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Reports that he saw Arthur. Refers to William's speech at Manchester; that 'the Manchester people printed him as the Revd. Dr Sedgwick Master of Merton and how the Conservative weekly took him to task for so impudent and conceited an imposition.' Claims that it was a malicious article.

States that they are in a considerable state of agitation there [in Trinity College] 'as all sorts of projects of reform are coming to the surface, partly in consequence of having a new Master [W. H. Thompson]...partly from a hope...that Mathison was going to take himself off.' Admits that there is much that need alteration, but is grateful that there is also 'very little of what Carlyle calls hide-bound Toryism.' Reports that an investment of his is turning out very badly. Remarks that the Italians seem bent on war, and if they do go to war he fears that they won't pay the interest on their enormous debt. He believes that such a situation would result in his losing £50 per annum from his income.

Is still undecided about whether to go abroad that year or to stay in England and read philosophy. Announces that there are several visits that he wants to pay in the latter half of July 'to schoolmasters and others.' Speculates that he 'may be decided to go abroad by the fact of a European war'. Declares that he has never been even on the skirts of a campaign; he came after one at Solferino, 'and even that was exciting enough.' Asks his mother to write, if only to say that she has received Ionica [the anthology by William Johnson (Cory)].

Reports that his headmaster 'has commited himself to the teaching of physics' at Eton, and is unable to find anyone to come and teach it there. Asks Sidgwick if he thinks it worthwhile to invite Danby, who is at Trinity, to the school to teach the subject during June and July. States that the post would only be temporary as Hornby 'has an Oxford man in view whom he hopes to appoint.' Claims that his contemporaries at Trinity 'are not so much interested in the enlargement of schooling', and doubts whether they knew Danby by sight. Reports that there are soon to be 'two men resident [at Eton] one professing experimental science the other natural history, [say] botany', and that the mathematical teachers begin that week 'teaching the element of mechanics and astronomy.'

Relates that seven or eight of their classical men will be working [at] French, and that a third French master is to be added to the two existing ones, but cannot be found. Also reports that their German, 'hitherto an extra master, is to teach about thirty volunteers out of the first hundred boys', that the Italian master probably will do the same, and that 'Hornby thinks of absorbing the residue, in logic, himself.' States that 'play hours remain unbroken' however. Announces that he has asked Balfour to let him see the questions Sidgwick set him in philosophy. Expresses the hope of persuading John [Mozley?] 'to do the same in King's'. Reports that a year ago he sent to the latter a schedule of Jowett's and Ilbert's subjects for essays, 'but nothing came of it.'

Assures Sidgwick that Hornby would remunerate Danby 'like any London lecturer such as Rodwell when Browning [tried]', and that he would be 'made comfortable'. Declares that Eton is 'a very pleasant place in summer.'

Expresses his surprise at being invited to the [Conversazione] Society's dinner. Gives his address in North Devon. Invites Sidgwick to his home, where he could ensure him, 'absolute seclusion for literary work, with very good air on high ground, plenty of shade, cool rooms. No dust or flies or formalities.' Refers to the visits of Montagu Butler, who had brought a man called [John Henry?] Pratt with him the previous year. Hears reports of Sidgwick through another guest. Also mentions the visit of Frederick Pollock and his wife. Announces his intention of being in Zurich during the month of July, but intends to be 'fixed' in his home in Devon for the rest of the year. Claims that he is 'not rich enough to go to London' that he 'shrink[s] from "society" out of the neighbourhood in which [he has] business to transact'. Claims that he never 'was fit to be a member of the C.C.S.'

Forwards the verses and addresses in the pamphlet and mentions English stanzas identified in manuscript on the page as by William Johnson (later Cory), and also praises the second English address by [Herbert John] Reynolds KS (King's Scholar). Is happy to find that he will soon be able to make mathematics "an integral part of our system, King's College has smoothed my way".

On printed notepaper for Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., Publishers, London, 1 Paternoster Square. - Seeks permission to publish Houghton's poems in an anthology. 'I wandered by the Brook-side' is popular, but Paul asks Houghton to name a favourite. [William?] Cory says Houghton always underrates his own poetry.

17/18 U[pper] B[rook] S[treet]. - Has removed Blake's broadside ballad [i.e. relief etching of Hayley's Little Tom the Sailor?] from the lot sold to the Museum, as [Severn?] indicated that Milnes would like it; has great pleasure in presenting it; regrets absence from Milnes' breakfast as he had to visit Oxford to vote for Gladstone. Postscript: would like to borrow Milnes' American De Quincey; hopes MIlnes liked Ionica.

Re. Cornish poet Robert Stephen Hawker.

Writes in relation to the volume of Essays to which they both are contributors [Essays on a Liberal Education, edited by Farrar]. Sends his idea of what the order of authors should be, and asks for Sidgwick's opinion. Declares Johnson's essay to be 'unluckily conservative' but 'of interest to all schoolmasters.' Invites Sidgwick to dine at his house on Saturday 5 October. Informs him that only one or two of the contributors shall be there.

With regard to Sidgwick's essay, declares it to be well-reasoned, and expresses his supreme satisfaction with it. Asks for Sidgwick's criticisms of his [Farrar's] essay, on which [Charles Stuart?] Parker had given him 'some very valuable hints'. Is pleased that Sidgwick praises his friend Mr Joseph Payne, and informs him that Payne and Dr [William?] Hodgson are two very leading men at the College of [Preceptors]. Refers to a book on education by Mr [ ], which he declares to be 'thoroughly shallow'. Refers to a conversation with [William] Johnson [Cory], in which the latter mentioned a conference with Sidgwick, and asks him to explain a reference Johnson made to it. Expresses his hopes in relation to the latter's essay. Predicts the volume of essays [Essays on a Liberal Education, edited by Farrar] to be a valuable one, speaks favourably of the writings of Wilson, Seeley and Sidgwick, and judges Bowen's to be 'a little disappointing.' Reports that Lytton cannot contribute because of an illness. Expresses his intention of returning to Harrow on 27 August. Includes a list of queries about, and suggested changes to, Sidgwick's essay.