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Regrets to hear of the unfavourable circumstances under which she made her visit to London [see Mary Sidgwick's letter, ADD.MS.c/101/179]. Reports that he has made himself rather ill 'by knocking about to Oxford and London from 13th to 15th' and has been keeping very quiet in Cambridge ever since. Intends to go to London for a few days before he goes to Rugby.

Reports that he just saw the Royal Academy, referring to the work of Leighton, Millais and Brett, and declaring it on the whole to be a bad exhibition. Announces that his friend Charles Bernard and his wife are now in England, and asks his mother if she would like him to ask him 'to run down to Rugby' while Henry is there and stay for a day or so. Reports that he saw William in Oxford on 13 June, and that he seemed very well. Indicates that they may meet in Switzerland. States that he is working now, and is very well. Tells her to keep the MSS as long as she likes; does not know if they will interest her, though he finds them interesting 'as all details of one's own mental life are. One grows old in Cambridge very fast...' Comments on the fact that [Jex]-Blake has been elected principle of Cheltenham [College]. Remarks that he will prosper, and states that he does not feel quite sure that Farrar would, although he would have felt more interested in trying the experiment with Farrar.

Writes to thank her for the news, which he says has given him heartfelt gratification [that his cousin Katie Lace is to be married in April, see 101/164]. Is amused by the apologetic tone she assumes, 'as if [he] did not believe in marrying on 300 a year'. Remarks that 'Katie will be a great loss to Stone Gappe'. Tells her to ensure that Arthur answers the following message. States that Hudson wrote to Arthur a few days before the latter left Dresden to ask him to bring home for him 'some articles of Virtue'. Asks whether he received the letter, and if so, 'why the Whewell did not he send the things by Parcel delivery Company. Announces that he is probably coming down at Easter for a day or two but cannot say when. Claims that he can get beds anywhere, however. Declares that [Thomas Jex-?] Blake would take him in if he has forgiven him for sending him to Göttingen, to which destination he [Henry] proposes to send another friend of his the following summer. Reports that there is another charming story in Cornhill for M[ ].

Announces his approval of the proposed substitution of French and German for Latin or Greek in the Previous Examination, but questions the contention on page 283 of the Cambridge University Reporter [in which the report of the Syndicate is to be found] that it is vital that the student should satisfy the examiners in translating from English both into French and into German. Does not believe that more than half the boys in English public schools can learn two dead languages with advantage to themselves, but adds that 'for boys capable of high culture [he regrets] to see either Greek or Latin dropped.' Believes that translation from the mother tongue into either a classical or modern language should be required by a university from a student, 'even in a Little Go or Previous Examination.'

Discusses the séance referred to in a previous letter [100/267], and refers to the weight in the hammock, and to Miss Wood having gone into the cabinet with a chair. Announces that he goes to Newcastle the following day. States that he and the Balfours [Arthur and Eleanor?] think that he [Sidgwick] ought to explain to Blake, Armstrong and the mediums that they must have the right of search 'à discretion, and break off if refused'. Wishes to know Myers' and Gurney's opinion on the matter. Announces that he goes on Thursday 5 August to stay with 'JEX [Blake?]' in Grasmere, and then on to Oldchurch, where he is to meet Myers. Refers to the cost of the media, which he declares was 'not dear.' Adds that the Hollands will come to Cambridge 'for about 4 days', and that St. George Mivart would like to come 'for a day or two'.

Supposes that she has been very busy, entertaining his aunt [Henrietta?]; otherwise she would have written to him. Reports that he has seen William, who tells him that she 'is going to live in the "house that Jack built" after all.' Predicts that it will turn out excellent. Asks her 'how every one at Rugby takes Joe Blake's election.' Admits that he should have preferred Percival, but that he gave Blake a testimonial, and believes that the school ought to succeed under him. Reports that he has seen Charles Bowen, 'who says that Hayman's case...is ridiculous: and that every lawyer says so.' Asks her to tell him if she has good news of Arthur, and to send him the latter's address. Wishes him to examine in Greek history for the Indian Civil Service at Easter.

Reports that he and Nora have now got their affairs regarding 'the Education of Women' into order for the term. Has much to do, as he is to lecture on Shakespeare, Bacon, and perhaps Milton in addition to his usual work. Reports that when they left her the previous Monday week, they saw Worcester Cathedral, the restoration of which he 'did not much admire', and then went on to Cheltenham, where they went skating. States that they had a pleasant week at Cheltenham, and that he believes that Mrs Myers [mother of Frederick Myers] health is worse than it was; she 'was much interested about fighting the corporation of Manchester who are trying to turn Thirlmere Lake into a big ugly reservoir for Lancashire towns.'

They had a very pleasant night at Rugby [with the Arthur Sidgwicks]. Declares that Rose [his niece] is 'a charming creature', and reports that the other baby [Ethel, just over a month old] was 'thoughtfully kept out of [his] sight'. '[Jex]-Blake has raised nearly £10,000 for buildings at Rugby', such as an observatory and library, which Henry says 'shows great energy in dignified mendacity'; he himself has donated thirty pounds. They then spent a couple of nights with the Rayleighs, and then went home. Reports that [his cousin] Alfred Sidgwick has sent him another essay, 'which is also not bad'. Hopes that the weather has not troubled her, and reports that they found their 'ill-built house very cold' when they got back to it. Sends on Nora's love.

Reports that she has written to [Sampson?] Mordan, asking him to send Henry two or three gold pens to try, and tells him to send back the rest when he has chosen one; Arthur has at last got one that suits him. Reports on her re-arrangement of books, and states that Arthur has 'the wee room over the kitchen as a small sanctum....' Reports that Arthur was very happy with the result of the Dresden expedition that he went on with [F.E.] Kitchener. Refers to the imminent weddings of two of their young masters [at Rugby School]: the marriage of Mr Potts and Miss B[owden] Smith, and Mr Bond and Miss Cram, the sister of Mrs Elsee.

Reports that Ada [Benson] is staying at Rugby, and claims that she is glad to have her and to know her better. Thinks that 'there is much good in her and a great deal of thought', but still believes 'that girls develop better under home influences until past 20....' Refers to Mr and Mrs [Jex-?] Blake and their feelings about Professor and Mrs Benfey and Göttingen.

Refers to Henry's last letter, and discusses the dangers of mental inactivity. Is glad that Henry is to see William, who will tell him about a plan for her to see Switzerland that year. Thinks that Arthur knows of Emilia in England [novel by Meredith, later renamed Sandra Belloni], but undertakes to tell him of it anyway. Asks whether he takes Macmillan's Magazine as he used to, and asks him to send them to her. Offers to send him some orange marmalade. Reports that all is well at Wellington College, and states that she shall be there about the end of May.

Announces that one of Henry's Stone Gappe cousins - Algernon - is preparing to emigrate to British Caffraria [the Cape Colony/South Africa] in a few weeks. Reports that Henry's Aunt is now in a private place 'called the "Retreat" near York, and that his Uncle and Aunt Crofts from Leeds are that week at Brighton.

Announces that he would like to hold a dinner party, to which he would invite Temple, [Jex-]Blake, Scott, Wilson, Kitchener, Philpotts, [Lee?] Warner, or some of them. States that she may leave the 'other matter' until he comes. Explains that he does not want [Robert] Williams asked as his friend, as he has only just met him, and believes it to be quite strange 'to make that sort of advances to men'. Undertakes to entertain the man if he is asked entirely on his mother's and William's account. States that he will come on Friday at 7.