Reports that a telegram has just arrived from Gurney to say that he will be [in Bradford] on Wednesday to begin investigations with Kershaw, the Southport Mesmerist. States that they have seen the Cl[ ] man twice, and professes to rather like him and think him honest, but reports that they have not got anything out of him yet, and is not very hopeful about his 'Clairvoyants'. Thinks, however, that he is worth trying further. Announces that they go to Sunderland the following day to see Ogle and his ' "[Dick]" '. States that he has looked up both the Leeds stories, and declares that [T ] is 'a very satisfactory person, but his story is slightly deteriorated by further information.' Finds that 'the other story's "William" is Dr G[ ]'s father', and he will write it out as he heard it from his father. States that it is not possible to find confirmation of the story, but that he has discovered 'that the "lecture of the eminent surgeon" was probably a paper before the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society' in April 1828 by William Hey. Thinks that the papers are still in existence, and has got Stephen Marshall to make enquiries. Announces that they return [to Cambridge] on the following Saturday or Monday. Hopes that Myers' family 'is in perfect wellbeing'.
Regrets that he did not see him the previous day - owing to the Marshalls [Stephen and Annie?] not having come back - as he would have liked 'to talk over Mrs Fay etc.' Is considering calling on Crookes on Monday evening to tell him what has happened and to see what he says. Asks Myers for his opinion on the matter. Suggests that it may be better to wait until they can find out through Yorke or otherwise 'something more of the relations of R and N.' Announces that he shall be at 4 Carlton Gardens again on Monday. Offers to send back [ ] book.
Writes to say that he is pleased with her news [of his cousin Annie's engagement]. States that his recollections of Stephen Marshall 'are altogether pleasant', and asks why she should be surprised. Thinks that the marriage seems to be 'in every way most suitable.' Declares that he is very busy in various ways, and is occupied with the investigation of Spiritualism. Undertakes to send the Examiner if he can find it. Claims that he is very well and as he is still 'taking a holiday from hard brain-work', nothing disagrees with him.
[Sent from Broadstairs]:- Reports that he is settled in the same house with Isabel; he arrived the previous Friday, and has secured rooms there until Saturday 3 July. Intends to go to London early on 5 July, and they are going to being a new series of experiments on 6 July. Will be in London until 20 July, and is considering paying one or two visits until about the middle of August, when he plans to settle down in Cambridge. Reports that [Broadstairs] 'seems very salubrious', and that Nevil [his nephew] appears to be in excellent health and spirits. Declares that Isabel is very kind and does her best to make him comfortable. Reports that his book has sold as well as [Alexander?] Macmillan had expected, and a second edition is being discussed. Reports that two-hundred and fifty copies have gone to the United States, and he sends her the enclosed card [not included] to prove that is fame is 'More Than European!'
Is at present 'in a lazy state working languidly at an article [he has] to write for a new journal on Philosophy [Mind]'. Intends to be relatively idle for a few months, and does not feel inclined to work on a new book just yet. Is glad that [his cousin] Anne's wedding went off well. Reports that his uncle Robert wrote to him to say that [his cousin] Chris was considering coming to Cambridge to study Moral Sciences, and asks if she has heard anything about this. Does not feel sure that it is a wise scheme. Supposes that he has been stimulated by Stephen Marshall's example, 'and perhaps thinks home will be dull without Annie'. Hopes that she has a good visit at Lincoln [to the Bensons]. Informs her that 'H P. goes back to London early on the 5th July' and tells her to write to him before that.
Announces that Mrs Offley [Carey] has forgotten to send him a [ghost] story, which she had undertaken to do, and asks Minnie to remind her. To facilitate matters, he sends the story in the form in which it has already been communicated to them [not included], and refers to certain elements for which he desires evidence. Reports that he and Nora have been visiting relations in Yorkshire, and that they received many enquiries in relation to Minnie. Reports that they were all very cordial. They stayed chiefly at the Raikes [home of Robert Hodgson Sidgwick], and also with the Stephen Marshalls, and went over to Riddlesden [home of Sarah Hannah Sidgwick] to dine. Remarks that 'Aunt Sidgwick' was 'much changed (since /71!) but wonderfully well...for her age.'
Hopes that Minnie is enjoying her 'Park'. Sends his and Nora's love to all, and asks Minnie to remind Arthur [Benson?] that he thought he could get some stories for them from the Dean of Windsor. Adds that his uncle informed him of the earliest forms of the name Sidgwick - from 1379. Remarks on the presence of an 'l', as in 'Syggleiswyk', and 'Seglewyk', and states that a version from two centuries later is the one he is thinking of adopting: 'Seeggeswyke'.