JH congratulates WW on his forthcoming marriage [1 July 1858] to Lady Frances E Affleck.
AS thanks EA for her concern. He caught a cold yesterday: 'I know not how, unless it be that I have taken too much care of myself; and with a new cough and a sore throat I must not come out'.
Opening of the letter is preceded by a poem of 7 verses by Robert Leslie Ellis dated 12 Jan. 1848.
AS cannot attend EA's party this evening as he has a bad cough.
On AS's return he found an invitation to the Lodge 'tomorrow', but since it does not have a date he is unsure whether he has missed the day or not. He has been to a chapter meeting in Norwich.
AS sends the item which contains a report of the proceeding of the Royal Society and St. Andrews Day.
AS is confused over the times of two dinner invitations. He has had bad gout today: 'My spirits are very low; my memory is shattered into dust; and my imaginations are no better than the dreams of a bedlamite'.
Undated letter (item 60) has a second leaf that is burned at the top, taking text.
Trinity College - AS has been ill since he last saw her. He hopes to go to Dent to see his brother [John Sedgwick]: 'the Doctors hold out no hopes of his restoration'. AS hopes EEA enjoys her rest at Cliff Cottage with WW.
Requests a photograph of Lady Affleck.
Anxious to receive news from her after her arrival at Fulford. Hopes that she will be able to stay as long as she wishes. Does not know when he shall get down to Rugby, or how long he shall stay, but states that his stay there 'will include Sunday the 5th'. Reports that he has seen Roche Dakyns, who was in Cambridge to take his M.A. degree. Reports that he went to Oxford the previous Saturday, saw William, and enjoyed himself very much. Remarks on the contrast between Oxford and Cambridge in respect of the more vibrant intellectual life in the former. Attributes this to the hot controversies that are always raging there.
States that he is inclined to agree with her about the new mastership at Rugby, and claims that the only doubt is what Arthur will do. Does not think that he will be sorry to have more time to read, and hopes that he will decide to stay in Cambridge. Reports that he has saved one thousand seven hundred pounds, and hopes to save four hundred a year as long as he stays in Cambridge. States that he dined at the Lodge the previous night 'and Lady Affleck [Everina Whewell or Maria Affleck?] enquired very kindly after Minnie'.
Humorous speculations on what De la Rue [Warren De la Rue] was thinking of.