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Reports that he has been very busy in relation to the vacant [Knightbridge] professorship; considers becoming a candidate himself, but does not think that he has much chance of being successful, and believes that if he puts himself forward he may harm the chances of another man [J. H. Stirling] who he believes has more claim to it. Was shocked at Maurice's death. Reports that he has been travelling about a lot since the end of the previous term; has been to Bournemouth, stayed with the Pauls at Bailie, and also at Freshwater, where he 'smoked a pipe with the Laureate'. Declares that Tennyson was 'exceedingly kind', and that he and Symonds 'had a most interesting conversation with him. Adds that Miss Thackeray was also there, 'most delightful of authoresses'. Hopes to go to Rugby on the Saturday of the following week. Reports that he has just seen Robertson, who is going to Harrow, 'but with eyes halfregretful fixed on Rugby'. Asks to be remembered to the Temples.

Writes on the occasion of Robertson's marriage, referring to the 'two wonders' produced by getting married in one's middle age: the question of how one existed so long unmarried, 'and 'how this strange mingling of lives ever came about.' MS copy of 'part of a letter' in Nora Sidgwick's hand, with note that Mrs James Robertson showed her the letter on 11 October 1908, when she brought her youngest son [Dennis Holme Robertson] to make her acquaintance on his entering Trinity College.