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Writes to inform her that he shall come on the following Wednesday. Reports that he shall be staying with Mrs Clough from Monday to Wednesday if his cold does not get worse. Claims that he accepted her invitation gladly, as there is a new edition of Clough's Remains passing through the press, and he would like to talk to her about it. Intends to speak to his mother about Mr Horton and other matters on Wednesday evening, 'before Edward and Mary come'.

Asks if she has heard from William, and states that he has not found time to write to him yet. Asks her opinion on Noel's poems. Refers to the review of them in the Athenaeum, and states that Noel has told him that the two great critics of the age, M. Arnold and S[aint] Beuve, 'have both expressed themselves pleased by the book.' Reports that he has 'got rid of' his last pupil and is writing a paper for his philological journal. Reports that Patterson's book on Hungary is very nearly finished, and that he has seen most of it, and thinks that it will be both worth reading and readable.

4 Woodchurch Road, Claughton, Birkenhead. - Houghton has previously received a volume of poems by her husband [Francis R. Statham] and must sympathise with his present suffering; own evidence of her husband's true nobility of character makes present stigma the more astonishing; his endurance of public prejudice argues great self-knowledge; his complete honesty as to life story; Matthew Arnold and the Deans of Chester and Westminster have faith in his abilities; believes Houghton's support will help him regain public esteem.

Enclosed: account by Francis Statham of his early career in Liverpool, failure in business and circumstances of his criminal conviction for removing a large sum of money from the country; offers medical explanation of former mental condiion, now alleviated by a happy marriage and devotion to literature. Copy letters from J. S. Howson, Dean of Chester (13 Jul. 1874), Henry Percy Smith (7 Sept. 1874), and P. W. Clayden (20 Jul. 1874).

36 Wilton Crescent, S.W. (on Wallington headed paper). - Is pleased that Lady Trevelyan likes his book ["Atalanta in Calydon"]; it was finished just after Landor's death which he much regrets. Much enjoyed the composition of the poem, which 'was very rapid and pleasant'; thinks it is 'pure Greek, and the first poem of the sort in modern times': feels that Shelley's "Prometheus [Unbound]", though 'magnificent', is 'un-Hellenic', and gathers from Lewes's life of Goethe that his "Iphigenia in Tauris" is also 'impregnated with modern morals and feeling"; also dismisses [Matthew] Arnold's "Merope". Is 'raging in silence' about the delayed publication of [Thomas] Carlyle's volumes: the subject [Frederick the Great] 'was always a hero' of Swinburne's who is impressed by his 'clear cold purity of pluck', which is not inspired by faith. Frederick seems free of 'perverse Puritan Christianity' on the one hand, and 'the knaveries and cutpurse rascalities' of the Buonapartes on the other; Swinburne can almost forgive him his bad poetry. Is very glad to hear good news of Sir Walter and the building projects; wishes she were in London for [Ford] Madox Brown's exhibition, which is 'superb'. Is currently staying at the house his father has taken in London for the winter, and is looking for rooms for himself; his father has completed the purchase of Holm Wood [Holmwood] in Oxfordshire. Feels that Tennyson should have made a better choice of his "Selections": feels that "Boadicea" should have 'served as prelude to the book'; thought Tennyson's 'volume of last summer' ["Enoch Arden"] a 'new triumph'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Apologies for not having written earlier to thank Benn for sending his book ["The Greek Philosophers", 2nd edition?]. Had not read the first edition, only Benn's 'subsequent smaller books on the same subject' so it was 'a very great pleasure' to read his views in more detail. Not himself a student of Greek philosophy, so has 'little right to criticise', feeling 'much more inclined to enjoy and admire and learn'. Particularly interested in the chapter on the 'Religious Revival', and the chapters on Plato, whom he now hopes to re-read. Feels Benn is a 'little too severe on Aristotle's poetics', and that Aristotle may have meant something more like 'representation' than 'imitation' by mimesis, and 'a good deal more' by plot than Benn seems to think. Thinks he remembers some remarks of Matthew Arnold on this point. Benn says that Zeno's puzzles has 'never yet been satisfactorily solved'; this may be true 'but B[ertrand] Russell would not admit it' and insists that modern mathematics have done so; Trevelyan cannot judge. Has recently read Russell's last book, and found much of it too difficult to fully understand, though he was very interested it; recommends it. Hopes the Benns are 'keeping well and as cheerful as may be in so sad a time'. They had the Abercrombie family - Lascelles Abercrombie, his wife, and their three children - here for December and January, so the house was full.

Reports that Minnie 'prospers daily', and describes her progress over the last few days. Adds that the baby [E. F. Benson] is also doing well. Relates that they received news by that morning's post of Edward from Carmarthen, from where he was to go on to Tenby, and then to Pembroke, Milford, and St Davids. Reports that Arthur wrote from the [ ] of the R[ ], 'where he and his friends Kitchener and Mr. Robertson betook themselves to escape the heat of Lucerne', and announces that she writes to him today at Grindelwald.

States that William went to Oxford the previous Wednesday, and that that day 'he goes on to the Raikes [home of Robert Hodgson Sidgwick and family]. She will be glad to hear of Henry's going out of London. Reports that Annie Sidgwick wrote to Minnie some days previously, and that she is very happy that William is going to see them, and wonders if he will bring Henry; she is also delighted with Henry's article on Mr [M] Arnold in Macmillan's Magazine 'but seeing, as she says, that his article on "Culture and its Enemies" is far less "cosy" than money', she asks why Henry chooses that to come down upon him for. Mentions that Minnie would like a letter from him.

1 Paternoster Square. - [William] Thomas Arnold, nephew of Matthew, is editing their Keats edition de luxe; asks if Houghton can advise as to copyright of Otho the Great, King Stephen and The Cap and Bells.

Announces that he is in the midst of scenery [in Carnarvon], 'which is not first-rate but very pleasing...', and comments on its similarity to the Lakes. Predicts that he shall enjoy himself much, as they have 'much exhilarating good fellowship and good talk at breakfast and in the evening: George Trevelyan, especially, being a well-spring of both.' States that he intends to be there for at least a week, returning to London probably early in September. Claims that he is behind with his work, and thinks that when the holiday is over, he shall have to work hard on till Christmas.

Asks her to thank their mother for her letter [101/176], which he intends to answer soon. Refers to [his cousin] Annie's remark as 'discriminative', and explains that the reason he chose to comment on 'that particular essay of Arnold's was not because it was the most impudent, but because it seemed the most complete and decisive enumeration of his theory of life.' States that he was glad to get Arthur's address, but does not think he will be sending a letter to him in Switzerland. Is glad to hear of her progress. Encloses 'a little poem' [not included], which he cut out of a magazine, and also 'a German effusion' of his [not included]. Advises her to get hold of Rückert's Selected works if she ever feels inclined to break new ground in German poetry. [Incomplete?]

Offers to send her a book called A Lost Love by Ashford Owen [Anne Charlotte Ogle], which reminds him of 'Romance of a Dull Life etc [by Anne Judith Penny], only it is written with less intellect and perhaps more passionateness'.

Reports that he hears excellent accounts of her, and hopes that they are all true. Assumes that she is still at Hastings, Mentions that she may possibly be seeing William in a few days. Reports that he saw the latter at Oxford, and that he has given up his work for the term, and is going away, probably to Rugby first 'and then perhaps to Hastings.' Asks her how she finds Hastings. Declares that he knows it well, and looks forward to seeing much more of it in years to come, if his ' poor friend Cowell's life is preserved'; does not expect that Cowell will leave Hastings again now.

Hopes that she is not experiencing any fogs. Declares that they have been having a splendid autumn [in Cambridge]. Reports that he is involved in a project for improving female education, by providing examination for governesses. States that there is an attempt being made to form a joint board, consisting of members of the two universities, for the purpose. Mentions that there are also other projects. Remarks that it appears that there is particular activity in the North of England, where schoolmistresses 'and other enlightened people have associated themselves in several great towns, and out of these associations a general council has been formed with lofty aspirations'.

Refers to Matthew Arnold, whose 'unfortunate lecture on culture has been attacked again in the Fortnightly Review by Frederic Harrison'. Advises her that 'the Guardian Angel by O.W. Holmes is worth reading, though he thinks 'not good as a novel'.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Is ‘all right again’; only did not go to the Wednesday concert in Dorking as he was ‘hearing music in London instead’. As soon as ‘the air stops being like ice and the ground like glass’, hopes to visit, but ‘even the blackbirds can’t stand up when they walk to a crumb, so what help is there for humans?’.

Has been much enjoying ‘the Berenson poem in the Abinger Chronicle [Vol. 1. No. 2. To Bernhard Berenson; it is ‘not as good as the Goldie [Dickinson] one, but Berenson is not as good as Goldie, and within the limits he imposes Bob has turned out a very lovely and moving tribute to civilisation’. Has been reading a book about M[atthew] Arnold by ‘an America, called Trilling’; does not think he ‘has much feeling for poetry, but he is very good otherwise’, and gives Forster ‘surer ground’ for his admiration of Arnold.

Has ‘also read Elizabeth [von Arnim]’s frothy new novel Mr Skeffington’; it ‘has a touching denouement and was not badly built, and might have been good if she hadn’t such a frilly undi-fied [? undignified] mind. Has also read [Pope’s] Dunciad. Remembers Evelina [the book by Fanny Burney?]as ‘rather too little of a good thing’. His ‘trousers caught on fire at the Woolfs, and the house caught on fire at the Bells, but neither fatally’ and he much enjoyed himself. ‘Clive Bell is a charming host’.

Found in notes on Theocritus and bucolic poetry, GOW/B/2.

The Shiffolds. - Glad to hear his parents are well, and hope soon to travel to Welcombe, before the cold weather begins. Here the weather is damp, but still quite warm. Spent a 'pleasant weekend' with George and Janet at Berkhamsted; they all paid a call to Matthew Arnold's daughter [], who lives near Tring. George has since sent his Manin [and the Venetian Revolution of 1848], which Robert and Bessie 'are reading aloud in the evening with great pleasure'.

Sees that Oscar Browning is dead; people will probably 'remember his faults rather than his merits, but King's [students] and dons often speak of him with a certain affection, especially the more liberal-minded ones'; he was generally 'in alliance' with these in University and College affairs, though Robert imagines he 'was apt to be a troublesome ally'. Julian 'writes cheerfully from Bedales, and seems to have begun the term well'.

No English poet can honour Calderon with the true sympathy of a compatriot, but an elevated style would convey appropriate feelings: 'No modern Aesthetic & Philosophy of the Wordsworth-Arnold School [will] do for the People, I am sure'. Dryden's Alexander's Feats, 'immeasurably the finest ode in our Language' a suitable model. Why not abandon the competition and instead commission an ode from a master such as Swinburne?; with his talent he could learn enough of Spanish in a month to achieve a complete understanding of the task; open competition will yield very little of value; Swinburne is the very best man for the purpose. Postscript: 'Our old Alfred [Tennyson] has. I think, been out of the Question this long while'.

Union Society, Cambridge. - Is sending the books. They talk here of 'nothing but the School board now': McT[aggart] is 'Rileyite of course', but Sanger and Dickinson are opposed to him. Is going to the [Harrow] 'Old Boy's' on 1 December, and asks if Bob will also be there; also asks what there will be to see in London around the 12th, and whether Bob will be at Wallington at all this vacation. Is appreciating Wordsworth for the first time, in Matthew Arnold's selection, the only way he has found so far of 'getting at him through the mass of rubbish with which he surrounded his throne'.

encloses book on schools for the poor [wanting]

going to Folkestone, thanks for the tribute paid by the school to his son

Presumably JCH will soon be travelling to William Wordsworth's neighbourhood: 'I want especially to request you to lose no time in making the acquaintance of Frederic Myers my brother in law. He is married to Mrs Whewell's sister Susan and lives at Keswick, the minister of a church which the Marshalls have built there. He is a thoroughly excellent person, a worthy friend of Wordsworth and Arnold [Matthew Arnold]. He has written a book about the church, of which the spirit is admirable, and of which I think you would like the views, as they are very nearly those of Arnold'. WW was as delighted with the Life of Arnold as JCH was.

Observes that he has left more than one of her letters unanswered. Reports that he has been seeing friends chiefly 'and walking to and fro in a great city.' Relates that he has been working at an essay for a volume, and suggests that an article of his may appear 'in next Macmillan['s Magazine]'. Fears that his work will hardly pay for his expenses. Reports that he has been inquiring into Spiritualism, but that it has not come to much. Declares that he can 'get to see and hear very astounding things in the dark with people [he does] not know', but can never get conditions to satisfy him.

Claims that he can never get enough time to read at the Museum, and although he feels well, he cannot get enough sleep. Is considering writing an essay for the Quarterly Review the following term, but does not know if it will be put in. Reports that he has plenty of work on his hands, as he has 'an entirely new subject to prepare' for the following term. Feels that he could write literature if only his mind was 'less chaotic'.

Remarks that London is a stimulating place, and that one meets stimulating people there, including Mazzini, whom he had met some nights before at dinner, and who 'attacked' him about Spiritualism, and 'bore down upon [him] with such a current of clear eager argument'; was 'overwhelmed', as people usually either treat it as a joke or have' nothing to say but the shallowest commonplace'.

Reports that he is staying in lodgings between two visits; has been staying with Symonds, whom he thinks his mother knows, as he has been at Rugby; describes him as 'also stimulating, though... a great invalid'. He is also going to stay with Cowell.

States that he will certainly come and see his mother at Wellington College: Edward [Benson] has asked him to come and that he has promised to do so. Cannot remember when, and asks her to find out when Edward is to go away. Remarks that he would just as soon come in the holidays as in the school-time, 'except for seeing [Henry Weston?] Eve.' Sends his love to all.

With regard to books, claims that he has not read any lately. States that the 'Cornhill of July is good: there is Matthew Arnold on culture, and an article on the Alps 'which makes one want to go there'.

2, Cheyne Gardens. - Has sent Bob's letter to [Kenneth?] Swan. Glad that Bob is returning to the Lake Hunt. Has been hearing a lot about India from 'various persons, white and brown' and has become 'quite a Tagorite, under the teaching of Yeats, W[illiam] Rothenstein' and a pupil of Tagore. Tagore has 'stopped Yeats being mad on magic and small green elephants' and without 'his magic nonsense, Yeats is one of the really splendid people'. The [First] Balkan war 'bids fair to end very well'. Wonders 'whether Goldie [Dickinson] will like his Chinaman as little as the Webbs [Sidney and Beatrice] when he meets (and smells) them'. Sees from the address that Bessie has given that Bob will be there for this 'great meeting'; hopes that Goldie will not be like Matthew Arnold, whom H[enry] Sidgwick said judged 'everything by its smell' like a dog. Glad that Bob has had some good bathes, but tells him not to be 'eaten of [sic] crocodiles', since Mary would never be able to read "Peter Pan" again if Bob 'suffered the fate of Capt. Hook'. Has just finished writing "[The Life of John] Bright" and hopes to publish it in May or June.