Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Robert is reading his book [Volume III of "The American Revolution"]; asks him to tell him about mistakes or misprints; the book seems 'well subscribed for'. Sorry to hear about Paul and glad he is better. Sends love to Elizabeth; he and Caroline are interested in the marriage between [Arthur] Richmond and [Theodora] van Riemsdijk. Caroline is in London for a few days; he has his 'very old, and tall, friend Sir Steuart Bailey' to keep him company. Sir Walter and Lady Trevelyan 'turned up on a motor journey yesterday' so he gave them tea; Sir Walter is 'immensely improved in manner and bearing' and she is a 'bright little lady'. Is interested by the 'Wattses [paintings by G. F. Watts?] at Compton'; does not know 'who has Compton [Watts's house there?]'
Mantua. - Was very pleased by Bob's letter. The printers [of George's book "Garibaldi's Defence of the Roman Republic"] 'seem to have run short of '"f"s, after the final proof stage'; George was particularly annoyed by 'four cannon' being thus rendered 'our cannon' [1st ed, p 273], but now makes up a 'patriotic romance' in which 'young Buonaparte... swears to send the first English cannon which he captures to the Sanmarinesi'. Agrees with Bob about the Introduction, but, given the 'present state of history in England', his book must 'violently proclai[m] that it regards itself also as literature and appeals to the general public' if it is not to be 'treated as an historical monograph and consigned to "historical studies"'. Glad Bob perceives 'a nearer approach to chastity in the style'; thanks him again for his 'kind and painstaking efforts over "[England under] the Stuarts". Having a 'splendid time' in Italy; glad to hear Booa [Mary Prestwich] is better; fears she was very ill. Sends love to Bessie, and to Paul 'in whom, having not seen, I yet believe'.