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Re memorial to Charles Lamb.

They are beginning to work again, and are preparing for a very long term; wishes that 'Convocation, instead of persecuting some miserable heretic, would fix Easter to the same day of the month every year'. Remarks that he should have written all his letters on his visits instead of having them all to write now when he ought to be reading Euripides. Enjoyed all his visits very much: found [Oscar] Browning just returned from Paris where he had been inspecting French schools. Refers to a letter of Brownings in Tuesday's Times, signed O.B. Remarks on the lack of freedom in French schools, and a Frenchman's views that English boys were 'beaucoup plus sages: mais... beaucoup moins intelligents' [much better behaved, but much less intelligent].

Reports that he was in Wellington College, but states that he 'could have dispensed with the [Isackes], who he found became a bore. Observes that Martin 'is growing interesting',and remarks what a thorough Sidgwick he is. Predicts that 'the other boy [Arthur] will be much finer-looking', and asserts that the baby [Nelly] looks like Minnie. Asks his mother when she expects Arthur [home], and reports that he has heard of him from Cobb, who has been in Dresden. Mentions that his friend Payne is gone as a master to Wellington College, and asks her to tell this to Arthur. Hopes that she enjoyed her visit to Oxford. Asks her to send two books that he left: The Statesman's Yearbook and 'Colonel Browne's Persian MS'. Reports that he read 'a delicious story in the Cornhill of Feb. called "Tid's old Red rag of a shawl".' Would like to know by whom it was written, as it is 'by no hand familiar' to Sidgwick, and 'wonderfully fresh, animated, and original' [the author was Henrietta Keddie].

Reports that he finds that he shall be unable to come before Friday. States that he has invited Patterson. Hopes that [J. B.?] Payne will come for a few days. Mentions the idea of using [F.E.?] Kitchener's lodgings. States that he is very busy with examinations and college politics, but that he has had an idle term on the whole. Reports that they had a very pleasant dinner on Tuesday, and that Arthur's speech 'gave great satisfaction.' Refers to his mother's question about Browning; states that he doesn't particularly care for the poem in question, and is not sure that he understands all the terms of feeling in it. Undertakes to bring the book with him to show her what he thinks of it. Reports that he could not get a good photograph of Ewald, but that he made Professor Benfey promise to send him one.

Writes to tell Sidgwick of his brother J.B. Payne's death. Informs him that he died that morning at 2 o'clock, of a fever he caught in Munich, 'after some days of unconsciousness, quite without suffering or distress.' Expresses his intention 'at a more convenient season to tell [him] more', since Sidgwick was the closest person, apart from himself, to his brother.

Regrets that he cannot come to visit Sidgwick in Cambridge that year. Explains that he could not leave home before 16 December, and that [Francis Warre?] Cornish is coming to stay on 20 December. Invites Sidgwick to visit him on his way to [John Jermyn?] Cowell, or after his visit. Informs him that if he comes soon after Christmas he will find [John Burnell?] Payne there, and probably Dr [David?] and Mrs Rowland. Mentions that [Oscar?] Browning might also pay a visit. Describes the search for water by 'young Okeden', and how it was discovered that an underground stream to a well in the village ran from north to south. Reports that the 'Tennyson boys' told him that the Times reported that their father had changed college 'in consequence of a quarrel with her bread and butter'. States that Tennyson was in no other college but Trinity.

Typewritten. Regrets that he cannot put into his review [of A. H. Clough's Remains, for the Westminster Review] any notice of Symonds. Explains that the rule he tries to observe in anonymous writing is to write always of people exactly as he should do if he knew nothing of them. Since he hardly speaks of the edition at all, it would not be natural for him even to mention Symonds. In relation to another point that Clough had asked him about, states that he has altered a sentence in which refers to Mr Palgrave's preface to an edition to Clough's poem, and quotes it as it now stands, claiming that it is 'a very mild retort for the poem in the Spectator'. Refers to the death of his friend J.B. Payne. Hopes that Clough's children enjoy themselves on the Tenby sands, where he himself used to play nearly thirty years previously.

MS note by Nora Sidgwick: 'This letter did not reach us till the biography was printed off'.

Reports that he arrived an hour late [at Kegan Paul's house, Bailie, Wimborne], 'but in good time for dinner, after a most delightful journey.' Describes the weather and scenery, and declares that if he had gone on Friday, he should not have got beyond Temple-combe, 'as the Somerset and Dorset line is dreadfully demoralized'. Hopes that she is better for the change of weather. Reports that he missed [J.B?] Payne, [A. G. Vernon?] Harcourt and [J.?] Conington. Adds that Miss Ritchie, who is engaged to his friend [Francis Cornish], 'is not the one [he] mark[s] highest.'

Explains that he had intended to write to Sidgwick many times since [J.B.] Payne's death, but the latter event affected him so much that he did not have the heart to do so. Tells how he was looking forward to Payne's visit, when the latter's brother contacted him to tell him that he had died. Recounts that their last meeting was when he [Kegan Paul] was on his way to preach the Free Christian Union sermon, and that after the 'misrepresentation of it in the Pall Mall [Gazette], Payne tried to persuade the Editor 'to set the report right'. Expresses the wish that Sidgwick will come to visit in the autumn.

Reports that the Cornishes have been to visit, as well as several other friends, but that some pupils who had been coming to him were no longer being sent by their parents, because of the sermon he preached at the Free Christian Union. Refers to a paper he has just sent to Beard or Renan, and fears that Sidgwick will think that he is 'hedging on the orthodox side' in it. Reports that Cornish is reviewing [W.E.H. ?]Lecky in the same Theological Review. Remarks that Dakyns was very good to him, and sent him 'all sorts of information' about Brighton College. Announces that he is sending Louis back to Brighton, and that he gave Dakyns' information 'to a [ ] who is going to send his boys there.' Asks Sidgwick to give him 'a bed somewhere in Oct[obe]r' if he doesn't come to visit,

Claims that he was about to write to Sidgwick in relation to Gardiner's volumes of the Morning Watch. Gives the address to which to send them if he is finished with them. Thinks he may be able to be in London 'about the 5th', and proposes that Sidgwick return with him, and stay as long as he can. Announces that he must go to Bath for a few days, and would do so when Sidgwick goes to Clifton. Declares that his time will be almost entirely his own in London, and he shall be staying with [Samuel?] Gardiner close to [ ] [ ] and Martineau's. Confides in Sidgwick that he has had a very heavy financial loss, which might cause him to give up his visit to London. Hopes that he may not have to change his plans, except by taking on extra pupils, 'and writing a little harder' for the following few months. Claims that unless he can go to London 'cheerfully', he should not be much good as a free Christian. Declares that they must 'try and [ ] Payne on the Pall Mall [Gazette?], which is getting sadly reactionary.' Also informs him that he has 'a very singular spirit, ghost, or dream, story' for Sidgwick when they meet.