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Trin[ity College] Cam[bridge - on college notepaper]:- Should have written before to thank his father for the wine, which 'will last... some time' and is 'better than most of the wine which people have here'. Georgie 'enjoyed his visit very much'; they 'went down to see the boats [race?] in the afternoon', and to 'hear the end of the competition for the [Winchester] reading prize', just won by O'Rorke.

Thinks the 'new Cambridge paper' is 'not good enough, and... pretty sure to fail'; is very glad that he is 'only nominally connected with it'. Saw [Dorothy crossed through] Mrs Stanley at the Myers' and is 'going to call on them [the Stanleys?] next Sunday. Lendrum is coaching him again this term, and wants him to go to Germany in the summer to learn the language, which he says is 'indispensable for being a scholar'; this will 'want thinking about, to say the least'. Hears things are 'not as they should be in some of the Northumberland states': would be a 'great pity' if they [the Liberals] lose any of them. As far as he can tell from the newspapers, politics 'seem very stupid now'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Is sorry she 'had so rough a passage'. Got his 'grub all right'. Glad to hear that '[Frank] Holl's picture of Papa is such a success' and would very much like to see it. Charlie 'seems all right now' [after his illness]; Robert 'went a walk with him instead of footer' last Thursday, towards Pinner. [Henry Morton?] Stanley gave a lecture last Wednesday evening; he was 'very interesting' and Robert thinks it was a 'great success'. 'Bozy [Bosworth Smith?] brought in a king and queen from somewhere about Sierra Leone, which caused great amusement'. He 'went into chapel the next morning... in a cap rather like a Bozyite fez'.

Went down [to London] with Charlie to see the Old Harrovians' match against the Old Westminster boys; both played well but Harrow lost [in the first round of the F.A. Cup?]. Lionel Holland came down amongst 'the old boys from Vanity's house'; Robert didn't see him for long. Mr [J. W.?] Cunningham has had Robert and Charlie to tea this evening; they sometimes see the Stevens, whom Miss Martin used to teach, there. He and Charlie are both 'getting on very well'.

Acknowledges receipt of two of Patterson's letters. Reports that he had been away visiting a sick friend at Davos [J. A. Symonds?]. Regrets to hear that Patterson's health has been poor. Declares that he would like to help him in any possible way with regard to the matter of English literature, but confesses that he is 'a mere amateur in this department'. Tells Patterson to send him any questions that arise in the course of his studies, he will try to get them answered by others if he cannot answer them himself. Suggests that he may be able to help him in picking up useful books at secondhand. Remarks that the subject of English literature is fascinating, but unlimited, and that he ought to have some idea of the course Patterson is to teach before giving suggestions. Promises to try to answer the questions in his first letter when he returns to Cambridge, and to find out whether Leslie Stephens books are obtainable cheaply secondhand. Remarks that all of the latter's works are worth reading, but that he has been 'lately almost crushed under the burden of editing the dictionary of biography'. Confirms that he lost his watch at [H. M.?] Stanley's wedding. Remarks that he always look forward to finding time for a journey to Hungary, but explains that he is at present busy with bringing out the Elements of Politics. Observes that Patterson does not say anything about politics, and therefore supposes that 'neither Socialism nor the failure of Macedonia are at present disturbing the Hungarian mind much.' Remarks that in England there is a temporary lull: 'everyone feeling that the next session will be decisive for the reputation of the Government. Passes on the 'kind remembrances' of Mrs Sidgwick.