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Add. MS c/100/8 · Item · [Summer 1860]
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

Explains that he has been 'bothered and unsettled' since he came to Berlin, and that he is now living 'en famille' at the home of Dr Lüdde-Neurath, 1 Markgrafen St. Describes his lodgings as 'very simple and homely', and comments favourably on its cheapness, as Berlin 'is a dear town for Germany'. Reports that he has a big room to himself, with a good view, and that he gets 'boarded and instructed as well...for under £10 for 6 weeks.' Refers to his linguistic skills. Reports that Patterson, who went to Germany with him, developed 'an infinite disgust of Berlin, the Germans, their manners customs and language', and Henry could not persuade him to stay for longer than a fortnight, after which he went off to tour on his own account.

Declares himself to be 'a wretched man for seeing sights', but he went to Potsdam the other day; says that its palace is prettier and more interesting than the 'Schloss' in Berlin. Remarks on the 'intense hatred' that the Germans have for the name of Napoleon. Reports that they passed the palace where the Princess Frederic William resides. Claims that he saw the report of the 'W[ellington] C[ollege] speeches' in the Times, and remarks that he was glad to see that she was 'giving further support to the sinking literature of [their] country...'

Reports that he gained nothing from his spirit-rapping 'but experience in the lower forms of human nature.' Claims that the woman involved, who accomplished 'some very remarkable liftings of the table', 'was a complete humbug', but that the experience does not at all shake his [qualified] belief in spirit-rapping. Asks if Ada [Benson] is still in Dresden, and how long she is going to stay there. Announces that he is to spend a day or two there at the end of September, and is then going to the Riesengebirge, and thne on to Prague.

Reports that the previous day he paid a very pleasant visit to Dr Rau[ ] in the evening, but claims that his German in not yet up to scratch. Announces that he intends to call upon Dr Rau[ ]'s brother that day. Reports that he ate beer-soup that day, and describes its composition. Finds that he is in Berlin 'just at the wrong time, 'as there is no university and almost no society now.' Complains that the worst feature in Berlin 'is the abundance of ---s and ----s.' Sends his love to Edward and his mother.

Add. MS c/100/9 · Item · [late Aug? 1860]
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

Expresses his delight at the news of the birth of her son [Martin, born 19 August]. Asks her to tell their mother that he shall be grateful to her if she would pay that 'bill of Warwick' for him. Admits that he has been very careless about it. Reports that he saw Mr Dale a week previously, who latter preached at a service attended by Henry and 'gave the unhappy congregation a rest from the pretentious and insolent platitudes of [their] regular man...' Claims that Dale believed that the Princess Frederic William would be present at the service for the first time after her confinement. Reports that he gave him news of Ada [Benson], whom Henry is to see in about two weeks' time.

Announces that after going to Dresden he intends to visit Brunswick with Professor H[errig], who is to introduce him to a society of philologues. States that after that he shall go walking in the Harz and on the Rhine. Reports that he is learning German. Recommends 'Tieck's Novellen' if she wishes for 'an easy and delightful German book' to amuse herself with. Recounts his amusement at the depiction of an Englishman on the Berlin stage. Regrets to hear of Arthur's renewed illness, especially as he is spending the summer at the Lakes. Claims that he has no impulse to indulge in composition at the present, but recounts a humorous story involving a hero and heroine named Edwin and Angelina, who are in love, but for whom it is impossible to declare their feelings to one another. One day they sit down to play the '[ ] duet of Beethoven together', and the music has such an effect on them that they fall into each other's arms, in which position they are found by [her] father. Claims that the foregoing 'is literally founded on fact', and is reserved in his notebook. Sends his love to his mother.