Welcombe, Stratford upon Avon. - Amused by Elizabeth's letter, and glad Robert is returning so soon. Both Lord Welby and Lord Davey are 'very good talkers', and Lady Davey is 'charming' so their visit has been very pleasant; she tells Caroline that there is a house to be let at Fernhurst called "Ropes"; just built, by a Miss Coats, who now thinks there is 'not enough view & is going to build another'. Lady Davey also says that Blackdown Cottage is very damp and has no foundations; Mrs Frederic Harrison [Ethel Harrison] was 'very ill there with Rheumatic gout' and two people died in the house while they lived there. Likes to think of Elizabeth and Robert both at home again, 'with the good Enticknaps'. S[idney?] Colvin is not coming; she is glad as the 'row in Stratford seems to be growing, & he is in it' while they wish to keep out of it. Was very good to have Elizabeth to visit them; Sir George sends his love, and 'much appreciated' the letter from Robert.
On headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.:- Thanks his mother for the money, which 'will do very well until the end of term' since he has 'no more subscriptions or bats to buy'. All is going well; wishes they would read out Charlie's essay, and thinks they will tomorrow. [Charles?] Pope almost got into the eleven yesterday; expects he will on Tuesday and is certain to do so at some point. [Lawrie?] Oppenheim has got hay-fever and gone to Brighton and Margate for a fortnight; a shame as this will spoil his already uncertain chance of getting in, but Robert thinks he may just get the last place if he returns in time. Charlie has been 'distinguishing himself in cricket a good deal': he 'made 50 yesterday in the firsth fifth game'. Robert gets on 'well enough in the second eleven'.
Is currently reading Frederick Harrison's The Choice of Books; he does not much like the style, which seems 'to be too much for effect', but finds the 'matter and ideas' very interesting
The Grove, Harrow [on mourning notepaper]:- Thanks his mother for her letter; is glad they 'won Bristol so well' [the Bristol East by-election, 9 May, which resulted in a Liberal hold]. Is going to read his father's speech 'on "One Man"'; hopes Charlie will also 'make a good one'.
They have not had any cricket on the last two half-holidays due to the rain. [Austin?] Harrison says his father is going to ask Robert's father's advice about him staying; Robert hopes his father will advise that he should stay, since he 'like[s] him very much', finding him 'more interesting' than he thought at first, 'and even fond of reading, though not of working'. Harrison has 'promised to work very hard if he is allowed to stay'.
Robert will be very pleased to see his parents next Sunday. The rain has 'brought out every thing all at once' over the last few days. Little is going on at the moment, and it is 'rather dull'. Georgie is 'quite well, and will be placed today'.
Announces that he 'went over to [b.m.b.] to arrange with Hall: but found everything settled...through the medium of the Telegraph.' Claims that he 'halfpersuaded' Hall to stay the night '[with the ladies] - holding out the bait of the Great Seeley[;] one of the objects of the poytheistic adoration of the Cross family'. Suggests that if the matter 'comes off' Myers might let Sidgwick have the [Frederic] Harrisons to breakfast, and 'will do lunch on Sunday so as to get [the Charles] Bowens.' Refers to Myers' last letter as 'thrilling', and wishes to speak to him.
Claims that he himself is 'in gloom and inertia.' Asks Myers if he will stay over on Monday. Announces that he goes over to dine with Hall on Sunday, coming back on Monday morning 'with the ORATOR [Jebb?].' Remarks that there are 'several good concise points about the Conservative reaction.' Asks about Myers' plans to come [to Cambridge] on Friday. Adds: 'Hans Gladstone led a Barty Vere ish dat Barty now?', and asks '[h]ow much has C_l_l Ps had to pay for the privilege of not sitting in Parliament'.
Offers to send her a book called A Lost Love by Ashford Owen [Anne Charlotte Ogle], which reminds him of 'Romance of a Dull Life etc [by Anne Judith Penny], only it is written with less intellect and perhaps more passionateness'.
Reports that he hears excellent accounts of her, and hopes that they are all true. Assumes that she is still at Hastings, Mentions that she may possibly be seeing William in a few days. Reports that he saw the latter at Oxford, and that he has given up his work for the term, and is going away, probably to Rugby first 'and then perhaps to Hastings.' Asks her how she finds Hastings. Declares that he knows it well, and looks forward to seeing much more of it in years to come, if his ' poor friend Cowell's life is preserved'; does not expect that Cowell will leave Hastings again now.
Hopes that she is not experiencing any fogs. Declares that they have been having a splendid autumn [in Cambridge]. Reports that he is involved in a project for improving female education, by providing examination for governesses. States that there is an attempt being made to form a joint board, consisting of members of the two universities, for the purpose. Mentions that there are also other projects. Remarks that it appears that there is particular activity in the North of England, where schoolmistresses 'and other enlightened people have associated themselves in several great towns, and out of these associations a general council has been formed with lofty aspirations'.
Refers to Matthew Arnold, whose 'unfortunate lecture on culture has been attacked again in the Fortnightly Review by Frederic Harrison'. Advises her that 'the Guardian Angel by O.W. Holmes is worth reading, though he thinks 'not good as a novel'.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—At today’s meeting they discussed the coercive measures introduced in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, and it was agreed to form an unofficial committee to receive information from South Africa and act in concert with the Dutch.
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Transcript
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.
Beloved
Just going to bed, I see the stars are out & I think that will mean my Mumsey will sleep well. I kiss this at the foot {1}.
Courtney, Lehman†, Gooch & F Harrison and others were at the Mackarnesses this afternoon. One of the things Fischer talked about was the Peace Reservation Act which is a kind of stringent coercion Act enforced by Milner in the Transvaal & O R C {2} and prevents a man from saying or writing anything of which the Govt does not approve. It appears there is not much to be done but to protest.
The principal thing we discussed was the possibility of forming some sort of unofficial Committee which might receive information from S. Africa with a view to using it. How far could it act in concert with the Dutch in the T & O R C & with the Dutch Party in Cape C. We formed ourselves into a kind of unofficial body, which I regard more as as† bureau of information than anything else.
Mrs Mackarness was interested in J R M {4}, & I suggested they shd come to dine here with them some day, which she thought very pleasant. So I suggest Tuesday fortnight. Mumsey will be fit as anything by then; & I don’t think we have engagement. I have fixed up provisionally with the Ms {3} and unless there is anything to the contrary, will you send off enclosed.
Some time later I should like to ask the Bunces {5}.
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{1} There is a cross at the foot of the page.
{2} Orange River Colony.
{3} Mackarnesses.
{4} James Ramsay MacDonald.
{5} Reading uncertain.
† Sic.
10 Royal Crescent, Bath - Will be happy to see Peter Mackie in the afternoon, is working on 'Novissima Verba' and a new edition of 'The Calendar of Great Men'; would have liked to meet Sir James in Bath, was just reading his latest book with his daughter.
10 Royal Crescent, Bath - Confirms arrangements to meet at the Albemarle Club on the 15th for lunch, describes his normal lunch diet; is staying with Lady Stanley at 2 Richmond Terrace, Whitehall.