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Reports on the wedding of Meta [Moultrie] in Rugby, to which she and Minnie were invited. Describes the church and church-yard, and the appearance of the bride. Remarks that the bride-groom told 'some very vulgar jokes when he had to make a speech'; one of the bridesmaids, Christabel Coleridge, came to stay with her and Minnie.

Reports on the school concert, referring to Mr Mayor and Mr Walker, and on the speech day. Refers to the comings and goings of Minnie, William and Arthur, and reports that the latter is in London with his friend Laurance, and probably goes to Wellington College that week. Adds that two college friends of William - Mr Harcourt and Mr Epson - spent the previous Sunday with them. Announces that the following day William goes to Wells to see William Lace, and that both he and Arthur are expected back in Rugby soon, after which Arthur will go to Clifton to examine, and then on to Germany, and William will go to the sea with his Uncle Robert's family. She herself expects some of the Bedford family [of her brother William Crofts] in Rugby in August if they can come.

Tells Henry to let her know when he would like to come; suggests the following week, when Eleanor [Benson?] will be there. Announces that she will go to Wellington College at the end of September. Is glad that he is well, but advises him to be careful about eating if he cannot take much exercise. Presumes that 'Whitkirk must be given away', and guesses that it was given to H. Longsd[on]. Reports that 'Bolton Abbey is bestowed upon a Mr. Robinson who had to do with a training school at York, and who is a friend of Mr. Cooper's of E[ ].' States that H. Longsd[on] 'has just got another son...', and reports that William has persuaded Henry's Uncle Lace to let Edward read with a tutor of William's choice before his matriculation. States that they have not yet heard of a house, but that she has first refusal on Mrs Leicester's, if the latter should leave it. Explains that it used to be inhabited by Mr. [T.] Evans.

Hopes to get Edward and Minnie to Rugby for a week 'as the Queen has lengthened their holidays just by that time....' Asks him to recommend a periodical which would give 'the best reviews of books, + treats of upon subjects within the range of a woman's capactity.' Explains that she wants to lend such a publication to Lucy Brown, who has limited access to books. States that the latter has undertaken to take into her home an orphan niece, and has been obliged to set up a small school. Adds that the Brown's brother-in-law , Mr [Henry Dampier] Phelps, has recently died and Lucy must now find a new home for his wife's five orphan nieces. Remarks that Annie Brown 'has mistaken her vocation in attempting a novel'.

Reports that she has found 'abundant occupation' at Wellington College. Remarks on Minnie's activities there, and refers to the baby [Margaret] also, a description of whom William accuses Mary of failing to give. Claims that she and Martin get on well. Reports that Edward appeared very well, but that he had a few cases of serious illness in the Sanatorium. Reports that the 'house question is revived'. States that Ada had returned to Wellington College about a week before she [Mary] left, and claims that it was 'scarcely long enough for [her] to penetrate that [ ] of increased reserve....'

Reports that Eleanor [Benson?] and the [Osleys] are at Florence now, and have spent some time in Venice. Adds that Mr [Osley]'s little boy had a serious accident at Strasbourg, but it now recovering, and that they suffered from sore throats at Venice. Reports that Mr G. Woodhouse and Emmeline and their children are at Budleigh Salterton for the winter, refers to an offer of a house in Madeira made to Woodhouse by some friends of Lord Brownl[ ]. Reports that Henry's Uncle John [Crofts] has just taken his second son Ernest to a school in Germany for two or three years, and that Alfred Sidgwick 'just escaped being classed with the 25 "unplaced" boys in the Rugby scholarship examination....' Refers to her 'poor sister [Elizabeth] Lace', of whom they have not yet had 'any really improved account.'

Announces that she goes home on 27 November, and that on 28 November William brings Mr Conington and Mr Ellis to spend Sunday with them at Rugby. Remarks that James T[ ] appears to like Wellington College much. Reports the many of Edward's 'rather grand neighbours', such as Lord Calthorpe and Lord Gilbert Kennedy, invited him to dinner, and that he 'got some amusement from what he said and heard, and was all the better for it. Remarks that she found Wellington College decidedly healthy in the autumn time. [Incomplete]

Claims to feel ashamed at not having written to him for so long. Reports that she has had a succession of friends, including Miss Attersoll, Mrs Plunkett, Henry's Aunt Henrietta, and Uncle William from Bedford, in Rugby for short visits, and these occupied a good deal of her time. Mrs Plunkett stayed on her way to Switzerland; her son Willoughby has got his commission and is gone to India with a regiment of the Royal Artillery. Announces that she expects Eleanor soon, and Henry's Aunt Ellen from Leeds on Saturday, and that the latter and his Aunt Henrietta go to Brighton on the following Tuesday.

Reports that Arthur is much busier than before, and so she sees less of him. Claims that she is now trying to 'get into regular ways of occupying' herself, and reports that she has her pupil for English twice a week, to whom she reads French. Remarks that all of her lady visitors 'rather shrink from discussing any of the many subjects which are interesting to intellectual people' and 'are content to express their fears as to where this "idolatry of intellect" will end.' Reports that she has heard from William, whose work, he claims, does not weigh on him. Remarks that Arthur 'looks quite strong'. States that no new master is yet appointed and Mr Phillips' brother is again at Rugby to help.

Assumes that Henry will be glad to hear of Mr H. Lee Warner's fellowship. Asks him to thank his Aunt Ellen for her letter, and to tell her how his mother should enjoy seeing all her 'north-country friends' again, but fears that it will not come to pass that year. Asks him also to send his love to his Aunt Henrietta, and thank her for her letter. Regrets that [William] Crofts cannot come back to the Schoolhouse for the quarter as the houses are very full. Tells him to tell Ellen also that she has 'a great dal to say to her about Welsh scenery', and that Ernest must go and sketch there some day.

Reports that she has received another letter from Arthur, dated 29 August, from Chiavenna, Lombardy. He was making his way with William, and Roche and Graham Dakyns, to Bellagio, then to Zermatt, and finally homewards. He enjoyed his time in Pontresina, and does not mention William. Remarks on the beneficial effects of mountain air. Wishes for fresher air in Bedford, where it has been very humid for the past several days. Explains that she has stayed there longer than she had expected to, as she has had a repetition of the invitation to Captain [Cheese]'s, and since no one is at home, she has accepted it. She intends to return to meet Arthur and William about 17 September.

Announces that she goes to Aylesford on 6 November. Regrets to hear of the death of Professor [John] Grote of Trumpington, and also of one of Sir George Young's brothers, who died as a result of a fall from Mont Blanc. Reports that Mr James Wilson has also had an accident at Oban. Claims to have been very amused by The Initials [by Jemima von Tautphoeus]. Discusses her views on the proper behaviour of young women towards young men, with reference to the book, and one of its characters, Hildegarde. Reports that Mr Francis Ward [brother of Henry's aunt by marriage, Mary Jane Sidgwick] has lost his eldest son to diptheria, with which he was taken ill in Switzerland. States that his parents have only one other son 'who is going to Oxford.'

Refers to the abundance of rain in Bedford in the previous few days. Announces that there is a 'School Regatta' that day. Reports that Edward and Minnie stay until the following week at Llanfairfechan, then bring their children home and go to see a friend at Winchester. Announces that Eleanor and Ada 'begin their term with two pupils of 16 and 17, nieces of Mr. Gaythorne Hardy.' Adds that both the Dakyns are with Arthur and William, and will come home with them.

Supposes that she has returned [to Wellington College], and hopes that she is much the better for her 'compulsory immorality.' Admits that he should have written before, but explains that he has been hoping to receive the information about Arthur's paper, and that he had not got [Edward Benson's sister?] Eleanor's address. Reports that he is getting on very slowly with his work and is feeling very lazy, so 'is not in a position to give advice on doing your duty when you do not feel inclined to do it'; however, makes a few suggestions on the matter.

Reports that at Eton he was introduced to Mrs Oliphant, who was very unlike what he expected, with a Scottish accent, quiet in manner, and 'rather caustic'. Of George Eliot, states that her conversation 'is full of eager sympathy, but there is comparatively little humour in it.' Regrets that their tour could not take place.