Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Interested in Robert's account of the 'lesser Hunt'; the only test of a game is 'personal experience'; nobody would think that baseball could become the 'national sport of America' judging only from a written account. Would like to be with Robert at Seatoller, and take the sort of walks he did with Edward Young, Arthur Humphreys, and Henry Sidgwick; 'it is good to have such friends in one's own sons'. Has just been to London to be sworn in a Privy Councillor before the new King, who wears his naval uniform which is 'very effective for a King of England'. Glad Robert took Bessy to the Japanese Exhibition [the Japan–British Exhibition at White City]; looks forward to seeing the Oriental paintings at the British Museum.
Palace Hotel, Rome. - Glad that Robert and Elizabeth are enjoying the castle [at Aulla, home of Aubrey and Lina Waterfield]. He and Caroline have had some pleasant expeditions: to Ostia in 'the American Ambassador's motor, a fearful joy'; to Castel Gandolfo and Nemi; and to Grottaferrata, where they saw an exhibition of medieval ecclesiastical objects in the old monastery and he had a fine walk around the castle into the valley of the Almo. But on an expedition to the Villa Livia, he fell and hurt himself, and brought on the worst attack of rheumatism he has ever had; this is his fourth day in bed. They are disappointed about Charles being left out, but he is 'behaving very well'. Was moved by the death of [Arthur] Humphreys-Owen, and even more by that of [Sir Richard] Jebb, about whom his feelings were 'rather ideal' since first seeing him as 'an elegant, rather black-looking, rather too carefully dressed freshman in [Herbert] Malkin's rooms'; Malkin reminded him this year that when he asked Sir George to meet Jebb, he cried '"What! Jebb? Oh, joy!!'. They intend to leave Rome on 28 December and to be in England by 4 January, but he must be well to travel.