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Had intended to write to Sidgwick in relation to the Sub Committee of the Free Christian Union, of which he was appointed a member with Kegan Paul and Sidgwick, when he received a note from Mr Edward Enfield, informing him that Sidgwick and Kegan Paul would be in London from 5 to 9 January. Replied to Enfield suggesting Friday 8th at 4pm as a suitable time for meeting. Declares that this 'will leave ample time for some [ ] [ ] conference between the members of the subcommittee [Motion] to the matter on which they were to offer some suggestions to the General Committee. Asks whether Sidgwick and Kegan Paul would come out to the Limes, Hampstead on Wednesday 6 January to take dinner with him at 6pm and spend the evening in discussion.

Puts forward to the three main points to be considered; whether a series of public lectures or a volume of essays would be the most effective way of acting on social opinion 'in favour of Catholic views of Religion'; the general aim and character of the subjects that such a series should embrace; and the men who should be invited to join in such an undertaking. Believes that the writers or speakers should be free from any appearance of denominational and sectarian influence and that a large majority of them should be 'members of the Broad Church', with some representatives from the nonconformist churches. Would like to secure the aid of Mr Goldwin Smith, and states his wish to propose the name of Mr M[ark] Pattison, whose pamphlet on Oxford Education he has just read. Refers to Mr Jowett also, whose cooperation he would also appreciate. Believes that they should confine their subject to 'the broad ground of a practical and spiritual [Chris]tianity. Discusses the role of Christianity in the world, and declares that their schools, universities and churches need to be brought under the influence of a more spiritual and Catholic Christianity. Suggests some topics for discussion: 'A Reform of the Doctrinal [Formularies] of the Church; the Necessity of a Scientific Theology; on Intercourse between different Religious Denominations; on the Limits of State Action in Ecclesiastical Organisation.' Refers to the [ ] of the Irish Church.

Would like the benefit of Sidgwick's mature reflection on the above topics. Hopes to have returned to London by the evening of Monday 4 January. Gives the address to which HS should send any communication during the following ten days.

Claims to be ashamed of not having answered her first letter, and remarks that it is such an unusual thing to owe her a letter. States that he had hoped to go and see her that term just before the examinations, but explains that a friend of his has just arranged a visit to him, so he must postpone it. Announces that he is to spend the Long Vacation in England, and therefore shall be free to accept invitations then. Declares that had had also wished to go to Rugby at the end of the term. Reports that he is very busy with examinations, and if his hayfever gets worse, he 'must not venture...' as his eyes 'may be taken bad: [which] would be a disastrous preliminary to the study of Hebrew...' Remarks that Arthur seems to have enjoyed himself very much at Rugby, and reports that he heard from their mother that day, but that she seemed 'rather dull.' Announces that he is going up to town the following day, 'and shall try and cast a hurried glance over the Academy', but must be back in Cambridge again on Thursday morning as he has to 'non-placet a Grace of the senate (petitioning against Mr Bouverie's bill [to repeal the "Conformity to the Liturgy" clause in the Act of Uniformity).' Explains that the non-placeters are in 'a miserable minority', and he doesn't wish to make it even smaller.

Reports that he dined with the Kitcheners at Newmarket some days ago, 'and saw E. R[hodes]', who 'is not so good in conversation as Miss (Annette) Kitchener, though her writing is decidedly more powerful.' Regrets to hear that his mother is still 'a sleeping partner of the [Initial S]ociety.' Asks her whether he ever showed her some things he translated 'in Iphigenia in [ ]', and quotes from it. Declares that he is getting to know a great deal about English history, and is 'wondering whether a book could be written about it at once short, instructive and interesting.' Advises her to read Goldwin Smith's lectures, which are 'so carefully composed that it is a real pleasure to read them independently of anything one learns from them.' Asks her to keep for him a pair of laced boots, which he believes he left at her house. Asks her to send back Ch[ ] some time.

Owning himself to being 'considerably at Trinity' that night, and being in a philosophical mood, asks after the nature of Sidgwick's discussions. Claims that Sidgwick's approval of his [degrading] 'was the more consoling as Tommy was vehement against it'. Reports to having caught a cold in his throat, but to be otherwise convalescing. Announces that they are to go to St Leonards or Brighton soon. Refers to Goodford's promotion [to provost of Eton], and states that 'Carter must be his successor', as one of the under-masters. Discusses Windham, who he claims to be mad, and refers to an incident in which his tutor Balston 'turned him out of his house for stabbing a boy'. Reports that he tried to get Goldwin Smith from [Mendies], but they had not sent it yet. States that the more Heterodoxy he reads, the more orthodox he becomes, and claims that his illnesses bring him to old faiths 'making them brighter, and clearer of difficulties than before'. Refers to the fact that his theses generally start from Genesis, of which the more he reads, the more he sees the impossibilities of disconnecting it from the doctrines of the New Testament. Hopes that Arthur [Sidgwick] 'is not the worse for the Craven [scholarship]', as he has heard that he was ill during it. Refers to his [Young's] 'Eton plan'. Wishes that he were not so cut off from Sidgwick and others. Asks if Trevelyan is hunting and sends his love to him.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Sends Robert an American "Nation", having marked three articles: "Understanding the Orient", "Interpreting India to the West", and "The London Lincoln", which is a 'charming piece ' of 'American humour, classicised and cultured'. Has just been re-reading letters from Goldwin Smith to Charles Norton from the 1860s, in which Smith - 'a man far greater than his works' - speaks of the "New Nation" as 'the first earnest of American moral renaissance since the Civil [War]'.

Reports that he only heard a week ago that Young 'had found it advisable (and also feasible) to degrade.' Claims that he was very glad to hear the news, since even if he had been able 'to go in by "making an effort" ', it would have been a very unsatisfactory [culmination] to three years work. Sympathises with him that he will have to work a year more at the old curriculum. Hopes that he is progressing. Reports that he met Cowell in London on Saturday, and he was wondering whether Young would go abroad with him.

Recounts that he found Arthur [Sidgwick] 'only just able to work' when he arrived in Cambridge on Saturday, as he had played fives, which brought on his irregular circulation. Believes that 'it is just about an even chance whether he gets the Craven or not'. Reports that they were quite surprised at having the senior after all in Trinity. Hopes that Barker will conform, and states that Jebb was in good spirits and reading hard. Recounts that [Richard Shilleto?] 'reports favourably of his freshness', but is not very strong in health.

Refers to the fact that Young was at Eton with [Smijth?] Windham, and asks if he thinks he is 'MAD, or only mad.' Declares that 'Wilson is convinced he was a lunatic', but every other Eton man Sidgwick has seen states the idea to be ludicrous.

Relates a conversation he had while dining at Merton College, Oxford. States that he thinks the speeches, especially Coleridge's 'disgraceful'. Wishes that he were at Oxford, because 'they are always having exciting controversies which keep them alive.' Relates that Jowett and his foes divide the [attention] of the common rooms with Mansel and Goldwin Smith. Reports that he has just read 'G. S.' "Rational Religion" ', which, he claims, 'seems smashing', but over-controversial. States that '[p]eople consider Mansel's chance of a bishopric as lessened.' Remarks that in his view the tutors at Oxford work harder and the men less than those at Cambridge. Asks Young whether he read W.S. Clarke's Latin Oration.

Reports that he went up to Cambridge 'to have a quiet study of Auguste Comte', with whose he has rather less sympathy than before. States that he 'tried to fancy being a Positivist and adoring Guttemberg [sic], the inventor of printing, but...found the conception impossible.' Intends to go up [to Cambridge] on Saturday. States that he thinks better of Horace than most men; discerns in his works 'a good deal of a peculiar fresh humour that [ ]', but sees that it is calculated to disgust many men, and wishes Trevelyan could know it.

Explains that he put off writing to Young until it had been decided whether or not Everett should be elected to 'the [Apostles] Society'. Announces that he had been accepted, and refers to him as 'a very clever man.' Refers to his declaration as 'very extravagant and Americans' and reports that 'old Martin was astonished.' States that now Trevelyan, Thompson and Jebb are gone down, a new and rather striking element is needed. Reports on recent discussions, including Trevelyan's speech criticising young men who give up their early ambitions and become schoolmasters. The latter being 'all for the edification of Fisher'. Remarks that Heathcote is 'still rather below the average of an Apostle but still he is improving.' Reports that there has been nothing heretical so far. Declares that he wishes to relieve himself of the charge of having recommended Goldwin Smith as a heretical work. States that it always gives him indigestion to read the Quarterly Review. Refers to the controversy between G. Smith and Mansel, which 'is rather metaphysical than theological'. Agrees with Young that illness has the effect of clearing away doubts. Declares that '[t]he Union is falling again rather'. [Incomplete]

[Sent from Gower Street]:- Announces that he is again in London, 'intending to work and see anything that is to be seen in the way of mediums.' States that he may 'fly to Cambridge.' Remarks that there is now one there in London that he can see 'without wasting a great deal of time.' Reports that Hales is in London, but he feels that it would be premature to call on him. Declares that if he feels intolerably lonely 'after the pleasant society at Ffestiniog' he may be more inclined to go to Cambridge, but believes that he shall soon be too busy to do that. Describes the scenery of Ffestiniog, and his experiences there, including a climb up Moel Siabod.

Reports that he has not been able to pay his visit to [Charles Kegan] Paul as he did not feel that he had the time to spare. Claims that life is somewhat difficult for him at present, 'full of doubts and problems', and that solitude is good for him, 'though rather depressing'. Quotes some lines of Aubrey de Vere. Declares that he is reading English history, and is astonished to find 'what a want there is of a good history of England before the Tudors.' Claims that the best seems to be in German. Sends the letter to Wellington College, as his mother did not say in her last letter where she was going. Hopes that Mary is progressing as well as she could expect. Asks when Arthur is to return to Rugby, and when she intends to return there.

Forgets whether she has read Goldwin Smith's lectures; 'Three Statesmen or some such name.' Declares that the last lecture, which is on Pitt, seems to him better written than anything else of his. Asks after William.