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Reports the arrival of [J.G.?] McKendrick's letter, which he encloses, along with the chapter he asked Henry to read [not included]. Remarks that it confirms his general view about the argument, but does not think much of McKendrick's own solution, which is 'neither orthodox nor historical.' Asks her to send on the letter to Maggie, of whom he hopes that Minnie has a good account. Undertakes to send her a 'Memorial', in relation to their degrees question, and hopes that she will sign it.

Encloses his journal for October [not included], and asks her to send it on without delay, as it is late. In relation to Disestablishment, puts forward the opinion that 'it is the right thing whenever the Church is clearly the church of the minority', and announces that, as he is not among the minority, he intends to vote for it 'when that time comes'. States, however, that he does not want the question raised prematurely. Believes that all the Liberal leaders think the same, and observes that even [Joseph] Chamberlain does not wish to raise the matter now. Believes that the latter has done much harm to the Liberal party by his '[ ] commendations of the "Radical Programme"; as he has given the Tories an excuse for [ ] the [ ] of the "Church in danger" '. Believes that the question seems likely to break up the Liberal Party in Scotland. Declares that he is glad to hear good news of Maggie and Hugh. Adds that, without agreeing generally with what Edward has been saying, he thought much of it very good.

Hopes that she has received his present. Encloses an address he gave at Aberdeen [not included], and asks her to send it back to him as he is short of spare copies. Offers to give her a copy later when the Annual Report of the British Association comes to be printed. He and Nora hope that her parties 'are going off well, and that Maggie's convalescence is complete.' Reports that Nora has undertaken to write the article on Spiritualism for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and that the Spiritualists are 'disgusted' as they regard her as having 'a mind hopelessly biased against Spiritualism'.

Asks her to send the cheque immediately to Cambridge, where he intends to be on Monday. Announces that he is going to stay with Roche Dakyns very early on Thursday. Reports that the house is just being moved there [at Wellington College], and that Edward [Benson] 'is eating breakfast standing with his loins girded' before going 'next to London to order carpets and furniture'. Remarks that the new creature [his niece Maggie] 'seems to [him] as ugly as usual, but the other children are charming.' Reports that he saw the Dakynses at Clifton, and that Graham says his boardinghouse is getting on very nicely. Wishes that he could have seen old friends but his work 'grew harder and harder', and the last day he was up till one o'clock. States that only one day he got a walk of more than half an hour in length [when] Mr Walsh was away. Announces that he is going to be idle now for a bit, and exclaims 'Poor Wilson!'.

Thanks her for her enclosures. Asks who Mrs F[ ] was, and whether he knows her personally, as he wishes to write to her 'in a proper tone'. Also thanks her for her and Edward's congratulations, and admits that he is very happy to have a stable position [as Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge], and explains that his work involves a great deal of organisation. Claims to feel that he has got too old for 'the pleasure' of that degree of professional success.

States that he and Nora are very glad that there is no reason to be alarmed about Edward. Regrets that 'he has not been able to sleep as much as Mr Gladstone', who, he heard, used to sleep for nine or ten hours when he was confined to bed as a result of an accident. Asks if she ever heard from Mrs Offley [Carey] about her story, and if not, asks her if she could 'mildly stir her up to write what she promised'.

Nora adds that Henry asked her to explain 'the situation about the "[Birch]" '. States that the Gurneys [Edmund or Frederick and family?] 'have offered themselves for the Friday in that week over the Sunday', and that if Minnie did not think Tuesday would be her [especial] day, Henry would ask Arthur [Benson or Sidgwick?]'s friend for that night, 'leaving Wednesday and Thursday free.' Suggest that if it is only Minnie and Maggie that are coming, there is nothing to prevent them from being there 'with either or both sets of people'. [Incomplete]

Reports that their 'long-talked of Trip' has been cancelled. Explains that William was exhausted by his examination work at Oxford and was not fit for it. Reports that he came to Wellington College for a week, and left, intending to go to London, and then to join Arthur. It was agreed that she should join them in Wales with Lucy Brown, but states that neither of them have written. She goes home the following day. States that Mr Barford thought that William was suffering from 'a congested state of the Brain from over work', and advised that he rest. Hopes that William will see Dr [George?] Burrows in London. Claims that she has been very busy at Wellington College.

Thanks Henry for the French book he sent. Reports that Minnie and the baby are doing very well. Reports that the children would very much like to see Henry, as he will hear from Edward. Refers to 'the Elections', and states that she is glad that Trevelyan and J.S. Mill have been successful. Asks Henry if he can get him any autograph 'of great (not noble merely) men'. Claims that she has not heard of any of the books Henry mentions, [see 99/47] as they, at Wellington College, do not subscribe to any library now.

Hopes that they shall see Henry 'just when the school reopens', but suggests that he might be in Yorkshire at that time, and that, if so, he should come to them 'in the new house about the end of September'. Tells him to write to her Yorkshire friends when he is ready to go to them, and undertakes to prepare them for seeing him. Refers to the death of [Benson] Sidgwick's six-month old son [William] at Worthing the previous week, and to the imminent marriage of Annie Brown to 'a Mr Penny of Exeter'.

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]