The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes his parents have had a good journey to Welcombe, and were not too tired by it; at least the weather for it was beautiful. Was very interested in the 'paper on the Dramatic Monologue' which his father sent him; most of what the writer says 'about Browning and the Victorians generally seems to be sound and sensible'. Is going to read a paper on poetry to a 'Trinity Hall Literary Society' this term, though has not yet decided on the topic; perhaps the history of blank verse, 'a dull subject, but one which interests me, which is what matters most, when one wants to interest others'.
Thamyris [or, Is there a Future for Poetry?] 'grew out of a similar paper' he read last year to the Cambridge Heretics. Has generally had good reviews, except for the piece in the Times Literary Supplement, and lots of them, though he does not yet know how the book is selling. Had a 'very kind and generous letter from Professor Murray [see 26/12/3-4]' saying he liked the book and 'entirely disagreed with the Times reviewer, which quite compensated for any annoyance' Robert might have felt'.
Bessie is well and enjoys the beautiful weather, as Robert hopes his parents also do.