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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.

Announces that her letter has arrived, and that he has passed it on to [his son] Roche. Thinks that Roche will prefer his father to keep his letters for him, as he has very little space in his 'little farmstead at the foot of Snowdon'. Undertakes to write to Nora to tell her what Roche wishes to do. Announces that '[t]he Book' [Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir] arrived by the early post, and describes it as 'beautiful - both inside and out'; refers to the photographs. Expresses his gratitude to her for it. Reports that Rose Jackson is there [at Haslemere], 'talking to Maggie who is reclining on the sofa....', and sends the latter's love to Nora.

Anxious to receive news from her after her arrival at Fulford. Hopes that she will be able to stay as long as she wishes. Does not know when he shall get down to Rugby, or how long he shall stay, but states that his stay there 'will include Sunday the 5th'. Reports that he has seen Roche Dakyns, who was in Cambridge to take his M.A. degree. Reports that he went to Oxford the previous Saturday, saw William, and enjoyed himself very much. Remarks on the contrast between Oxford and Cambridge in respect of the more vibrant intellectual life in the former. Attributes this to the hot controversies that are always raging there.

States that he is inclined to agree with her about the new mastership at Rugby, and claims that the only doubt is what Arthur will do. Does not think that he will be sorry to have more time to read, and hopes that he will decide to stay in Cambridge. Reports that he has saved one thousand seven hundred pounds, and hopes to save four hundred a year as long as he stays in Cambridge. States that he dined at the Lodge the previous night 'and Lady Affleck [Everina Whewell or Maria Affleck?] enquired very kindly after Minnie'.

MS copy of 'part of letter' in Nora Sidgwick's hand. States that he wishes he could see the election contest well that year. Declares that it is 'in every way the most interesting crisis there has been for some time'. Believes that if the Liberals come in the following year 'they will not only settle the Irish Church but dispose of education without particular regard for the ecclesiastical obstacles that are generally in the way.' In relation to the English Church establishment is that 'it is only a question of time'. Believes that if the Liberals win the election it will be the I[rish] C[hurch] which will go first, 'then the Scotch, then, in a few years the English.' Declares that if the Conservatives win 'the United Church of Great Britain at [ ] will go at the [ ] reaction.' With regard to the somewhat melancholy way' in which Dakyns speaks of his [places], refers to the relative unimportance of each individual in the scheme of the universe, and declares that 'the only thing to do is to f[ ] some p[lace] in the interest of the human race, calculated on the ordinary chances of human life, and carry it not for one's own good and comfort....'

Refers to the fact that he ought to have acknowledged the cheque that she sent to him [see 99/59]. Reports that it is now invested in securities 'that are rapidly declining in value.' States that he has had two days in Derbyshire, which had fine scenery', but was very cold. Declares that Roche Dakyns 'is become quite an ideal Radical'. States that he wears no collar, and spends his spare time in lying on the grass reading Norse tales to the village boys, and that he 'talks eloquently of the oppression of the people who wear velvet...and the sufferings of the hard-handed sons of labour who wear fustian.' Declares that it does his heart good to see and hear him. Complains that people are getting so contented with things as they are at Cambridge. Asks her to tell Arthur to send an order to his banker to pay over to Henry's account 'certain monies which [they] agreed were probably [Henry's] by right - unless he has devoted them to charitable objects'. Explains that the banker sternly refuses to credit them to him on any other conditions.

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!'.

Reports that his hay fever has improved somewhat, so he can 'behold the face of nature without sneezing therein'. but that he does not intend to travel immediately. Intends to be 'hanging about London' towards the end of July, 'seeing the Academy, going to Eton, examining at Harrow and so on.' Announces that he will go to the Lakes with Trevelyan on 10 August for a short time. Asks his mother to inform him of what she is doing, and of her plans. Undertakes to come to visit her in the autumn; 'the latter part of September.' States that he is 'reading now pretty hard, and very much enjoying the complete freedom and leisure. Reports on the cleaning and painting and possible gilding of their Hall, which activities are being carried out under the 'civilizing influence' of the new Master [W. H. Thompson]. Announces that they are 'actually going to dine on chairs' after the vacation. Remarks that 'Mr. Martin unwillingly yielded to the irresistible tendency of the age of luxuriousness.'

Reports that the Italian [funds] are maintaining themselves, much to his surprise, and that his speculations have not been very successful, but he is better off than certain of his friends who 'put into certain banks.' Refers to the '[inquiry] inflicted by the ruin of Agra and Masterman's bank'. Asks her to tell Arthur that he is sending him a set of papers that Roche Dakyns forwarded to him. Hears that William is still in Oxford, writing. Wishes that he himself was writing, and intends to begin very soon. Reports that 'Trevelyan has some fresh book on hand.' States that they have 'taken rather a fit of writing at Cambridge'; that two or three of his friends have got books on hand. Announces the presence of a poetess in Cambridge: Mrs Webster, who has 'just translated the Prometheus of Aeschylus rather well', and of two or three novelists; 'one writer in the Times, two in the Saturday Review etc etc.' Refers to the fact that Lord Derby 'is to be Premier', and laments that his own chance of 'getting anything good has gone by'.

[Sent from Grange in Borrowdale]:- Regrets to report that Cowell is not coming to visit, and announces that he himself does not intend to come home until the end of the month, as he finds it more convenient to go to Cambridge first; will come home for the first week in October. Reports that the weather has been very good, and that they [he and G. O. Trevelyan] have been up Causey Pike and Dale-Head. Praises the 'wonderful variety' in the countryside where they are climbing, and mentions Buttermere Haws. Thanks her for the receipts. Reports that they have decided henceforward to avoid beefribs. Declares that the house in which he is staying is very comfortable, and remarks on the fact of it having two sitting-rooms.

Expresses his delight at hearing a good account of William, and asks if the Dakynses have 'gone to join them [William and Arthur] at Pontresina'. Reports that he has not seen any of the Rugby people, and declares it to be too much of an expedition to go to Grasmere and back in a day. Remarks that it is odd to hear of hot weather, as there they discuss whether to have fires in the evening or not. Claims that to him the temperature is 'perfectly charming.' Announces that he will leave on 1 September and go into Dorsetshire. Intends to see Furness Abbey on the way. Complains that it is a very long journey, and that he almost wishes now that he had not promised to pay the visit. Asks if she saw about Professor Grote's death, and declares that he shall miss him at Cambridge.

Presumes that Edward [Benson], whom he saw at Cambridge, will have given her an account of him. Claims to have regretted leaving there for London, where he has been working and pursuing his enquiries into Spiritualism. With the latter he claims to be disappointed, as he claims to hear extraordinary stories, but yet fail to see any proof himself. Reports that he has seen Roche Dakyns once or twice, and that the latter 'has with much unassuming self-devotion given up his one month of holidays to be with his parents.' Refers to Dakyns' father's illness. Reports that he has also seen Graham Dakyns, who had not seen Arthur, 'but had heard of him'.

Asks about her and Arthur's return to Rugby. Declares that he may pay a visit there on 3 October, and asks whether she will be there at that time. Presumes that she will stay with Mary as long as she can be of service. Refers to Edward's view that Mary 'was somewhat slow in recovering.' Announces that he expects the book to which he has contributed to be out in about a month. Reports that he has just heard from Symonds, 'who says that Arthur is with him, looking "robust fresh and happy".' Declares that he is glad to hear such news, as he himself thought he looked 'jaded when he passed thro' London.' Sends his love to Edward and Mary.