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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.

Reports that Professor Conington, who is a Life Governor has placed a Marlborough nomination at his disposal, and that she may tell Mr Horton if she wishes. Advises her, however, that if the boy [Fred] does not do well enough to get the scholarship it will probably be not worth while for Horton to send him there. States that he intends the £30 annually for two years had better be spent in some other way, i.e., in giving the boy a decent education. With regard to Miss [Alice] Horton, suggests that she should be engaged in some employment 'less exhausting than governessing', such as being a companion to an elderly lady. States that he could enquire about such a position through Dr Symonds.

Reports that he has discovered that the sea air does not cure hayfever. Describes Southend as 'not a bad little place', with no beauty, 'but cheerful enough and no Smells, to speak of.' States that he pays £1 a week for two little rooms, with an eating house next door, where he dines for a shilling. Reports that he is reading political economy and [Gewter], and that his eating house 'only takes in the Standard, where Protestantism is breathing less fire and slaughter than [he] had expected.'

Hopes that she has sent him his letters, because among them is 'an examination paper for Ladies' about which he is rather anxious. Remarks on the visitors to the area. Reports that he had considered going to Margate, but was afraid of being sea-sick. Resolves to come to similar places regularly in June, 'get iodized and then go back to London until the hayseason is over.' With regard to Mr Horton, undertakes to pay one third of £60 in two instalments of £10 per annum [for the education of Horton's son Fred], and states that when he agreed on their scheme he had in view his prospective decrease in income. Reports that he has just earned £10 by taking part in an entrance examination. Asks her to ask Arthur whether a Warrington whom he has examined [Thomas Rolls Warrington?] was a new boy in his form 'when he had a Boil.' Claims that he thought that he recognised his signature.

Asks her to ask Mr Horton what is the exact nature of information he requires, since he cannot ask [George Granville?] Bradley for information generally 'when he has given in the printed paper what [HS supposes] he thinks enough.' Suggests that Arthur could ask 'a [United] Usher.' Comments that the poem Lady Grace by Miss Smedley 'though not great is good reading.'

States that she will be very glad to see any friend that he may bring to Rugby in Passion Week, and that she would very much like to see [J. R.] Seeley. Suggests that they stay a few days into Easter week, so that they could have a party on Easter Tuesday. Announces that his Uncle Robert will be there. States that she leaves Hillary Place [home of her brother John Crofts] the following Tuesday and goes for one night to Ryddlesden [John Benson Sidgwick], then to Stone Gappe [Francis John Lace], then the Raikes [Robert Hodgson Sidgwick] 'ending with poor Lucy Brown at Lytham', and will come home via Crewe.

Claims that she has heard nothing from William, and fears that he is still very unwell. Thanks Henry for his 'full explanation of Miss [Matilda?] Tootal's difficulty', and undertakes to call upon her to tell her what he says before she leaves Leeds. Reports that Etty Crofts is reading all the material recommended by Mr Hales 'for the better understanding of his lectures....' Reports also that she has just heard from 'poor Mr. Horton who is suffering from congestion of one lung' and that he is to send his paper on Insanity so that Henry may judge whether it would be received by Macmillan. States that Henry's uncle [John?]'s health is better, and sometimes brave in his resolution to be cheerful, but that he often breaks down.

Thanks him for his last letter, which she found very interesting. Reports on the situation of the Horton family, who include six children and a sick father. Refers to three of the children - Alice, Frank and Lucy - and to their occupations and incomes, and to the fact that his father wishes Frank to be prepared for the Indian Civil Service 'as likely to afford the best maintenance for himself, and assistance to the family hereafter', but that his salary is not sufficient for this purpose. Refers also to the three younger children Rose, Marian and Fred. States that the family are getting into debt, and that that they could not pay for any portion of Fred's education, even if he were to get a scholarship, and that Mr Horton's chance of getting pupils has decreased since the appearance of Malvern College. Asks Henry's opinion on whether they should contribute to the boy's education, and suggests that the older son will also need some assistance when he leaves his present employment. Adds that the latter is known to the former headmaster of Christ's Hospital, Dr Jacob. Refers to Mr Horton's plans to move southward on account of his health, and his difficulty in finding pupils.

Reports that she received a letter from William, who wrote from Mentone, saying that he hoped to reach San Remo, Genoa, Florence and Rome in the following days and weeks. Refers to his enchantment with the country, and to his ascent of the Berceau and M[ont] Agel. Reports that he met Colonel and Mrs Ogilvie at Nice. Sends Minnie's best love to Henry, and her gratitude for his letter. Reports that she and Edward went to see Mr Cubitt at Denbies the previous Friday on their way from Brighton, when she [Mary Sidgwick] came to look after the children at Wellington College. Adds that Edward and Minnie also went to London for a few days. Announces that she intends to go home around 5 February, and suggests that Henry will be able to write to her there, and asks to be remembered to Mr Symonds if the letter reaches him at Clifton.

Reports on the situation regarding Fred Horton, and the attempts being made to see if a school could be found for him. Mentions Arthur having read over some Greek and Latin translation carried out by the boy. Refers to having sent Rugby examination papers to Mr Horton, and the latter's astonishment at the level of knowledge required, and reports having asked Mr Phillpotts about Winchester, whose scholarship examinations are more difficult than those at Rugby. Claims that she would like to have Rose Horton - her goddaughter - be taught by Madame [Barche] and Miss H[ugo].

Reports that she can 'get no money help from the Sidgwicks', and does not like to commit too much before she has calculated the cost, and refers to the fact that her near relatives, the Crofts family in Bedford, are also in some financial trouble: Henry's Uncle William 'is the victim of those frequent calls from the wretched Overseas and G[ ] Firm', and that his second son is coming from Australia unless he can get a better salary.

Reports that Mr Horton has enquired as to whether there were any teaching openings at Exeter or Torquay, but was disappointed. Asks Henry to find out if he can something about St John's Foundation School at Clifton. Reports that she has read [Browning's?] Paracelsus and admired it and was astonished by it. Reports that William saw 'several Invalid friends' at Nice, Mentone, San Remo, walked eleven days on the Riviera, climbed two mountains, and had very good weather. He walked from San Remo to Genoa, which was very cold, and went from thence by train to Florence, where it was also very cold. Asks Henry to send her [Roden] Noel's poems, and to tell her when he will come to Exeter. Reports that when Minnie last wrote she was in the middle of domestic troubles. States that she has just received the papers of the Cambridge Examination for Ladies, and asks Henry's opinion on them.

In relation to Henry having been offered by Trinity College the post of Lecturer on Moral Sciences, claims that she could not think it possible that he would be thought unworthy of any place in the public teaching of the University, having made known his opinions. Advises him to put his trust in God. Admits to taking the same view as Dr Lightfoot in relation to Henry's decision to secede from the Church of England. Refers also to his offer to resign his Fellowship, and states that Arthur is prepared to do the same.

In relation to the Hortons, reports that Mr Horton tells her that Fred has not gone in for the Scholarship examination at Marlborough as he knew that he could not have been successful, and now thinks that he will be able to go to the Cathedral School at Worcester. States that he is very grateful for Henry's offer of £30, and that this will 'not only pay for the boy, but enable them to get some lessons for the elder girl [at home: Rose?] the one of 15.' Adds that one of the daughters, Alice, 'would be only too glad to get employment as companion to an elderly lady'.

Asks him to let her know when he intends to come to Rugby, and hopes to see William soon. Reports that her visitors Tryphosa and Julia Lace leave the following day and Minnie and Edward's three children leave on the following Thursday. States that 'one or two Rugbeans' may come for the match on the Saturday, but assures him that will be prepared for him on the following Monday.

Sends birthday wishes to Henry, and remarks on the fact that by the same time the following year she will have no child under thirty years of age. Reports that she returned from Brighton a week previously, where she had stayed for ten days with Henry's Aunt [Henrietta?] after leaving Minnie.

Relates that while at Brighton she saw Alice Horton, with whom she had a long conversation about herself and her family. Remarks that she found her to be 'an interesting girl', and relates that she is 'now teaching the little girls of a Captain and Mrs Grimshaw at Brighton', who are very kind, but have no sympathy with her 'in her literary yearnings'. Asks Henry to read two of her poems, Low Flying and Renunciation, in the September number of Fraser['s Magazine]. Mentions also 'a somewhat encouraging letter of Mr. Froude's to her', two or three from Mr Grove, the editor of Macmillan's Magazine, and a note from Mrs Gatty.

Refers to Mr Horton also, whose health varies, and to Mrs Horton's plans to publish some book of his by subscription. Refers also to the Horton's eldest son, who Alice claims 'has very good abilities and would gladly get more education if he could combine it with helping his mother.' Announces that she has invited Alice to stay with her in July, and hopes that Henry could come and give her some advice, and perhaps criticise her poems. Adds that she also intends to ask Frank Horton, so that Henry 'may see them both and talk of their future.' Remarks that Mr Boyd can do nothing, but will probably help with money when it is needed, and asks Henry to return to her the p[iece] of his letter.

Reports that William hopes to be in London on the following Thursday, and refers to his account in one of his letters of his ascent of Et[ ]. Asks Henry to send her the bill for his box. Refers also to his' 'scholarships for the Ladies'.