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Cavenham. - 'Harriette will see in the Times the noble MIssion Flo Nightingale has undertaken as she was always panting after some great achievement, she will now have her heart's desire. We have been conversing who would make efficient hospital nurses & have come to the conclusion all my relatives are deficient in nerves [or?] constitution. Jane would be as useless as the old Chelsea Pensioners'.

Family and society news, including comments on 'the total decline of racing in the Aristocratic circles'.

Rome. - Pleased the nurse Elizabeth has found seems so suitable; hopes she will let her and Julian 'take their own way of settling down'. Her own bronchitis 'drags on' and she finds it hard to keep cheerful; Pantlin is 'extraordinarily good' to her, nursing her with 'poultices & rubs', as well as washing, dressing, and cooking for her. Is starting to feel uneasy about the journey home. Sir George is 'awfully kind & good' but she know it is beginning to 'tell on him' and he must return to his work by the middle of next month. Keeps wondering if she will now be an invalid. Good that Ch[arles] and M[ary] are here, though Mary's energy is 'just a little overwhelming'. Glad Elizabeth is enjoying the [Gordon] Bottomleys' visit and seeing lots of friends. Annie [Philips] offered to come out and help to nurse Caroline; she is 'the most affectionate of sisters'. Charles and Mary are returning on Thursday; Charles is enjoying seeing the Forum and other classical remains. Is reading Miss [Florence] Nightingale's "Life" and finding it very interesting; a 'kind lady' also lends her novels, 'more or less bad'.

12 St. James's Place [embossed: Travellers' Club]. - Acknowledges Florence Nightingale's reports; 'I think I rather rebelled against the ascendancy which she had gained over the public until I saw her (it was at your house) & then I quite succumbed'. Postscript: seeks information on 'Perpetuity' Lewis [W. D. Lewis, a Parliamentary candidate].

Embley, Romsey - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton. Thought of her as 'the most magnanimous woman' she ever knew, 'of the stuff of which heroes are made. It is comparatively easy to be a hero, when one feels that one can do & dare anything for a great cause, but when one is a hero among the bare perplexities which enter so largely into English life & which drag down one who has no wings: that is to be a hero indeed'. Describes David Livingstone as having 'lately been my wings: the true heroic soul whome to reverence lends one's baser body wings. I had others: but they all died. Or rather they are continuing their heroic course elsewhere...' Says Lady Houghton also has 'joined the band of heroes elsewhere'.

32 South St., Park Lane.- Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton. Wishes that [her sister] Florence could have seen more of her; knows 'how highly she valued her. (It was one of the many losses of her painful & secluded life). Some family news, including that her husband Harry is 'one of the slain [i.e. one of the Liberals to lose his seat at the General Election] - after 42 years of political life I an afraid he will feel the loss of it'. Florence and their mother are at Embley.