Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is very sorry for the difficulties with 'poor Miss Boucher [Julian's governess]; glad that Caroline will see Elizabeth to hear about it; also glad that Julian is well, and 'quite contented that he should get his intellectual nourishment largely through pictures'. A 'strange metaphysical friend' of Henry Sidgwick's, who was 'too odd and unkempt to be an Apostle' used to tell Sir George he had the 'Shoshonee [Shoshone] mind' since he said their 'alphabet was all in pictures'. Has seen a portrait of 'the late Mr Willett, the father of daylight saving'. Does not know whether the Cambo household will return; afraid Pauline is not well. Has been busy; the Shakespeare tercentenary was held in Stratford tastefully and 'rather successfully', and he felt he should 'repay the neighbourliness and friendliness' of the people by attending some of the celebrations, and making some speeches. Stratford has 'ceased to be an American town'; instead of twelve or fifteen thousand last year, there were only two hundred and fifty four [visitors]. Thanks Robert for [Charlotte Lennox's] "The Female Quixote"; has been reading "Humphry Clinker", which he has always thought Smollett's 'most readable' work, though there is 'nothing like the naval scenes in Roderick Random'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The notes on the enclosure he returns interest him very much; is not surprised by the feeling about Swinburne they indicate; any man, even if Swinburne is not 'his' poet, as Browning is Sir George's, or Shelley Harry Knutsford's, must acknowledge him as a 'marvellous and genuine phenomenon'. Has sent a short letter with his own recollections of Swinburne to [Edmund] Gosse, to go into the "life"; Gosse much appreciates the early letters Sir George gave him; the things Sir George did not give to Gosse, he did not show him either. Looking forward very much to Robert's visit; glad they are settled with Miss Barthorp [as governess to Julian]. Has recently read "Humphry Clinker", which he thinks [Smollett's] 'most readable, and least unpleasant, book'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad Robert noticed his remark about [Smollett's] "Humphrey Clinker", which despite having 'no plot - and a few perfunctory nasty things' is very readable. Will be glad to arrange a visit from Robert in January. He and Caroline are both feeling the cold, 'weak and never quite well'.