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Reports that she heard from Mr Balme that morning, and quotes from his letter the part which relates to Fred [or Frank?] Horton: that he will be glad to subscribe twenty pounds towards getting him to Cambridge, and to hear from Henry 'more details as to the proposed arrangement'. She is not sure whether this amount is 'just as a beginning...or whether it is all Mr. Balme intends to give'. Tells Henry to let her know when he has arranged anything for Horton.

Reports that she has heard from Arthur since the Trustees' Minute was published, and 'he says how amazed they are at the injustice and falsehood of such a document.' Adds that the only hope 'appears to be in the New Governing Body', and states that they have 'another Term of danger and difficulty before [them].' Asks him to let her know how he is, and if his arm is quite well. Announces that she is sending Mary to Wellington College 'to pay a visit to old Beth and see the country'. Thinks that the change will do her good, and sees it as a way to hear more of Minnie and her family.

Reports that she had a letter from Miss (Isabella?) Thompson that morning, telling her that she has heard from the Chairman of the Council of the London University who informs her that they are sending a representative to the New Governing Body of Rugby School. Adds that William 'looks better daily....'

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'.

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 that they were very glad to see Arthur and thought he seemed in good spirits. Announces that that day 'there is the Crisis', and expects to hear the decision of the Board before long. Reports that William wrote to him and told him that 'Teapots were pouring in' [as wedding gifts], which he declares to be unlucky. Declares himself to be very well, and not very busy since his work at present is light. Confesses to be concerned about Frank Horton's prospects. Fear that he may 'just miss the first class in the College Examination upon which his sizarship depends.' Reports that his Ladies' lectures are flourishing, and has heard that 'a Benevolent Individual is thinking of giving [them] £1000...' Remarks that Mary has become quite a good correspondent.

Assures her that he has no prejudice against the commemoration of New Year's Day, but owns to be 'not...very susceptible to the influence of conventional divisions of time...' Glad to hear that her stay at Hastings was a success and that she has been better; all his associations with Hastings are connected with the long illness and funeral of a good friend of his [John Jermyn Cowell]. Reports that he had a delightful visit at Clifton, and believes that Symonds was 'better than usual'. Remarks, however, that Mrs Symonds 'does not look very well', but that the children 'were thiving'. Spent three days at Wellington College, and judged Mary to be 'as well as could be expected'. Refers briefly to her baby (Robert Hugh Benson). Reports that two Miss Wordsworths [probably daughters of Christopher Wordsworth, including Elizabeth Wordsworth] were there, whom he thought 'remarkably pleasant and interesting'. Observes that Edward seemed overworked, but in good form. In relation to 'the Rugby news', does not know whether to be sorry or glad, and says that 'Basil Hammond...says "glad".' With regard to Frank Horton, declares that he has fair abilities, and hopes that he will take second class honours. Observes that he is 'very well disposed and industrious', and reports that his tutor 'thinks that he ought to get a first class in the College Examination at the end of the year, which will secure him a sizarship.' Sends his love to his aunt Henrietta, and hopes that his mother enjoys her visit to Brighton.

Regrets to hear that she has had a bad attack of rheumatism. Explains that he would have written before, but that he has also been very busy due to the 'absence of a history lecturer', and his work linked to the women's lectures; notes that Rugby is very 'energetic... in this matter'. Is glad to hear of the election of Temple by London [Union] and of H. Smith. Asks whom do the Masters elect. Remarks that the news he receives of William is very cheering. Reports that he sees Edward now on Sundays, who tells him about Mary, who 'does an immense amount of work...and has no time for writing.' Reports that his arrangement with Frank Horton 'is turning out - if not a brilliant success, as far as the social side goes - at any rate by no means a failure.' Gives his views on Horton's personality, and states (quoting Mr Pumplechook in Dickens' Great Expectations) that 'it was Right to do it', and he would do the same again. Refers to the outcome of 'these elections to the board of trustees' as something that his mother would welcome.

Reports that he has written to Frank Horton, offering to take him in and pay his expenses of residence and education in Cambridge for three terms, and to continue the arrangement for a fourth if he gets a first class in his May Examination, 'only letting him pay for his dinners in the fourth term.' Claims that it will cost himself 'not much over £50', and foresees that Horton will occupy his spare room. Reports that he had a very nice letter from Mrs Horton, which convinced him that Cambridge 'was the best opening they could see, in spite of the expense and disadvantages of delay.' States that he has made his offer conditional on Horton satisfying him in June that he has sufficient abilities. Reminds her that the Hortons may not accept the offer after all. Thinks that Frank should be allowed Mr B[alme?]'s twenty pounds there in addition to his sizarship, and states that he has written to Mr B[alme] to propose this. Undertakes to tell her when he hears from them. Reports that he is 'all well again', and hopes to have a pleasant week or two before hay fever. States that he has written to offer his uncle a bed.

Regrets to hear that she has been ill, and hopes that she is better now. Informs her that she has nearly resolved 'to make the offer with regard to F[rank] Horton', Wishes his mother to write to Mrs Horton to inform her that he is enquiring, and that he believes, 'if he [Frank] has fair abilities will work hard and practise the strictest economy', he may, with some assistance from Henry, 'get board, lodging, and teaching [ ] and all necessary academic expenses paid.' Asks her to convey that the matter is as yet uncertain, and to make it clear that he cannot expect to get more than his expenses of living at Cambridge. Asks her to see what she thinks of the prospect. Asks her to tell Arthur that he is very much obliged for his cards. Announces that he is going to write to Dr Jacob.

Is sorry to hear that she has been so unwell. Explains that he has been very busy since he came back to Cambridge. Is also sorry to hear no better account of William. Refers to the Ad Eundem [Society]. Wishes that William 'would see the best possible doctor.' Of Rugby, exclaims 'Alas! Alas!', and declares that he is anxious to hear when the new Board is to be appointed. Reports that his 'ladies' lectures' are going on very well so far. Is not over-optimistic, but hopes that they 'may become a real focus of improvement in female education.' Reports that they now have three or four young women who come from abroad. Undertakes to write to Mrs Horton, and to put his name down 'for a couple of [ ]', and also to 'go into the calculations about the maintenance of Frank [in Cambridge]' as carefully as he can. Thinks that the best thing for Frank would be to go to Cambridge as a sizar, and says that he would not mind proposing to provide him with rooms and books. Does not believe that he could get his whole expense of living, including close etc., provided out of charitable funds. Asks his mother not to say anything to Mrs Horton as yet, and undertakes to make further enquiries.

Thanks her for her letter. Claims to be divided between staying in Ostend for the quality of the air, and a desire to get to Berlin, which he wishes to see again as the capital of a united Germany: 'partially united, that is, "in shpots," as Hans Breitmann [in comic works by Leland] says". Thinks he shall start on Monday, and will travel from Cologne to Berlin by night. Thanks her for the information about Switzerland, and hopes that she will come. Intends to stay in Germany until the end of September. Reports that he is reading German books, and has an idea of making 'a sort of tour of the universities.' Intends to go to Heidelberg from Switzerland. Regrets to hear that Arthur is not well. Hopes that 'the remarkable unity of feeling among the masters...will make up to Rugby for the dullness or worse of the head [Hayman]'.

In relation to the young Horton, reports that he tried to find out about the civil service appointments, 'but have not yet made anything out', and states that the arrangements for giving them away by examination are probably to be published in the near future. Declares that his original plan of having him at Cambridge would not be suitable, but predicts that 'it may possibly be revived in a new form in connection with this examination - if nothing better suggests itself.'

Expects that his mother will get some dividends for him, and if so, asks her to keep them until she gets his addresss in Berlin and send them in a registered letter. Also asks her to ask his uncle John Sidgwick to pay his [Henry's] share into Mortlock and Co.'s Bank, Cambridge. Asks her to forward the enclosed [not included] to his uncle Albert.

Reports that he cannot, after all, go to Brighton, as he shall be delayed in England and London for longer than he expected, and also explains that Brighton is a bad place for hayfever. On reflection does not think that he could do Miss Horton much good by anything he could say 'in a [ ] of conversation.' He would be glad to do anything he could, and undertakes to go and see his aunt [Henrietta?] when he returns in October, 'if she is still there and it is convenient.' Announces that he is very busy at the moment, and that he hopes to leave London on Thursday or Friday for Ostend. Regrets that he cannot come to visit her. Remarks on the Civil Service being thrown open to competition. Thinks that the best thing that they can do for 'young [Frank?] Horton is to assist him in preparing himself for the examination.' Undertakes to try and enquire about this in town, and to write to her again on the matter. Reports that he is extremely well, and that he takes exercise on cloudy and rainy days.

Thanks her for her letter, and undertakes to write soon. Remarks that Mr Boyd's letter 'is very kind in tone', and wishes that something could be done for the youth [Frank Horton?]. Informs her that he has not been able to decide on the plan he proposed to her. Regrets to tell her that he shall not be coming to see her in July, as he intends to go to Germany for the Long Vacation, starting in June. States that he wants to work at German philosophy 'and also to renew old associations.' Claims that 'there is not much advice to give [Miss Horton] except to tell her that Stone's short or long are the things that pay.' Asks if she is in Brighton, and says that he may go there on his way to the continent.

Reports that Mr Boyd has not exactly taken his view. Feels that his disapproval of Mr Love's views might prevent his asking a favour for himself or a relation of his.

Undertakes to write to Trevelyan about F. Horton [probably Frank Horton; possibly his brother Fred]. Is unsure whether any more nominations will be given by patronage, 'as the Government is going to throw them open to competition.' Encloses their list bulletin [not included], and asks her if she can get any subscriptions to their exhibition fund. Announces that, if she wishes it, he will send his Westminsterto Mrs Penny when he gets it back. Does not believe that the latter would sympathise with the ideas in his article, or such a subject. Asks her to thank her for 'her kind message.' Claims that he remembers her very well, and should be glad to meet her again.