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Explains that she is at Saltford House near Bath to visit Julia[na] Kelly (née Boyd), formerly of Burfield Priory, who married after the Sidgwicks left Clifton. Announces that she is on her way to see Mr and Mrs C. Ward [perhaps the brother of Henry's aunt Mary Jane Sidgwick, and his wife] at Stapleton, and then is going on to Cheltenham to see Mr and Mrs Lace. Reports that she got both Henry's and Arthur's letters at Bedford, and that she found William at Oxford, suffering from a toothache. Adds that they discussed their winter gathering, and that William was agreeable to the proposal of staying at Sydenham. States that Henry's Aunt Croft's sister and her husband are about to take up their residence there. Asks for Henry's and Arthur's opinion. Mentions that Wellington College was proposed as a meeting place for all the family on Christmas Day, and states that she has written to Minnie to ask her about her plans.

Intends to go to Rugby to enquire about a house. Regrets that Henry could not see Minnie and her baby. Reports that Elizabeth 'still continues to take the place of nurse....' Thinks that Henry's uncle at Bedford [William Crofts] would be glad to see him, and suggests that Henry might give him 'some useful hints about his son William as to the books he ought to have....' Explains that the latter is in Mr Fanshawe's first class and has a good chance of an exhibition. Would like to hear about Henry's German experiences. Describes her time with her friend Julia as quiet, but adds that there is little to do. States that she meant to see Old King's Parade and 'and all the neighbours who still remain', and that she might get to see Miss Powell.

Hopes that the letter reaches him, as she hears from Mrs Dakyns that he is moving his quarters. Reports that she left Brighton ten days previously and went to Rugby, and then on to Bedford. States that her work on her new house was not as advanced as she had expected, but hopes that it will be ready soon. Has offered their old servant Fanny Ladbrook some weeks' work, for which the latter was very grateful as she has had to leave her home, her husband having become a bankrupt.

Elizabeth is to come 'with the dear babies' from Wellington College, and they are to stay with her while Minnie and Edward are abroad with Mr Martin. Imagines that they will be in London the following day 'to see the Exhibition.' Announces that the following morning she is going with a group of ten 'to Town to have [her] first sight of the Exhibition....'

Reports that William met her at Rugby and helped her with the arrangements for the new house. Remarks that everyone she had known well there seemed gone. Describes the house as 'very tiny', but intends to make it comfortable, and hopes that the family 'shall have many happy days all together in it.' Remarks on the hot weather which they are experiencing. Discusses William's plans to see the Exhibition, and a possible trip to Wales or his joining a reading party, including Mr Ellis, at Harwich. Claims that she has heard nothing about the route that Mr Martin intends taking with Minnie and Edward, and suggests that Henry may meet them somewhere.

Confesses to having read no newspapers for a week, on account of the appalling news from America contained therein [the Civil War]. Reports that Henry's Aunt Henrietta is there in Bedford on her way to Yorkshire. Reports that Willy [Carr Crofts] was 'first after the 2 Exhibitions [and] the Examination' and received great praise from Mr Fanshawe for his Latin composition. Adds that the girls have grown much. States that she told Henry's Uncle Lace about him having been spoken of in the Isle of Man.

Reports that she has just heard from Minnie that she and Edward intend to set out on their tour about 7 August, and that they will be about a month away. They think of going through Normandy, and then to Auvergne and 'down South'. Would like to know how Henry is, and how long he intends to remain abroad. Reports that Arthur and his party reached Oban the week before the previous one, and 'are located at a Mr. [William?] Ralston's...' Sends kind remembrances to Graham [Dakyns].

Reports that he is settled in Margate for about a fortnight, after which he intends to go to London. Does not intend to go down into the country until the middle of July at the earliest. Is eager to have news about Mary. Presumes that Edward will have made up his mind about his summer travelling before he [Henry] goes to them. Reports that he was not very well in London, but that otherwise the work [superintending the Examination for Women] was 'very pleasant'. Declares that he 'always like staying with Mrs Clough' and refers to her two daughters.

Asks his mother to send him William's address in the Tyrol. Discusses the matter of [his cousin] W.C. Crofts, of which he heard through Myers. The latter 'thinks it by no means improbably that Elliot may take [Henry's] recommendation, but cannot say for certain.' Reports that he has received a letter from his uncle, 'who seems much pleased at the prospect'. Hopes that 'he does not overrate it's [sic] advantages.' Refers to two notebooks that he may have left behind at Rugby, and asks his mother to search for them. Asks about the result of the meeting of the [Rugby School] Board on 21 June.

Reports that Arthur is recovering well from his eye injury, and that only a certain weakness remains. States that he has been out once as far as Bilton, and that Dr Sharp says that he may go into the school about the middle of the week. States that Henry's Aunt Henrietta is still at Rugby, and that they go to London together on 2 or 3 June, and then she will go on to Wellington College, while Henrietta goes to Brighton. Announces that Katie and her husband Mr Wawn are coming to Rugby from Derbyshire on the following Friday, to stay until 30 May, when they will go to Cheltenham.

Reports that Henry's cousin Algernon Lace sailed for British Caffraria [the Cape Colony/South Africa] the previous week, and that there has been no further report of his sick Aunt Lace. Neither has there been 'news of any importance from C[raven]', apart from the fact that Henry's Uncle Robert 'is going in conjunction with John Davy to take Uncle James' share of the business', as the latter is retiring due to illness.

Reports that the question of the Foundation at Rugby is being 'hotly discussed', and that the previous Friday Dr Temple went up to give his report to the Select Committee. Refers to the fact that Henry's cousin W.C. Crofts of Bedford has obtained a scholarship at Brasenose of £74 per annum for four years, and remarks that the college is less expensive than Merton. Asks Henry how he finds his gold pen, and asks him to recommend a good new novel. She wants some books to read to Minnie whilst she is in her room.

Nora will write to her about the wedding arrangements. The relatives on his side coming to the ceremony are 'A.S.' [Arthur Sidgwick],' C.S.S.' [Charlotte Sidgwick], 'E.W.B.' [Edward Benson], 'M.B.' [Minnie Benson], 'E[dward] Sidgwick, Lucy Sidgwick, W. Crofts, 'Mr W. C.', 'and perhaps Ellen with Miss Clough (Uncle John and Etty declining)', and that all the others he invited have declined. Besides these guests there are four or five friends of his, including Miss Clough, who are definitely coming, and one or two more who are probably coming. There will be about four times as many guests on Nora's side. Sends his love to Mary.