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Has begun Xenophon, Mr Burn says that the influenza is returning

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Liked to think of Robert having seen 'dear Meta [Abel Smith]' at the home 'she so values'; thanks him for the news that Humphry is going to the Lake Hunt, and that Bessie's visit to the dentist will eventually benefit her. Sulla [eventual subject of a play by Robert] is 'indeed a great personage in the greatest of histories'. Has just finished the "Hellenica", after reading the "Anabasis"; considers it one of the 'great blessings' of his life that he kept Xenophon to read until he was a mature scholar. Has had a sharp and painful attack of illness, and is 'exceedingly weak'; hopes for Caroline's sake that he will manage to go to Washington, but 'age is really telling' on him at last. Notes in a postscript that he looked up Sulla in [Lemprière's ?] "Classical Dictionary", with 'sad interest' about his [lost] 'υπομνήματα' [memoirs].

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for his letter [46/333]and discussion of [Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke]: Sir George has never alluded to Dilke's action [refusing the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland], and the journalists have noticed his silence; quotes Robert's letter on Dilke's possible motives, and notes Dilke himself said he would not take the post unless in the Cabinet. Spencer [Cavendish?] was in the Cabinet, but 'Freddy Cavendish' not. Dilke was always friendly, though Sir George does not remember him 'taking any part whatever about Ireland'; Dilke's close ally [Joseph] Chamberlain was 'conspicuously helpful and loyal' to Sir George throughout his time in Ireland, showing 'much delicacy, and self-suppression'. Agrees completely with Robert's praise of George's book [History of England].

Julian, and the family, are lucky to have 'such books, read by such a reader' [Elizabeth]; Great Expectations is a 'striking' result of a return 'to legitimate methods of authorship'. Grouse-shooting today for 'practically' the first time this year, since Charles has been very busy; will make sure that Robert and Elizabeth get some birds. Last Thursday marked the sixth full week of his medical treatment; the 'local injury' [to his hand] is almost better, but he is in general much weaker. Is reading through [Xenophon's] Hellenica for the first time, after finishing Thucydides.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Likes writing to Settignano; sends his regards to Robert's host [Bernard Berenson]. Is grateful for the photograph of Aulla [home of Robert's friends the Waterfields]; has tried to get a sense of it by comparing photograph and letter, but will have to ask Elizabeth for further help when she comes tomorrow; hopes she has recovered from her bad cold. He and Caroline are quite well, but he is 'very perceptibly weaker every month or so', though he can still get household and financial business done, and enjoys his Greek and Latin reading 'at least as much as ever'; has now finished re-reading Tacitus, Herodotus, and the first half of Thucydides, which he intends now to finish alongside Xenophon's "Hellenica" and some Suetonius; praises Suetonius's biographies of Augustus and Julius Caesar.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- The result of Bobbie's work this term is 'on the whole decidedly satisfactory', as Trevelyan will see from the enclosed report and list of examinations passed this term. Bobbie has 'pretty nearly kept pace with the scheme' which Arnold sent a few weeks ago detailing 'what we hoped he w[oul]d accomplish term by term'. He is 'anxious to do some work in the holidays', so Arnold has put down what he thinks will 'help him most', in case Trevelyan agrees Bobbie should do some work and can find time to 'give him a little help'.

Arnold has lent Bobbie a copy of the first book of [Xenophon's] Anabasis, which he should 'now find well within his power', and recommends letting him 'translate about 12 lines daily on paper, as far as possible against time'. He 'still requires drill in the verbs in μι', but will 'get that next term at school if it cannot be managed in the holidays. Arnold has also lent Bobbie 'a little book of Latin Exercises' from which he could do 'about 8 sentences' a day; Bobbie's form-master Mr Evans has offered to check these exercises if they are sent by post, and would also correct the Xenophon if required. Evans will be with Mr Sellar at Ardtornish House, Oban, 'helping Gerard with his work previous to going to Eton next half'. Arnold send [his and his wife's] 'united kind regards', and wishes the Trevelyans 'a most happy holiday'.