Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Arrived yesterday from York. Met Mr Clarke at Newcastle and gave him lunch, then drove out to Wallington. Booa [Mary Prestwich] seems much better; Pantlin is taking a holiday; Hearn has given the footman a holiday. The bad news [unsatisfactory reports of the Battle of Jutland?] spoiled their pleasure at the return. Nixon came to see them last night; he is 'more solid than ever'. Mary sent a message that they would all visit this afternoon; unless it stops raining, Caroline hopes the children will not come. Pauline is recovered, and they are going on Tuesday to the sea; Miss Clarke [the governess] is taking all four of them by herself. Enjoyed visiting Annie [Philips], who is 'very cheerful, & has such a number of people about her, of every kind'. Will be glad when Elizabeth has Lily with her to help with Julian. Sir George will enjoy arranging the books from London. Glad Elizabeth likes the things from Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent].
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit to Chillingham, and that Mrs Cochrane plays well; seems to remember she is a 'better musician than Mrs Saxton Noble'. Hopes that the three weeks in the north have done her good. A 'big gathering of Liberal women' here yesterday, with a meeting then tea 'in the tent'. The shooting on Thursday was spoiled by a wet afternoon; Sir George has rheumatism in his hand. Janet 'very funny about the forgotten photograph'; she is 'a dear affectionate little person'. Keen to hear that 'the house business is prospering' and that the building of Robert and Elizabeth's house can start soon. Misses Elizabeth very much; was so nice seeing and 'nursing' her. Wants to hear about her trip to Holland, and what she decides about the violin.; also how the Enticknaps were. [John Joseph?] Nixon was 'much distressed' to miss Elizabeth and Robert. They have not yet finished [James's] "The Tragic Muse" as there has been little time for 'long reading'; has quite forgotten it and is interested to hear how it ends. Alone now till 21 September; Charlie leaves on Monday.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Have had, through Aunt Anna [Philips], a 'very bright and pleasant account of Julian' from Henry Grey, who with his wife gave him dinner; reminded him of when he used to go to Haileybury College from Mr Seawell's for a weekend to be entertained by the Empsons - [Lord] Jeffrey's son-in-law and daughter - and the 'other famous professors' because of the 'India fame' of his uncle and father. Also reminded him of a 'much cleverer little boy' [Macaulay] who went to Queen's College, Cambridge, to be entertained by the 'great President [Isaac] Milner'. They are 'rather in the dumps' about the weather; having been forced by the Government to plough up almost thirty acres of old pasture and plant it with corn, the winter has 'caught' it despite Clarke and Nixon's 'energy and judgment' and he does not like to think about the loss he has made; others however had made greater sacrifices. They have been detained at Wallington for at least another fortnight because of the influenza 'raging at Stratford and Snitterfield'. Has just read the fine speech of Demosthenes about the Chersonnese; finds him much harder than Plato, Herodotus, Xenophon and Thucydides. Caroline sends her love; she has been very busy over the Cambo Sale for Northumbrian prisoners of war, which has raised a sum of one hundred and forty seven pounds; her own sketches fetched twelve pounds.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be a great pleasure to Annie [Philips] and Sophie [Wicksteed] to have Elizabeth on a visit today. Sir George has had a 'quite beautiful' letter from Robert; they are both very glad to be able to help him and Elizabeth and want to see them 'settled in a nice house'; it is best not to hurry, but she hopes Leith Hill will 'come off'. George and Janet have found a house 'with a garden and a mulberry tree' in Chelsea. Has been raining here since Tuesday afternoon, and it is the school treat tomorrow. Sends love to Annie and Sophie, and asks Elizabeth to tell Annie that Hague [her old housekeeper] left his morning 'under Nixon's care'. Hopes Robin [William Robert Price?] gets away before the weather changes in the south; Robert must feel he is 'living under a waterfall at the Lakes'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad Elizabeth and Robert have had friends to stay; will be good when they have room to put up more than one. Weather lovely here now; they went to the Gibbet yesterday and she missed her children; they took 'old Hague (Annie [Philips]'s deaf housekeeper and Booa [Mary Prestwich]' but wished for 'some young ones'. Wonders when Elizabeth and Robert would like to come up; George and Janet will be here for about a week from 1 September; she is arranging 'to have some young people' from 13 - 27 August then wants to have a few days 'quite alone' for Sir George's sake. Thinks Robert and Elizabeth were going to pay another visit in the north, so they could come on the 19th or 20th for a week, go for that, then return on 1 September to see George and Janet. Sir George is pleased with the book Robert has sent; sure the 'vigour with which he settles to down to read Greek every day' as if 'in for an examination' would amuse Elizabeth. Nixon [the estate agent] has lost his father. Janet has not written recently; George is busy with house-hunting, and they 'incline to Chelsea now'. Hopes they will 'arrange something definite with the V[aughan] Williams [about leasing land to build a house] this summer'; when he knows their plans, Sir George will tell them how much help he will provide. Would like to see any of Elizabeth's Hubrecht cousins, if any are visiting.
Cambo. - Sends congratulations on Trevelyan's engagement.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is sending a toy train for Julian's birthday. [Edward] Keith has had a bad accident on his bicycle and has concussion, which she is afraid is serious; will ask Nixon to pay G[ussie] Enticknap and give him his ticket; hopes he will go straight home. Good that this was decided before Keith's accident. Sir George is so alarmed about the strike that they might not go to London on Saturday but wait a while; was going to suggest visiting Elizabeth towards the end of the month but will let her know. Hopes she is doing well; sends regards to Madame Grammont [Bramine Grandmont Hubrecht].
List of names (surnames and initials) with [?] place of employment: Cambo, Dovecot, Glasshouses [?] Wallington, Sawmill, Harwood Gate, Hartington, Gardners [sic]. Annotations recording that H. Cadling is 'now dead', and R. Knaggs has left, and the names of the two who have not subscribed, one of who is 'now on pension'. Signed J. J. Nixon [agent].