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Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Encloses two reviews of his book [the next volume of "The American Revolution"] which Robert may not have seen; asks for them to be returned. Satisfied that he must 'have avoided all contemporary allusions' given that the book was 'inspired throughout by [his] view of the South African [Boer] war'; the "Daily Mail", "St . James's Gazette" and 'any number of Tory papers unreservedly accept the views given in [his] volumes of the American war'. Also, according to a postscript, sending a letter which is 'almost as elegant as a sonnet'; no further details given.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looks forward to discussing his book ["The American Revolution", Volume II] with Robert when it is read. The preliminary reviews are good, and the longer reviews in 'the great provincial papers' are 'most satisfactory'. He and Caroline are very distressed about the [Roger] Frys. They have had a 'famous old Harrovian shooting party': [Lord?] Ridley, [Lord?] Belper, Kenelm Digby, Charles and Sir George; good to increase 'old friendships, which had been loosened by politics for so long a time'. Belper is 'great fun, a humourist of a rough and strong sort' and a 'wonderful man of public business'; he took up an old argument about whether Sir George should have left him a gun-bag in Ireland exactly as it was left 41 years ago. Glad the plans for Robert and Elizabeth's new house are 'in fair train'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will instruct Drummond to pay fifty pounds into Robert's account as he did last year. Harry Thompson, his wife, and a niece are here, as well as George's friend [Robin] Mayor. Charles is going away on visits tomorrow; George and Mayor set off on food on Tuesday. Asks Robert to remind him of the 'very apt quotation' which was a parallel to 'Unde pares somnos' [Lucan "Pharsalia", 28]. Lord Ridley is coming to shoot, and he wants 'to prove to him that his brother [Sir Edward Ridley] was wrong'; there is a note by Grotius in Sir George's old 1669 edition which has it right. Life is generally quiet; he and Caroline are reading Carlyle's early letters; it is interesting to see 'all his great literary qualities in a vigorous but ordinary style'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth's visit to Holland [owing to her uncle's ill health] "ended in pleasure instead of sorrow"; has heard that she has visited Gr[osvenor] C[rescen]t. Arrangements for Booa [Mary Prestwich]'s and her own visits to the [nursing] Home to see Elizabeth. They have guests tomorrow for the shooting on Thursday and Friday: the A. Elliots, Lord Ridley, and Miss [Lily?] Noble; Charlie also came home for a week last night. Sir George was very pleased to get Robert's letter; supposes he will stay in London to be near Elizabeth; originally encloses a note from Miss Martin.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Robert and Bessie send thanks for the present of fifty pounds, which will 'more than cover the income tax'. Glad there has been good weather at Wallington; it has 'just broken' here, and the 'autumn is well upon' them. Discussion of a reading by Sir George in the text of Lucan; hopes he will convince Lord Ridley [see TRER/12/45]. Must read Carlyle's letters; Aunt Annie has an early letter, which he and Bessie thought 'admirable'.

Has just returned from town, where he has been discussing his book [Polyphemus and Other Poems] which will probably come out early in November. Bessie sends love.