Incomplete and unsigned letter.
26 Plymouth Grove, Manchester. - Her friend Alfred Waterhouse, architect of the Manchester Assize Courts, is dismayed to be excluded from the list of competitors for the London Law Courts drawn up by Mr W. Cowper; he has gone to London to seek consideration but 'his best hope is in Mr Bazley, our good inartistic MP'; Waterhouse does not like to ask Gladstone's help though he is a great admirer; asks if Milnes can help without Waterhouse knowing; will send a pamphlet of his which has converted a Trades Union.
Copy in the hand of Annabella Hungerford Milnes.
They got here safely on Saturday, and 'found the lodgings very comfortable'. He and Georgie are 'quite well'. Likes it here a lot, though thinks there are 'too many people on the esplanade'. They went to 'Beachy-head' this morning, but did not have dinner there as it was very cold. Georgie is 'very interested in the soldiers', which they have 'on a table in the window'. There is 'not much time for reading', but he is doing 'a little Latin', and reading some of [Gaskell's] Wives and Daughters, which he likes 'very much'. Has not seen anyone he knows here except one Harrow boy, whom he does not know well'. They cook well here, and there are 'very good things to eat'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] seems well and is greatly enjoying herself. Hopes Charlie is 'getting on well with his essay'. Has 'done a few hexameters'. Adds a postscript asking whether she has found [Arthur?] Wormald's address.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is 'here in force'; envies him his delight in the railway journey. Liked Robert's account of his local countryside, and its literary associations. Has also read [Elizabeth Gaskell's] "Wives and Daughters" and agrees with Robert that it is excellent. Has received a typewritten letter from Henry James, a 'really wonderful bit of stylistic literature'. Very pleased with the letters he receives from America [about the last volume of his 'American Revolution].
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Recommends that Robert read Elizabeth Gaskell's "Sylvia's Lovers". Robert has had some interesting guests; glad to hear what he says about 'Eurasians in Java'. Was glad to subscribe to the 'Apostles' portrait', though does not know where it is to be kept; 'a Richmond is always worth having'; imagine what the value of 'an authentic portrait by St Luke of St Peter or St Paul' would be'. The haymaking is going well, but after that they 'sorely want all the rain [they] can get'.
Article on her death from unidentified paper.
1 Sunnyside, Wimbledon. - Thanks Houghton for letter; has heard nothing more [of Ludlow's Registrarship]. Sends a photograph of her mother [Elizabeth Gaskell; no longer present]; 'It was the only one ever taken of her and does not the least do her justice'; she only consented to be photographed after much persuasion and 'always objected to its being given away as she said "people will think me such a cross hateful person"'.
1 Sunnyside, Wimbledon. - Mr J. M. Ludlow, a friend of her mother [Elizabeth Gaskell]'s, seeks Friendly Societies Registrarship as Tidd Pratt has died; would Houghton approach Mr Lowe.
From unidentified periodical.