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Thanks him for his last letter, and explains that she could not answer before leaving Rugby for Wellington College. Reports that Arthur went to Cambridge for the Fellowship Examination, the result of which is probably not to be known until the following Friday. States that his chances of success are increased by Mr [Joseph?] Romilly's death. Adds that Mr [J. L.?] Hammond came to Rugby to take his work for the week. Reports that William spent a few days with his Aunt, and then came to Wellington College. Thinks that he is better.

Reports that the family at the College are well, and that Edward is looking 'quite portly', and Minnie 'stout and strong', and the children, Martin, Arthur and the baby [Nellie], healthy also, having benefitted from their time at the sea at Swanage. Announces that she is to stay there longer than she had intended, and that if he decides to go home to Rugby he will find a bed, but will not see her. Suggests that if there was space at Wellington College he could come there.

Expresses her delight at his promise of the stamps of the German states, and states that her little friend will be very pleased. Refers also to the stamped envelopes which Henry wants for Miss [Meta?] Benfey.

14 Oct: Refers to Henry's letter from Lille. Reports that Arthur got his fellowship, as have [Henry] Jackson and [William Knyvet] Wilson, and that she is delighted for Arthur. States that William returns to Oxford that day, and that at Merton there is a fourth tutor, 'which will make the work less hard for him.' Reports that at Rugby they are still in the old house, and may have to wait until the following summer to get Mrs Leicester's house. Refers to the letter that Dr Temple sent to the Masters, and reports that it caused great discussion in Rugby. Discusses the matter, adding that letters 'are often appearing in the Rugby Advertizer recommending a speedy and thorough ventilation of the whole subject.' Explains that doctors and lawyers don't like the mixture of their class with the trades people, and so could not avail themselves of the proposed middle school, and that 'they want to retain the privilege of Foundation, and send their children to the other school free of charge.' Thinks that she may benefit from the fact that houses are not letting so well, and get a cheaper house.

Is grateful for the stamps, and is trying to get those which his friends want. Asks whether she should send the stamps to Fraulein Benfey or to him. Hopes that he will take Professor Ewald's advice and go on with studying Hebrew. Thinks of trying German herself. Hopes that he will come home as soon as he can at the end of term, for otherwise he will not see Arthur. Reports that Edward and Minnie are both plump and well, and that the former is in the midst of his scholarship examinations. Refers also to the children, who 'grow apace'. Reports on the progress of the Master's house in Rugby.

Reports that his Aunt [Lace] has been to Scarborough and is now near York, and that she seems 'so weak in bodily health'. Hopes for a recovery, however, for the sake of her husband and children. Intends to be at Wellington College for about another fortnight, and then will go back to Rugby or to Brighton. Claims to be better than she was, and able to do more and walk more. Asks him to let him know as soon as he gets to Cambridge. Announces that Mr Martin arrives the following day and will stay for a fortnight. Reports that Alfred Sidgwick is now at the Schoolhouse and likes it very much, and that all the 'Elders' of the Sidgwick family were well when she last heard.

Reports that he received Sidgwick's note that morning. Fears that he has been in 'a fool's paradise of laziness and self-indulgence for years past.' Discusses human interaction, and expresses his happiness he feels at the sight of Sidgwick's writing. Refers to his work, and repeats that he has been 'intensely lazy and self-pleasing for years past'. Of the rest of his life he says 'everything is very nice', and declares it 'a great piece of luck' to be within reach of Sidgwick's brother [William?] and sister. Reports that he dined with them on Wednesday and Friday, and that the last time [Henry Weston?] Eve was there also. Relates that '[t]he boys came Thursday', and that he stayed in town a day longer than he intended to 'in order to spend an evening with Temple at Palgrave's.' Claims to have been very impressed by the former. Refers to his '[ ] personal influence at Rugby', and observes that he has 'an antique simplicity and directness about him'. Reports that Eve 'has brought himself to a state in which he can be perfectly unconscious and yet apparently devout the whole time.' Recounts that on week days they are about forty-five minutes in Chapel, and on Sundays about two hours, and claims that on the day of writing he took the Communion, but 'came away with a stronger conviction than ever that this pale reflection of the bloody rites of antiquity is quite out of date, and has no longer any meaning at all for a generation which is rapidly learning science and forgetting the meaning of the word sin.' Discusses his colleagues, including Fisher, Carr, Griffith, Penny, Stanwell, Spurling and Collet. Of Eve he says that '[i]t is absolutely a byword against him that he reads Miles.' Informs Sidgwick that the Modern School has been remodelled, and that he [Payne] is second Master in it, having now severed the last link that bound him to Classics. Declares that Sidgwick's brother-in-law [Edward White Benson] 'is more a ritualist' than he had thought, and that 'his whole [Wesen] reminds [him] a good deal of Kingsbury, in spite of the obvious differences.' Declares that he never believes a doctrine is dead because it ought to be, and that he agrees with Mill about the English Dictionary. Asks Sidgwick to remember him 'to the assembled brethren', and remember him in private very affectionately to Jackson. Would like the latter to write him 'a gossipy letter'. Claims to be very curious to see Jebb's article, and asks Sidgwick for another letter soon.

Refers to the fact that HS helped him to get examiners the previous year, and appeals to him again for help. Announces that he wants five men, including Sidgwick. Remarks that Sidgwick's brother Arthur is the examiner of the Sixth [Form]. Explains his needs; examiners to take the Greek and Latin unseen and the Latin verse, for various classes. States that he would gladly give the Sixth Examiners £20 each, and to each of the other examiners £15. Is anxious to have Sidgwick and three of the men of the previous year. Believes that Peile is to be [at Rugby] when the examinations are to take place. Would like Jackson to come.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Lists and discusses recent elections [to the ‘Cambridge Apostles’]. At the last Congregation Sedley Taylor proposed that money should be raised for a chair of physics by abolishing heads of houses.

Wishes Sidgwick and his wife all happiness [on the occasion of their marriage]. Announces that Clifford is seriously ill, and in danger of contracting lung disease. He has been advised to 'get away for a good long time and have complete rest', and a fund is being raised to make this possible. The desired sum to be raised is to be between £300 and £400, and it is intended that this amount will cover a sea-voyage 'or something of that kind'. States that any help from Sidgwick and other friends in Cambridge will be most welcome. Informs him that he is also writing to Jackson.

Explains that his failure to write to Sidgwick before is due to lack of leisure time. Congratulates him on his marriage. Hopes that his new status will not cause him to be 'withdrawn from Cambridge.' Thanks him for sending him his 'Ethics', and confesses that he has not read the entire work, but firmly intends to master it. Informs him that their Ladies College 'has been a fair success'; it has two hundred pupils and a good staff of teachers. States that their weak point is that girls come to them having been ill-taught, especially in mathemtics, 'and expect to be "finished" in a year.' Claims however that they work 'with a will', and thinks that some of them shall get good results. Complains also that as girls in Australia develop earlier than their English counterparts, their work suffers as a result of their heads being filled with 'visions of coming out, or of 'carrying on flirtations.'

Writes of a lecture he gave some six weeks previously on 'Taxation in England' with an application to Victoria, in which he had suggested that the tax on land should vary according to the size of the estates. Discusses the fact that the land is rapidly being bought up 'by a few jobbers in new countries like the colonies', with reference to estates in New South Wales and Victoria. Refers to the banks' role, and to the attitude of the Conservatives to the issue. Discusses the attitude of the Liberal and Conservative papers to his lectures. Claims to be uncertain as yet whether he shall stand for election or not. Claims to watch Cambridge events with interest, but only gets scattered notices of his friends. Asks him to let him know how Mrs Venn is. Expresses the wish to revisit England for a year to see all his old friends, but fears that a trip there would prove to be too expensive. Reports that N[ ] is getting on very well at the University. Expresses the hope that they shall soon get some of the professors and lecturers on to the University Council. Asks Sidgwick to remember him to 'old friends, especially Aldis Wright, Jackson, and Mrs Luard.'

Croft Cottage, Barton Road, Cambridge.—Will try and raise subscriptions for Clifford among the residents [of Cambridge]. George Darwin has gone abroad for the sake of his health, so Pollock may not receive a reply from him. Will reply soon about the Women’s Education Union. His wife is gaining strength. Will tell him about current schemes for collegiate reform when they meet.

(With envelope.)

One of a set of eight testimonial letters printed when Frazer was an applicant for the Chair of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen: says Frazer was one of the best scholars in the last fifteen years, extent of his reading as an undergraduate remarkable, his dissertation showing original thought and skill in exposition. Accompanied by a duplicate.

One of a set of four testimonial letters printed in support of Frazer's candidacy for the Librarianship of the Royal Geographical Society: Frazer 'is a genuine student and has read deeply in a wide range of subjects', is indefatigable, with a good working knowledge of modern languages; would be interested in the Society's collections in terms of his own research, but is so conscientious that the research would not interfere with his duties. Accompanied by two duplicates.

Typewritten copy. The only other thing that occurs to him about Thompson is that he was 'an admirable writer of letters': he himself had several from him on various occasions, which were all good, 'in their different styles, [always] easy and delicate, saying just what was intended without apparent effort.' Suggests that Arthur look at the Athenaeum of the previous Saturday, 'where there is a notice by someone well informed (probably Jackson).' Believes that there are also two notices in the Saturday [Review, but has not had time to read them.

Trinity College, Cambridge - Three letters (dated 31 May and 3 June 1886 and 20 Apr. 1887) about the Scottish girls' game of hop-scotch, known as 'Peever' or 'Pal lal', with drawings of 'beds'. The letter of 20 Apr. encloses a letter sent to James's sister Christina from Eleanor Caw Jr [?] containing a 'count', and sending Christmas greetings.

Three separate groups of material:

• An unbound notebook of miscellaneous items, which includes a dialogue between Plato and Paley, with various drawings, parts of poems and complete poems by William Wordsworth and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and a hand-drawn calendar listing plays printed in England in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• 5 copies of a pamphlet headed “Euripides (A lecture delivered in 1857)” signed W. H. T. at the end in wrappers, including one inscribed to H. Jackson and another to Professor Badham, with Thompson's corrections, and another with a note on the front indicating that it was to be revised and submitted to the Journal of Philology, with 13 copies of the offprints from that journal, vol. XI
• Catalogue of the valuable library of the Rev. W. H. Thompson, D.D., deceased…which will be sold by auction, by Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge…on the 23rd of May, 1887 & the three days following. London, [1887]. With annotations throughout by an unidentified person.

Embossed stamp of Queen's College, Cork - Discusses a passage in Greek mentioning spiked shoes; is distressed to learn that [Henry?] Jackson will not stand for the Greek chair; [J. P.] Postgate had already told him of Frazer's jest at [Ridgeway's] expense about the Greek chair; wonders why [Arthur?] Verrall doesn't go up, as good a literary man as [Richard?] Jebb, 'ten times more original, though a little wild at times'.

States that he has just seen Henry Sidgwick's letter [101/99, re compulsory Greek] issued that morning. Admits regretting having put his name to the statement, referred to as 'number "Two" ', which, he claims he did 'in haste, without verification....' Declares that it is some time since he read [Welldon's] speech. In relation to 'Dr. Jackson's point', referred to as 'number "One" ', asserts that the question is one of interpretation. Emphasises that he speaks only for himself, having consulted no one.

Writes in relation to a statement, for which he claims he was individually responsible, relating to the question of the removal of the obligation to study Greek in order to enter Cambridge University. States that he had thought of sending round 'a quiet fly sheet after the vote, explaining that [the] statement about "no evidence" was not a contradiction of the expression of opinion which Jackson quoted', but he felt that Sidgwick's statement 'that it was a misrepresentation which Jackson had exploded, a complete stop to any public action.' Claims that the statement, which he and others signed 'has been for long a mere common-place on [their] side' and that Dr. Westcott made it in his speech in October 1880. Claims that neither Westcott nor he could find any evidence at able students were excluded because of the requirement of Greek. Assures that the large sheet of paper on which he writes the letter is not an indication of formality. Claims that he is not copying it, and sends it to Sidgwick 'in all friendliness.'

[On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club; 'Trinity' added in pencil]: - People are now beginning to go down: Cambridge is 'becoming much quieter', and he is 'rather glad to be able to stay up until next Friday'. Will come home then, and go to Tunbridge Wells on the following day [to see his aunt Anna Maria Philips, and Sophie Wicksteed]. Asks when they are likely to go abroad: he supposes 'as soon as Georgie comes home'. There are no more lectures, but he will go to Lendrum [a coach] once more; thinks he will continue to see him next term, as he 'learn[s] a great deal from him'.

Several people are coming up from Harrow tomorrow 'to pass [their] matriculation', including Tommy [Macaulay] Booth and [J.W.?] Sandilands. Robert is going to pay all his bills this term, including his kitchen bill; will then be able to 'see more or less what the term has cost'. Thinks Charlie is well, though has 'not seen him much for a day or two'. He himself has had a cold, but it is 'almost gone now'.

Hopes 'all is going well in politics', but they [the Liberals] 'can afford to have a few reverses after London'. The Magpie and Stump debating society dinner 'was a great success after the election [of the new President]': Verrall and Ja[c]kson were there, and it 'was not too rowdy'. Lord Herschell's meeting was also a success, though Robert was 'a little disappointed in his speech'. Hopes his parents are well.

Trinity:- Is glad that his father's 'Committee has not miscarried', and hopes it 'will not be unproductive and without issue'. Has not had time to 'follow political developments closely', but read Asquith's speech 'with great interest and approval'. Harry [Yates] Thompson and Dolly were at Trinity yesterday to stay with the Master. Thompson 'turned up' in Robert's room at 10 a.m. as he 'was dressing for a late Sunday breakfast', and found him 'covered by just that amount of clothing in which Nelson's sailors fought at the Nile and Trafalgar'.

Robert also saw Thompson at [Henry?] Jackson's after hall. There was discussion of the [Apostle's?] dinner, which will be on 20 June: they are 'for obvious reasons, very anxious to get a good attendance this time' and will try to get infrequent participants to come. Asks his father to 'use [his] powers of persuasion' if he meets anyone in the House of Commons or elsewhere 'who might perhaps come without it'. They are 'anxious to know [C. H.] Tawney's address'; asks his father to send it to him if he knows it, or 'tell [James] Parker Smith, the president'. Welldon has been asked, and Robert hopes he will 'turn up'. Asks whether Lord Carlisle every comes. The 'Chancellor [of the Exchequer] is for various reasons we fear impossible'.

Asks whether all is well at home. Chanced to see 'an energetic counter-attack of C[harles] upon [Edward?] Stanley', but has not 'seen the provocation'; supposes Charles will keep it so Robert will be able to see it in London. Is staying inside all today with 'a cold in the head of the kind that makes one very stupid', but is otherwise well. George is speaking tomorrow 'on Disestablishment'; he 'must speak at least once a term, as he is now on the committee'; he is well, and 'thoroughly engrossed in his work'. Robert sends his love to his mother, whom he proposes to call 'Matuschka' in future. Harry Thompson says the Master 'ate something that did not agree with him at the Saturday dinner, and has to keep to his bed all Sunday from indigestion'.

Trin. Coll. Cambridge [on mourning paper] - Thanks him for the copy of 'Passages from the Bible'.

Has talked with [Henry] Jackson and hopes that a compromise can be found [on College business], allowing Henry Sidgwick to use the Lodge Dining Room for meetings to promote women's education.

Trin. Coll. Cambridge [on mourning stationery] - Thanks him for the Pausanias, notes that it is twenty-four years since he took part in Frazer's election to a minor scholarship, and it is 'pleasant to think how completely you have justified the choice'.