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On the proposal to appoint a Syndicate to consider allowing alternatives for one of the classical languages in the Previous Examination, and the opposition by '[a]n important group of residents' thereto. Refutes the argument that 'it would be a waste of time to re-open the question because it was decided in the negative eleven years' previously. Sets out 'some of the reasons which appear to render the reconsideration of this question expedient'.

Points to the fact that the question has been 'and answered in the affirmative' by both the Victoria University and the Scottish University Commission. Refers back again to the 1880 proposal by the Syndicate to allow French and German to be taken as a substitute for Greek in the Previous Examination, and claims that what was being recommended was 'a much more novel departure than the same proposal would now involve.' Argues also that 'however valuable a branch of knowledge may be, but little is gained by forcing an inadequate fragment of it on minds whose interests are absorbed in a diverse line of study.'

Refers also to the Report of the Headmasters' Conference, held in Oxford in December 1890, which demonstrated an attitude amongst the headmasters of the leading schools, including Clifton, Harrow, Marlborough, Rugby, Winchester, Shrewsbury, Sherborne, and Wellington College, 'in favour of some relaxation in the obligation now imposed by the Universities of studying two classical languages.' Cites the evidence of Mr Welldon, Headmaster of Harrow, on the subject.

Denies that the matter involves 'taking sides with Physical Science against Classics', and that those who are in favour of the change desire to lessen the mount of literary training imposed on students of science, and contends that rather than giving too much literary education 'to boys whose bent is scientific rather than literary' the present system, 'in consequence of an unsuitable choice of instruments', gives too little.

Wixenford, Eversley. - They returned home last night after a 'delightful week at Niton' [on the Isle of Wight]. Has now unwrapped the paper-case and blotting book which are 'pretty' and useful, and which he will greatly value as Bobbie's gifts. Will hope to receive few lines from Bobbie at the end of his first fortnight [at Harrow]; thinks he will be placed 'without further exam[inatio]n in Lower Remove', where the work will not be easy, with some of it familiar, so he need only keep from making 'avoidable blunders'. Hopes Bobbie will show them he has 'some idea of Latin Prose'. Asks him to tell George he will keep the same bed-room: Arnold will try to find someone George will like to share it with. Expects that after Midsummer he will share it with Booth's brother, who will join the school then. Is returning [James?] Welldon's letter, which Bobbie's mother 'kindly' let him read; thanks her for writing; he will reply to her when he has news about George. Hopes Bobbie's elder brother [Charles] has recovered, and that he will not 'lose his promotion': it would be 'very hard lines' if it did. Adds a postscript to say he is reading [John Robert] Seeley's "Expansion of England", and thinks Bobbie would like it: it is certainly 'more interesting than the dry-as-dust' he read for the Bowen prize; he can probably find it in his House library.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Not surprised that the Apostles are considering whether they should 'take notice of JECW' [James Edward Cowell Weldon, who had cancelled the annual dinner with little warning], but expects there is 'something to be said on both sides'. Is interested in both [Crompton and Theodore Llewelyn] Davies, and hopes they will both get fellowships next year; supposes postponement is 'not as bad a thing' as it was in his time. Glad that George is doing so well. Is rather busy; has never seen less game around the lower estate, but does well without it.

Sandford Hotel, Niton, I[sle] of Wight [using Wixenford headed notepaper]:- The Arnolds have 'just arrived' after a 'most pleasant journey'. Arnold picked up Mrs Trevelyan's 'kind letter' at the Hartley Row post office, on the way to Winchfield Station, and thanks her for all he says. He also received an 'interesting letter from Mr Bowen' which he encloses [not now present] as Trevelyan will want to see it. It has been a 'great delight... to hear of Bobbie's success [in the Harrow examination]', which has 'doubled and more than doubled' his pleasure in the holidays, particularly for the happiness it will have given Mr and Mrs Trevelyan. Thinks nothing could better 'drive away the memory of the worries of last session than the return home of two such refreshing young people as Bobbie and George'. First heard the 'good news from Mr Welldon' who said that as far as he could tell from the viva voce examination, Bobbie seems 'to be a boy of wide interests as well as considerable classical attainments'.

Arnold finds what Bowen says to be just what he expected, and considers it 'very satisfactory, though it may not sound so to everyone. Bobbie's work all through showed power and ability' and pleased the examiners, though 'his blunders almost proved fatal'. Believes that the ability will grow 'rapidly', and the 'inaccuracy will disappear before long'; this will require a 'constant effort', but he thinks that Bobbie will 'triumph'. Latin Prose is in fact Bobbie's strongest subject - thinks Mr Trevelyan will agree if he looks over the piece which Bobbie took home - but 'again and again [in class] he did what he must have done in the examination'. He 'really is a fairly sound scholar for his age', as he can almost always correct the mistakes he makes as soon as he is asked. Arnold was surprised he did so well in verse, for which he needed more time, and 'of course forgive[s] him his bad Latin Prose in return for his good verses'.

Was very glad Bobbie did a good Homer paper, which he owes 'chiefly to the work he did with his father last holidays'. His French is 'really rather good' and he could have 'made it tell' in the examination with 'very little brushing up', but Arnold spent almost all the time for this on Greek. Apologises for 'such a number of details', but offers them in support of the hope that 'if Bobbie's work was so good to place him 3rd in spite of his many blunders', they may 'soon hope to see him in the very first place'. It is obvious that Mr Bowen is interested in Bobbie, which Arnold is glad of, 'for no one can help him better'. Sends thanks to Mr Trevelyan for his letter last week, and best regards from himself and his wife. Adds a postscript saying that he should have written to Bobbie yesterday but was too busy; will write to him very soon.

Thanks his mother for her letter. Was '1st this fortnight': Bird mi[nor], previously top of the form, is second, Giffard third, and Goetz fourth. Will write to Mr Arnold today. Charlie is third, but Robert thinks he has 'done well, so perhaps he will be 1st another fortnight'. Is getting on well; it rained hard this morning, but has been fine this afternoon. Went 'into speecher' [the Speech Room] with Charlie to hear the organ. Thinks [Basil?] Blackwood will 'like a hamper very much, as he cannot get any from home' [since his father is Viceroy of India?].

Robert hopes 'Papa is quite well'. The [General?] elections will be 'very exciting': supposes 'nobody knows which way they will go'. Welldon 'preached a very good sermon today'. Has entered for the 'Pemba [sic: Pember] Grammar Prize (lower school)' this week, but does not think he has a chance of winning it.

Harrow School. - Congratulates Trevelyan on his son [Robert]'s election to a Classical Scholarship: much of his work 'impressed the examiners, and especially Bowen, very much'. His brief viva voce examination suggests he 'must have wider interests than many boys who win scholarships'. Will 'watch his school career with great pleasure'.

On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thinks they will have their 'quarter marks' today; will tell her them at the end of the letter. Does not think he can come out second, though he might manage third or fourth. Thinks Charlie will also be placed today. Came third in the 'house small-hundreds', very close to Mitchell, who was second. Charlie won the house long-jump; he would not have done so if Henry 'had not sprained himself', but he still 'jumped very well; he also came second in the house hurdles.

[Writing later] He has returned from school, but he has not had his quarter marks. Was third last week. Will not hear their quarter marks until next Monday. Has 'got a composition copy', though could not win the prize as he got it last term; Moss says that he was 'really first'. Vanity [A. G. Watson] has gone to Greece, so Moss took them last week. It has been 'rather hot for the last few days'.

Gladstone is coming to tea with Welldon this evening; there is 'a crowd of chairs [?] waiting to see him'. Robert will bring some of his verses back. Hopes his grandfather is well.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his father for his letter. Dreamt last night that he was 'conversing with a conservative', who said that 'there would be an election this spring' in which the Conservatives would 'lose 100 seats', primarily due to his father's speeches. Cannot remember much else, but 'hope[s] it will come true, if not this Easter, at all events some day'.

Is glad the picture [the portrait of his father by Frank Holl?] 'looks well': liked it a great deal when he saw it two weeks ago, but it was 'then only on the floor'. Has 'two copies of verses' in a drawer at Inkerman, one about Inkerman and another on a quotation in ancient Greek which is 'not so good'. Does not think he has a rough copy here, but will send one if he can find one, or if he writes another good one. Is 'so glad' Hallam is teaching them, as he is very interesting.

Has been 'working hard and preparing [his] construing', though he 'came to grief once with Welldon': after preparing carefully 'with the notes', he could not remember one particular part, and Welldon thought he had 'not prepared it at all'. This is 'the result of a reputation for not preparing' which he must try hard to reverse. Has not been late 'for any schools'.

They had some 'fair skating last Thursday', but there was a thaw the morning after; was glad he did not send for his skates as he almost did. His house is 'very good this term'; he does not mean in games, though they are 'not bad in torpids'. Has been reading Realmah [by Arthur Helps] and likes it very much. Charlie is reading it now and has lent Robert [Kinglake's] Eothen, which he will read when he has time.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Did not have much time to write yesterday, so waited until today; hopes she got his postcard [45/150]. Mr Owen teaches Robert the epistles on Sunday and Monday morning; the lesson is an hour long, and involves taking down the notes Owen dictates. Nobody in the form does take down the notes, as 'they are absolutely ununderstandable', even those 'high in the form' take none, or 'very few'. Instead, the boys 'habitually write their Sunday letters' then (more than three quarters of the form'), do nothing, or 'possibly read novels'; boys have been caught by Mr Owen writing letters, but he has never taken much notice. Robert used to try to take notes, but 'understood so little of their meaning', and found what he did understand was 'uninstructive' and 'contrary' to what he has always been taught and believed, so ending up following the others' example, taking no notes and 'even now and then wrote a letter' Thinks that the letter-writing is the 'only part of [his] conduct which any reasonable person can blame' and even this is 'somewhat excusable' since everyone does it.

He was caught writing a letter to her last Sunday, and since he has 'never had any success in [his] theological studies', Owen sent him to Mr Welldon, who punished him by sending him to the bottom of his form 'in bill order'. This is not a severe punishment, and is 'never considered a disgrace', though 'being degraded out of the form altogether is'. Mr Bowen of course had to stop Robert's exeat, but 'did not seem very much displeased'. Is sorry that he did a 'bad construing for Mr Welldon', due to 'carelessness' not 'neglect of preparation'. Has been doing well in his other work.

Mr Hallam is ill with the toothache, and Mr Moss and Mr Kempthorne have been taking them instead; Robert likes Mr Kempthorne best. Sends the verses; afraid he has been 'rather long in finishing' them but has not much time. Reminds her that he is not doing more as a punishment, but because Mr Kempthorne 'takes an interest' in his work. Is afraid even now they are 'not a very complete set. They are an imaginary 7th Book of Lucretius'. Ran to Elstree today, but 'not so as to overwork' himself.

Trinity, Cambridge:- As he said [46/16] he is going to Oxford next Saturday, and will return to Cambridge early on Monday; does not think he will be able to stop in London, but will see her when she comes on the 21st [to stay with the Verralls]. Saw George last Saturday [at Harrow] and thought him 'flourishing'. Supposes she will be going to Harrow soon. Hears there has been 'a great attack on Welldon in the National Observer', which he has not yet read; expects it is 'probably very unfair, though [Welldon] has no doubt partly laid himself open to such attacks'. Bowen seems well.

Hopes that things are going their [ie the Liberal Party's] way everywhere: expects the Tories will 'talk a great deal about the Evicted Tenants' Commission, but that it will not much matter'. Has not heard from Charlie since he started North; hopes he has had a 'pleasant and instructive journey'. The elections in America seem to be going well, though Robert does 'not understand much about things American'. Asks if his father is well. Is glad that all are well at Welcombe; it is 'quite right that Snitterfield should become an asylum for the oppressed'. Has just been to a chamber concert with Crompton Ll[ewelyn] Davies. Is going to a Wagner concert next week; there are 'some quite first rate concerts here this term'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- 'All is as it should be here in every way': he and two other boys have got their removes. Likes Welldon 'well enough', but has 'only had three schools with him'. His great coat and new trousers have come and fit well.

Sanderson will not return for a week or so, and it is 'rather dull without him' since he is 'the only person [Robert] really care[s] for very much'. Has bought 'a Marseillese [sic] for him to play on the violin'. Has an essay to write on 'the sacred right of insurrection, which is a good excuse for reading again part of Carlyle's [French] Revolution'. Has ordered a Browning and a Greek Lyrics, which have not yet arrived. Is sorry Georgie is ill.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his parents for their letters. The work is 'very slow in the sixth', but he does not mind too much, as 'the Sophocles is very hard to do really correctly' and at least Welldon thoroughly explains it. Studies in his own time to 'make up', and has 'now got fairly into the Prometheus Vinctus [of Aeschylus]', which he has always wanted to do. Will also 'finish the De Corona [by Demosthenes] easily before the end of the term'.

Is 'very glad' that Sanderson has come back, 'as he is the only person who is really interesting'; he is 'conservative in opinions, but not in heart', and Robert thinks 'he will be converted, in part at least'. Football is 'rather slow, and [their house's] torpids are too small to be good' but they are 'doing [their] best to teach them'. [William?] Strutt 'promises to be a really first rate player, if only he will grow'. Asks his father to tell his mother that he is 'not in the Philathlet[ic Club], and shall not be for a long time': he just used Charlie's writing paper.

Had a cold which looked as if it were going to become serious, but is 'well now by judicious stopping-out'. Hopes Georgie will recover by the end of term, and will at least have 'a happy time at Wallington'. Is 'very surprised to hear about the 5 at a shot business', but is 'always for defending Thornton [Trevelyan?]'s veracity'. Has written to his grandfather, though found it 'rather difficult' since he 'had had now experience'. Is 'very sorry for him as he feels it so much'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Has not gone running yet, but since football has 'come to an end' for his house as they have been beaten in the torpids he could go out sometime. His house were 'very weak at the beginning of the term' in torpids, but improved as they went on and 'did not do so very badly in the matches'. Welldon has told him that he is to 'go in for the scholarships', so he is studying for them. Has 'been thinking about the hexameter'; has an idea he thinks 'will suit' but has not got very far yet. Charlie came second in the 'school footer Ones [?]', behind [Edgar?] Stogdon; Robert thinks this is largely due to Charlie 'slipping at a critical moment', but still he 'did very well indeed'.

Is glad Georgie is better now, and asks whether he will be 'going up [for?] the scholarships' soon. Very interesting 'that the Times should thus be smashing up' [a reference to the Parnell Commission's proof that the letters published by the Times in 1887, alleging that Parnell had supported the Phoenix Park murders, were forgeries by Richard Pigott]; asks if they are 'now proved to be wrong on everything', or if this is 'only a part of the case'. Asks if she can ask Hearn [a family servant] to get him some razors, as he currently has to use other people's, 'which are not always very sharp'. Is 'getting on very well with Welldon'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has just read 'our dear brother's novel' ["Gerald Eversley's Friendship" by Welldon, their fellow Apostle], which is 'not so bad as [he] expected': the 'commonplaceness of the story and the setting is so bold and unconventionally conventional' that it is not laughable. About half the book is set at Harrow, and this is 'good, that is true to life'; he 'knows more of boys' than George thought. Versions of Van [A. G. Watson, known as 'Vanity'] and [Charles] Searle appear. The two main characters are a 'young barbarian' and a 'swot' who make friends; the swot's 'religious doubt' is the subject of the last half of the book, and must be respected as written by 'one of the last of the old style [emphasised] of Xtian brethren', as he takes Welldon to be. The morals of this part seem to be that 'religion may be false but it is necessary to happiness and conduct', and that a young man should 'go to Trinity, not Baliol [sic]': the swot goes to Balliol, 'finds people making epigrams instead of talking apostolically', suffers religious doubts which are not taken seriously and attempts suicide; clear that Welldon views the swot's 'reversion to Xtianity rather a poor job'; George thinks Balliol people 'will be very angry'.

Glad that Robert is coming back soon; thinks that their mother is inviting 'McT' [Jack McTaggart?], to whom their father is eager to show the Macaulay books, but she will not do so before Bob returns. Is getting 'very fond of the West Wood', and wishes there were such a place to walk in Cambridge: the Backs are 'too academical and not solitary or secluded enough'. Is 'beginning to find imagination of unreal company or circumstances very refreshing for a few minutes each day'. Describes how the battle [involving toy soldiers] is going in detail, with suggestions as to how it should proceed; sketches out a map for this.

Georgie came last Saturday, and had a 'very amusing visit', though the weather was 'rather hot'. Think he enjoyed it; they [Robert and Charlie?] 'certainly liked having him' there. Everything is about 'as it should be', which he hopes will continue. There is now much to do in the 'scholarship class'. Asks if she could send him some writing paper and his 'new vests, as it is far too hot for these thick winter ones'.

Is reading Danton's speeches, lent to him by Mr Bowen; Welldon quoted Danton's saying 'que mon nom soit flétri, que la France soit libre' in his sermon last Sunday, which 'was a better sermon than usual. Has also read The Coming Race [by Edward Bulwer-Lytton]; likes it 'very much, especially the idea', though 'parts of it are not very good'. Likes 'all books of that sort about invented countries'.

Charlie is well, and is 'club-keeper of the 1st fifth game', and Robert himself is also keeping well. The school is 'so full that chairs are put down the middle aisle of the chapel'.

On headed notepaper for The Grove, Harrow:- Has received the hamper from his grandfather and replied to him; apologises for being late in answering her letter. Still does not think he is 'doing well in the examinations, but it cannot be helped'; will not mind much if he comes out low. Welldon wants Robert to 'go in for a scholarship at Trinity at the end of this year', so he will 'read with an end to that'.

Will be very glad to go home, as now the examinations are nearly over there is nothing interesting going on. Saw [Henry] Irving and Ellen Terry 'driving through Harrow last Sunday', he thinks to see Welldon, 'but they did not stay long. Hopes to 'see them again soon' [at Macbeth].

Is entering his house's competition for the hundred yards, which he would 'like to get very much', but nothing else. Charlie is well. His house were gymnastics champions, and Robert's not far behind in second. After that there was the competition for boxing champion, 'a very good fight, full of black eyes and bloody noses, in which the smaller beat the bigger'.

Hopes his father is well. Is 'very sorry about Bright' [John Bright died on 27 Mar 1889]; 'would like to have seen him once', but does not remember ever having done so.

[On headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.:]- Thanks his mother for her letter. It is 'very kind' of Booa [Mary Prestwich] to allow them to have Robert's room; he will write to her to thank her. The army [of toy soldiers?] 'was increased so much and is now so beautiful that Charlie has now been entirely won back to his old interest.

Expects she has heard that Robert did not win either of the prizes; does not much mind, at least about his Greek epigram as 'it was not on the subject and could not possibly have got it'. Welldon spoke to him about his hexameters, and said that if he had finished them and done more he would have won, as 'they were the best'; does not mind, as if Welldon says they were good that is better than winning. Has been working hard at other things and the Greek plays. Hopes Charlie will get the essay prize, though they 'are a long time in getting it out'.

Robert, Sanderson and Mitchell have 'just discovered du Maurier and... some other naughty little boy using a catapult, and have had to administer justice and also to take the catapult'; says they are 'very good house policemen'. Apologises for needing to ask for more money: it is 'against [his] principles to do so', but since his mother saw them he has paid a pound for 'school subscriptions', and another for a [cricket] bat which he bought here; one more pound will be enough. Adds a postscript saying that it rained so hard today that a match had to be put off; thinks Pope will get in but Oppenheim's chances of being picked are 'nearly all gone'; wishes 'it was the other way'.

Trinity:- Will go to Wallington on the 11th [Aug] and be there ready for the 12th [grouse shooting?]; supposes George will go up on Tuesday. Hopes they had a 'successful dinner' last Friday, and that 'Gladstone enjoyed himself, and was in good conversational form for G[eorge] to hear'. George's visit to Cambridge was 'very pleasant'; Robert thinks he will 'take on his predecessor's furniture', which is 'reasonably good'. Asks his mother to thank Booa [Mary Prestwich] for the parkin if she is still in London.

Welldon was in Cambridge yesterday to preach the University sermon: he 'did his very best, and certainly it was a remarkable performance', in which he said 'the lord had kept the good wine of Christianity until now, and that we had only had the bad wine hitherto'. Also implied that 'if he was allowed to run the old business, he would run it on new and original lines, in such a way as would astonish the world', and 'deplored the fact' that 'just when Christianity was ready for a new development', it was usually 'in bad odour with a large part of the world'.

Hopes his father is 'keeping well and strong'; supposes the work is ;just as hard, though the excitement is not as great'.

[on mourning notepaper]:- Is very sorry to be late writing to her: has been 'in great difficulties for want of time lately', and has even had to ask to be 'let off some work'. There are rehearsals for acting, both in Greek and English, every day, as well as 'a great deal of extra mathematics for the certificate'; Mr Moss has also been 'doubling his demands' on Robert 'just at this most difficult time'. Robert could not do everything, so had to 'forgo the [Greek?] prose' and finally ask Mr Welldon to let him off some work; Welldon promised to do so, but has not yet. Was 'very sorry to complain, but there is a point beyond which one cannot go'; no other monitor who acts also has extra work for Moss, and still say they 'cannot find time for the acting'.

Has not had time for the last month to go to 'ducker' [the outdoor swimming pool], or practice at cricket, though that 'does not matter much'. His house were 'beaten by Bozzie's' [Bosworth Smith's?] in a close, exciting match. Very good that Georgie 'got the Prose' [the Latin Prose prize?]; Robert 'thought he probably would'. Georgie wants to know if he should get 'a whole edition of Macaulay', or if not 'they have a Ferdinand and Isabella [by W. H. Prescott?]'.

Has written to Sophie [Wicksteed]; Aunt Annie [Philips] says she is better now; asks if they will come to Wallington. Thinks he will need another tailcoat for speech day, as his 'best is rather shabby', but will do as his mother thinks best. Thanks her for the 'white waistcoats and the eatables'; and asks her to thank Booa [Mary Prestwich] for the pasties. Read in Chapel the Sunday before last; still finds it 'a severe ordeal to go through'.

Hears Charlie 'has done very well in Mays', though is not sure what that is. The school is 'doing better at cricket now'. Has not had time recently to continue his reading of Arrian, 'or indeed to read anything extra', but will go on with it when he can. Is sorry he had to drop the prose, but 'it was absolutely impossible to do it, still less to do it well'. Is 'glad the Tories are catching it'; sees they 'had a majority of only 29 last night'. G[eorgie] is 'quite well'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter; was 'very sorry to hear about Sophie [Wicksteed?]. The news 'really sounds rather bad'. Hopes Charlie has 'recovered from his Classical accident'; wonders what he hit his head on.

Read in Chapel yesterday and went to supper with Welldon afterwards; met [C. S.?] Roundell there, who 'is awfully dull'. They had a 'good match on Saturday', and will play again next Saturday; got on better in the last, though had his 'nose hit hard by the ball'. Georgie came out fourth yesterday, which was not as high as Robert expected. Seems that things are going 'well enough' in politics: the 'division on the electoral question seems to have been a good one'.

Is well; G[eorgie] has had a 'slight cold' but seems better now; [F.C.?] Searle is 'in a great state of excitement at the recovery of his voice'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter. Good that she did 'not come down' yesterday, as it 'rained a good deal'; today it is 'quite fine'. There have been two cases of German measles in his house, which has meant he has been able to 'find [? share] with Clive and not with Pope' for a while, since 'one of the invalids used to find with Clive'. Is glad of this, and 'hope[s] the boy may be ill for a long time'.

Georgie is well, and playing fives; Robert is glad of this, as it 'is a very good game'. Thanks his mother for the food: the 'sausages were a great success, and are as good cold as hot'. Asks her to thanks Booa (Mary Prestwich) for the parkin. Luckock is coming for tea this evening; he is in Welldon's house, but Robert knows nothing more about him.

Asks her to give leave for him to see Woodhouse [his dentist] for another hour next Thursday; had forgotten to tell her. Also asks for leave for 'a pair of cricket gloves and one canvass shirt'. The Gregory [prize text] is 'not out yet'; wishes it was. Hopes his father 'will not be tired on Wednesday', and that they [the Liberal Party?] 'do well at Leicester at all events'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter and 'advice about the paper-knife [belonging to the Harrow Philathletic Club, see 45/217]; will send her the old broken one so that she can see what the replacement should be like; there is a crest on it which he expects could be copied. Thinks the old one could still be 'made into a useful sort of knife', though of course he must still replace it.

The weather has been very fine today, though there has been a wind. He and Georgie are well; Georgie plays [cricket] regularly in his second eleven, and Robert 'can always get a game' when he wants. '[The by-election result in] North Bucks was very good'; wonders if they [the Liberal Party] will also do well at 'this other election [Paisley, or West Derbyshire, both in early June 1891]' though he supposes they 'cannot win it'.

Hopes Charlie's 'club dinner' will go well; asks if he will make a speech at it. The school has 'had a whole holiday stopped for disturbances at bell'; Welldon may have 'had no other course left open'. but Robert tends to think that it was 'due to the folly and weakness of an incompetent master'. No other news. Sends love to his father in a postscript.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove, Harrow' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Charlie visited on Saturday, and they 'had a very pleasant day'; he saw 'the school do very well [in a cricket match], and Nigel [Bertrand Nigel Bosworth Smith?] nearly making a 100 runs' and get 'into the XI'. The 'Boz family was in as great a state of excitement' as when Robert's father visited. Charlie's hat was 'broken by a cricket ball'.

The school Greek play will be 'fairly good', but he does not think the English one [Poole's Paul Pry] will. Thinks the Don Quixote will suit him 'very well', as 'all [he wants] is to read it, and some of the pictures are amusing'; must not read it now and waste his time. Asks her to tell his father that he has 'met the Old Harrovian with the Majenta [sic] scarf whom he met at York station': Cook, 'an old Welldonite' [Thomas Percy Cooke?], whom Robert believes was 'rather a friend of Charlie's'. Met him yesterday at supper with Welldon, after 'reading for [his] last time' in Chapel.

Hears his father is coming on Thursday; asks if he is also coming on Speechday. 'Ted[d]y Butler is a beak here for a short time while Owen is ill'. Moss also 'is ill of influenza'; Robert is 'very sorry for him'.

The Grove, Harrow: - The enclosed [school reports? no longer present] will show that Georgie has 'done well so far', but that Bobby 'has fairly broken down again'. He 'made good resolutions, & tried fitfully to carry them out, but never thoroughly'. Hallam has described Bobby as 'at best very variable'; he has been 'rather more regular' with Bowen, mostly because Bowen 'made him almost by main force...' In Welldon's Tuesday lesson, Bobby has 'twice badly [construed?]'.

Finally Owen, who is taking Hallam's lessons while Hallam is ill, discovered two days ago that Bobby 'did not know a word of the lesson, & had made no notes of the last one, & was writing a letter; Owen therefore 'sent him up' [to the Headmaster], and Welldon sent him down to the bottom of his form. This will not affect Bobby's progress, as he would not have 'got his remove this time', but it 'is meant to be a slur and a threat together'.

Bobby is 'not the least of a man yet', having no 'real conscience or desire of self control'. Bobby 'isn't bad in a great many ways', partly because of 'house affection', but 'character & grit have yet to come'. Bowen expects they will, but Bobby is currently 'quite a fourth form boy as regards notions of duty & responsibility'. Thinks they 'must be patient & keep him in steady control'; Bobby has 'a good temper, & can bear being kept in order', and the 'social forces' will gradually start to have an effect.

It is 'hard to keep from overrating' Bobby intellectually, and 'one is always tempted to expect too much'. He is 'not a first rate scholar', Bowen doubts whether he is ability is first rate, but is not sure; however, his 'literary ability is so far above the average (together with a good memory) that it impresses [?] upon everyone.' It is 'extraordinary, & a thing not to be cultivated, perhaps,... but to be looked on at'. Wonders whether it would be good to leave off Bobby's Latin verses for half a year, and 'make him learn history or German or something hard'.

Had hoped that Bobby's 'football development' would be good for him, and it was a little, but the good effect 'did not last'.

On headed notepaper for Woodstock Road, Oxford. - Has been examining at Harrow with [Henry] Lee Warner, and thought Trevelyan would like to hear about his two sons there. Charlie is 'no scholar, but differentiates himself from all the other bad scholars' by 'a certain sense and a certain way of putting things' which indicate that he 'has his share of the family literary gift'. He makes numerous mistakes, but not the 'dreary canine bosh which distinguishes the duffer'. Sidgwick sat next to him at dinner at Welldon's, which 'confirmed [the] impression that he is one of the nicest young fellows... if not the nicest' he knows.

Bob is 'a genius', but currently 'suffers from two week points': he 'can't get up the pace requisite for a trying exam' like the Scholarship', and knows much less Greek than Latin. His Greek composition is 'at present somewhat embryonic, at least in verse'. However, he did some 'capital translations', and gave 'far the best answer of the kind sent in' to the question of 'whether Vergil was deficient in originality'; his Latin essay was also the best.

Thinks they would give Bob a scholarship at Balliol 'this year or next', but supposes Trevelyan 'mean[s] him for Trinity'. Sends regards to Lady Trevelyan; hopes this letter will 'catch' Trevelyan before he goes to Brussels. Adds a postscript saying that it was 'so queer' for him and Lee Warner 'to be examining out of 18 boys, two Trevelyans and a Storr [Frank or Charles Lancelot?]- nephew of F[rancis?] S.'

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'.

Trinity:- Has 'had a new bill made out, and paid it': would have been better if they had sent it to him 'at the beginning', as he believes 'they were instructed to do'. His tripos is on the 31st, so he has almost a fortnight more, "each day being invaluable... would willingly give £10 a day for more time'. Only has six papers. Walked with Charlie and G[eorge] to Barrington yesterday and had tea there; the 'country is very delightful now', and the flowers better than he 'ever remember[s] seeing them'. Charlie has been well and 'enjoyed his visit immensely'. George and his friends have 'committed themselves to Skye [for a holiday ?]' and Robert does not think they could back out now, though they are having 'some difficulty in getting some volunteers for so distant an enterprise'.

Is glad to have good news of Welcombe; hopes Fairweather has recovered from his fall - he 'must be used to that sort of thing by now'. Went to dinner at the Myers' house last Sunday and met Dolly [Stanley?] who was 'very pleasant and delightful'. Also there was Sir Alfred Lyall, who 'was subjected to a severe catechism on Mango-trees and chupattis'. Saw Welldon at the Provost of King's', as he was 'preaching the annual university sermon'. The subject was 'the Colonial bishops and missionaries, and he very wisely' made the sermon into a 'historical lecture, quoting also large passages from Seeley's Expansion of England' and making 'a dull subject as interesting as it could be made'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. [old notepaper, since the house was sold in 1916]. - Thought about Robert often last night; he is right to prepare his speech [for the Apostles' dinner?] beforehand as it needs to be 'a literary composition, setting the note to the rest'. Forty two years since he himself presided, the year that his "Life" of Macaulay and [Henry] Sidgwick's "Methods of Ethics" came out; Welldon, who was vice-chairman then, has become Dean of Durham [Cathedral], which Sir George thinks will suit him. Welldon must be pleased at the 'general regret' expressed at his leaving Manchester; the "Guardian"'s account of his 'jolly popular ways' was very funny. Glad to hear that Bessie is properly recovered, and to hear from them both about the plans for Julian [to go to school at Dunhurst, prep for Bedales]. Aunt Annie [Philips] is coming for a fortnight tomorrow, having been very ill; hopes she will take more care of herself in future. Calls themselves 'a crazy company', quoting [Oliver] Cromwell before the battle of Dunbar, but they 'are better at Wallington than anywhere else'. Note written on postscript on a separate sheet: has just finished re-reading [Plato's] Euthryphro; wonders why it is not 'more talked of'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for writing so promptly [about his military service tribunal?]; good to 'measure the relief in Elizabeth's mind by [their] own feeling'. Asks Robert to tell Elizabeth he has had a touching letter from Madame Claes; good to think that Caroline's 'pains to comfort them in their first dire trouble' were taken for such good people. Is sure Julian will be 'happy and good' at such a school [Dunhurst, prep school for Bedales]. Amusing to read in the "Manchester Guardian' about the 'odd sort of hot water' that Welldon has got himself out to 'in his blundering, good-natured way'. A separate sheet has a postscript with a long quotation in Greek from the comic poet Apollodorus about the pleasure of entering a friend's house unbidden.