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Expresses her appreciation for his letter, which she received after seeing Mr [William] Boyd and Charles to the station, and explains that the presence of friends prevented her from writing to him. Reports that his Aunt [ ] came to stay, as did [John?] William, Katie and Annie Lace. She went with the latter three to Oxford, where she saw Mr Boyd at Merton College and Mrs Boyd and Charles at University College. Reports that Charles has been unwell.

Reports that she had been to Rugby, and that when she entered the house - Mr T. Evans' old one' - the servant told her that her master [Mr Palmer] 'was not quite sure that he was going away!!' States that she has since had 'an uncertain letter from Ladkin'. Is anxious that her family should have some place to call home. Reports that Fergus Moultrie is ill. States that she received a letter from Miss Mackenzie that day, and that Mrs Moberly has called upon her twice.

Reports that Henry's Aunt Ellen intends to pay her a visit for her last ten days in Leamington, and that she hopes to have Lucy Brown to visit as well. Asks him to tell her when his Easter vacation is. Hears that Henry's Aunt Lace is 'decidedly better', and that John Henry is still at home, no tutor having yet been found for him. Reports on the schooling arrangements for Robert, Alfred, Tryphosa and Julia, and remarks on how troublesome it is 'when you have very dull children to deal with!'

Announces that she is very anxious to have some absorbing book; refers to Herbert Spencer's book which William mentioned to her, and asks Henry to send it to her. Is very pleased to hear about Bernard. States that she has good accounts from Wellington College; that Minnie and Edward are both well, and that the baby's vocabulary is increasing. Remarks on the fact that Lord Derby is elected President of the College. States the report of Mr U[mpleby]'s death at Bolton Abbey is false, and that Christ Church, Skipton has a new incumbent, Mr Clarke, and that there is much anxiety about the appointment of a vicar of Bingley.

Reports that Henry's Aunt Mary Jane [Sidgwick] has been visiting her brother at Bathford, and that during her absence his Uncle Robert has been paying Mr Balme a visit at Cole Wall. States that times for the mills are very bad and that there are many unemployed people. Claims that she knows no one in Leamington, and does not like to ask for an introduction to Mr Martin's brother and sister. Reports that Ada Benson is now with the Dales at Dresden, and that she is better. Complains about the sermons she has heard in Leamington. Is glad that Arthur is well, and hopes that Henry is too, and asks if it is true that Sh[ ] has come to Cambridge. Reports that Mr Boyd has given her a beautiful book for Carte de Visite photographs, and encourages Henry to get his done for her. States that she has not yet seen Mrs Dakyns, but hopes to do so soon.

In relation to Henry having been offered by Trinity College the post of Lecturer on Moral Sciences, claims that she could not think it possible that he would be thought unworthy of any place in the public teaching of the University, having made known his opinions. Advises him to put his trust in God. Admits to taking the same view as Dr Lightfoot in relation to Henry's decision to secede from the Church of England. Refers also to his offer to resign his Fellowship, and states that Arthur is prepared to do the same.

In relation to the Hortons, reports that Mr Horton tells her that Fred has not gone in for the Scholarship examination at Marlborough as he knew that he could not have been successful, and now thinks that he will be able to go to the Cathedral School at Worcester. States that he is very grateful for Henry's offer of £30, and that this will 'not only pay for the boy, but enable them to get some lessons for the elder girl [at home: Rose?] the one of 15.' Adds that one of the daughters, Alice, 'would be only too glad to get employment as companion to an elderly lady'.

Asks him to let her know when he intends to come to Rugby, and hopes to see William soon. Reports that her visitors Tryphosa and Julia Lace leave the following day and Minnie and Edward's three children leave on the following Thursday. States that 'one or two Rugbeans' may come for the match on the Saturday, but assures him that will be prepared for him on the following Monday.

Confirms that the box arrived. Regrets to hear that she is not yet recovered; he did not realise how ill she was, probably because she was doing so much, but declares that he ought to have known her better by this time. Is glad that she thinks that Martin [Benson] is like him, and hopes that he will turn out better; says he thinks a 'tide' in his own affairs, a few years ago, might have 'led [him] to greatness' had he taken it and hopes Martin may 'have as good opportunities and make more use of them'. Remarks that Martin surprised him by the extent to which he appreciated things, but thought that he had 'less character than Arthur', which may also be true of Henry himself when he is compared with either of his brothers.

Refers to Dr [Rowland] Williams, and admits to have been impressed with 'his courteous deference to the opinions of those who were arguing with him, and his candour'. Reports that Cowell has slight disease of the lungs, but states that the dangerous part of the ailment is the heart, which his father believes that he cannot get over. Of his pupil Lord Lorne, remarks that he is not very intellectual, but very charming. Reports that he did not see any more of 'the young ladies' of whom his mother speaks. Tells her to dismiss the notion that she may have had that he was 'making love to one of them.' Declares that his is studying Metaphysics, which is 'very absorbing', but bad for the digestion. Confirms that he knows Carlos Smith slightly, and states that he is a very accomplished man. Informs her that 'he plays beautifully on the piano and knows six languages.' Reports that he stayed two days with his friend Noel, who is also 'absorbed in Metaphysics'. Says he knows nothing about Ecce homo [by J. R. Seeley, published anonymously] but reports that everyone there speaks highly of it; had decided not to read it after seeing a review, but realises he will have to. Expresses his extreme regret at hearing about Tryphosa [Lace, his cousin].

Does not think that he shall come to Rugby before the end of 'the half.' Believes that his hay fever will not leave him before the end of July, and does not think that he will go anywhere until it clears up. Intends to stay in Cambridge and study, and if unwell, to 'fly off to the seaside.' Says that he studies best in vacation time, not simply because there is more time, but also because he has a 'restive imagination' which he cannot 'harness' when his mind is 'filled with all manner of College and University matters'.

Wishes to visit his schoolmaster friends at Eton, Harrow, and so on, towards the end of July. Asks if she has heard lately about Tryphosa [Lace, his cousin]. Does not quite understand what she will do by going to see her. Asks how his uncle [Francis] feels about it. Reports that the Donisthorpes are there [in Cambridge], but claims that he has been so busy that he has hardly been able to see anything of them. Remarks that he thinks 'the youth' [Wentworth] is clever.

Can tell Mrs Gretton amuses his mother, and remarks that he likes people who are unlike other people in their ways. Agrees with his mother about 'the '"foreignness" of [Mrs Gretton's] manière d'être' but observes that 'it is not only in the "sunny south" one finds that expansiveness', adding that the Germans have a good deal of it; sometimes thinks it is the 'more natural state' than English reserve, but says that 'when it is affected it is very odious'. Declares that he likes [Charles Kegan?] Paul very much. States that he finds that he has lost his paper about the Arundel Portfolios.