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Letter declining invitation to the 1905 Apostles' dinner.

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.

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.

Is very glad that Henry [and Arthur] are coming home [to Rugby] the following week 'to warm this cold empty house.' Reports that she is well, but that she hears that Minnie has a cold. Refers to imminent weddings: Mr Smythies. and Miss I. Anstey; Miss Atty and an Indian gentleman [i.e a British army officer who has served in India]; Miss [Sale] and 'a Mr. Smith'; and Miss Wratislaw. Urges to bring some copies of the photograph he mentioned, as she wants them for her self, and also for their 'old servant Hannah', who she hopes will come for Christmas. Asks if there is a photograph of Isaac [Barns]. Is pleased to hear of Arthur. Asks if he got Margaret's wedding cards from [Riddlesdon], and states that she 'really became "Mrs Cooper" on that day'. Saw Miss Attersoll at Wellington College; refers to her views on young headmasters. Adds that she hears that Mr Butler's appointment [as headmaster of Harrow] is very satisfactory. Refers to A. J. Patterson's impending visit. Asks Henry to thank Arthur for his letter, and to tell him 'to fix about his visit to Lee Warner' when he comes to Rugby. Also asks him to bring Arthur's certificate for the exhibition home.

Reports on her guests - those from Skipton, Miss Attersoll and Mr Boyd. States that Miss Attersoll has been trying to infuse into her 'a clearer idea of the state of public affairs in Church and State.' Announces that Lucy Brown and Henry's Aunt Sidgwick are also to arrive. Asks him when she may expect him and Arthur, and whether it would be possible to go down to Brighton for a few days before coming home. Reports that his aunt [Henrietta?] has been ill, and that 'perhaps a familiar face [would] cheer her.' Hopes that Henry is well, and that he will not take as many pupils the following term. Declares that Lucy Brown 'thinks much of [Hawthorne's] Scarlet Letter.' Reports on a 'remarkable sermon' given by Dr Temple, and that Lee Warner says that he [Temple] is going to publish all he has preached [at Rugby]. Asks Henry to tell Arthur to write to her to tell her how he is, and hopes that he is not overworked. Refers to Graham Dakyns, who 'seems quite downhearted about his place', and asks if there is any cause for it. Reports that Elizabeth [Cooper?] 'was sadly knocked up at Xmas, 'and will suffer from it for long'.

Reports again on the birth of a son to Minnie and Edward. Explains that the latter had gone to preach to Mr C[ ]'s at [Denbies] to preach at his church that day. Reports that Minnie is well, and that the baby is in good health. In relation to his name states that 'Martin', 'Edward White' and 'Arthur' have been suggested. Reports that the previous Saturday Edward went to spend some time with Mr Bradley at Marlborough, and then went to Tong, where he intended to spend the night with Emmeline [Woodhouse, his sister], and then on to Nab Cottage. Is of the opinion that Edward needed a break from Wellington College and all its attendant problems.

States that the following week Arthur, Trevelyan, Lee [Warner?], St[ ] and others accompany Mr Lightfoot and Edward to W[ast ]water 'en knapsack, weather permitting...' Adds that he must be home before 14 September when the College opens. Reports that Arthur has not been well, and has been suffering from his circulation. Announces that a trip to the Tyrol is not to go ahead, and that Trevelyan is going with him to Scarborough when their 'Lake Expedition' is over. Reports that she has not heard from William since she received a letter dated 16 August from Vienna, after which they were going to Innsbruck, and then on to Florence. Reports that she received a letter from Ada [Benson], who 'seems to be making progress'. She had been dining with Mr and Mrs Sergent, and the former's sister. Had hoped that Henry would come to Dresden.

Hears from Mrs S[ ] that a new master is soon to be appointed at Rugby. Relates that some days ago Edward received a letter 'from the author of [Other]Footsteps on the boundaries [of another world etc etc. - enclosing an account of the dreams connected with the Italian boy', which she believes Mr Eagles told them some years previously. States that 'Mr Owen has heard these dreams as connected with the family of a Mr. Benson - formerly a "Teacher at Rugby" and so writes to ascertain the truth'. Asks if Henry can help. Informs him that a bill came for him from Warwick's some days previously, and asks him what she should do about it. Reports that his uncle Christopher [Sidgwick?] was at Wellington College a fortnight previously, that the Raikes [party?: ie Robert Sidgwick and family] have been at Whitby, and also that the Riddlesden [home of John Sidgwick] ladies are going there.

Relates that Henry Longsdon and his family 'have been living for some weeks at a clerical hotel in London', and are travelling in Derbyshire, and that Fanny [Henry Sidgwick's cousin] goes home soon and will stay at Seacroft until Henry decides whether he will take the [ ] Secretaryship. Reports that William Lace [another cousin] and his family are at Stone Gappe, and that 'he is soon going to attend a social science meeting in Scotland'. States that her friends at Rugby keep looking for a house for her. Asks about Henry's progress with German.

Claims to feel ashamed at not having written to him for so long. Reports that she has had a succession of friends, including Miss Attersoll, Mrs Plunkett, Henry's Aunt Henrietta, and Uncle William from Bedford, in Rugby for short visits, and these occupied a good deal of her time. Mrs Plunkett stayed on her way to Switzerland; her son Willoughby has got his commission and is gone to India with a regiment of the Royal Artillery. Announces that she expects Eleanor soon, and Henry's Aunt Ellen from Leeds on Saturday, and that the latter and his Aunt Henrietta go to Brighton on the following Tuesday.

Reports that Arthur is much busier than before, and so she sees less of him. Claims that she is now trying to 'get into regular ways of occupying' herself, and reports that she has her pupil for English twice a week, to whom she reads French. Remarks that all of her lady visitors 'rather shrink from discussing any of the many subjects which are interesting to intellectual people' and 'are content to express their fears as to where this "idolatry of intellect" will end.' Reports that she has heard from William, whose work, he claims, does not weigh on him. Remarks that Arthur 'looks quite strong'. States that no new master is yet appointed and Mr Phillips' brother is again at Rugby to help.

Assumes that Henry will be glad to hear of Mr H. Lee Warner's fellowship. Asks him to thank his Aunt Ellen for her letter, and to tell her how his mother should enjoy seeing all her 'north-country friends' again, but fears that it will not come to pass that year. Asks him also to send his love to his Aunt Henrietta, and thank her for her letter. Regrets that [William] Crofts cannot come back to the Schoolhouse for the quarter as the houses are very full. Tells him to tell Ellen also that she has 'a great dal to say to her about Welsh scenery', and that Ernest must go and sketch there some day.

The Paddocks, Swaffham. - Begins with a passage full of spelling mistakes - 'Our opponents alledge that the surprize of the citidal was only avurted...' - which seems to have been taken from a recent examination paper by Trevelyan. Lee Warner asks him to 'forgive [his] father's old friend' for writing at the end of the exam telling him 'to take to heart such phonetic spelling as the above'. Tends to 'make light of schoolmasters' fears' and thinks bad spelling and false quantities [in reading or composing Latin verse] are 'trivial errors'; but Trevelyan was 'exceptionally wild'; is 'sure Horace spelt better at Athens' [a reference to G. O. Trevelyan's Horace at the University of Athens. Did not want to be 'so personal' when speaking to the 'united VIth'. Will 'watch [Trevelyan's] future with great interest', as well as that of his brothers.

Buxton did not arrive in time for their 'Rosebery meeting' after all, but his brother came 'to protest against his father's defection'. The 'father of all the Upchers and the oldest Birkbeck appeared on the platform to protest against their sons' in a 'splendid demonstration... Sam Hoare must be feeling uncomfortable in his seat'.

Tells Trevelyan to enjoy his holidays, and asks him to 'forgive a parting shot from one who enjoyed seeing [his] father's sons'.

On headed notepaper for Woodstock Road, Oxford. - Has been examining at Harrow with [Henry] Lee Warner, and thought Trevelyan would like to hear about his two sons there. Charlie is 'no scholar, but differentiates himself from all the other bad scholars' by 'a certain sense and a certain way of putting things' which indicate that he 'has his share of the family literary gift'. He makes numerous mistakes, but not the 'dreary canine bosh which distinguishes the duffer'. Sidgwick sat next to him at dinner at Welldon's, which 'confirmed [the] impression that he is one of the nicest young fellows... if not the nicest' he knows.

Bob is 'a genius', but currently 'suffers from two week points': he 'can't get up the pace requisite for a trying exam' like the Scholarship', and knows much less Greek than Latin. His Greek composition is 'at present somewhat embryonic, at least in verse'. However, he did some 'capital translations', and gave 'far the best answer of the kind sent in' to the question of 'whether Vergil was deficient in originality'; his Latin essay was also the best.

Thinks they would give Bob a scholarship at Balliol 'this year or next', but supposes Trevelyan 'mean[s] him for Trinity'. Sends regards to Lady Trevelyan; hopes this letter will 'catch' Trevelyan before he goes to Brussels. Adds a postscript saying that it was 'so queer' for him and Lee Warner 'to be examining out of 18 boys, two Trevelyans and a Storr [Frank or Charles Lancelot?]- nephew of F[rancis?] S.'

Asks her to inform Edward that he will begin to make enquiries 'as soon as the men come up', and states that '[i]t is probably that [Henry Weston?] Eve will come if Fisher [Frederic or Edmund?] won't.' Claims to be 'in very low spirits', and puts into words some pessimistic thoughts. Refers to the following terms, which he claims to look forward to 'with some dread.' Reports that Arthur is with [Henry?] Lee Warner, and that 'Mamma is solitary'. States that he went with her on Monday as far as Ely, and that he left '[ ] The H[ ] and Shirley [by Charlotte Bronte] to console her.'

Suggests that she [his sister] would like some poetry, and tells her that the translations he read to her can be obtained from her friend Miss Hedley. States that the latter stayed with them a week after she [Minnie] 'had gone off in that most unsisterly way on the 23rd June /59 [to be married]', and that he 'being then German-mad used occasionally to plague her with raptures etc', so she wrote her out 'two or three translations as a reward...' Reports that 'old Mr [Francis?] Martin' called on them at Rugby and narrated how she [Minnie] and he met Miss Hedley 'with one of the bald-headed uncles, and mistook him for the other bald-headed uncle. Asks her if she remembers how the 'b.h.d used to come to Redland, and how well they used to fold up their nightgowns when they were little boys...' Relates that Elizabeth [Cooper?] says 'that William Jackson [warned] her...to take care of her boys' hair and make them get it cut [or else they would have no grey hairs to be brought down in sorrow to the grave...'

Reminds her that Miss Harriet Atty was about to be led to the Hatter when she [Minnie] left Rugby, and informs her that on the day before her wedding Atty was presented with a diamond necklace by an old gentleman that she had met on the seaside some time before, and that the result was that 'it was noised abroad that the older Miss A. w[ould] presently become Mrs Old-Gentleman...' Sends his love to Edward, and asks her to tell him how many boys they have got.