[From Göttingen]:- Indicates his address in Göttingen, where he expects to stay until the end of August. Reports that he is staying with the family of Professor Benfey, who is a professor of Sanskrit, whom he had met three years previously at an 'assembly of philologers' in Brunswick. Reports that he has private lessons in Arabic twice a week 'from the laborious Profr. Wüstenfeld', and attends Professor Ewald's lectures. Describes the family with which he stays: the Professor, his wife, and their three daughters. The Professor says he was offered a post at Rugby 'in Dr Arnold's time'. Intends to propose a language exchange for an hour or so per day with the eldest daughter [Meta] whom he describes as 'intelligent, enthusiastic, and not ugly' and speaking English very well, because he believes that his German has suffered from want of use. Describes the town of Göttingen, Announces that both his professors are probably going away in September, and he himself intends to 'go eastward in search of Arabians, to Dresden, Halle or Leipsic [sic]. Reports that he stayed three days in Ostend, where he walked along the shore and read Arabian Nights; says it was 'not a bad place for hayfever'. Asks her if Arthur is with her, and asks her to send him 'the enclosed' [not included].
[From Göttingen]: - Fears that he shall have to leave Göttingen - 'this professional paradise' - sooner than he had thought. Reports that he does not think that he is in the 'very best condition for working', and believes that a week in the H[arz] or Thur[ingian] forest will do him good. Relates that he has that day been to a Lutheran service, and praises the quality of sermons in Germany. Reports that he called on Professor Ewald after the service, and conversed with him about German sermons. Relates that both his professors - Ewald and Wüstenfeld - insist on giving him lessons 'gratis'. Speaks of the latter as being 'rich for a German'. Reports that he has not got to know any of the students there, that 'they howl twice a week in a big room opposite' and that every now and then 'one hears of duelling'. Discusses the tradition of duelling in Germany. Declares Meta Benfey [daughter of Professor Benfey, in whose house he lodges] to be 'a charming girl', and wishes that he could devote more time to the improvement of his German by conversation with her. Asks if there is any word in English 'to express the f[ ] of hobbadehoy'. Declares that he has much respect for Professor Benfey, who is 'a great talker'. Asks for 'all the news about everything'.
[Sent from Lille]:- Announces that he has left 'Arcadia [Göttingen]', and is spending the night 'in a country where they chatter a superficial language called French.' Discusses his liking for the German people, who, he believes, 'have attained the end of civilization i.e. intellectual and aesthetic development without the usual concommitent disadvantages of civilization i.e. luxury and ceremony'. Says Professor Ewald has devoted much of his time to him, and has refused to take any payment. Attended a meeting of philologers at Hanover, which was 'not bad fun'; spent his time with the 'Orientalist section, who are a sociable lot'. Objects however to German state dinners, which are very long drawn out because the speeches go on between the courses, and comments on the amount of wine consumed at the dinner he attended.
Reports that he has not learnt very much Arabic. States that Professor Ewald is not complimentary but consoles him by saying that he knows more than most Englishmen; his other Professor [Wüstenfeld] is much politer, 'but then he is at once good natured and shy'.. Praises the German people once again. Mentions that Professor Benfey is one of the founders of Comparative Philology.
Says that the King of Hanover would have asked to be remembered to her 'had he thought of it, as it was he only asked about the state of Hebrew learning in the English Universities'; he was 'on the whole very amiable and seemed to take a pleasure in talking English'. Gives the address of C.K. Paul in Dorsetshire, in case his mother intends to write to him before 18 October. Announces that he is bringing the [German] stamps to her, and mentions that she never sent him the envelope stamps. Remarks that stamp collections are beginning to have a mercantile value 'just like the Dutch tulips'.
Hopes that Arthur will have got his fellowship by the time this letter reaches her, and asks her to ask him what he is going to do about the Club and whether he has communicated his [ ] to W.G. Clark.