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Claims that she and Frank have been thinking so much of Nora in her great loss [the death of her husband]. Reports that they have heard constantly from 'The [Berlin]' and from Charlotte, and fears that 'there must have been great suffering, and depression.' Refers to her last meeting with Henry, which she believes was at Trinity Lodge at the end of the previous November. Claims to remember nearly every word of their conversation, and how eager Henry was to know more. States that where they are 'right among the snows and the [ ] hills, the mysteries seem closer and more appalling than in ordinary life.' Claims that 'one's first feeling was that now he knows, and that in itself must be a wonderful happiness.' States that he believes that there never was anyone 'of whose kindness and sympathy one could feel so certain' and that the world 'seems much poorer from his loss'.

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.

The papers contain some corrections in ink and each concludes with the initials 'H.S.'and a date. Including the following titles: 'On Prospectus.' [5 Mar]; 'No Respect of Persons'; [18 April]; 'Note on Dress. F[rancis] E[lliot] K[itchener]' [21 May 1861]; 'H.S. on F.E.K. Sound. [The Senses.]' [5 August 1861]; 'Reply of F.E.K. on Note V. "The Senses."' [25 Februrary]; 'Note. F.E.K. [John William?] Colenso' [6 May]; 'Mixed Motives' [17 May]; 'H[enry] G[raham] D[akyns] Note 1.'; 'A Leaf from my Notebook on Society.' [22 April]. Persons are referred to by their initials, and include E. R[hodes]. Accompanying papers is an envelope addressed to Mrs Sidgwick [name and address crossed out], with 'Initial Society Essays Typed copies' inscribed on it. On reverse is a list, in pencil, of papers, with publication details.

Asks her for some of her news, and whether it would be convenient for him to visit her 'about the 23rd of July.' Explains that he is in Margate because of his hay fever, but intends to return 'to the Bosom of Civilization about the middle of the month.' Presumes that 'the solemn and official part of [her] leave-taking [of Wellington College] is over', and claims that he missed her speeches in the Times. Reports that he has been in London conducting 'the Examination of Women, and indulging in other amusements.'

Says he is attempting to write a book, 'as far as Christy Minstrels and other barbaric phenomena allow'. Reports that he subsists chiefly on 'a kind of fish called Margate Dabs...and on Miss Braddon's novels.' Has decided that the latter 'really are more improving to the mind than Mrs Henry Wood's.' Recommends May by Mrs Oliphant, and states that he considers her 'in the very first rank of novelists.' Reports that a friend of his, Mrs Cornish, has just published a novel [Alcestis], which has been quite successful. Asks how she stands the fatigues of the term, and how she likes the new, incoming Party. Claims that he hears nothing from Rugby, 'except that Kitchener meditates a flight'. Asks after Edward, and whether he has yet managed 'to arrange existence at the Chancery.'

Claims to be ashamed of not having answered her first letter, and remarks that it is such an unusual thing to owe her a letter. States that he had hoped to go and see her that term just before the examinations, but explains that a friend of his has just arranged a visit to him, so he must postpone it. Announces that he is to spend the Long Vacation in England, and therefore shall be free to accept invitations then. Declares that had had also wished to go to Rugby at the end of the term. Reports that he is very busy with examinations, and if his hayfever gets worse, he 'must not venture...' as his eyes 'may be taken bad: [which] would be a disastrous preliminary to the study of Hebrew...' Remarks that Arthur seems to have enjoyed himself very much at Rugby, and reports that he heard from their mother that day, but that she seemed 'rather dull.' Announces that he is going up to town the following day, 'and shall try and cast a hurried glance over the Academy', but must be back in Cambridge again on Thursday morning as he has to 'non-placet a Grace of the senate (petitioning against Mr Bouverie's bill [to repeal the "Conformity to the Liturgy" clause in the Act of Uniformity).' Explains that the non-placeters are in 'a miserable minority', and he doesn't wish to make it even smaller.

Reports that he dined with the Kitcheners at Newmarket some days ago, 'and saw E. R[hodes]', who 'is not so good in conversation as Miss (Annette) Kitchener, though her writing is decidedly more powerful.' Regrets to hear that his mother is still 'a sleeping partner of the [Initial S]ociety.' Asks her whether he ever showed her some things he translated 'in Iphigenia in [ ]', and quotes from it. Declares that he is getting to know a great deal about English history, and is 'wondering whether a book could be written about it at once short, instructive and interesting.' Advises her to read Goldwin Smith's lectures, which are 'so carefully composed that it is a real pleasure to read them independently of anything one learns from them.' Asks her to keep for him a pair of laced boots, which he believes he left at her house. Asks her to send back Ch[ ] some time.

Reports that Minnie 'prospers daily', and describes her progress over the last few days. Adds that the baby [E. F. Benson] is also doing well. Relates that they received news by that morning's post of Edward from Carmarthen, from where he was to go on to Tenby, and then to Pembroke, Milford, and St Davids. Reports that Arthur wrote from the [ ] of the R[ ], 'where he and his friends Kitchener and Mr. Robertson betook themselves to escape the heat of Lucerne', and announces that she writes to him today at Grindelwald.

States that William went to Oxford the previous Wednesday, and that that day 'he goes on to the Raikes [home of Robert Hodgson Sidgwick and family]. She will be glad to hear of Henry's going out of London. Reports that Annie Sidgwick wrote to Minnie some days previously, and that she is very happy that William is going to see them, and wonders if he will bring Henry; she is also delighted with Henry's article on Mr [M] Arnold in Macmillan's Magazine 'but seeing, as she says, that his article on "Culture and its Enemies" is far less "cosy" than money', she asks why Henry chooses that to come down upon him for. Mentions that Minnie would like a letter from him.

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.

Explains that the reply to Sidgwick's letter to Johnnie has been sent back to her in Clifton by Storke, who was afraid of directing the post to Amsteg. Reports that Johnnie has been 'rained up in [Maderaner Tal?]' all that week, and would have been glad of receiving some post. Thinks that he is content, and reports that he likes his companions. Declares that Mrs Butler was at [Mürren], as was F. Myers, and around twenty other people. Gathers that the [Lee?] Warners 'were a bore, but that he liked the [F.E?] Kitcheners very much indeed.' Johnnie says that Mrs Kitchener reminded him of Lady Sabine. Refers to Sidgwick's loss of interest in the English hills, and urges him to forget that he has seen the Alps. Maintains that comparisons are odious. States that she was at Tintern the previous week, and suggests that this has perhaps given her a new love for the quietness of the English scenery.

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.