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Announces that he would like to hold a dinner party, to which he would invite Temple, [Jex-]Blake, Scott, Wilson, Kitchener, Philpotts, [Lee?] Warner, or some of them. States that she may leave the 'other matter' until he comes. Explains that he does not want [Robert] Williams asked as his friend, as he has only just met him, and believes it to be quite strange 'to make that sort of advances to men'. Undertakes to entertain the man if he is asked entirely on his mother's and William's account. States that he will come on Friday at 7.

Explains that he has 'just emerged from the mass of business and correspondence that the recommencement of [his] ladies' lectures has entailed', and now wishes to hear from her. Desires to know how she likes the town, 'and the J[ ], and the Germans', and whether she has read much German, and if she is keeping a large journal. States that 'it seems almost like a dream' that he was ever at Wiesbaden, 'and stood at the Roulette tables and saw the view from the Platte.'

Reports that he has been in Cambridge ever since he got to England, apart from a Sunday at Rugby, where he found that there is still a crisis. Believes that 'H[enry] H[ayman] will come badly out of it', and judges the latter to be 'an odd being', whose acts constitute 'a singular mixture of craft and stupidity.' Relates that, having been forced to reinstate [E. A.] Scott, 'he has done it with explanations and qualifications, which practically make the reinstatement incomplete.' Predicts that the matter will come before the board again. Reports that he wrote all she asked him, and hopes that everything turned out well. Praises the Museum W[ ] at Brussels, which he visited, and refers to 'the worst of seapassages.'

Reports that he missed William, but that Arthur 'seemed to think he was all right.' Relates that he saw no old Catholics as he passed through Cologne, but that he had much conversations about them 'with an intelligent German, who suspended them, as Horace says, on his upturned nose.' Reports that he has just heard from Ada [Benson], who says that she has just had 'a most successful tour and wants to know about Italian Hotels.' Expresses his wish to visit Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples, and states that when they have Bessemer Steamers [meant to reduce seasickness] on the Mediterranean he intends to go. Sends greetings to 'Chris [Benson] and his wife'.

[Sent from the Savile Club, London]:- Thanks her for her letter. Announces that he is going to Mary 'on the 17th', and undertakes to do all he can. Regrets to hear 'such bad accounts', but believes that it is not surprising that anyone should be listless in the present weather. Declares that he liked Margate, whose people he describes as 'vulgar, but therefore somewhat more amusing'. Feels incapable of working in London. Announces that he will be paying visits for the following ten days, and then he goes to Cambridge, unless he finds he can be of any use in facilitating Edward's arrangements.

States that he is very grateful to Arthur for his cards. Reports that [George Granville?] Bradley thinks [Edward Ashley?] Scott is sure of victory. States that he has just seen [James?] Bryce 'who says he is going to Iceland.' Gives his mother the address at which he may be reached in the immediate future, and announces that he is at present staying with Godfrey [Lushington]. Reports that he saw Miss [Mary?] Thompson and Miss Smith the previous night, and that the latter 'seemed much interested in hearing about William.' Refers to some difficulties that he had with his review of the 'Italian book' [Barzelotti's La Morale nella Filosofia Positiva, reviewed by Sidgwick in the Academy for July 1].

States that she will be delighted to see him on 29 December. Hopes that Minnie will come as early as possible in January, if not before. Announces that Arthur goes to London on the following Wednesday, and then to Clifton and to Cheltenham on his way home. Claims that it is six weeks since she has had a card from William. States that her letter [172/1] will tell him all about Miss Clough, and undertakes to write to him at once if she hears from her again that week about Manchester. Does not think that Edward will change his mind [about coming to Rugby]. Regrets that Henry has had 'disappointment in College matters....' Reports that she said good bye that day to Mr [Edward Ashley?] Scott, who is to be married.

Thanks her for her letter. Is sorry that she takes 'so gloomy a view of [his sister] Mary's state.' Agrees that her mental state is unusual. Asks when the school reopens, and states that he would be very glad to come to Rugby for a night or two; suggests that he could come at the same time as William and Isabel. Asks her to tell Annie Sidgwick, or his aunt Mary Jane, 'that she could not possibly get more than a 3rd class according to [their] regulations'. Is glad to hear of [E.A.] Scott's reinstatement. Mentions that it has not taken place yet, but does not suppose that 'H. H[ayman]' can gain anything by interposing obstacles now.' Remarks that the latter appears to have got into very strained relations with the Board, and speculates as to Hayman's possible tactics in the matter. Concludes that 'if Rugby can once get rid of him, it does not matter much what he says'. Sends his love to [Mary's] children.

In relation to Easter, states that his plans are uncertain. Is glad that she is interested in [William] Lecky. Gives his thoughts on reading and thinking; believes that 'it is not so easy as people think to choose reading that really sets the mind to work and makes it grow'; however, since everyone is 'always... much "involved in matter' as Aristotle says', the world and our 'little petty interests are "too much with us", and anything that lifts us out of them is a gain'. The ability to be thus lifted is something he much values in people; it is not proportionate to talent - intellect viewed as an instrument'. Arthur Butler has it, and it is one of the things Henry likes in [E. A?]. Scott.

Remarks that his mother has not written to him lately, and that they have 'in a sort of way dropped out of correspondence'. Claims that it was not he who objects to gossip; asserts that he has always maintained that 'it was the only way most people [had] of exercising their minds really, originally, on moral and social questions'. Says he is certainly interested in the Ritchies [the family of William Ritchie]; wishes that his mother could see them 'and ascertain whether the interest is due to [his] very limited acquaintance with (feminine) human nature'; has met many families but 'never... with one that took [his] fancy like this'. Asks what she thinks of Mrs Gretton; thinks that she must be livelier than most Rugby people, but that 'she is to be taken "cum grano" '.

Reports that Macmillan won't say who wrote Ecce Homo [recently published anonymously by J. R. Seeley], but has promised sometime to ask twenty people to dinner including Henry and the author. Reports that Gladstone wrote to Macmillan 'a letter acknowledging a presented copy and calling it a "noble book".' Relates that some of the 'younger men', such as Myers, are 'tremendously stirred by it', but that Henry is 'not quite in the same way'; quotes Carlyle saying that 'man and his universe are eternally divine', and adds that the author of Ecce Homo 'means us to go further and credit what is now to us incredible. He may be right'.

Expresses surprise at Mrs Gretton preferring the eldest Miss Ritchie [Augusta], and declares that he does also, although he does not think most people would. Refers also to the second Miss Ritchie [Blanche], 'Cornish's betrothed', as 'more unworldly perhaps.' Declares that when he comes across girls who interest him he uses his opportunities with considerable eagerness, 'because they are necessarily so few.'

Announces that he will not be able to come down to visit her on the following Wednesday as he is to go to London on Thursday to have an operation on his teeth. Hopes to come down the same night, but states that he may have to wait until Friday. Refers to some Greek wine that belongs to him, and declares that he thinks that his host 'of the Grange [in Borrowdale]' has 'swindled [him] out of 2 bob.' Complains about how his dental problems have interfered with his study, and declares that the only thing he can do when his teeth ache is play chess. States that he is glad that [Edward Ashley?] Scott is going to be married again. Reports that he told their 'people' about [Robert?] Whitelaw 'and they said they feared he must be meditating something wild as he has manifested lately a marked disrespect for college institutions' [Robert Whitelaw married in Aug 1867; this could be a reference to his engagement].