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Reports his recent return from Rome, where his wife was nursing her sister Nelly. Expresses his delight (and that of his wife) at the news of Sidgwick's [honorary] fellowship at Trinity College. Explains that they are staying at Eton until the end of August and asks him whether he could come to see them at the end of his term. States that two things 'have given [him] great pleasure lately', one being 'the unmasking of Fremde in the papers, and the other being [Myers?]'s Wordsworth, which he just read, and which seems to him 'admirable as a piece of criticism'.

In relation to Easter, states that his plans are uncertain. Is glad that she is interested in [William] Lecky. Gives his thoughts on reading and thinking; believes that 'it is not so easy as people think to choose reading that really sets the mind to work and makes it grow'; however, since everyone is 'always... much "involved in matter' as Aristotle says', the world and our 'little petty interests are "too much with us", and anything that lifts us out of them is a gain'. The ability to be thus lifted is something he much values in people; it is not proportionate to talent - intellect viewed as an instrument'. Arthur Butler has it, and it is one of the things Henry likes in [E. A?]. Scott.

Remarks that his mother has not written to him lately, and that they have 'in a sort of way dropped out of correspondence'. Claims that it was not he who objects to gossip; asserts that he has always maintained that 'it was the only way most people [had] of exercising their minds really, originally, on moral and social questions'. Says he is certainly interested in the Ritchies [the family of William Ritchie]; wishes that his mother could see them 'and ascertain whether the interest is due to [his] very limited acquaintance with (feminine) human nature'; has met many families but 'never... with one that took [his] fancy like this'. Asks what she thinks of Mrs Gretton; thinks that she must be livelier than most Rugby people, but that 'she is to be taken "cum grano" '.

Reports that Macmillan won't say who wrote Ecce Homo [recently published anonymously by J. R. Seeley], but has promised sometime to ask twenty people to dinner including Henry and the author. Reports that Gladstone wrote to Macmillan 'a letter acknowledging a presented copy and calling it a "noble book".' Relates that some of the 'younger men', such as Myers, are 'tremendously stirred by it', but that Henry is 'not quite in the same way'; quotes Carlyle saying that 'man and his universe are eternally divine', and adds that the author of Ecce Homo 'means us to go further and credit what is now to us incredible. He may be right'.

Expresses surprise at Mrs Gretton preferring the eldest Miss Ritchie [Augusta], and declares that he does also, although he does not think most people would. Refers also to the second Miss Ritchie [Blanche], 'Cornish's betrothed', as 'more unworldly perhaps.' Declares that when he comes across girls who interest him he uses his opportunities with considerable eagerness, 'because they are necessarily so few.'

Has only just finished reading Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir; explains that they [she and her husband?] went abroad in March. States that as a biography it is 'vividly interesting from the first page to the last....' Remarks on the strong sense the letters 'unconsciously give of the expansion and development of [Henry's] life'. Refers to his attainment of a fellowship and the establishment of Newnham College, and describes his marriage as 'the crown to the perfecting of his life.' Refers also to how nobly he met his fate. Relates that they used to call him Socrates. Invites Nora to come to spend a day with them at Wych Cross during the holidays. Speaks of Henry's conversational gifts, and declares that she liked Leslie Stephens' and Mr Bryce's accounts of 'his talk'. States, however, that she and her sisters feel that the 'irrecoverableness' of the charm of Henry's conversation 'is not ever guessed in the letters.' Refers also to his recitation of poetry, and claims that his talk 'was the expression of his whole being....' Claims that she can think of six men - including her brother [Richmond] Ritchie - 'who can none of them at all tolerate each other, who all lay down their arms and speak with unqualified and enthusiastic admiration of [Henry]'. Hopes that they may meet before long.

Asks her for some of her news, and whether it would be convenient for him to visit her 'about the 23rd of July.' Explains that he is in Margate because of his hay fever, but intends to return 'to the Bosom of Civilization about the middle of the month.' Presumes that 'the solemn and official part of [her] leave-taking [of Wellington College] is over', and claims that he missed her speeches in the Times. Reports that he has been in London conducting 'the Examination of Women, and indulging in other amusements.'

Says he is attempting to write a book, 'as far as Christy Minstrels and other barbaric phenomena allow'. Reports that he subsists chiefly on 'a kind of fish called Margate Dabs...and on Miss Braddon's novels.' Has decided that the latter 'really are more improving to the mind than Mrs Henry Wood's.' Recommends May by Mrs Oliphant, and states that he considers her 'in the very first rank of novelists.' Reports that a friend of his, Mrs Cornish, has just published a novel [Alcestis], which has been quite successful. Asks how she stands the fatigues of the term, and how she likes the new, incoming Party. Claims that he hears nothing from Rugby, 'except that Kitchener meditates a flight'. Asks after Edward, and whether he has yet managed 'to arrange existence at the Chancery.'

Scotch Ed[ucatio]n Dept., Whitehall. - There has been a 'second change for the worst', and 'Mrs Donald' [Grettie Tovey] has been moved from the nursing home at Oxford to an asylum in the area; Donald is at Worplesdon. Cornish's mother has mentioned the manuscripts [of Tovey and Trevelyan's opera, "The Bride of Dionysus"] to Miss Weisse, and does not think there will be any difficulty; he is writing to Donald telling him to contact his mother at the Pantiles cottage about them.

Writes from 7 Athelstan Road, Margate;, having stayed last year in nearby Ethelbert Terrace; comments that 'all this part of the town was built by some fanatical Anglo-Saxon'; intends to be there for ten more days. Thinks that he never wrote to thank her for Miss Thackeray's books. Relates that he has been staying with the [Leslie] Stephens since he left Cambridge, where he has seen Miss Thackeray. Reports that she is going to write 'another Fairy Tale - Jack and the Bean-stalk', which is still a secret; she also told him some interesting things about Browning and Red Cotton Nightcap Country'; will tell his mother if she has ever 'read or tried to read that singular production'.

Recommends Mrs Cornish's novel Alcestis and Mrs Webster's dramatic poem The Auspicious Day; this made him cry while he was supervising the Local Examination in London, though he 'was perched so high that sixty-five young ladies could see... an Examiner Weep'. Asks her tell Arthur 'that Symonds's Greek Poets is very good in parts - on the whole, better than [Symonds's book about] Dante - and will improve his mind.' Asks how are all her affairs. Reports that 'many sympathizing strangers in London enquired after Rugby', but that he told them that the situation was unchanged. Reports also that all the M.P.s he has seen 'believe in the "Conservative Reaction" so that possibly H. H[ayman] may be made a Dean soon'.

c/o Mrs Ainsworth, Ambleside, Harvest Road, Englefield Green. - Donald is at a nursing home in Buxton, and 'wonderfully comfortable & cheerful' all considered. Miss Weisse is not allowed to write to him, and she herself cannot write letters so as not to worry him; they are however allowed post-cards, and Donald has sent her a magnifying glass to enlarge her writing. He goes to treatment at the Baths and drinks the waters; she has just sent him a parcel of music and some books will also be sent. She feels it a comfort to be near 'a connecting link' in the local doctor, and to Donald's belongings; she is staying as a paying guest in the house of a young naval doctor's wife which happens to be the front part of the house of a lady Donald knows well. Very kind of Bessie to invite her to stay, but it is better to remain here answering Donald's correspondence and near Dr Floyer. Miss Weisse went to Wales with her brother; they both join Miss Mary Weisse near Edinburgh soon. Miss Weisse will be very sorry to learn of Mr [Francis Warre Warre] Cornish's death yesterday; Donald played to him every evening, which gave them both great happiness. Poor Mrs Cornish has been very kind to both Toveys.

Writes that Leslie [Stephen] came to see her the previous day and told her [about Henry Sidgwick's condition], and that evening a letter came from Blanche Cornish 'with a bitter report.' Sends their love to him and asks Mrs Sidgwick to tell him that they 'think and long for his easier moments and recovery.'

Writes that she began a note to Sidgwick at Brock Hill, but didn't finish it, and now Blanche and Frank [Cornish] tell her that what she wants is an impossible thing. Writes to him anyway asking him to write her 'a very short little letter with just any little charming idea which might occur to [him] about [their] poor old Willy, who does not half believe in his own powers and who wants a [little] bit of brain every now and then as a tonic.' Invites Sidgwick to come and dine with them on Monday 16th in Freshwater. Announces that she is going to Paris on 17, and the dinner is a farewell to her native land and her 'dear Ritchiedom'.

Declares that she is 'feebly going about begging for a few ideas'. Refers to some old proofs from about fifteen years ago, and to a little volume of old essays, one of which is called Toilers and Spinsters. Her father gave the name to the latter, and she has decided to call the book after it. Reports that the previous day she went to call upon 'a few Spinsters and Toilers', and that 'a rather nice one in spectacles' told her that she thought 'the Camb'ge Exs had done a very great deal for their Schoolmistresses [ ] and ask for certificated spinsters to teach in their schools'. Intends to rewrite the essay, and recounts that the previous day [Blanchie] Cornish had unconsciously given her 'a little theme in [ ] about wanting emphatic life', and this made her 'travel off to Cambridge and wonder whether there wasn't something to say about the girls who have grown up since the little essay was first written'. States that they arrived there a fortnight previously and will be going home very soon. Hopes to see Sidgwick before long, and hopes that he had a pleasant holiday. Reports that she saw '[their] bride' the previous day for a minute, but hasn't yet seen the Cornishes.

Asks Sidgwick to give the enclosed [not included] to Blanche Cornish if she should come to him that day. Looks forward to Saturday, when they will visit Sidgwick.

Reports that he arrived an hour late [at Kegan Paul's house, Bailie, Wimborne], 'but in good time for dinner, after a most delightful journey.' Describes the weather and scenery, and declares that if he had gone on Friday, he should not have got beyond Temple-combe, 'as the Somerset and Dorset line is dreadfully demoralized'. Hopes that she is better for the change of weather. Reports that he missed [J.B?] Payne, [A. G. Vernon?] Harcourt and [J.?] Conington. Adds that Miss Ritchie, who is engaged to his friend [Francis Cornish], 'is not the one [he] mark[s] highest.'

Hopes he will come [to Margate], where Henry has been for a fortnight. Reports that 'Xmas Rose has come.' Refers to Myers' disappointment with the world. Announces that he is writing 'T_p_l D_p [ts] in sadness of heart'. Quotes some German verse. Reports that the 'Authoresses are gone abroad.' Asks if Myers would like to read Mrs Cornish's novel Alcestis, which he thinks 'a decided success.' Asks him to recommend some good novel 'that can be bought at a Carthaginian circulating Library.'

Explains that he had intended to write to Sidgwick many times since [J.B.] Payne's death, but the latter event affected him so much that he did not have the heart to do so. Tells how he was looking forward to Payne's visit, when the latter's brother contacted him to tell him that he had died. Recounts that their last meeting was when he [Kegan Paul] was on his way to preach the Free Christian Union sermon, and that after the 'misrepresentation of it in the Pall Mall [Gazette], Payne tried to persuade the Editor 'to set the report right'. Expresses the wish that Sidgwick will come to visit in the autumn.

Reports that the Cornishes have been to visit, as well as several other friends, but that some pupils who had been coming to him were no longer being sent by their parents, because of the sermon he preached at the Free Christian Union. Refers to a paper he has just sent to Beard or Renan, and fears that Sidgwick will think that he is 'hedging on the orthodox side' in it. Reports that Cornish is reviewing [W.E.H. ?]Lecky in the same Theological Review. Remarks that Dakyns was very good to him, and sent him 'all sorts of information' about Brighton College. Announces that he is sending Louis back to Brighton, and that he gave Dakyns' information 'to a [ ] who is going to send his boys there.' Asks Sidgwick to give him 'a bed somewhere in Oct[obe]r' if he doesn't come to visit,

3 Hobart Place, London S.W.1. - Is sorry to have to write instead of speaking; first of all says she was talking [in 8/110] of Robert Trevelyan's poem ["The Bride of Dionysus"] as a libretto: has often 'enjoyed many beautiful scenes and jewelled lines in it' as Bessie knows. Offers examples which she say prove the Trevelyans have been 'a menace and a danger' [to Donald Tovey], such as Robert Trevelyan's announcement, in a train carriage of guests returning from Ridgehurst, that Donald could not get on with his work as he had 'such a wretched home', which caused a fellow guest [Percy Such] to warn straight to Northlands and 'warn' Sophie Weisse; says she ignored the warning, saying 'they know nothing about the past, and they are stupid', and forgetting 'how dangerous stupidity is'. Trusted them to look after Donald while she 'toiled for him at home', but questions whether he was 'safe' with them: says that no one doubts it was their 'meddling and that of another so called friend [Hugh Godley]' which led to the quarrel with Casals; asks whether [Bessie's brother-in-law Jules Engelbert] Röntgen is really Donald's friend. Accuses them of 'constant undermining' of her relationship with Donald, and asks whether he has profited by treating her as he has; they should not have let him criticise her to them, nor 'dare' criticise her to him. As proof of this, claims that a friend of hers when putting Donald's library and papers in order for her last year, brought her 'two scraps of letters', she thinks unsigned but from Bessie, criticising Miss Weisse and expressing sympathy for Donald on his 'position at Northlands'; claims that even now Bessie knows nothing of Donald; says that Mrs [Blanche Warre] Cornish thought the letters were 'low'. The Trevelyans both 'stupid and selfish'; claims that a friend who lives nearby recently said 'they always sow disunion in families and between friends'. There is much more to said when they speak face to face, including some excuses for the Trevelyans 'though they do not understand them'. Expects and wishes the Trevelyans to show this letter to anyone they like, and has kept a copy; the sooner she sees them the better.

Has 'real hopes' for the production of Donald's opera; is lunching at Covent Garden on Thursday to discuss detains with [Sir Thomas] Beecham. Donald is in some ways much healthier; Bessie must feed him 'well and suitably' when he visits, as she expects he will soon.