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Explains that he did not hear of the birth of Mary's baby [E.F./Fred Benson] until some days after the event. Sends his love to her. Does not expect that [J.W.?] Hales will have time to see him. Reports that he has had Arthur to breakfast that morning. Relates that he seems 'lively enough', that he is staying with Symonds, but not in his house, and that he goes to the Lakes on Thursday morning.

Reports that she wrote to Mrs [Blanche?] Clough, and that the latter sent it on to her sister-in-law [Anne Jemima Clough]. Mrs Clough tells her that 'through Mr. and Mrs. G. Butler she [her sister-in-law] has succeeded in inducing a Mr. Myers...to undertake to lecture once a week [on Italian history] to [these] schools in Liverpool', and that Mr Hales' services will not therefore be needed. Asks Henry to inform Hales of this development, and also to let him know that a similar scheme may be established in Manchester, where his services may be required. Describes the end of term at Rugby. Reports that Mr [Henry?] Brandreth dined with them the previous day, and that he regretted not having seen very much of Henry. States that they are all well. Does not know when William is coming, and hopes that Henry will be able to come by the time Arthur returns from his visits to London, Clifton and Cheltenham.

Informs him of what she knows of Edward [Benson']s plans, including the fact that he wishes to be chiefly at home during the holidays, and that on 1 August he goes to London to marry [Mr] Sp[ierling]. Suggests that if Henry comes [to Wellington College] early in August he may see Arthur, who will be coming after a week's stay with Mr Myers at the Lakes, and will be on his way to Switzerland. Announces that she will probably be at Wellington College longer than she had first intended, as 'the expected event [the birth of Minnie and Edward's baby]' has not yet come to pass. Reports that Minnie and the children are very well, and that Edward has bought a horse. Reports that Mr Hales from Cambridge and Mr Mitchell from Oxford are coming to Wellington College to examine the following week, and claims that she is anxious to see Henry's friend [Hales?].

Asks him to give her the name of his article which is to appear in the following month's Macmillan's Magazine, and also to tell her for what volume is his essay. Is glad that he is enjoying himself in London, and sympathises with his inability to sleep, and refers to the air at Wellington College being 'unusually soporific....' Wonders if he has seen any royal fêtes, and claims that she would have enjoyed 'a sight of the agricultural hall', and remarks that the Naval Exhibition 'must be considered a failure.'

22 July: Reports that Minnie has still not yet given birth. Lucy Brown has stayed at Rugby with her brother and a friend, and has gone to London to see an oculist on account of being threatened with blindness. Reports that there has been no further news of William, and hopes that he is well, 'and resting from glacier climbing for a while at Pontresina....' Refers to his having had, with Mr Esson, 'a successful ascent of the Wetterhorn...' [Incomplete?]

States that she will be very glad to see any friend that he may bring to Rugby in Passion Week, and that she would very much like to see [J. R.] Seeley. Suggests that they stay a few days into Easter week, so that they could have a party on Easter Tuesday. Announces that his Uncle Robert will be there. States that she leaves Hillary Place [home of her brother John Crofts] the following Tuesday and goes for one night to Ryddlesden [John Benson Sidgwick], then to Stone Gappe [Francis John Lace], then the Raikes [Robert Hodgson Sidgwick] 'ending with poor Lucy Brown at Lytham', and will come home via Crewe.

Claims that she has heard nothing from William, and fears that he is still very unwell. Thanks Henry for his 'full explanation of Miss [Matilda?] Tootal's difficulty', and undertakes to call upon her to tell her what he says before she leaves Leeds. Reports that Etty Crofts is reading all the material recommended by Mr Hales 'for the better understanding of his lectures....' Reports also that she has just heard from 'poor Mr. Horton who is suffering from congestion of one lung' and that he is to send his paper on Insanity so that Henry may judge whether it would be received by Macmillan. States that Henry's uncle [John?]'s health is better, and sometimes brave in his resolution to be cheerful, but that he often breaks down.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Quotes Macaulay ["Lays of Ancient Rome: The Battle of the Lake Regillus]" and Horace [Odes 3.18: in Latin] since a letter from George this morning, about 'a very different scene in Italy" reminded him that it was the Nones of December. George is very well, which is a relief since they had seen a notice in the paper about his ambulance carrying away '400 cholera patients'; two of his Italian ambulance orderlies died of it in forty eight hours, but none of the Englishmen have it and it seems to be 'yielding to the cold'. Quotes George's description of the eviction, under Austrian shell-fire, of the hill-station hospitals beyond Quisca [Kojsko], at length; he gives a 'most curious account of men's behaviour under fire' illustrating 'the sort of courage required in this... novel form of war'. They get each other's 'Sunday letter' quite regularly on the following Sunday, by official bag. Caroline did not need to leave the train carriage from Scot's Gap to Stratford, so is no worse, though the 'fog was as bad as bad'; is greatly relieved to have her here. They have begun to read [Sir Walter] Scott's "Life" aloud, after having read "Illumination" and "All's Well That Ends Well", which must have been 'a rattling play to act'. Agrees with Robert that the 'arrangement' of The Old Wives' [Tale]" [Arnold Bennett] is 'strange but very masterly'. Very much enjoyed their long time with Elizabeth and Julian; glad it did them both good. Has been reading the very good article on Chaucer in the 'Biographical Dictionary' by [John Wesley] Hales, of whom he has 'never consciously heard', though he was '4th Classic in Henry Sidgwick's year and Sidgwick was always so interested in other college men of his time'.

Declares that he delayed writing to Patterson until he was well in Germany, in order to convince his 'sceptical mind' that he was really going to Pest. Plans to go to Berlin the following day, and stay there a week, and on Friday morning to go to Prague, where he intends to look up a philosopher [Ewald Hering?]. Plans to go to Vienna on the Saturday, and on the Monday to Pest, where he will stay until 9 or 11 April. After that he intends to go to Vienna, Munich and Freiburg, returning to Cambridge 23 April. Urges Patterson to write if it is not convenient to receive Sidgwick on the days suggested. Reports that 'miserable Hales' has told him nothing about Ossian.

Confesses to being uncertain about Myers' 'kind offer'. Reports that J. W. Hales is going to give a course on Shakespeare, which will be 'more literary than [Walter?] Skeat's'; thinks it better to defer Myers' [course] until the May Term, 'in order not to produce an embarras de richesse. Suggests that Myers give one or two lectures on Milton's Paradise Regained. Announces that he shall be in London on 4 [January]. Asks him not to mention 'the evening of the [Tenant's] Dinner at Terling [house of Lord Rayleigh; perhaps a reference to Sidgwick's engagement to Eleanor Balfour?]'.

[Sent with 99/76]. Asks her to write to Mrs Clough [see 101/171/1-2] to say that he has ascertained that the best man he knows for the scheme she has in view 'is at present disengaged', and would probably be most willing to assist. State that his name is J. W. Hales; he was the fourth classic in Henry's year, 'and is extremely well read in History and English literature.' States that he took a very strong interest in female and middleclass education when in Cambridge 'and was one of the chief promoters of the girls' examination.' Describes his many qualities, which he believes would make him a good lecturer. Adds that money is of importance to him, as he intends to be married. He has friends in Liverpool, and could get very good testimonials.

Would be very glad to come and stay with her the first week in January. Asks her to tell Arthur that he shall press his motion about Natural Science praelector, and that if Arthur believes in it, he ought to come, but declares that his [Henry's] case is not so strong as he could wish.

[Written in response to 101/174]:- States that he does not think Stuart so good a man as Hales, who is older and has had much more educational experience than the former. Declares that 'if they [Miss Clough and associates working to further female education] do not mind [Stuart's] age...his inexperience, and...want of any special qualification in the way of reading, - in every other respect the choice would be an admirable one.' Refers to his qualities; 'bright, eager, clever', etc.

Does not think he [Henry] shall be able to stand a speech-day and a dinner [at Rugby] on 20 June, 'much as [his] feelings are of course moved by the tercentenary', as he predicts his hay fever shall be bad. Announces his plan of spending a fortnight or so in London around that date, and plans to read at the British Museum in the day-time, and by night to 'prowl about the streets and observe human nature'. Remarks that none of Mrs Paul's novels are in the University Library. Asks her to tell Arthur that he will answer the letter he forwarded. Reports that there is a conspiracy [at Trinity College] now to call him 'A. Sidgwick', which, he remarks, 'is one of the inconveniences of having a brother better known in the world than oneself.'

[Sent from Gower Street]:- Announces that he is again in London, 'intending to work and see anything that is to be seen in the way of mediums.' States that he may 'fly to Cambridge.' Remarks that there is now one there in London that he can see 'without wasting a great deal of time.' Reports that Hales is in London, but he feels that it would be premature to call on him. Declares that if he feels intolerably lonely 'after the pleasant society at Ffestiniog' he may be more inclined to go to Cambridge, but believes that he shall soon be too busy to do that. Describes the scenery of Ffestiniog, and his experiences there, including a climb up Moel Siabod.

Reports that he has not been able to pay his visit to [Charles Kegan] Paul as he did not feel that he had the time to spare. Claims that life is somewhat difficult for him at present, 'full of doubts and problems', and that solitude is good for him, 'though rather depressing'. Quotes some lines of Aubrey de Vere. Declares that he is reading English history, and is astonished to find 'what a want there is of a good history of England before the Tudors.' Claims that the best seems to be in German. Sends the letter to Wellington College, as his mother did not say in her last letter where she was going. Hopes that Mary is progressing as well as she could expect. Asks when Arthur is to return to Rugby, and when she intends to return there.

Forgets whether she has read Goldwin Smith's lectures; 'Three Statesmen or some such name.' Declares that the last lecture, which is on Pitt, seems to him better written than anything else of his. Asks after William.