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Gives details of J R M Butler's education to date.

Congratulations on engagement.

Palace Hotel, Rome. - Thinks Robert and Elizabeth's decision not to accept the heirship [of Florence Trevelyan's property] is very wise; it would give them trouble and expense now and any profit would come at a time when it would be unimportant. Caroline has returned Mrs Field's call. They are not going to Naples; the weather is only good enough for occasional expeditions 'to Castel Gandolfo or Tivoli' but they are enjoying themselves. George seemed very impressed by what he was told by the masters, and noticed, about the 'tone' of Harrow; he particularly liked Hort. Rome is 'pervaded' by the American students, now a hundred and fifty in number: 'a very fine set of young men in their parents' dress; talked to two of them recently, who described baseball to him 'with extraordinary lucidity, and passionate interest'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert and Elizabeth's letters give a good account of their local politics; [Oscar William] Bowen at Stratford is very different to 'our [Edward Ernest] Bowen'; will tell Robert about him in person; he is calling on them soon. Very interesting about the "Wasps" [the Cambridge Greek Play?]; thinks the parabases of Aristophanes should be as intelligible as 'Grossmith's hatter'. Interested by what Robert says about Jim Butler. Encloses a letter from Withers, whose bill he will pay when the business [arising from Florence Trevelyan's will] is completely settled. Heavy rain, so their walks are 'mere constitutionals'; the country will take 'a pretty big constitutional' [the General Election] next month, and they will help it all they can.

A group of 63 letters received by J. R. M. Butler after publication, many from friends of H. M. Butler and J. R. M. Butler as well as members of his extended family. Some of the letters include personal recollections of H. M. Butler. Correspondents include Frances Anne Conybeare, W. J. Conybeare, D. H. S. Cranage, J. A. Cruikshank, Randall Davidson, Albinia Donaldson, T. Field, Edward Graham, Alan Gray, Charles Haddock, John Charles Hill, Sir Arthur Hort, David Macdonald, H. H. Montgomery, G. C. Moore Smith, Edith Wendell Osborne, R. St. John Parry, Godfrey Phillips, Ernest M. Pollock (Lord Hanworth), John Ross, Ronnie Ross, A. E. Shipley, Henry Yates Thompson, George Trevelyan, and P. N. Waggett.

Family correspondents include Sir Cyril K. Butler, Diana Butler, Dorothy Butler, E. M. B. Butler, Sir Geoffrey Butler, George Grey Butler, John Butler, Sir Montagu S. D. Butler, Ralph L. G. Butler, Marie Gray, Antonia Greenwood, Hugh Howson, David Morley-Fletcher, A. Francis Norman-Butler, C. L. Ramsay, G. M. N. Ramsay, Susan E. Ramsay, and Audrey Tower.

Letters from Hort dated 30 April 1903-4 Nov. 1906.

8 Grosvenor Crescent, S. W. [London] :- Thanks his parents for their last letter; they are in town again, as Bessie needs to go to rehearsals for her last concert [with Arnold Dolmetsch] on Wednesday. The concerts have 'gone of very well so far', though Robert was unable to attend the last one since it was on the 'evening of the [Apostles?] dinner'. Henry Jackson made a 'very nice speech', as did 'Judge Lushington, who was the oldest of those present'.

They lunched at North Street last week and thought Charles and Molly looked 'very happy, and their house very nice'. They went to Harrow last Saturday to see the [F. E.?] Marshalls and had a 'very pleasant time there'; they went to the 'Speech room' in the evening 'to hear the final reading for the reading prize' which was 'very amusing', though they 'did not think the standard very high'. 'Young [James?] Butler, who must be about 15 or 16, was promising' though did not yet have 'sufficient command of his voice'; he is said to be 'quite a good scholar, and looks a nice boy'. The winner read Joy for his chosen piece. The Lower School had to read the 'description of William at the Boyne [from Macaulay]; but they did not make much of it'. Also saw Sir Arthur Hort, who is 'mainly responsible for [the] first fifteen boys'; believes he is 'doing very well', and there have certainly been more scholarships awarded to Harrow boys over the last few years. Very sad they have 'thought it necessary to dry up the Grove pond'; supposes it was a 'great nuisance and expense'.

They hope to see Sir George before long, and also that Caroline will come to Dorking around the end of the month.