Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that the hard part of the move is done; very eager to see Elizabeth and Robert's new house, terrace, and view. They are 'in an artistic atmosphere', with 'the old smell of oil-colours in the hall' since Mrs Collingwood, friend and pupil of Ruskin, has painted one of the vacant panels 'most lovelily' with sweet peas. [Edward] Keith has won a great prize for his sweet peas, so they 'are immortalised just at the right point'. Tells Robert to read the 'composite autobiography of Gibbon', put together by Miss Holroyd [relative of John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield?], which is 'six times better than the six genuine ones'; almost wishes they had never appeared. Is taking a week's holiday after finishing the first two hundred pages of his new volume [of "The American Revolution"] and having 'disposed of' General Burgoyne; will show Robert two chapters and a 'most beautiful map of [his] own composition'. Will be glad to see Elizabeth and Robert here. Takes note about Stopford Brooke.. Comments in a postscript that it is his birthday today, and he turns sixty-seven.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - He and Caroline have felt greatly for Robert over the death of Theodore [Llewelyn Davies]: knows how close and long the friendship was, and that it would have continued throughout their lives; also that Robert shared the friendship with Elizabeth. He himself lost five friends by the time any of them were twenty eight; Theodore's loss is even greater. Comments that something like this 'brings home how few the central friendships are that dignify and idealise one's whole circle'. He feels it 'dreadfully, on private and public grounds'; they sent a wreath of 'Scarlet Ramblers' which seemed very appropriate. They are looking forward to Elizabeth and Robert's visit; has prepared the main chapters of the book [the next volume of "The American Revolution"] for him to read. They have had a panel in the hall "beautifully painted by Mrs [Edith] Collingwood, a friend and pupil of Ruskin, and we hope to have the whole painted by her this year’.