March 9 Thursday

Proofs still sticky.
Laura had a dream of a conversation with Mussolini.
He told her that what provoked him to his outrageous ways was the figure of Chamberlain. She assured him that in England nobody took him seriously. This pleased him greatly: 'I never thought the English were so cynical.' Then about fascism. She upset him by saying 'You may not realise [sic: realism] the evil that it really is causes[RG] because of the light character of the Italians which only takes it superfi[RG]cially. But look at what it has made of the Germans!' Then she said: 'There are two categories: the human, the transcendental. You haven't[RG] But there has been an attempt made to impose a third one – the superman.' He blushed guiltily.
Starting packing up & disposing of things.
Alan & Beryl to Rennes to fetch money.

Hands Referenced

    • Annotation: ink correction
    • Character: regular
    • Ink: black

Places Mentioned

  • Rennes

    Rennes, France
    where Gelat's daughter, Anita, and son-in-law, Juan Vives live; visited by RG and LR et al in 1938 eds.

People Mentioned

  • Laura

    Riding, Laura
    (1901-91) American poet. Laura Riding (née Reichenthal; then Laura Gottschalk).

  • Beryl

    Pritchard, Beryl
    daughter of Harry and Amy Pritchard, R.G.'s second wife. Formerly married to Alan Hodge. Robert and Beryl had four children: William, Lucia, Juan and Tomas. eds

  • Alan

    Hodge, Alan
    Oxford history graduate. Became close friends with LR & RG. First husband of Beryl Graves. CP & WG

  • Mussolini

    Mussolini, Benito
    (1883-1945) Fascist dictator ( "IL DUCE") of Italy from 1922-1943. eds.

  • Chamberlain

    Chamberlain, Neville
    (1869-1940) British Prime Minister in the 1930s; m. to Anne Chamberlain née Cole eds.