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On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland:- Thanks her for her letter and books, two of which he got this morning: has read 'some of the big one' and finds it 'more interesting than he ever expected'; the 'translation itself is not up to scratch' but the story is very good. Today it is raining heavily, but he wants to 'get a walk at all costs'. Went to Harwood yesterday afternoon.

Is getting on very well with his work, 'and also with [his] Sepoys'. They are now busy putting in the flowers in the beds at the front of the house. Keith and Thompson [gardeners?] came in yesterday to 'look at the books, and find out about several doubtful flowers'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] was 'very interested in them'. Is glad to hear that 'Keith's brother has passed', and that his mother likes Mr Belfield. Is sorry that Charlie has 'not got the poem [prize], but it was something to come second'. Booa is very busy, and 'working all day at the butter and baking etc'. Taylor 'does very well for a beginner in his profession', though he makes mistakes sometimes. Hopes his father is well.

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.

On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland:- Thanks his mother for the letters and the books: one, 'the life of C. looks very interesting', but the other 'the Indian, seems to be the same as he sent back a week ago'. Doesn't mind reading it again, as it was interesting, but hopes 'the library has got more than one Indian book'.

They went to Otterburn yesterday; did 'not find much to see, but of course there was plenty to imagine'; however, there was little time for that since they had to 'run 5 miles to Wedderburn to catch the train' to avoid having to 'bivouac for the night on the field of battle'. There is 'no 2nd Vol to Stanhope' here; asks her to bring it if she can find it. He and Booa thought the diary they gave to [Edward?] Keith 'looked rather small by the side of the beautiful book [they] gave to [John?] Thompson', so they have decided to try and find another botany book, which Robert will pay for. Does not know where to get it or what it should be, and asks his mother for advice. It is no good giving him the same one as Thompson, and 'the two volumed coloured one is not full enough'.