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On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland:- Thanks his mother for her present: has 'read it a great deal' and likes it a lot. They went to Rothbury yesterday; walking from Rothley and returning by train. They could not get into Cragside [home of William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong], as 'it was not the day', but 'looked at it from a distance'. Has done lots of fishing in the ponds for tench, carp, and roach; also caught a 'big trout in the semi-circular pond'; there is now 'no fishing in the river'. Spider is well. Likes 'the new dog very much, though he is very ugly'.

Saw a telegram in a shop window at Rothbury with the result of the Thanet election [by-election after the death of Edward King-Harman]; supposes they [the Liberals] 'could not possibly have won'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is returning Georgie's letter, which was 'very amusing'. Is sorry to hear his father is unwell, and hopes it will not last.

On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland:- Mr Belfield arrived last Saturday, and Robert met him at the station. Likes him 'very much so far in every way': finds him 'very interesting' and they get on well. Thinks he teaches 'very well', as far as he can say from the little experience he has had of that so far: they have done some Thucydides, and began Tacitus today.

Yesterday they fished, but caught nothing so will wait until they have had more rain. 'Very windy' last Sunday, but they still went to church in the morning. Hopes his father is keeping well, and 'the good cause is prospering'. Sees that K[ing] Harman is dead, and wonders 'who will be appointed in his stead' [as parliamentary Under-Secretary for Ireland]. There 'is no fear of the Manchester murderer [John Jackson] now', as Robert sees he has been caught.

Thornton [gamekeeper at Wallington] caught a 'large pike yesterday at Capheaton lake'; he had gone there to 'see about a dog'. Thanks his father for his letter and '[Mountstuart?] Grant Duff's about the flower'. Thompson and Keith [John and Edward, gardeners at Wallington?] 'came in to see the books and found out several things they had not known'. Sends his love to his mother, and asks his father to thank her for the books and say that Robert will write to her tomorrow.