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Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Hopes the fever is leaving him, but he is very week. They have 'energised much' about [Robert's] Athenaeum election, and 'much friendliness has been developed' in many 'admirable quarters'.

Distressed that she should have this worry about him now, which should make no difference to her plans; these 'concern much higher matters [than his illness: the forthcoming birth of Elizabeth and Robert's child]'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert's election [to the Athenaeum Club] gives them great pleasure; there is 'no club like it'. Reminiscences by 'Old Lord Belper', one of the original members like Uncle Tom [Macaulay], that all one's friends and 'every one of note in town' joined as original members. Is still very weak. Has written to Drummonds instructing them to transfer thirty guineas to Robert's account for the Athenaeum entrance fee.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is 'thankful in every way' to have the telegram [with the news of the safe arrival of Julian Trevelyan]; not least for Caroline's relief. Charles was born while [Hugh?] Childers was at dinner at Ennismore Gardens: 'like a Royal Prince with a Cabinet Minister in attendance'; supposes Charles himself played Childers' part this time; hopes this will be a good omen. Is still a little unwell three weeks on, but he is much better and can work a little. Adds a postscript saying how pleased he was about [Robert's election to] the Athenaeum; necessary to be a 'very old hand there' to realise what a 'remarkable demonstration' it was; very much wants to see Robert's card.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will certainly vote at the Athenaeum this afternoon; would have put his name on Mr Clifton's card if he had known beforehand. He and Caroline were glad to see Bessie and 'much interested in the plans of the house'. Sees the "Times" this morning has started a 'carefully organised and most outspoken propaganda' for Balfour and Chamberlain's news [on tariff reform?]: 'If the Liberal Unionists stand that, they will stand anything'. His proofs [for "The American Revolution"] are all finished, and today he will show Longman the revision of his 'First Part', which will be the first of the three volumes of the 'cheap edition', coming out in eighteen months time.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Went to vote for Mr Clifton on Monday morning, but he was not up for election this week; will check again this week; 'never quite certain when a name comes on'. Agrees with Robert about strategy, and is glad Liberal leaders are taking that line; 'vigour and dash about the propaganda' [see 12/60], and avoidance of any move which would 'commit a lot of unhappy Unionist MPS to Chamberlain's [tariff reform?] policy' are what is needed at the moment. Discusses the changes he has made to the first part [of his "American Revolution"].

The Athenæum, Pall Mall - Have received two copies of the 'Bibliography' to which the club subscribed.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad [Nurse] Godwin is better; sure Mrs Catt is helpful to them all. Sir George and Miss Martin still have temperatures, but not much above 100 [degrees Fahrenheit]; Miss Martin is quiet but Sir George is 'most difficult to manage'. Had to find a new nurse yesterday to look after them at night, do washing, bedmaking and so on. Sir George is very upset at not being able to go to London on 14 January 'to look after Robert's election at the Athenaeum'; they have divided up a list of friends to write to, and Caroline has told C[harles] who will 'doubtless be able to send people to vote' if in town. The doctor is anxious that Sir George should not catch any chill, which might turn to pleurisy, but thinks they will avoid this; thinks she told Elizabeth that it was the doctor and Booa [Mary Prestwich] who sent for her as they were worried on Sunday. Was very sorry to leave.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - The invalids are recovering well: Miss Martin 'sitting up dressed' and Sir George up in Caroline's room for four hours, though he is not to go downstairs till Sunday. He is 'fairly patient, with occasional spurts of wilfulness'. Very sorry that Elizabeth is having to wait [for the baby to be born]; reassurance that it is only a week tomorrow from the expected date. Spending much of her time talking to the invalids. Glad that Nurse G. [Elizabeth's Nurse Godwin] is better. Sir George has decided he will not go to the seaside and will stay at Welcombe till recovered, when they can go to London. Everyone 'thinks Robert will come in on Monday triumphantly' [in his election to the Athenaeum Club]; Uncle Harry is obviously being 'most active'; thinks Robert will like it. Has read "L'Oiseau Bleu" [Maeterlinck's "The Blue Bird"?] and thinks it 'very pretty', though it might easily be spoiled by being put on stage; sure it is better in French than in English. C[harles] and M[ary] are going to London tomorrow. Sends love to Bob and regards to the 'ladies of Leith Hill'. A postscript written on 'Saturday morning' [21 Feb] notes that the invalids have both had good nights; they can meet this afternoon 'to talk over their woes & compare their symptoms'.