Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Is writing on the train going home. She and Sir George received the news of [James] Croppers death from Edith by the same post as Elizabeth's letter about his illness; he 'will be a great loss to a large circle'; sad for him to die away from home, but he showed 'remarkable energy to have been sightseeing [at the Paris Exhibition] to the last'. Hopes Robert will return today and have lots to tell Elizabeth. Sir George was pleased to get his letter; Caroline would like to hear about the Exhibition. Had a pleasant stay at The Park [with her sister Annie Philips] then spent two nights with their 'old friends' Lord and Lady Ripon, who are 'most delightful people & in perfect sympathy with us politically'. Lady Ripon has seen much of Mr [Samuel] Cronright-Schreiner and 'admires him extremely'. Hopes the Queen of the Netherlands' choice of husband is popular. Glad Elizabeth is sleeping better; hopes she does not find the English autumn too trying, but she has Italian sunshine to look forward to. She and Sir George have got 'several books on Sicily to read' and she thinks they will indeed 'accomplish the journey there'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to get Elizabeth and Robert's letters and to 'hear a better account' of Elizabeth's aunt. Hopes their visit will do her good. Trusts the Grandmonts will manage the long journey, and that he will be better for southern sun. The Arthur Sidgwicks are paying a visit; he is Henry Sidgwick's younger brother, a 'great friend' of Sir George's, and 'very clever and amusing'; she is 'very excellent & enthusiastic & badly dressed'; they have brought 'a nice young son & daughter with them'. George's friend [Frederick John?] Pollock is also staying, and [John Henry] Whitley, the new MP for Halifax, is coming on Monday. Will give the servants a dance after the guests leave next week, and spend a week in London before starting their travels. Thinks they will reach Naples at the end of January then decide which way to take to Sicily. Thanks Robert for his letter and 'the names of books &c'; New Year's wishes; expects the Hague is 'much excited about the Queen's marriage'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes that Elizabeth and Robert have got through the heavy snow in Italy, and that Ravello is warm. She and Sir George leave on Wednesday for London and hope to start for the continent on 16 January, staying at Paris for a couple of nights then reaching Milan by 21 January before travelling on to Florence, Rome, and Naples. Would be glad if Elizabeth and Robert could spend a few days with them at Naples; they will then go to Sicily for three or four weeks and stop at Ravello and La Cava [de' Tirreni] on the way back. Has been very busy packing, and is going this afternoon 'to say goodbye to poor Mrs Young'; reports that Canon [Edward Mallet] Young has died suddenly. Had a 'pleasant visit' from the Sidgwicks and Mr Whitley and have been alone since Thursday; the servants enjoyed their dance on Friday very much. The Queen [of the Netherlands]'s marriage 'seems a very pretty and natural affair'; hopes it will be very happy.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Thanks Elizabeth very much for the shawl; the weather is very cold here now so it will be most useful; hopes the storm is over for their crossing to the Netherlands. Would like to 'hear the truth about the Queen [Wilhelmina of the Netherlands]; she is very young and probably strong-willed, so there 'may have been some little friction between her & her husband to start the scandal'. Dr Ethel Williams lectured at Cambo yesterday and stayed the night with them; says that Mr [William] Scharlieb 'was a Eurasian, whom Mrs Sch. married in India, & that you see the type in the children'. Will put the money she owes Robert for the books [copies of "Polyphemus and Other Poems"?] into this letter. Sir George thinks it a very good plan for Elizabeth to learn Latin. Postscript notes that she has 'forgotten to send for the [money?] orders' so will have them put into a note for Robert at the Post Office.
The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Glad to hear Aunt Maria is generally better; hopes her health will continue to improve. Also glad that [Alphonse] Grandmont and Jan [Hubrecht] are recovering, and that Tuttie [Hubrecht] has 'come back so much stronger'. Thinks about Grandmont every morning when they eat his 'black-butter' at breakfast; they wonder why it is black since it comes from the 'juice of white apples'. Bessie is well, despite the bad weather; there has been much wind and rain and 'her violin strings squeak, for all that she can do'. She is going to have her second lesson with [Johann] Kruse next week, who was unfortunately away when they last went to London. Two of his friends, both poets, visited on Sunday; one of them [Thomas Sturge] Moore read a play yesterday ["Omphale and Heracles'; they thought it 'very good' and wished it could be put on, but 'they do not act good plays in England now, except Shakespeare, and that they usually do badly'; the actors too are 'bad'. Bessie thinks English coal fires create much 'dust and dirt even when they do not smoke badly'; admits they do in comparison to Dutch stoves, but he does like open fires; whoever invented a fireplace combining the advantages of the two styles would be a 'great benefactor to man'. Spent three 'very full days in Paris with the same two friends' [at the Paris Exhibition]; might have wished Bessie to be there too but she would not have enjoyed the 'fearful'' crowds; even they got tired. Thought the 'old French art... very fine'; the 'side-shows and sights at the Exhibition were very poor' and the 'buildings too florid and ornamental, and some of them hideous', but the 'general effect... was very splendid and brilliant'. Is interested in the Queen [Wilhelmina of the Netherlands]' marriage, and glad 'the Dutch are pleased'; Bessie was 'quite sympathetic' when [Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Queen's betrothed] 'had to say good-bye to her and go away to his country for a time] [as Robert had had to during their own courtship]. They have got an 'illustrated paper' about the royal couple. Next week, they are going to visit his aunt, Mrs Price, who gave them the piano, at her house in the Welsh borders; he has not been there since he was a boy, so is curious to see the place again. Bessie will write soon, but there is no time now as this has to catch the post; she sends love to all.