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Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Afraid there is 'no chance for Mr Brodie' [in the Reigate election]; Robert did 'nobly' [canvassing for him]. Thinks this election will 'open people's eyes to the necessity of a Reform bill, & an amendment to the corrupt practices bill', which have been 'so foolishly put off'. There will be a Liberal majority. Is not recovering as quickly as she would like, but is still 'better every day' and thinks a change of air will do her good and that she will be able to come and visit. Glad that Elizabeth is well, and that Nurse Godwin will soon be with her. Will get her a book from the library.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie are 'so sorry' to hear from his mother about her influenza, but relieved that there is 'now no fever'. Hopes she will soon recover, and be able to return to Welcombe. Bessie is very well. They heard this morning that Madame Grandmont, who was due to visit today, has had a 'bad attack of neuralgia' and her doctor will not let her come for a week: 'very disappointing'.

Has 'finished canvassing Coldharbour', finding that 'exactly half' the voters were 'certain for Brodie', with no doubt a few more who will vote for him; now has to canvass Ockley, which will probably be less good. Brodie is speaking there tomorrow evening, after a short meeting at a village school about two miles from Ockley, and Robert has agreed to take the chair - expects he will not have to say much, and it should be easy to find material 'in these days'. Will go up to London for Saturday night to see the results at the National Liberal Club, returning on Sunday morning: otherwise, they might not hear anything until Monday. Their own election is on Monday 24th; thinks they should win, but it is 'by no means certain'.

Sends love from Bessie. Their new horse seems 'satisfactory', and they will buy it.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - He and Bessie are 'very much shocked to hear about the sad tragedy at Belsay' [the drowning of Gertrude Middleton on 16 Jun]: they 'both liked Gertrude very much, and thought she had a great deal of character'; does 'not like to think' of what the loss will be to her father Sir Arthur.

The weather here has turned cold and rainy here, Yesterday there was an open air meeting at Coldharbour, at which their MP [Henry Cunningham] Brodie spoke and Robert 'took the chair, or rather the waggonnette, which served as [their] platform'. Everything went quite well, except that Brodie spoke 'at far too great length, about an hour and a quarter': unfortunate, as it was a 'very cold evening'. There were more than twenty listeners, 'some of whom came and went several times from the public house opposite' but were respectful though bored. Thinks they 'like Brodie, in spite of his being long-winded, for he is an honest sensible sort of person', but cannot tell whether there is a chance of getting him re-elected.

Bessie is well; Robert will leave her early next month to work at Borrowdale for two or three weeks, and she will go and stay with Janet at Stocks Cottage for a week then. Is sorry to hear that his father has not been well, and hopes he has now recovered. Will write to his mother soon.