Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Bob is settled with a coach, and that Crompton [Llewelyn] Davies is getting on well with Elliott. George shot some rabbits while out ferretting, and enjoyed a battle [of toy soldiers] 'between William the IIIrd and the French very much', though he had no time to help him as he will be very busy until the 'great event' [the general election]. Had a good meeting at Rothbury, and Rossendale will send them on their 'London crusade in high spirits'; hopes they will 'do some good'. He and Caroline are finishing reading Keats's letters aloud; likes to have the poetry interspersed. Lady Frederic Cavendish is staying, and is 'very pleasant'. Signs off by calling Bob 'dear boy', as 'the convict used to call Pip' [in Dickens's "Great Expectations"].
The Grove, Harrow. - Had a pleasant week at Wallington; spent the night with Aunt Annie [Philips] on Tuesday, and saw Miss Martin before he came back. Found Sophie [Wicksteed?] 'much more cheerful and talkative' than expected. Gives results of a battle between his and Robert's toy soldiers. Lady Frederick Cavendish will be at Wallington by now. Few people have left school this term, though of those several are from Grove House. Clive has failed his Sandhurst exam and returned: a 'pleasant surprise'. The 'finds' [room sharing] have been arranged 'very satisfactorily': he, Tregoning and Farquhar are in Tregoning's room - the library -in the morning, and he and Farquhar in his own room for tea. Has to read prayers now. Complains [in capital letters] about the changes initiated because of Welldon's 'terrible funk of the influenza' until the weather improved: no 'first school', only one half holiday a week, and they all have to wear sweaters to go 'down to footer in'; hopes they 'all get the influenza and die of it to pay Welldon out'. Pencil annotation at top of letter, perhaps by Robert Trevelyan, says that 'Spider and Spot' are alright; took Spider back to Mrs Webster; Webster is recovering slowly after a relapse.
13 Carlton Terrace - birth of Lyttelton's second daughter [Lucy], debate on Free Trade, may be a coalition before long, [William] Whewell destined to become Master, news of [Thomas?] Carlyle, and [J. F. D.] Maurice