Showing 81 results

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Discusses a passage of Thucydides, and Macaulay's criticisms of Lucan, which 'are among his very best... He never fails to choose out the best passages, and to laugh at the bad ones'. Robert 'has a great affection for Lucan, perhaps out of proportion to his merits', partly because after Catullus he was the first classical author he studied 'on my own adventure, and so, as it were, with passion', and partly because he read it at school with Bowen, who 'delighted in Lucan, and thought his cleverness and brilliance... apart from all others'.

The weather is 'desperately and oppressively hot'; he and Bessie are going to Borrowdale before coming to Wallington. Hopes 'London is not going to be visited for its sins like New York' [perhaps a reference to the stock market crash?]

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - The hard weather has 'carried off quite a group of [Sir George's] old London friends', leaving the same sort of gap as was left in his college circle by the deaths of Bowen, [Henry] Sidgwick and Edward Young. Goschen, Davey, Godfrey Lushington, and Allendale ([Wentworth] Beaumont) have all died within about a fortnight. Caroline and Booa [Mary Prestwich] much enjoyed their visit to the Shiffolds and meeting Paul. Was very lucky not to break his hip; is still lame. The Lords have 'a reform bill of their own House'; the "Times" seems not to think this is the business of the Commons, which is 'all very well if the same theory is adopted reciprocally' but they threw out the Plural Voting bill last year.

The end of term is close: 'in fact there are less than 1,000,000 seconds' until it comes. The exam [for Harrow?] will be 'very exciting'. Though he has not yet decided on a 'present for Mr A[rnold]', Robert thinks he 'would like best something for his writing table, like a good paper-weight'; thinks it would be almost as good to get it at 'the beginning of the hols', though if his mother has already found something she could send it to Robert now.

Has written to C[harlie] today. G[eorgie] is 'quite well now, and is doing very well in his class'; Robert hopes he will be placed first or second. They did not go in for the history exam with the rest, as they were 'not good enough', but took it a month afterwards. Mr Arnold has got Mr [E.E.?] Bowen to 'look them over', and if they are good enough Mr Arnold will 'give a prize like Mr Bowen's'; if not, just an 'ordinary prize'.

They were beaten three-nil in the Farnborough match. Is reading 'Leslie Stephen's life of [Henry] Fawcett', and thinks it 'very interesting'. Is glad 'Spi[der?' is all right'; it is 'a great pity about Mr Gladstone'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary. - Thanks his father for sending [William] Everett's letter and translation [see 12/87]: Bowen 'used to make the sixth form learn Phaselus [Catullus 4] when they were late for lunch'; they had usually forgotten it and had to learn it anew each time. At one time Robert was 'rather often late', and Bowen found he 'really knew Phaselus by heart' and said he must learn something new; he used to learn a new passage of Lucan each time 'and so soon found it not worth being late'. Had intended to send Bowen his own translation [published as The Schooner from Catullus in Polyphemus and Other Poems, 1901], but he died just before he could. Thinks his translation better than Everett's, as it keeps closer to the 'words and movement of the original', but has seen some 'very good translations of Italian poetry' by Everett.

He and Bessie are much looking forward to his mother's visit; the 'trees are very fine now' and he hopes they still will be when she comes. They 'like Pauline very much for a name [Charles and Molly's daughter, born recently]. It is unusual, but not excentric [sic]'; glad the birth went well.

Liked the article in the TImes [Literary Supplement, on Sir George's Interludes in Verse and Prose, see 12/86] very much; sees Punch objected to the title but cannot understand why.

Supposes this will be the last time he writes to her 'from here [Wixenford]'. Mr A[rnold] has let him look at the Times of the 8th, and he has read 'Papa's speech', though he 'could not get through much of the G[rand] O[ld] M[an - Gladstone]'s speech'; does hope 'his bill [the Government of Ireland Bill] will not be passed'; Gladstone 'must be a wonderfully strong man to speak for 3 hours and 25 minutes at his age'. It will be all right if they get Mr Arnold's present on Saturday. Thinks G[eorgie] is 'doing very well in his examinations', and does not see why he should not get a history prize. Expects he himself will get a history prize, but 'Mr B[owen?]' says he was 'not as good as the other boy who got the real prize'; in the [Harrow?] examination, 'those who do not pass the first paper cannot go in for the other two'; as Robert could not have passed the first one, he would not have been able to do the others, and it was in those that he came top; B[owen] says he did the last 'very well'. Sackville-West has had a bad 'feverish attack' and will not be able to do any more work this term. O'Brien took the exam at Charterhouse last Wednesday, and 'got a good place'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to have news of Paul; the photograph of him touching Theodore's foot is 'delicious'. The new MP for Hexham, [Richard Durning] Holt and his wife, are staying at Wallington, as are: Aunt Annie [Philips]; Josephine Lawson; the younger Hugh Bell, in whom Sir George has 'discovered a great likeness to [Edward] Bowen' and thinks it 'extends to character'; and Sir Francis Blake. He and Caroline are 'much interested about [Laurence] Binyon'; wonders if [Sidney?] Colvin thinks he is 'breaching on Stephen Phillips's domain'. Glad Robert liked what he saw of [Macaulay's] "Marginal Notes", which Sir George has now typed up; Longmans are going to publish it.

Trinity College Cambridge [on headed notepaper for Clare College, with Clare crossed through]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. 'Old Vanity' [A. G. Watson, of Harrow] is here, staying at the lodge [the Master's Lodge at Trinity]; Robert saw him briefly, and he 'seemed very happy'. Charlie met him at dinner, but Robert dined with the Lytteltons [Kathleen and Arthur?], sitting next to Miss Gladstone and 'the Newnhamite who is expected to have done best in the classical tripos [Florence Stawell?]', which finished yesterday. They 'all hope that O'Rorke has got through', but are not sure.

Charlie 'seems very well indeed, but has not been doing much work'. They went for an 'expedition in canoes up the Cam yesterday', bathed, and 'had tea at a village'. Hears Bowen is 'cutting out all the Waterloo part from G[eorgie]'s poem'. Hopes that his parents are well. Supposes the [general] election will definitely be in July. He and his friends have 'settled to go to the Lakes, and not to Scotland'; there will be four or five of them.

Seatoller. - Expects Bob is enjoying himself abroad. Is having a good time at Seatoller with [Maurice?] Amos, [Ralph] Wedgwood and [George] Moore; Vaughan Williams left a few days ago; he and Wedgwood 'bathe in Cambridge pool every morning'; Amos and Wedgwood work hard for their triposes, while Moore chiefly reads "Jane Eyre" and other novels, and George 'all sorts of jolly books', none for his tripos. They are all getting on well, even better than at Stye since there is not the 'slight distance between Moore and Wedgwood'. They go up the mountains in the afternoon; he and Moore, as 'the Wordsworthians of the party' went over to Grasmere and Rydal; describes Dove Cottage, de Quincey's extension to it, and S.T.C. [Samuel Taylor Coleridge]'s house. Declares that there were 'men in England then', also naming Scott, Shelley, Byron and Keats. George got his scholarship; does not seem fair that Wedgwood has not, while they give one to someone like Charlie Buxton 'of very ordinary ability' in their first year; thinks this is 'bolstering up classics'. It is however a sign that the college is doing 'their duty to history' that there is now an entrance scholarship for it. Is glad at a personal level that Buxton has a scholarship: he and George will have plenty of money to go abroad in the long vacation now. Elliott has not got a scholarship, but is spoken of as 'certain' next year. Had a nice letter from Bowen; German measles is active in [Grove] house. Asks Bob to write to him about the novel if he needs someone to discuss it with: he knows the plan and beginning, and will keep it secret. Wedgwood is a really good rock climber. Notes in postscript that he will be seeing Moore's brother [Thomas] in London again next week, so Bob should write there.

Writes to say that he cannot come the following day due to his hayfever. States that he will probably 'leave town' for about a week - the second week in July - for the seaside, if he manages to shake it off entirely. Undertakes to write again when he knows where he shall be when she passes [London], so that she may write and tell him the exact time she will be there. States that he has decided not to go to Tawney, because of his hayfever. Reports that he has been spending most of his time seeing friends, and that there are more to see. Asks her to tell Arthur that a cousin of E.E. Bowen's - Reverend C. Bowen - will probably [be calling on him].

Sandford Hotel, Niton, I[sle] of Wight [using Wixenford headed notepaper]:- The Arnolds have 'just arrived' after a 'most pleasant journey'. Arnold picked up Mrs Trevelyan's 'kind letter' at the Hartley Row post office, on the way to Winchfield Station, and thanks her for all he says. He also received an 'interesting letter from Mr Bowen' which he encloses [not now present] as Trevelyan will want to see it. It has been a 'great delight... to hear of Bobbie's success [in the Harrow examination]', which has 'doubled and more than doubled' his pleasure in the holidays, particularly for the happiness it will have given Mr and Mrs Trevelyan. Thinks nothing could better 'drive away the memory of the worries of last session than the return home of two such refreshing young people as Bobbie and George'. First heard the 'good news from Mr Welldon' who said that as far as he could tell from the viva voce examination, Bobbie seems 'to be a boy of wide interests as well as considerable classical attainments'.

Arnold finds what Bowen says to be just what he expected, and considers it 'very satisfactory, though it may not sound so to everyone. Bobbie's work all through showed power and ability' and pleased the examiners, though 'his blunders almost proved fatal'. Believes that the ability will grow 'rapidly', and the 'inaccuracy will disappear before long'; this will require a 'constant effort', but he thinks that Bobbie will 'triumph'. Latin Prose is in fact Bobbie's strongest subject - thinks Mr Trevelyan will agree if he looks over the piece which Bobbie took home - but 'again and again [in class] he did what he must have done in the examination'. He 'really is a fairly sound scholar for his age', as he can almost always correct the mistakes he makes as soon as he is asked. Arnold was surprised he did so well in verse, for which he needed more time, and 'of course forgive[s] him his bad Latin Prose in return for his good verses'.

Was very glad Bobbie did a good Homer paper, which he owes 'chiefly to the work he did with his father last holidays'. His French is 'really rather good' and he could have 'made it tell' in the examination with 'very little brushing up', but Arnold spent almost all the time for this on Greek. Apologises for 'such a number of details', but offers them in support of the hope that 'if Bobbie's work was so good to place him 3rd in spite of his many blunders', they may 'soon hope to see him in the very first place'. It is obvious that Mr Bowen is interested in Bobbie, which Arnold is glad of, 'for no one can help him better'. Sends thanks to Mr Trevelyan for his letter last week, and best regards from himself and his wife. Adds a postscript saying that he should have written to Bobbie yesterday but was too busy; will write to him very soon.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Has been meaning to write for 'some days', but has spent 'the last few lovely days almost entirely outdoors', as he hopes Bobbie has also done. Knows Bobbie does not need to be told how 'greatly delighted' Arnold is that all his work has been 'rewarded with success'. They tried their best to 'persuade one another.. it did not so much matter which way things went in the [Harrow entrance] examination', but Arnold is 'not too proud to confess' that since success is 'one of the most practical tests of good work', he at least 'hold[s] greatly to results'. Thanks Bobbie for his 'kind letter' and the postcard sent from Oxford, and offers congratulations.

Is 'much interested by the papers'; probably by now Bobbie will have seen what Mr Bowen said in a letter Arnold sent to Mrs Trevelyan. This was 'not all praise', and Bobbie 'shocked the examiners with blunders', as well as Arnold, but he 'also delighted them all through'. Arnold will 'sadly.. miss' their 'pleasant lessons together'. Thinks that what delighted the examiners is the 'permanent part', and that Bobbie will 'entirely get over' the errors which shocked them if he works hard over the next few years; 'Precision and accuracy is not a talent [Bobbie has] by nature', but he should take courage from the 'great strides' he has already made and feel it is in his power to fit himself 'for the highest achievements' over the next eight or nine years before he takes his degree at Cambridge. Arnold thinks that success which comes from hard work is superior to that which come only from talent without much effort.

Has had good news from Tomlin and from Leveson and Lawrence at Eton. Tomlin, 'not a scholar, mind you', writes that he was first in his form: first in classics, second in mathematics and natural science, and fourth in modern languages, with a prize for 'coming out top in Pupil-room'; he writes that he is 'so glad to see Trevelyan got a scholarship'. Arnold notes that Tomlin has 'done so well since he went to Harrow, without ever flagging', that he intends to give the Wixenford boys a half-holiday in his honour next term. Supposes they may have one in Trevelyan's honour: when Hicks got a scholarship, 'some fellows' said something about a whole holiday. Will give another half-holiday if Trevelyan is 'top of Lower Remove twice in the 3 first fortnights marks'

It is the 'peculiarity of Wixenford boys to wear well', though they do not 'always show all they know at first'; if Robert had not been 'unfortunate' in the Latin prose paper and the 'Greek passage about military tactics', he would undoubtedly have been placed much higher. Arnold wonders if he was hurried in the prose, as he thought an hour and a half short for this. Will be interested to hear what Robert's father thought of the prose Robert took home from Wixenford to show him: Arnold himself considered it 'very promising'. The Greek passage was not harder than many Robert had tried; supposes he went wrong somewhere and 'could not find the red thread again'; the verses were a 'triumph'.

Mrs Arnold sends good wishes and congratulations. Arnold will certainly not forget 'dear Bob', who should come and visit; sometimes Harrow holidays begin before Wixenford's, and then he can visit George. Robert can also send news occasionally 'as short epistles'; apologises for the length of this one. It is kind of Robert to send a present; will find it when they return on Monday, hopes it will be Robert's 'last photograph'. as he will have to have another one taken with his 'new honours'.

Hopes Robert is 'getting plenty of rest and enjoyment' on his holiday, and that George is also having 'plenty of fun'.

Suggests that he had better pay the visit to which he looks forward, having ascertained from [Henry Weston] Eve 'that Edward had attained the desire of his laziness, and extolled Easter Holidays from an unwilling Committee...' Asks whether she intends to go to Rugby for the vacation. Informs her that the only time he can go to them is 'the Monday week after Easter to stay till the Saturday: or two or three days at the beginning of Passion week...' Explains that he has asked a friend [G. O. Trevelyan] to stay with them at Rugby for the week after Easter, and that he intends to go down to examine at Harrow at the end of March. Refers to a poem entitled 'Wander, o wander', which he wrote for her, and which now appears in 'McMillan's magazine'. Reports that he told their mother, and that she wrote him 'a reproachful criticism for being so unfeeling towards the young lady!' Asks if she has seen [Nathaniel] Hawthorne's [The] Scarlet Letter, which he judges to be 'a wonderful work'. Reports that he is just getting to the end of his hard work, as the Littlego begins the following Monday. Refers to an enclosed poem of [E.E.] Bowen's, [not included], about the Rifle-Corps. Tells her to show it to Donne, if he has not seen it.

[on headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, S.W.] Arrived here 'all right with Charlie last Wednesday'. Is getting on 'very well', and is in Bosworth-Smith's form. Campbel[l] is in Hutton's form, but Giffard is in B[owen?]'s. Giffard 'is 4th scholar, because Butler resigned his'. Robert's room is on the top story, and 'has been shut up for about 3 terms'; it is large enough, 'very comfortable', and 'looks toward the road at the bottom of the hill'. Got his coat on Friday or Saturday, but has not yet got the watch. His clock 'goes very well'. Bought a straw hat on Thursday, which was a 'whole holiday' for him, as he did not have an exam or holiday task. Is very glad to hear that Aunt Meggie [Price] 'has another little boy'.

Does 'not feel at all sleepy before 10'. The 'work is not very hard': they are studying the 2nd book of the 'Aeniad' [Aeneid], which he has done before, the 5th book of the 'Odesey [sic]' and the 10th book of Paradise Lost. Is in 'Row [?]'s house in French', and has forgotten his mathematics master's name. Played cricket yesterday in the 2nd eleven. Sees C[harlie] 'pretty often'. Saunders [sic: R. A. Sanders], the head of the school, is also head of their house.

States that he does not forget that Cowell was to be at Lugano on 10 September, and announces that he will give 'no possible clue' as to his own whereabouts, beyond stating that he is 'still at this ancient seat of learning', but intends to go the following week to Llandudno, where his people are. Remarks that he has not seen 'the annual J.J.C in the Times yet'.

Reports that Trotter has returned, and that he and Sedley Taylor went up Mont Blanc. Enquired whether they had seen Cowell, and Trotter said that he 'hooted all the way from Grindelwald to Chamounix', and claimed that Cowell must have heard him, but 'wouldn't cry "cuckoo" '. Reports that he had 'an [angels] visit from Bowen the other day, which gave light and life to [their] proceedings. Refers to a four oared race with Huntingdon that Bowen organised, and to the fact that [George Henry?] Richards was 'stroke of the University.' Declares that 'Trevelyan is a splendid correspondent' and that he seems to be enjoying himself.

Reports that Henry Sidgwick and Brandreth have both been [to Cambridge] during the previous week. States that he 'never saw Sidg in such a state of embarrassment'. He had just accepted a Rugby mastership, but seemed to have forgotten about his composition lecture the following term. Adds that Clark was at Constantinople, and so Sidgwick 'could not get out of his difficulty except by telegraphing; he wrote subsequently to Temple to decline altogether, but was immensely disgusted at his "Vaughnism" - and on Monday morning packed his bag, and rushed to Paris, overwhelmed with shame and chagrin, to learn dancing.'

States that he has promised Eve to take his place at Wellington College during the fellowship week, and that when the fellowship exam is over Trevelyan, Wilson, and possibly Tawney are going to join Young in Wales. Reports that '[a] man called Thomas Harvey brother to the blacksmith who fires the guns, unfortunately smashed his mother[']s brains out, and two other people[']s heads in with a hammer the other day, at Fen Ditton, he got off and eluded the police for five days, by [clearly] hanging himself 50 ft high on a tree, not 200 yds from his mother[']s house.' Sends his love to Browning.

With regard to Sidgwick's essay, declares it to be well-reasoned, and expresses his supreme satisfaction with it. Asks for Sidgwick's criticisms of his [Farrar's] essay, on which [Charles Stuart?] Parker had given him 'some very valuable hints'. Is pleased that Sidgwick praises his friend Mr Joseph Payne, and informs him that Payne and Dr [William?] Hodgson are two very leading men at the College of [Preceptors]. Refers to a book on education by Mr [ ], which he declares to be 'thoroughly shallow'. Refers to a conversation with [William] Johnson [Cory], in which the latter mentioned a conference with Sidgwick, and asks him to explain a reference Johnson made to it. Expresses his hopes in relation to the latter's essay. Predicts the volume of essays [Essays on a Liberal Education, edited by Farrar] to be a valuable one, speaks favourably of the writings of Wilson, Seeley and Sidgwick, and judges Bowen's to be 'a little disappointing.' Reports that Lytton cannot contribute because of an illness. Expresses his intention of returning to Harrow on 27 August. Includes a list of queries about, and suggested changes to, Sidgwick's essay.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his mother for her letter. His father came yesterday; Robert 'found him in Charlie's room'. Charlie 'seemed better ['much' crossed out]; Robert thinks he is going home on Wednesday. Went to breakfast at Mr Watson's with his father and Hallam; his father left at 10.30. Robert's 'back is all right now', but it was 'rather bad for a few days'. His father seemed well; told him he didn't need any money, as he has 'plenty left'. His father did not have time to 'come and see Bojon [E. E. Bowen?]'.

Has been 'rather bad weather lately', and is now getting cold. Hopes they will have fires soon. They had a 'whole holiday yesterday'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his mother for her letter; Charlie has lent him his letter to read as well. Was '3rd this fortnight, and Charlie was 12th, Goetz was top and Giffard second'. Does not think Charlie did badly, since he had missed a fortnight [due to illness]; he 'may still get his fez but it is not certain'; went for a walk with him today. Is glad their father is 'enjoying himself'. They have all got fires now. Is 'enjoying footer very much'. Will work hard this fortnight to see if he can come first; he will at least get his remove. Hopes his parents will get the gate for the terrace if it is not too expensive. The weather has been fine today so 'the footer-field will not be so wet'. Blackwood went back to India last Monday. Had house singing yesterday, and sang 'Bojon [?E. E. Bowen]'s new song'.

Harrow School. - Congratulates Trevelyan on his son [Robert]'s election to a Classical Scholarship: much of his work 'impressed the examiners, and especially Bowen, very much'. His brief viva voce examination suggests he 'must have wider interests than many boys who win scholarships'. Will 'watch his school career with great pleasure'.

Expresses her delight at the news, which she heard from Henry's aunt Stephana, that he had been elected as a Fellow of Trinity, and appointed Assistant Tutor. Adds that she heard that his examination papers were the best, and states how proud of him she is. Declares that she is thankful also that Arthur enters on his new life with Henry by his side, and is glad of the good example he has set him.

States that she is on her way home, and shall be there on 22 or 24 October, and then goes to Wellington College. Thinks that Minnie would like to see her, and presumes that all Edward's friends will have had time to pay their visits. States that she hears on all sides of their happiness, and wants to see it for herself. Reports that Henry's aunt Henrietta is there [in Leeds], but that she goes to Bedford the following day to see his uncle and aunt [William and Stephana Crofts], and then proceeds to Brighton.

Encourages to bring any friend of him home for Christmas. Hopes that he will stay 'all the time at Rugby' as she will be very glad for all the family to be together once more. Reports that '[p]oor little Ellen' is very poorly with a fever. Asks him to give her love to Arthur and to tell him to write to her in Leeds until the end of the following week. Adds that Willy Croft's report for the [Doctor] is excellent. Asks to be remembered to all his friends, and that her congratulations be passed on to Mr Somerset. Does not think she knows Bowen. Wishes she had seen Father's name [on the list of elected fellows], and sends her particular remembrances to him and his brother.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Heard from Mr Bowen that she was planning to come down 'if it was fine to see the torpids'; is glad that she did not as it was so windy they were put off till next Saturday. There are 'no absits this term, at least at the beginning' so they [he and Charlie] could not come on Saturday. Charlie 'seems very well now', though Robert is 'not a very good judge of that sort of thing'; he had a headache last Sunday but Robert thinks he is better now. Has been 'out running twice', and much enjoyed it. Mr Bowen asked him to send the enclosed paper [no longer present] to her and his father: it is about the football, and some of it is 'very good'. Is glad to hear about the election they [the Liberals] have won, and hopes they will win the rest. Adds a postscript saying that he is reading [The Count of] Monte Cristo, 'but not so as to interfere with my work'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Is 'so sorry' to hear about Charlie's illness, and hopes it is 'nothing serious'; did not hear anything about him being unwell till last Thursday. He himself has 'rather a bad cold in [his] chest', but Mr Bowen will 'not let [him] stop out'; supposes Bowen knows best but thinks 'it is rather cold weather for going about with a bad cough'. There is a little snow almost every day, and 'the ice on the pond nearly bore [skating] yesterday': they were allowed to go on it for 'about twenty minutes'.

Has been out running three times, and likes it very much. The cold weather has recently prevented football, and so the torpid have not yet begun; wishes they were over, since 'every one is sick of footer now'.

They had a Cicero revision yesterday, and he thinks he did well, though is 'sorry to say' he 'did not do a good Sophocles revision a fortnight ago'. Is glad the elections 'are going so well'. Almost everyone in his house is 'ill in some way'; he expects because of the cold weather. Adds a postscript to say that his cold is now better.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his mother for her letter. His cold is 'nearly quite gone now', though he must still be careful for a while. Is 'so glad Charlie is well again', though he still seems to have a slight cold'. Robert's house was 'beaten by Stoggies [Stogdon's house?] yesterday at torpids 5-1'. does not think anyone cared much about it and they are 'all glad to get it over'. They beat the 'small houses' last week. A boy in his house called Castleman has just become 'school racquet player.'

Is sending his father 'some verses on the moon' which he wrote last week; they are 'not very good'. Mr Kempthorn[e], who teaches him composition, has asked him to do more and 'make the piece more complete', not because he did not do enough, but because Kempthorne knows Robert is interested; his advice is to model the verses on Lucretius.

Thinks he will soon need some more money, but that '1 pound will last till the end of the term'. They have been able to do a 'great deal of skating', and thinks they will be able to do more; has enjoyed himself a great deal, though he 'cannot do anything at all on the ice'.

Postmarked Harrow; addressed to his mother at 8 Grosvenor Crescent, London S. W. - Is sorry to have to tell her that his 'absit has been stopped'. Does not think his offence has been 'very great', but does not have time to tell her everything now; will write tomorrow. Charlie, 'who ought to be a good judge', is not angry with him at all, and 'Mr Bowen himself did not seem to think it very serious'. However, Robert accepts that he 'was to blame to some extent'. The 'row is with Mr Owen'. He is getting on very well in other respects. Hallam is ill. Will 'send the verses tomorrow'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Did not have much time to write yesterday, so waited until today; hopes she got his postcard [45/150]. Mr Owen teaches Robert the epistles on Sunday and Monday morning; the lesson is an hour long, and involves taking down the notes Owen dictates. Nobody in the form does take down the notes, as 'they are absolutely ununderstandable', even those 'high in the form' take none, or 'very few'. Instead, the boys 'habitually write their Sunday letters' then (more than three quarters of the form'), do nothing, or 'possibly read novels'; boys have been caught by Mr Owen writing letters, but he has never taken much notice. Robert used to try to take notes, but 'understood so little of their meaning', and found what he did understand was 'uninstructive' and 'contrary' to what he has always been taught and believed, so ending up following the others' example, taking no notes and 'even now and then wrote a letter' Thinks that the letter-writing is the 'only part of [his] conduct which any reasonable person can blame' and even this is 'somewhat excusable' since everyone does it.

He was caught writing a letter to her last Sunday, and since he has 'never had any success in [his] theological studies', Owen sent him to Mr Welldon, who punished him by sending him to the bottom of his form 'in bill order'. This is not a severe punishment, and is 'never considered a disgrace', though 'being degraded out of the form altogether is'. Mr Bowen of course had to stop Robert's exeat, but 'did not seem very much displeased'. Is sorry that he did a 'bad construing for Mr Welldon', due to 'carelessness' not 'neglect of preparation'. Has been doing well in his other work.

Mr Hallam is ill with the toothache, and Mr Moss and Mr Kempthorne have been taking them instead; Robert likes Mr Kempthorne best. Sends the verses; afraid he has been 'rather long in finishing' them but has not much time. Reminds her that he is not doing more as a punishment, but because Mr Kempthorne 'takes an interest' in his work. Is afraid even now they are 'not a very complete set. They are an imaginary 7th Book of Lucretius'. Ran to Elstree today, but 'not so as to overwork' himself.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his father for his letter. Apologises for being 'rather slow in writing this week'; 'will make a point of writing on Sunday' another time. His form are reading 'the 5th book of the Aeniad [sic] and the Seven against Thebes; later they will also read some Cicero, but he does not yet know what; they will go 'straight on in the Thucidides' [sic].

Does not know where he will be placed in his form this week, but he has 'worked [his] best'. Did not do very well at the beginning, 'through not knowing his [teacher's] ways', but has been 'getting on better lately. Has 'had some verses sent up' and is 'working hard at them'. Thinks Charlie is 'getting on very well in Hallam's form'.

The torpid matches will be soon; his house are 'very good this year and... even have a chance of being cock-house'. He and Charlie are both 'quite well now'. Hopes his mother is well. Is 'so glad to hear that Meta [his cousin] is better. The weather is 'very cold here and it has been freezing a great deal'. Last Sunday, some boys 'made a row in the grove, and chased the chickens', so Mr Bowen has closed the grove for now; Robert was not involved. This Saturday there will be a 'whole holiday'. Hopes Spider is well.

[On headed paper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Hears that Georgie 'has got into the select list in Bowen's prize, and seems to be doing very well'. Is himself 'working very hard now to try and gain some places [in his form]' and things he should be able to. Charlie is 'very well', and Robert thinks he 'will come out high next time he is placed'.

Is taking his cod-liver oil, and likes it very much. Thinks they will have two holidays 'for [W. G.?] Headlam, who has done something wonderful at Cambridge'. Hopes his father's cold is now better. 'Bozy's [Bosworth Smith's?] are cock-house in torpids' as they 'easily beat' Bushell's. Hopes his grandfather [probably Robert Needham Philips, but possibly Sir Charles Trevelyan if the letter was written in 1886] is better now. Has 'not very much to say', as he only saw her a short time ago; hopes he will have more to write next time.

[on headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent; envelope postmarked 23 Mar 1888]:- Is sorry to say that he has 'very bad news' again, but that 'it is nothing to do with idleness, or inattention...' since he does not 'think there is a master who can deny' that he has 'worked really well' in the last fortnight. Last term, Robert used to help a boy called Roffey with his iambics, which is not against the rules since 'a sixth form has a right to give help' which is recognised by masters if 'in moderation'. Roffey is 'not a clever boy, but one of that large class who do as little work as they can'. Robert used to talk to Charlie about it, who did not think there was anything wrong in helping boys like that who do not want to get on as long as it does not inconvenience the helper.

This term Robert did more, and 'often did the whole exercise' for Roffey, not as well as he could but 'making mistakes purposely', so that Roffey in fact got higher marks when he did the work himself. Robert says this to prove that he did not help to make Roffey 'get his remove', which Roffey did not wish to get and often said he 'preferred remaining where he was': Roffey was 'simply lazy' and Robert 'good-natured'. Last night Bowen found Robert doing Roffey's exercizes, and saw it as the two of them 'conspiring together to cheat and overreach Mr Watson', thinking that Roffey was doing it to get his remove. Robert sees that Bowen has 'a right to be very angry, and to punish [Robert] as severely as he chooses', but that as he was not doing his best in the exercises, he will 'maintain... until the end' that he was not conspiring to cheat anyone, but just out of good nature; that he did not do it 'from compulsion', though it was hard to stop once he had begun, and it 'never interfered with work'. Does 'not think it a very disgraceful thing, but... a very foolish and weak thing to have done' so much of it; his parents and the masters have 'a right to be very angry' with him and he 'cannot complain at any punishment' he gets. Is more worried about the 'trouble and distress' it will give his parents than anything which will happen to him.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert and Elizabeth's letters give a good account of their local politics; [Oscar William] Bowen at Stratford is very different to 'our [Edward Ernest] Bowen'; will tell Robert about him in person; he is calling on them soon. Very interesting about the "Wasps" [the Cambridge Greek Play?]; thinks the parabases of Aristophanes should be as intelligible as 'Grossmith's hatter'. Interested by what Robert says about Jim Butler. Encloses a letter from Withers, whose bill he will pay when the business [arising from Florence Trevelyan's will] is completely settled. Heavy rain, so their walks are 'mere constitutionals'; the country will take 'a pretty big constitutional' [the General Election] next month, and they will help it all they can.