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[Sent from C. Kegan Paul's home]:- Reports that he is playing chess with Cowell , and is enjoying himself as much as he can in the rain, which has prevented him from seeing much of the scenery or places of general interest in the neighbourhood. Declares that he has been promised a visit to Corfe Castle. Announces that he returns to Cambridge on the following Saturday 'to read hard for a fortnight if possible'; criticises his own idleness and lack of 'resolution', saying this is the 'second Long Vacation [he has] frittered away pursuing study as a vain shadow".

Refers to his time spent at the Lakes, the enjoyment of which was overshadowed by the death of 'poor B. Young'. States that Edward Young was one of their party; he was 'in rather bad health', and 'got a few agonized lines from George.' Wonders as to the imprudence of the expedition, with regard to accidents; remarks that one only hears of Englishmen and Russians being killed, and not Germans and Frenchmen. Returns to the subject of the book Initials [by Jemima von Tautphoeus] which, he believes, is a caricature. Confirms that he will see her in the beginning of October. Asks her to send his greetings to the Ch[ ], and to give his love to Fanny Green if she sees her.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Happy to be expecting Elizabeth and Julian today. Interested to hear about the castle [at Aulla, owned by Aubrey and Lina Waterfield?], and envies Robert's chance of 'a fine fortnight near Florence' [with the Berensons]. Caroline has just finished reading Colonel Young's book on the Medicis, which pleased her greatly, and Sir George intends to try it. Young appears to be 'an old Indian officer', and his work to be 'free from that sort of canting way in which people think it is necessary to write about Italy... like Symonds, Hare, and in some sort Ruskin' and 'hundreds' of other lesser writers. There was a 'glorious eclipse of the moon' last night, and 'much distress of politicians for it to portend'. They are going to read Forster's novel ["Howards End"] aloud, having finished [Arnold Bennett's] "Clayhanger" which was 'admirable'. Adds in a postscript that Major Dobbin [in Thackeray's "Vanity Fair"] might have written Colonel Young's book, 'instead of his history of the Sikhs'; it has 'the honesty and thoroughness of [Sir George's] Colonel Gerald Boyle" [who composed a manuscript "Notes on the War of the American Revolution"?].