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32 Manchester Road, Huddersfield. - Sorry Milnes cannot attend soirée on 6 March: had hoped to introduce him to Rev. Edmund Roberts Larken, translator of George Sand's Miller [of Angibault]. Met Emerson at Manchester last Sunday and heard him read a paper on Plato; hopes to meet Milnes one day.

Refers to a letter from von Hügel some months previously on the subject of Sidgwick's' 'little book on the History of Ethics'. Explains that he did not reply because he miscalculated the time it would take him to finish his book on politics on which he was at that time working, and reports that he has only just sent it to the publisher. Explains that he is about to leave for a holiday in Switzerland, and assures von Hügel that his letter has not been discarded. States that the two points which von Hügel chiefly criticised in the book 'were both of much interest'; one of them being the contrast Sidgwick drew 'between Christian and pre-Christian civilisation in respect of religious persecution.' Assures him that he had no intention of making any charge against Christianity, and refers to Plato's advocacy of such persecution, as well as to the persecutions of the Roman Empire, and to Tacitus' thoughts on the subject. The other point to which von Hügel had referred was in relation to 'the vagaries of Luther and Calvin in sexual matters'. Admits that he ought to have said something about this, and explains that he did not mention it because he felt that he should 'maintain a severe reserve [on] the whole subject of sexual morality.' Claims that the relation of Christianity to this area of human life is a matter of extreme interest to him, and intends to add 'at least a few sentences' on the matter whenever another edition of his book is called for. Refers to another minor criticism, which von Hügel made in relation to the content of the book

10 Prinsegracht, The Hague. - Addresses Bob as 'Dearest'. Has been re-reading the Plato they read this morning and now understands it much more; wishes he were here to discuss it; seems very strange him not being here for dinner yet when he was here continually it seemed 'so unreal'. Hopes he will have a good time in Brussels. Has been out for a walk in the rain with her aunt, spent a 'tedious hour at the dressmaker'. Sets the letter aside for dinner, but returns to send Bob 'a most spiritual kiss', telling him to dream of her. Continues the letter the following day, saying she has forwarded a postcard to him, and looked for a 'suitable frame' for his portrait; the shopkeeper admired the portrait greatly, being 'particularly struck' by Bob's eyes. Has had her hair washed and it is now drying; soon 'the wonderful Lorelei' will sit on her rock (the little stool by the fire) and comb her hair, thinking of how just seven days ago she and Bob declared their love to each other. Teases him by saying that since he has gone to seek 'distractions in foreign countries... poor Loreley is left to pull out her hair in despair... [and] is approaching baldness'. Returns to finish the letter in the evening; asks if Bob has written to his mother or if he is waiting till he hears again. Her 'abilities as a housekeeper' would have impressed him if he had seen her folding the clean sheets with the new housemaid; this is one of the 'very few things' she can do in that line.

Refers to a paper 'in which John Grote criticised his brother's view of the Republic of Plato in a sort of imaginary conversation', and the second part thereof, which 'alludes to some intermediate paper written in the name of Glaucon'. Guesses that it was Sidgwick who had been the author of the latter, and asks him to allow him to have the paper and print it in the Classical Review with Grote's two papers. Claims that he would have printed them before, but was afraid that Mrs George Grote would probably not have approved. Refers to the rumour that Sidgwick might be invited to 'fix' himself there, and expresses his happiness about the matter.

Reassures him that there are many difficult passages in Plato and that his competition will have suffered as well

Claims to have meant to send 'these [articles]' sooner, but has been puzzling over the lectures on sociology, which she had mentioned, intending to send them also. Feels that she had better get 'a clearer picture of them and of their relation to published papers' before sending them.

With regards 'the Classical Review article' returns Dr Jackson's letter to Ward [not included], and sends one from J. B. Mayor to Henry Sidgwick . Asks him to return the latter at his leisure. Thinks that it would be a mistake to print the article in a collection of Henry's papers, as 'his part is so very short'. Adds, however, that Miss Sharpley, to whom she showed it 'is much charmed with it as an imitation of Plato'. States that Henry's part 'only brings out one point and [one has] no means of knowing whether he admitted Grote's answer to it to be sufficient - whether the G[ ] of the latter part of the whole paper can be considered as representing Henry's view or not.' Speculates as to the circumstances under which the discussion took place, and suggests it took place at Trumpington. Thinks that the article should be referred to in any bibliography and that a bibliography 'ought to be given either in the volume of fragments or in the biography....'

Also sends him the 1871 number of the Contemporary Review, 'containing the article on Verification of Beliefs...and one in the Nineteenth Century for 1880 on Historical Psychology'. Remarks that Henry was rather dissatisfied with the second one when it appeared. In relation to 'Miss Jones', states that she believes that Henry 'intended her to judge about publication [or] republication of Ethical matter in the same way that he asked [Ward] to do about philosophical work.' Thinks that she is 'a little too much inclined to publish' and considers trying to argue with her about any particular paper before a final decision is come to.' States that 'of course the question of republishing all the papers in Mind or all the notices of books is not purely a question of Ethics. Adds that 'in deciding about Ethical or Philosophical papers or anything else [they] must have regard to the whole amount to be published and the arrangement of volumes and must therefore talk it over all together to some extent.'

Announces that she envisages the publication of two volumes; one of 'philosophical and ethical etc fragments and essays for students' and one of 'more literary essays suited to the general public, and no more', and that the second would probably be entirely reprints. Lists the works possibly to be included in the first volume, including Kant lectures, Green lectures, Ethical papers, lectures on Sociology, articles on the Sophists in the Journal of Philology, the 'Dialogue in Mind on Time and Common sense', 'the articles in the Contemporary and XIXth Century sent with the letter [not included], Ethical articles in Mind, and 'some lectures on Kant's Ethics'.

States that the 'popular volume edited by A[rthur] S[idgwick] would probably be small', and would probably contain a review of Clough in the Westminster Review of 1869, an article on Bentham in the Fortnightly of 1877, 'Political Prophecy and Sociology for the National Review of 1899', the address on Economics 'to section F. of the British Association 1885', 'The Theory of Clerical Education from the volume on Liberal Education 1867', 'Idle Fellowship[s]' in the Contemporary [Review] of 1876, '[A] Lecture against Lecturing' from the New Review of 1890, an article on [Seeley's] Ecce Homo in the Westminster Review of 1866, 'The Prophet of Luther' in Macmillan's Magazine of 1867, 'The Economic Lessons of Socialism' in the Economic Journal of 1895, 'Economic Socialism' in the Contemporary Review of 1886 (though Nora thinks that the latter 'is probably practically superseded by Elements of Politics), a short appreciation of J.S. Mill's work on his death in 1873 (of which Mrs Marshall gave Nora a copy) in the Academy of 1873, and an article on sociology.

36 Campden Hill Gardens, W.8. - Thanks Bob for his Christmas present: the "Dream" has a 'fascinating quality' and he enjoyed it, though is not sure 'how far' he agrees with the conclusion, and is 'rather inclined to side [?] with Christ against Lucifer & Socrates': thinks Love should only 'worship Reason' if 'Reason has begun by learning from Love', but does not think this is 'implied in the ordinary use of the word today' though Plato and perhaps Socrates may have meant something like it. Should not 'criticise from the wrong end': a 'poet has the right to use words in his own way', while a reader should 'listen & try to understand'; thinks he quite agrees with Bob's 'main point'. Likes the poetical qualities of the work; particularly the rhythm. He and his wife send best New Year's wishes to Bob and Bessie.

Explains that she has been 'on the move' since Henry's letter reached her. Reports that William joined her at Aylesford on Thursday 28 June, and then they went to Rugby, where they spent a day with Mr and Mrs Dakyns. They then went to Llangollen. Describes their journey by coach to Capel Curig. Reports that William almost reached the top of Snowdon. Intends to write to Henry's aunt at Wellington College to see if she could receive him, and suggests that if she cannot, that he might come to her in Wales. Informs him of her plans to return to Wellington College, and states that Elizabeth [Cooper?] will be there the following week.

States that she was sorry to find that Mr and Mrs [Charles and Susanna?] Arnold had left Rugby, and that she did not whom else he 'could ask about Heidelbergh'. Suggests that C[hristopher?] Benson might know whether it is damp or not. Asks Henry to send her a book that 'will take a good deal of reading', and yet which she can understand. Suggest the 'Dialogues of Plato'. Relates a story which she heard from Captain [Cheese] at Aylesford about Mrs [Mary?] Pollard Urq[uhart] - 'a connexion of the [Thomas Hill?] Greens - who reported hearing 'distinct footsteps near her without her seeing any one', and also hearing 'a shrill scream equally unaccountable'. Offers to send 'names + places' if he is interested. Asks him to send her some poetry also. Inquires as to whether he has heard from Arthur, and if Mr [J. B.?] Lightfoot is gone.

Hotel Carron, Fionnen [Fionnay], Val de Bagnes. - Is relieved to answer Bob's letter after struggling with Searle's letter. Has been here alone for a week after a week of 'stirring adventure and sightseeing with Charlie Buxton' in Switzerland and Italy; Buxton has now left and George has a week by himself to 'digest the whole of last year, which has been a year of great "mercies"' as they would have said in the 17th century, or '"developement [sic]" as we say in the 19th'. Is 'living on Shelley, Plato, and the Hebrew prophets'; neither a Hellenist like Bob nor a Christian like Buxton can 'feel the Old Testament'; has got the 'idealization of mountain walking and climbing' out of Plato's "Republic". Hopes to see some of Bob's poems when they next meet; wonders how the 'great Greek legend' is getting on.

Refers to a letter he wrote to Sidgwick about the connection of Protagoras with E[ ]. Reports that he re-read the articles in the Journal of Philology carefully, and observes that the [shares] of Protagoras and Socrates in the development of E[ ] seem to him as Sidgwick describes them. States that he is referring to the paper in one or two of his notes as 'the Meno'. Thinks that the date to be assigned to the Euthydemus should be not later than the Republic, 'perhaps even not later than the Meno.' Refers to Sidgwick's reference in the second paper in the Journal of Philology, V to a subsequent paper, which Thompson has never seen. Asks if it had ever been published.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad that Paul is getting on all right; the children here are 'very good and merry' but he longs to see Paul again. Has just read Verrall's piece ["The Verse-Weighing Scene in the Frogs of Aristophanes", "The Classical Review", 22(6), 172-175 ?] and liked it more than he expected, but does not like his 'prose description of Dionysus'. Praises "The Frogs" highly. Enjoyed a weekend visit from [Francis] Hirst and Arthur Sidgwick; Arthur helped Sir George with a word in [Plato's] "Lysis".

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Apologies for not having written earlier to thank Benn for sending his book ["The Greek Philosophers", 2nd edition?]. Had not read the first edition, only Benn's 'subsequent smaller books on the same subject' so it was 'a very great pleasure' to read his views in more detail. Not himself a student of Greek philosophy, so has 'little right to criticise', feeling 'much more inclined to enjoy and admire and learn'. Particularly interested in the chapter on the 'Religious Revival', and the chapters on Plato, whom he now hopes to re-read. Feels Benn is a 'little too severe on Aristotle's poetics', and that Aristotle may have meant something more like 'representation' than 'imitation' by mimesis, and 'a good deal more' by plot than Benn seems to think. Thinks he remembers some remarks of Matthew Arnold on this point. Benn says that Zeno's puzzles has 'never yet been satisfactorily solved'; this may be true 'but B[ertrand] Russell would not admit it' and insists that modern mathematics have done so; Trevelyan cannot judge. Has recently read Russell's last book, and found much of it too difficult to fully understand, though he was very interested it; recommends it. Hopes the Benns are 'keeping well and as cheerful as may be in so sad a time'. They had the Abercrombie family - Lascelles Abercrombie, his wife, and their three children - here for December and January, so the house was full.

Letter (158/1) referring to the 'enclosed contributions' [158/2] to Sidgwick's paper as meagre, but as being representative of what he had found time to read and think about during the summer. Believes that the passage in Plato's Republic must stand, and states that the true ruler 'ought to know enough of the true statecraft to govern without the consent of mutinous inferiors.' Dicusses the difference between statecraft and statesmanship. Hopes that Sidgwick will have enough papers printed for Thompson to have half a dozen.

158/2: transcription of a passage from Plato's Republic relating to a steersman and his crew. Refers to notes made some years before, which discuss the passage in terms of its literal and grammatical content. Refers to 'Mr S.'s' [Sidgwick's?] view on the passage.

10 Prinsegracht, The Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, preso d'Amalfi, Italia. - Has had the happy news that the Röntgens have had a little girl and all is well; charming that 'a little maiden is added to the family of boys' and her sister will be very happy; the girl will be called after Rontgen's first wife, Amanda [Maier]; hopes to go and see them in a few days. Wonders what she will be like; she is bound to grow up musical. Writes in the evening that she has had had Bob's letter from Cava; teases him for the 'biting jealousy with which [he] looked upon... two innocent German spooners in the train'. Had a pleasant walk with her aunt [Maria Pruys de Hoeven], who bought her some handkerchiefs as a present; went to the dentist but felt faint so has to go again on Tuesday; her mother was equally sensitive to such pain but 'was the bravest woman & had such splendid self control in all her sufferings". Encloses a letter from Bob's brother Charles which she received this morning, and thanks Bob for sending [Jack] McTaggart's letter; hopes and trusts their experience will be the same as his.

Writes the next day that she looked up Cava, Corpo di Cava, and Ravello recently, finding plenty of 'useful and dry Baedeker information'; can now imagine what it must be like and hopes Bob has a very happy time. There are wonderful things in [Plato's] Symposium; would like to ask Bob many things about it; asks what she should read now. The following day, she writes she is going to the library to see what of Bob's 'family literature' she can get to 'study hard' before going over to England; remarks that they will not see each other again 'till next century'. Had a good practice on her violin yesterday; must be prepared to have some lessons with Mr [Bram] Eldering at Amsterdam. Her aunt wrote to Bob yesterday; was very pleased with his letter.

A small photograph of Bessie is attached to the letter.

Three separate groups of material:

• An unbound notebook of miscellaneous items, which includes a dialogue between Plato and Paley, with various drawings, parts of poems and complete poems by William Wordsworth and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and a hand-drawn calendar listing plays printed in England in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• 5 copies of a pamphlet headed “Euripides (A lecture delivered in 1857)” signed W. H. T. at the end in wrappers, including one inscribed to H. Jackson and another to Professor Badham, with Thompson's corrections, and another with a note on the front indicating that it was to be revised and submitted to the Journal of Philology, with 13 copies of the offprints from that journal, vol. XI
• Catalogue of the valuable library of the Rev. W. H. Thompson, D.D., deceased…which will be sold by auction, by Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge…on the 23rd of May, 1887 & the three days following. London, [1887]. With annotations throughout by an unidentified person.

Declares that he was very glad to get news of Mary [Minnie], as the latter does not write to him. States that he has not heard from William either. Claims to be very busy with correspondence. Refers to developments at Rugby, and remarks that 'things keep dragging on'. Reports that he has asked about the governess, but without success. Asks his mother if she has applied to Mrs [Frances?] Kitchener, who has 'a sort of calendar of the women who pass and take honours in the July examination: in case they want any post of an educational kind. Reports that his old friend Tawney is in England, but that he has not seen him yet because of his [Tawney's] wife's illness. The latter 'was a Miss Fox daughter of the Dr. at Clifton'. Refers to the 'matter of young Meyer', which he declares to be 'a horrible puzzle'. Presumes that his mother hears enough from Rugby to know that 'the crisis seems to have come.' Speculates on the likely outcome.

States that he has read very little in the recent past, 'except Plato and Greek History', and reports that he has been writing 'an erudite paper on the Sophists for [their] Philological Journal.' Reports that he has 'only managed to read Macmillan and Miss Thackeray's story in Cornhill and Middlemarch: and O. W. Holmes's new book [Poet at the Breakfast Table]' which he thinks is 'a falling off but still enjoyable'. Has heard that the new Darwin [Expression of the Emotions] 'is very entertaining'. Sends his love to all, and adds that '[Strange] Adventures of a Phaeton in Macmillan [by William Black] seems to [him] excellent'.

[on mourning notepaper]:- Is writing for the Greek prose, though he will 'not have time to do it really well'. Georgie has done his Latin prose. The weather is still 'keeping very fine', though sometimes cold. 'There is nothing interesting going on here'; the school is doing better at cricket. He 'can get the eggs next year instead'.

Is glad she and his father are enjoying themselves. Asks if his father has finished the library yet; supposes they will soon get to know the books' 'new homes', and it will be convenient to have 'shelves for various subjects'. He and Georgie are well. Has not been to 'ducker' [the outdoor swimming pool] yet, but will when it gets a little warmer. 'Georgie, of course, passed in swimming'. Is reading a lot of Greek this week, mainly Plato's Phaedo and Arrian's Alexander; this will be good preparation for the Greek prose.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - An 'enviable description of the Azalea Paradise of dear Theodore's' [Robin Ghyll?]. Forgets how long the flowers last; they have stayed in one place this year long enough to have 'an idea of the transitoriness of flowers'; likes the 'little veronicas' increasingly. Has been seeing much of [Cecil] Knight, the head of the grammar school [King Edward VI School, Stratford]; his 'type is a very high one indeed'; he was at Pembroke College and greatly admired some 'Harrow men' who would have been Robert's contemporaries, Law and Prior. Has been reading much Plato after his recent 'great bout of Latin', and has had some 'wonderfully interesting letters from [Henry] Jackson', about Plato and himself, which Sir George finds just as interesting; he has sent him the 'Proelections' read in the Senate for the candidates for the [Cambridge] Greek Professorship in 1906: Jackson himself; Verrall; Adam, Headlam; Ridgeway. Caroline is well and strong, for her.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear Robert is recovering; eager to hear he is quite well. '[V]ery pretty about the theatricals, and about Bessy "not knowing"'. Has begun to re-read Plato, starting with the "Meno" which was particularly recommended to him by Jackson in the 'wonderful letter' he has pasted into the Bekker Uncle Tom [Macaulay] gave him. Thinks Plato is the Greek author he reads most easily; has an 'extraordinary ideal, elevating, effect' on him. Will read the "Euthyphro" at Wallington this summer, for the fourth time, then the "Apology", "Crito", and "Phaedo"; will read the "Republic" if he lives another year. Has now finished reading Aristophanes"; liked the "Ecclesiazusae' less than the other plays. Glad Robert has the pigs [?] since he has someone to look after them.

Cannot find Sir Joseph Thomson's letter [see 12/287] but will send it to Robert when he does; Thomson writes 'in generous and eager appreciation of Monk's "[Life of Richard] Bentley' and shows he is a 'true scholar'. Does send a letter from [Henry] Jackson; is very glad he confirms his own impression about Plato's letters, against Grote and Murray. Written on the back of a largely printed letter, acknowledging receipt of Sir George's letter, from Messrs Drummond [his bankers], 27 Feb 1918.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. [old notepaper, since the house was sold in 1916]. - Thought about Robert often last night; he is right to prepare his speech [for the Apostles' dinner?] beforehand as it needs to be 'a literary composition, setting the note to the rest'. Forty two years since he himself presided, the year that his "Life" of Macaulay and [Henry] Sidgwick's "Methods of Ethics" came out; Welldon, who was vice-chairman then, has become Dean of Durham [Cathedral], which Sir George thinks will suit him. Welldon must be pleased at the 'general regret' expressed at his leaving Manchester; the "Guardian"'s account of his 'jolly popular ways' was very funny. Glad to hear that Bessie is properly recovered, and to hear from them both about the plans for Julian [to go to school at Dunhurst, prep for Bedales]. Aunt Annie [Philips] is coming for a fortnight tomorrow, having been very ill; hopes she will take more care of herself in future. Calls themselves 'a crazy company', quoting [Oliver] Cromwell before the battle of Dunbar, but they 'are better at Wallington than anywhere else'. Note written on postscript on a separate sheet: has just finished re-reading [Plato's] Euthryphro; wonders why it is not 'more talked of'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for sending the Theocritus. Encloses a letter from Heinemann; he had written to ask if his firm could spare a copy of the Loeb Pindar, since the booksellers say it is out of print, and one of the Plato death [of Socrates] dialogues for Caroline; it was Heinemann who gave him the five volumes of Ferrero's history [of Rome], 'a noble gift', after he gave a speech after the booksellers', authors' and publishers' dinner. Intends to read some Pindar when he has finished writing 'a bit of literature' [the introduction to Edward Graham's life of Henry Montagu Butler?] which he supposes will be his 'last in this world'; does not think he writes any better or worse than he did, but he 'lie[s] awake at night composing' which he supposes is the reason 'old men leave off writing'.

Refers to a paper he wrote on the proposed reform in the Classical Tripos, in which he urged the introduction of philosophy 'on the ground that the subjects with which philosophy is occupied are far more directly useful in after life than those with which philology is occupied.' Refers to Mr Vansittart's answer to his argument, and claims to feel somewhat hurt at the tone of the latter's sentences. It never occurred to him in writing his paper 'that useful pursuits could be taken to mean lucrative pursuits'; thinks that it is a pity it occurred to Mr Vansittart in reading it.

To clear himself from suspicion he proposes to give 'the desired definition of usefulness in after life', in order to counter his detractor's arguments. Disputes the opinion that he should adopt 'the doctrine of Mr Mozley' in relation to the matter, and puts forward the view that Cambridge studies 'ought to be such as will be useful in after life' and that they are not sufficiently so. Adds however that he does not maintain 'that they ought to be just such studies and no others, as will be most useful in after life'. Contends that the way in which a study can best help a man forward in his occupation is by furnishing him with the general principles which apply to it.'

Applies his theory to the case of the study of theology, referring to the fact that a great number of Cambridge students become clergymen. Suggests that the introduction of Greek philosophy into the Tripos examination would be of benefit to such students. Also refers to the benefit of the study of philosophy for English lawyers. Makes reference to Aristotle, and Plato's Republic, and to a treatise by Rousseau on education. Adds that he does not question that the study of philology has its uses. Quotes 'Mr Mill', who claimed that every sentence analysed 'is a lesson in logic', and regrets that grammar 'is not at present taught very rationally at Cambridge.' Believes that the introduction of Sanskrit into the examination in place of history would ruin it. States that if a third dead language is added to the two difficult ones already required he will not have any objection to the examination as such but will 'hope to see it sink decidedly below the level of the Moral Sciences Examination, as dealing with less important subjects, and deprived of the power of conferring a degreee, as an insufficient test of a high education.'

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Bob's mother is reading the "Oresteia" with 'the interest of one to whom Aeschylus has hitherto only been a name', and is 'greatly impressed' with Bob's translation. Bob's contact with the plays must be a 'memorable epoch'. Notes that Bob is reading 'or following' [Plato's] "Republic"; it is at least 'two generations of human life' since he himself read it., and he is now revisiting it; [Henry] Jackson 'charged' him to read it all, and [Thomas] Macaulay 'read it twice through in two years, and relished it keenly'. Sir George 'cannot like it', though he likes many of Plato's dialogues and has read some three or four, even five or six times 'this century'; finds the "Republic" 'much harder reading'. He and Caroline 'delight in Julian's Christmas drawings', and send Bob and his family warmest Christmas wishes.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to have cheerful news of Julian. Looked up Robert's guest [Harry Norton] in the "Cambridge Calendar" but found his copy was 'too archaic'; will treat himself to a new one next year, and an Oxford one too since he is now a Fellow of both Universities. Has been reading the end of [Aeschylus's] "Eumenides", as well as Plato, including the "Ion" for the first time.

Board of Health. Agrees to join Hort in his scheme of translating the dialogues of Plato.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Looking forward to Robert's visit; glad to hear about Julian as 'there is nothing like Miss Austen for the first introduction to real literature'. Have had a 'real downpour' at last today, needed as the country was looking like a 'Sahara'. Has just finished [Plato's] "Euthydemus", "Protagoras" and "Gorgias", which seem to him easily the best of the 'normal' dialogues, setting the 'death dialogues' and "Symposium" in a 'class apart'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Interested in the Basil Williams dinner [see 46/278], and views his departure [to take up a professorship at McGill University] 'with regret' and hopes he will benefit from it. Would not have believed it if anyone had told him a generation ago that 'Canada would be a very great country with a future like that of Australia...' He too loves the Plutus; read it at the age of sixteen during one summer holiday with Uncle Tom [Macaulay]: 'I construing, and he enjoying'; Macaulay chose it as his introduction to Aristophanes, as he then chose the Meidi [Against Meidias] of Demosthenes and Gorgias of Plato. Is now reading the last five books of Herodotus, interspersed with [Demonsthenes's] Olynthiacs and first three Philippics.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - The increased subscription seems reasonable; has written to George and will see that both are paid soon. Interested to hear about Robert's 'Aeschylean work' [his translation of the "Oresteia"]; he himself is "Euripides-struck". Gives his schedule of winter reading of Euripides, Plautus and Plato; notes the coincidence that he began reading the "Phaedrus" for the first time the day after his uncle [Macaulay] died, and sixty two years later will begin it on the same day and date. Next Christmas, 'if I am alive', he plans to read four more plays of Euripides and the last four plays of Plautus.