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Reports that she has written to [Sampson?] Mordan, asking him to send Henry two or three gold pens to try, and tells him to send back the rest when he has chosen one; Arthur has at last got one that suits him. Reports on her re-arrangement of books, and states that Arthur has 'the wee room over the kitchen as a small sanctum....' Reports that Arthur was very happy with the result of the Dresden expedition that he went on with [F.E.] Kitchener. Refers to the imminent weddings of two of their young masters [at Rugby School]: the marriage of Mr Potts and Miss B[owden] Smith, and Mr Bond and Miss Cram, the sister of Mrs Elsee.

Reports that Ada [Benson] is staying at Rugby, and claims that she is glad to have her and to know her better. Thinks that 'there is much good in her and a great deal of thought', but still believes 'that girls develop better under home influences until past 20....' Refers to Mr and Mrs [Jex-?] Blake and their feelings about Professor and Mrs Benfey and Göttingen.

Refers to Henry's last letter, and discusses the dangers of mental inactivity. Is glad that Henry is to see William, who will tell him about a plan for her to see Switzerland that year. Thinks that Arthur knows of Emilia in England [novel by Meredith, later renamed Sandra Belloni], but undertakes to tell him of it anyway. Asks whether he takes Macmillan's Magazine as he used to, and asks him to send them to her. Offers to send him some orange marmalade. Reports that all is well at Wellington College, and states that she shall be there about the end of May.

Announces that one of Henry's Stone Gappe cousins - Algernon - is preparing to emigrate to British Caffraria [the Cape Colony/South Africa] in a few weeks. Reports that Henry's Aunt is now in a private place 'called the "Retreat" near York, and that his Uncle and Aunt Crofts from Leeds are that week at Brighton.

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.

Reports that he arrived at Riddlesden [home of his uncle John Benson Sidgwick] the previous night, and announces that he intends to stay until the following Thursday. Supposes that she is at Rugby again, and asks whether she has begun to remove or not. Asks what Arthur is going to do when the pens are in one house and the paper in the other.

Declares that he did not find things as melancholy at Stone Gappe [home of his uncle Francis Lace and family] as she seemed to expect. Reports that he did not see much of 'any of them' except his uncle. Mentions that Edward was at home, and that he seemed 'a pleasant intelligent fellow; sociable and...weak in character', which things he supposes led him astray in Oxford. Remarks on the lack of confidence apparently between his uncle and cousins. Observes that Robert appears to be troublesome, while Grenfell 'seems a well meaning quiet boy', and intelligent. Reports that they have heard from Algernon, who has arrived at Panmure in British Caffraria [British Kaffraria, Cape Colony, South Africa] 'where Mr Tepson appears to have more or less taken him under his wing.'

States that he heard that '[h]is [Hankets]' are spoilt, but that he had sold a clasp knife and tennis racquet at double their value. Reports that he spent three days at Arncliffe, and that Robert Boyd was there for one of the days. Claimed to have liked his visit, despite it having been 'somewhat "ticklish" to discuss religious and theological subjects with him'. Avoided argument as much as possible. Claims, however, that he liked him as much as ever, and that Mrs Boyd amused him as usual 'by her rough geniality and uncompromising practicality.' Announces that William [Boyd] is to be married in November, and that 'his business (in which Robert is a [banner]) seems to be prospering.' Announces that he shall see his Aunt Henrietta at Leeds.