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[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Has not gone running yet, but since football has 'come to an end' for his house as they have been beaten in the torpids he could go out sometime. His house were 'very weak at the beginning of the term' in torpids, but improved as they went on and 'did not do so very badly in the matches'. Welldon has told him that he is to 'go in for the scholarships', so he is studying for them. Has 'been thinking about the hexameter'; has an idea he thinks 'will suit' but has not got very far yet. Charlie came second in the 'school footer Ones [?]', behind [Edgar?] Stogdon; Robert thinks this is largely due to Charlie 'slipping at a critical moment', but still he 'did very well indeed'.

Is glad Georgie is better now, and asks whether he will be 'going up [for?] the scholarships' soon. Very interesting 'that the Times should thus be smashing up' [a reference to the Parnell Commission's proof that the letters published by the Times in 1887, alleging that Parnell had supported the Phoenix Park murders, were forgeries by Richard Pigott]; asks if they are 'now proved to be wrong on everything', or if this is 'only a part of the case'. Asks if she can ask Hearn [a family servant] to get him some razors, as he currently has to use other people's, 'which are not always very sharp'. Is 'getting on very well with Welldon'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very interested in the Times business' [a reference to the Parnell Commission's proof that the letters published by the Times in 1887, alleging that Parnell had supported the Phoenix Park murders, were forgeries by Richard Pigott], and now regrets his usual neglect of the newspapers, through which he has 'missed all the excitement of the things as they happened', especially since nobody in his house 'seems to care much about them'. He is glad, however, that 'the Tories are getting it hot'. Has 'been out running a little', but not much as there is still 'footer' twice a week in his house: 'a very good sign that they are getting more interested'. Does not think he will 'go in for sports'; or only for a couple of house sports in the future.

Canon Fleming read to the school yesterday, and 'was certainly a success', though Robert 'did not care for him altogether'. Is getting on well in his form, and continuing his reading; is beginning his hexameters and hopes to have most done by the end of term. Thinks that it is a good thing for him to try for the scholarships, but that he is 'too weak in mathematics and scripture', even in Greek composition, to 'have much chance. Has just done [Virgil's] Eclogues, with 'Judge [Charles] Bowen's English translation, which is quite worth reading'. Charlie is well.

[On headed notepaper for 8, Grosvenor Crescent]:- Thanks his father for his letter, and the 'imitation of [Sir George's] Horace at Athens' which is 'amusing in its way'. Asks if [the writer's] university is 'one of those who have but ought not to have votes', and thinks he 'must be a liberal from the way he speaks of [Richard?] Pigott'.

Princess Louise is visiting this afternoon, and 'there is therefore much unnecessary fuss': changing 'the time of bill', for which boys are to wear 'tail coats instead of blue coats', and 'even... no cricket'. Says the school is 'evidently becoming like Eton'.

Has a lot of work in the scholarship class, but 'not too much'. Finished the hexameters and sent them last Saturday, though he 'was not satisfied with them' and does not think he will get the scholarship. Is currently studying 'four different Greek plays at once', for various masters; thinks 'there ought to be some result'. Almost wishes he were at Eastbourne, as he was this time last year.

Asks if his father is going to have an 'evening party for liberals soon'. Mr Belfield says he has obtained 'an appointment at the Strait settlements, and is going out directly'; Robert hopes he will like it 'and not find it too hot' - he 'always said he wished to go to the colonies'. Belfield has asked about some books he thinks he left at Wallington, and Robert is writing to his mother to ask Bathgate about them. Asks his father to tell her that he got her parcel.