now going to the Chamber of Commerce dinner. Last night enjoyed an immense reception. Has received a letter of congratulations from Campbell-Bannerman as a result of Cardiff. Returns to London the next day.
Written at Glacier House, Glacier, B.C. Is resting at a chalet hotel at the foot of the Great Glacier. 'Passed yesterday through scenery that defies description for grandeur & sublimity. ... Uncanny is the word for a good deal of it'. Describes the scenery in detail. The news from the Transvaal may cause him to change his plans: 'War means the summoning of Parliament & the former now seems inevitable. The prospect oppresses me with a deep sense of horror. I shall protest with all the vehemence at my command against this blackguardism which is perpetrated in the name of human freedom'. Has had enough of the holiday - 'I am set up as I haven't been for years & now I want to get to work'. Hopes to receive letters from home at Vancouver.
Written at Gd. Hotel des Iles Britanniques, Menton. Has heard from no one at Garthcelyn for several days. Are en route to Cannes. McKenna's brother came to say that McKenna has left prematurely for London on the orders of Herbert Gladstone. Gladstone said there was to be a general election in March. McKenna's brother had heard a similar report from Carson who was at Monte Carlo. 'I think personally a good deal will depend on the results of the bye-elections. But one must be prepared'. 'This holiday has done me no end of good & if a general election comes I fell physically quite fit for it'.
Written at Foreign Office. Asquith has kept him in London to help out with the miners' strike. Goes to Brighton the following day. 'Got them to take definite steps today of a strong character. Legislation next week. Miners still deliberating'.
Written at Fishguard. The success of that day's meeting. Returns to Roch the next day. 'Conquered Carmarthen & Cardigan yesterday at their Education Committees'.
Written at Ferndale. Last night was a success. Goes to town to meet Storey on Thursday. The Cymru Fydd conference that morning was most successful; 'Elfed was present & promised to help us to stamp the country'.
Written at Ferdirandshoke, Stalvio Pass. Describes their travels. 'By the way you have no idea what a German scholar I am getting to be. ... Last night we reckoned up the words in my German vocabulary & we found it attained the astounding total of 125 words. Immense. Every word essential to a wayfarer in these "forrein parts"'. Describes the scenery. Includes a note from Margaret Lloyd-George: '... Mae y brawd wedi cario y llythyr yma yn ei boced er y Sul ag mae yn ddydd Mawrth heddyw. Piti na fuasech hefo ni, buasech wedi chwerthin llawer. ...'.