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Explains that he did not expect him to have come to see him the previous Saturday. Expresses his shock at the death of [Francis] Martin. Wishes that in his last years Martin 'could have been happier in respect of the course of college matters', and wishes that he himself had done more to prevent the estrangement that had grown up between them, on account of their political differences. Refers to the kindness with which he had been treated by Martin. Sends his love to Minnie. Refers to the fact that their classical Tripos refom 'is quashed'.

Green leather volume, with embossing and gold decoration. Printed illustration from 'Happy New Year' card pasted to inside front cover. Bookplate, 'Ex Libris Bryan William James Hall', with coat of arms and illustration, pasted to front free endpaper.

Numerous autographs, mostly in the form of ends of letters and addresses on envelopes, pasted into book. Notes beneath items (sometimes also pasted in) often identify writers. Complete letters etc have been described in individual records dependent to this one, referenced by their folio numbers; signatures and addressees are referenced by linked authority record only. Some names remain undeciphered or unidentified.

Compiled by a sister of C. W. King, see part letter from King on f. 14r, 'I enclose the autograph of a distinguished Grecian for your book. With love I am, my dear Sister, yours affect[ionate]ly C. W. King'. Although no first name appears, C. W. King's only sister appears to have been Anne, sometimes known as Annette (1824-1874). A letter from W. G. Clark to C. W. King, preserved on the verso of the flyleaf, was sent with 'some autographs for your friend', and there are also envelopes and letters addressed to William Aldis Wright and other members of Trinity suggesting King was actively gathering material for his sister. The bulk of the collection appears to have been assembled between the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Letters dated 26 May 1849 and 22 Aug. 1850.

Dined in the Master's Lodge, service of canons at Gloucester Cathedral, won a Trinity prize for first-class men, JHM's present of the 'Oratores Attici', JHM would perhaps not wish to give a copy to Martin or Romilly, Hildyard of Christs publishing a strong letter against private tutoring

Letters dated from 26 May 1849 to 4 Nov. 1857.

Reports that his hay fever has improved somewhat, so he can 'behold the face of nature without sneezing therein'. but that he does not intend to travel immediately. Intends to be 'hanging about London' towards the end of July, 'seeing the Academy, going to Eton, examining at Harrow and so on.' Announces that he will go to the Lakes with Trevelyan on 10 August for a short time. Asks his mother to inform him of what she is doing, and of her plans. Undertakes to come to visit her in the autumn; 'the latter part of September.' States that he is 'reading now pretty hard, and very much enjoying the complete freedom and leisure. Reports on the cleaning and painting and possible gilding of their Hall, which activities are being carried out under the 'civilizing influence' of the new Master [W. H. Thompson]. Announces that they are 'actually going to dine on chairs' after the vacation. Remarks that 'Mr. Martin unwillingly yielded to the irresistible tendency of the age of luxuriousness.'

Reports that the Italian [funds] are maintaining themselves, much to his surprise, and that his speculations have not been very successful, but he is better off than certain of his friends who 'put into certain banks.' Refers to the '[inquiry] inflicted by the ruin of Agra and Masterman's bank'. Asks her to tell Arthur that he is sending him a set of papers that Roche Dakyns forwarded to him. Hears that William is still in Oxford, writing. Wishes that he himself was writing, and intends to begin very soon. Reports that 'Trevelyan has some fresh book on hand.' States that they have 'taken rather a fit of writing at Cambridge'; that two or three of his friends have got books on hand. Announces the presence of a poetess in Cambridge: Mrs Webster, who has 'just translated the Prometheus of Aeschylus rather well', and of two or three novelists; 'one writer in the Times, two in the Saturday Review etc etc.' Refers to the fact that Lord Derby 'is to be Premier', and laments that his own chance of 'getting anything good has gone by'.

Concerning the alteration of certain exams.

Written from Trinity College.

Now reading with William Humphry, rooms comfortable and makes good use of the College library, has had invitations to dine from Francis Martin and the Master of Corpus Christi, matriculation

Written from the Oxford and Cambridge Club. Concerns the candidatures of Prince Albert and the Earl of Powis for the office of Chancellor of the university.

Expected to hear how Arthur was getting on - supposes that all has gone well, and that he is at work again. Reports that there is a 'nice little party' at Cambridge, and that everything is very favourable to reading. Declares that he has had to put up Venetian blinds to keep out the heat, which has been quite strong. Reports that Dr Lightfoot has come back from Dauphiné, where he has been with Edward [Benson], who says that they had a most successful tour, 'religiously avoiding every high hill'. Reports that Mr Martin is there in Cambridge, as well as Munro and a chaplain, and Somerset (whom she has met), and Sir George Young, 'and King who devotes his life to Gems'. Intends to stay in Cambridge some time longer - probably until the Fellowship Examination is over.

Asks after William, and whether she has got the house habitable yet. Asks her to tell Arthur that there will probably be five fellowships and that Young is thought to be safe. Reports that according to rumours there will be 'a flood' the following year, 'so they will not give any now to firstyearmen.' Asks how she liked [James Surtees?] Phillpotts, and asks if he gave tongue [a reference to R. S. Surtees' hunting books?]. Asks if she would like him to send her Major Jack Downing's book, but claims that it is not worth reading. Reports that the college is in 'a more reforming humour' than he ever saw it, and claims that 'if two or three old fellows would only be made Deans', they should have some fun soon. Announces that his 'Great Easterns [stocks?] are up again'.

Explains his failure to write sooner on a succession of visitors, and the May examination. Presumed that Arthur would give her news of him. Reports that he has very nearly got through his work, and that he intends to be finished it in the next four hours. In relation to his private work reports that marks are to be added up in conclave the following day, followed by a dinner. Intends to go to London on Wednesday or Thursday, and hopes to get rid of his hayfever there. Hopes to find a lodging somewhere near the British Museum, as he wishes to use the library. Does not think he will venture down to Rugby 'until the end of the perilous season.' Reports that he has just heard from Tawney, who is staying in the Bernards' house on the Lake of Geneva, and who is 'bent on matrimonial designs.' He wants Henry to 'go and back him up'. Henry feels inclined to go as it would probably be the last he shall see of Tawney apart from a flying visit to England.

Refers to his health and reports that he feels very well, but that his hayfever causes him some discomfort. Asks his mother to tell Arthur to read Nina Balatka. Does not think that it can be by Trollope, but states that it is 'a very decided and very successful imitation of his manner'. Supposes that she will see William before he goes, and refers to his competition against W. Jackson. Reports that he saw Edward the previous day 'as a D.D.', and states that Mr Martin looks better.

With notes by Edleston recording the dates: the earlier draft is dated Apr. 25 with a note that the whole Statute has been asked for; this is accompanied by a printed draft of that Statute by Francis Martin. The later draft is dated May 2, and carries a note stating that the Council declined to draw up the part relating to a Fellow of Trinity being elected and the status of the Professor in the College, and has been labelled "A" at top, with another draft with a printed "A" at top.

Written from Trinity College.

Trinity College -- On a possible provision or repeal in the event that the College gives its assent to any statute formed by the Council of the Senate which affects the 41st Statute of the College [see FM to WW, 28 Feb. 1849]." Accompanied by a note in Whewell's hand calculating the vote on the "Sealing of the New Statute respecting the Three Professorships".

Trinity College -- In the possible event of a Trinity Fellow being elected to the Divinity Professorship, some points of the 41st Statute will have to be considered. If the Charles II letter is revised then it appears that a Fellow of Trinity can retain his privileges [stipend and allowance for livery] while Professor of Divinity [see FM to WW, 4 May 1844]."

Trinity College -- Regarding the 41st Statute: By the Charles II Royal letter a Fellow of Trinity (as in Elizabeth's Statutes) loses his Fellowship if he is elected to the Divinity Professorship since it was amply endowed, but not, if elected to the Hebrew or Greek Professorship. FM thinks to revise this letter would be an evil, and contrary to the interest of the founder. He would thus prefer to remain with the old 41st Statute of Elizabeth and not revise the King Charles letter.

Trinity College -- Sends two copies of the revised Statute (41): FM would like 'the Master & some others to look at Charles's letter [Charles II], that the onus of any omission may not rest on me alone'.

Reports that he had 'a most delightful visit to Dorsetshire'. Tells her that she may tell Arthur 'that the mesmerizing did not come to much', as '[Charles Kegan] Paul did not succeed in getting Cowell any further than [Henry] had done, i.e. into a partial trance.' Reports that he felt his patriotism revive 'among the chalk downs and rich autumnal parks.' Remarks that he was surprised to find that Mrs Paul, 'who has written two or three tolerably popular novels is a rather quiet shy silent person - though very thoughtful and sensible when she does speak.'

Encloses the stamps [not included] of which he spoke in previous letters, and agrees with her as to the best way of getting the others. Announces that he will study the [Robert?] Browning, and that he is setting to work, although he does not feel so much inclined for reading as he should after a holiday. Asks his mother to give his love to his aunt [Elizabeth Lace], and states that he is glad that she is going to see her. Asks when William is going to be at Rugby at Christmas, and asks if he may bring a friend or two some time in the holidays. Understands that Arthur will be 'Europeanizing.' Observes that Mr Martin seems much better, although he looks ten years older. Hopes to see William in the middle of term. States that he does not like the moral and intellectual atmosphere at Cambridge any better for having been at Göttingen, or at least its effects on him; says however that 'the great lesson' he has learned in Germany is 'the necessity and duty of steady work, and one can do that anywhere'.

Reports that he is reading all kinds of books. Asks if she gets books now from a club, and if so, recommends the article on Poland in Vacation Tourists [and Notes on Travel].

With revision dated 16 May.

Lacks a final page[?]

Asks her to inform Edward that he will begin to make enquiries 'as soon as the men come up', and states that '[i]t is probably that [Henry Weston?] Eve will come if Fisher [Frederic or Edmund?] won't.' Claims to be 'in very low spirits', and puts into words some pessimistic thoughts. Refers to the following terms, which he claims to look forward to 'with some dread.' Reports that Arthur is with [Henry?] Lee Warner, and that 'Mamma is solitary'. States that he went with her on Monday as far as Ely, and that he left '[ ] The H[ ] and Shirley [by Charlotte Bronte] to console her.'

Suggests that she [his sister] would like some poetry, and tells her that the translations he read to her can be obtained from her friend Miss Hedley. States that the latter stayed with them a week after she [Minnie] 'had gone off in that most unsisterly way on the 23rd June /59 [to be married]', and that he 'being then German-mad used occasionally to plague her with raptures etc', so she wrote her out 'two or three translations as a reward...' Reports that 'old Mr [Francis?] Martin' called on them at Rugby and narrated how she [Minnie] and he met Miss Hedley 'with one of the bald-headed uncles, and mistook him for the other bald-headed uncle. Asks her if she remembers how the 'b.h.d used to come to Redland, and how well they used to fold up their nightgowns when they were little boys...' Relates that Elizabeth [Cooper?] says 'that William Jackson [warned] her...to take care of her boys' hair and make them get it cut [or else they would have no grey hairs to be brought down in sorrow to the grave...'

Reminds her that Miss Harriet Atty was about to be led to the Hatter when she [Minnie] left Rugby, and informs her that on the day before her wedding Atty was presented with a diamond necklace by an old gentleman that she had met on the seaside some time before, and that the result was that 'it was noised abroad that the older Miss A. w[ould] presently become Mrs Old-Gentleman...' Sends his love to Edward, and asks her to tell him how many boys they have got.

Re smoking in the Combination Room.

Announces that he had intended to visit her on the evening of the following day, but now cannot. Reports that he has acquired Mr Martin's old rooms, and no longer lives in 'the squalor which was so dear' to him; it will take a while to reduce the rooms to 'the state which becomes a philosopher'. Has the feeling that he 'may live and die there', and thinks that 'a very short while will now decide' whether he will spend the rest of his life in Cambridge; Believes that 'The Crisis is coming'; does not recall having seen one before in his thirty and a half years, and supposes 'every man has a right to have the hallucination at least once in his life'.

Reports that they are in 'much vivacity' in Cambridge, and have a new University Gazette, which Edward should take; it comes out every Wednesday, costs threepence, and 'is going to contain all the newest educational notions.' Refers to 'Dinner Arrangements', and their fear for 'a great undergraduate strike', but remarks that he does not know how their '500 men would provide for themselves if they seceded from the Trinity kitchens'. Wishes that Edward would come up and pronounce their new court [Whewell's Court], which they call 'Eocene, Miocene, and Pleiocene, rather picturesque'. Claims that they do not dislike it themselves, 'but competent architectural judges have pronounced it execrable.' Apologises for not having written to her before, and explains that he never managed to write any letters in Switzerland. Refers to the 'sublimity of Mürren'; thinks if he had 'nothing else to live for' he would 'philosophise at Mürren in the summer and Mentone in the winter', travel in the spring, and in the autumn 'stroll under the chestnuts of Trinity and ponder the great Dinner question'. Sends his love to Edward.