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Expresses her delight at receiving word from Henry, and at knowing that he is not ill. Explains that she came to Budleigh Salterton to be with Miss Temple 'who has been poorly for many weeks'. The latter was disappointed that she could not go to Rugby for the Speech Day with her brother and nieces. Reports that William wrote to say that he was glad she was coming and thought 'that it was imprudent not to compress the business of moving into as short a space of time as possible'. States that she reached Exeter on 27 June with Katie and Agnes Temple, and came to Budleigh Salterton having spent two nights at the Palace, to which she returns on Saturday. Hopes to be at Rugby again the following week. Describes the scenery and the beneficial effects of the sea air.

Reports that she left Arthur and Charlotte well, and that Mr Whitel[ ]d 'is so poorly in a sort of low fever, as to be quite unequal to his work'. Adds that Mr J. Wilson's brother Charles 'is come to do what he can to help'. Reports that Mr Phillpotts has been away 'owing to the illnes of his eldest boy who is away from Rugby', suffering from some kind of fever also. States that Miss Temple read her 'part of a letter to the Bishop [her brother Frederick] from a clergyman of the name of Hawkins', who asked the Bishop's opinion on the subject of spiritualism, and promising to send him some 'Photographs of "Incarnate Spirits"' Adds that she has not seen the Bishop since, but hopes to ask him about the matter when she returns to Exeter. States that she talked to Mr George Woodhouse on the subject, and expresses her own interest in it.

Reports that Isabel's brother Reginald Thompson 'is lately married to a Miss de Morgan a daughter of the Mrs de Morgan who is a great spiritualist. Refers to Professor Clifton, who told Isabel and her 'some wonderful stories told him by the elder [Mr] de Morgan now dead.'

Relates that Minnie has been suffering from toothache, and that Edward is in full residence, and that they will not move away from Lincoln until the end of September or beginning of October. Adds that their boys, Martin and Arthur, are going for scholarship at Winchester and Eton respectively, about 21 July. Remarks that she thinks that 'C[harlotte] S[ophia] S[idgwick] is a great favourite with all who know her', and doesn't believe that Arthur 'will find any great defects of which he was not aware - such as want of higher culture etc.' Adds that she has 'a sweet gentle temper', which is 'very winning.' Is anxious to hear from Henry, and is glad that he wrote to Mrs [ ]well, from whom she has not heard since.

[Sent from London]:- Regrets that he must give up his research into the subject of Spiritualism, due to his work commitments, but hopes to take it up again sometime in the future; calls it 'a most perplexing subject', with 'so much crass imposture and foolish credulity mixed up in it' that it is not surprising that 'men of science' refuse to have anything to do with it. Refers approvingly to Crookes' articles in the Quarterly Journal of Science giving evidence in support of the phenomena, and reports that he [Crookes] 'is exhibiting before the Royal Society experiments of novel and great interest on the motive force of heat'.

Reports that they have had tremendous heat in London, which has made him almost unable to work. Announces that he is now going back to Cambridge for a few days to finish his book, which he hopes to have printed soon. States that it is too technical to give him any general reputation. Hopes that Miss Temple is better. Asks her, if she says anything to 'the Bishop [Frederick Temple]' about Spiritualism, to say that 'no one should pronounce on the prima facie case for serious investigation'. Announces that he is going to the Lakes in August, and that he shall try to see Mary early in September. Asks her to give his 'kind remembrances' to her hosts.

Thanks him for sending [Roden] Noel's poems. Reports that Arthur has [James Russell?] Lowell's new volume and likes it very much. Claims that the amount of writing she had to do that term has prevented her from doing very much reading. Reports that she has not been able to do much about Fred Horton and his education, and that at present he is attempting some old Scholarship Examination papers, which she sent to him. Mentions St John's Foundation School at Clapton, and what Edward has told her about it.

Informs Henry that Arthur wishes him to know he will not now go abroad at Easter, as [Fred] Myers has taken ill and cannot go. Arthur thinks that he will go away as soon as he can. States that she will be very glad to see Henry either on 18 or 21 March, and Trevelyan if he comes any time between 18 and 25 March. Expects Edward, Minnie and their two eldest boys on 25 March, and states that Edward wants to go to Cambridge to finish some book that he is bringing out. Minnie is to stay in Rugby until he takes her to pay a visit to the Bishop of Hereford.

Regrets to hear that Henry has been suffering from strained nerves and sleeplessness, and suggests that he take a holiday. Admits to being a little worried about William because of his lack of correspondence since 29 January, and that she hears from Mr [Mandell?] Creighton that he has written to no Oxford friend since he left. Refers to Minnie's domestic problems. Asks to be remembered to Mrs Kingsley [?], and reports that Miss Temple has been very ill.

Reports that she has had some short letters from their travellers [William and Isabella Sidgwick, on their honeymoon], the last two from Palermo, where they have been since 30 March. States that their passage from Naples was 'delightful', and that, according to William, the climate of Palermo is 'perfect', and that both Isabel and he are in good health. Complains that none of the letters sent to them, apart from one from Amabel Thompson have reached William and Isabel by 3 April. Quotes from his letter regarding their movements in Sicily, and where letters are to be sent.

States that she duly sent Mr Leevis' letter of introduction. Wishes that Henry would write to him, and tells him to let her know where he intends to go after he leaves Cambridge. Refers to Professor Maurice's death and asks him if it will make any difference in Henry's work. Claims that it is very pleasant being there [in Exeter], and that until that day they have been a large party. Reports that the bishop [Frederick Temple] is gone that day on Visitation journeys, and will be in London at the meeting of the Rugby Governing Body on the following Friday. Claims that they all miss him, and that he is 'quite the life and spirit of the whole party.' Refers also to their 'welcome for Miss Temple and the 2 girls'. States that the country is lovely and that they have daily drives 'through very pretty places or to see some beautiful spot miles off.' Thinks that she shall be there until the middle of the following week, and that after that she will 'be lingering about the neighbourhood - seeing 2 or 3 friends'.

Reports that Arthur says that he will be in the Lake Country until 17 [April], and then she thinks he goes to London, and maybe to Cambridge. Adds that Mr Robertson is '[positively] going to Harrow as a Master.' Claims that they are all anxious about the following Friday's meeting.

Asks her to forward the enclosed [not included] to Hugh. States that the story he sends 'is certainly one worth keeping, 'if the boys are sure of the detail[s] of the coincidence.' Reports that their evidence 'is growing very bulky: but the quality is...very various.' Hopes that she and her family are all well, and states that he and Nora had a good account of them on Tuesday from Miss Temple. Reports that Arthur and Charlotte were in Cambridge on Sunday 'in a prosperous condition', and that William and Isobel are expected 'in a few hours'. Hears that William is well and is in good spirits. Reports that he [Henry] went on a Psychical Research tour in the west a fortnight previously, 'and squeezed out a day at Clifton and walked about Durdham Down with Graham Dakyns.'