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Hopes that Sidgwick will not be bored to receive a letter from Switzerland, 'as Frank's mother always was.' Tells him of the great pleasure that she derived from reading the novel he recommended to her, The Confounding of Camelia by Alan Douglas Sedgwick [1899]. Discusses the latter and its characters. Expresses her concern for Sidgwick's health; that his 'indigestion discomforts still continue.' Remarks that 'out here [in Switzerland]', she only gets 'the silliest novels to read' and is disappointed that she cannot read 'such silly ones as Miss Harrison'. Refers to John McCunn The Making of Character. Some Aspects of Ethics [1900], the author of which 'quotes too much poetry sometimes'. Announces that they are going to Venice 'when Frank comes here in about a fortnight'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thinks Elizabeth is right to change [Julian's nanny]; thinks she had become 'really unsettled and uncomfortable'. Hopes Miss E[vans] gets married, since waiting for it seems to have made her more nervous, and that Elizabeth will find someone who can do some teaching if she wants. Feels a little disconnected after six months in the South. [Charles and Mary's] 'Cambo children' are nice; they took Mary out with Marjorie for a drive yesterday. Charlie is coming home tomorrow; George is 'extremely interesting about Italy', and hopes to get Geoffrey Young's ambulance there; expects he will go with it and be very useful. She and Sir George are reading "Emma Darwin [: A Century of Family Letters" edited by Henrietta Litchfield]; very odd that the Wedgwood family, at least the women, 'seem to have taken no interest at all in the pottery'; would think they 'would have been so proud of it'. Glad Julian recovered quickly; thinks he will cope well with all changes.

The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Cooler here than at Welcombe, but still 'dry and parched'; sorry Elizabeth is suffering so much from the drought. The hay is 'being carried everywhere'; it is a poor crop but will be got in with little difficulty. Annie [Philips] seems well; she was 'delighted with Julian' and seems to have enjoyed Elizabeth's visit. He should be sent up to Wallington if he feels the heat too much. Interesting about Elizabeth's Dutch friend: hopes she will be able to 'use her musical talents', but fears it is 'a sadly difficult time to begin'. Very good that Mr [Donald] Tovey now has a fixed position [at Edinburgh]. Annie has just shown her Bob's "[The Foolishness of] Solomon", which she received this morning; wonders where Sir George will get their copy; hopes it will be successful. Is reading the Emma Darwin letters; sure an earlier book printed privately reproduced some of them. Asks what news Elizabeth has of Mrs Abercrombie; hopes she is recovering and that they feel 'easier about the results of the operation'. Sir George is going to Newcastle today then driving to Wallington tomorrow; they are looking forward to seeing [Charles and Mary's] 'Cambo children', who seem to be having a good time there. Thinks she is turning into 'a real "country cousin"', finding the crowds and traffic of Birmingham or Manchester 'almost bewildering'. It seems 'less black' here than it used too, but perhaps it is just the best month. There are people coming for tea today and lunch tomorrow, and Morton is coming this evening. An enclosure which Elizabeth need not return is mentioned in a postscript.

Written 'In the train'. - Sorry to hear that Julian is unwell; expects the 'trying weather', with hot sun and east wind, has given him a chill. Will be settled at Wallington in a few days, so if Elizabeth thinks he will be better there she should send him. Had a good visit to Annie, who is 'much quieter and less excited' than she was; they had a lunch party yesterday and 'two very elderly relations' came. Is reading the [Emma] book and getting interested, though finds it hard 'to remember which generation they belong to'. Very glad Elizabeth was able 'to help the lady with the beautiful voice.