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Mentions that in their list of names for the Dictionary [of National Biography] is Arthur Holmes, who was Sidgwick's contemporary at Cambridge. States that he knew him, but is unable to find any account of his life. Asks Sidgwick to tell him where an account might be found, and if Holmes produced or edited any work 'which makes a notice of him desirable.' Reports that he is slowly, but steadily improving in health, despite an attack of influenza. Is more confident that another summer of idlesness will restore him to working order.

Thanks her for the cheque for £10, and undertakes to do his best with regard to the circulars. Reports that he has gone through just half of his examinations 'perhaps as well as [he] expected altogether; better in the Mathematics so far, but a miserable failure in the "Cram" '. As to the latter states that E.W. Benson will explain. Doubts his chances of being first, and complains that he is 'doomed to golden mediocrity.' Regrets that the photograph 'did not please'. States that Edward will see in the Times of the following day that Holmes has won the Porson Prize, and comments that 'the Johnians have got everything this year which will grieve his patriotic heart.' Sends thanks to Minnie for her letter.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks for Robert and Elizabeth's letters [about Julian's school report]; liked the report from the athletics master, although he did not entirely understand it; used to be 'content with the girth of the chest, and of the biceps, in the unscientific old days'; he once got to thirty eight inches which was the making of him 'as a hill climber, and a public speaker'. Quotes a Latin couplet which Arthur Holmes wrote about him in his Tripos verses; was glad when Henry Sidgwick 'took him down a peg and reduced [Holmes] to [Sir George's] level in the Tripos'. Glad that Julian has learned to swim, as protection against 'terrible disaster'. Sure he will be 'a fine fellow - body, mind, and soul'. Interested in what Robert is reading; there is a good review of Boswell's "Corsica" in the latest "Times Literary Supplement"; got down his copy which once belonged to Paoli yesterday evening and read the journal, but it is not Boswell's "Life [of Johnson]" or "Commonplace Book" so he knew he would not care much for it; knows at the age of eighty five what books suits him.

Refers to Sidgwick being in Scotland, and to the fact that Tawney is there with him. Reports that he wrote to [Edmund Henry or Frederic Horatio] Fisher, 'telling him of matters [Sidgwick] could naturally be interested in hearing about'. Regrets his absence, and that of 'Fish', '[ ]' and 'Brandreth', and states that 'Cambridge was shamefully represented'. Expresses his delight with Sidgwick's D[ ], and asks him what he intends to write for Christmas. Refers to Sidgwick's 'Epigram', and that of Trevelyan, Holmes and [Hope] Edwards. Expresses his intention of going to the sea soon, and of going to Brandreth for a few days. Refers to his reading of Tacitus and Plato. Reports that he tells every old Cambridge man he meets 'about the Commission, that they have [sent] down the statutes, not only [ ] the celibacy of the fellows, but actually establishing a community of women!' Intends to spend September at Trinity College. Disappointed by the news of another fellowship vacancy, 'if not two, which must delight the heart of J. W. Clarke, but spoils the chance for next year.' Refers to Cooper having taken [Kendal], George B[urn] Hatfield, and [Thomas William?] Hardy 'that little living with the hard name near Cambridge' [Shudy Camps?]. Complains that the sizeable number of Oxford men there 'bore one to death', and reports that one of them is going to read with Sidgwick's brother [Arthur or William?]. Sends his regards to H[ ] and Tawney, and congratulations to the latter on his [ ].

Having returned from a Wellington College meeting, he finds that he has so much to do that he is unable to attend Mr Freshfield's lecture, but it was kind of Nora to have given him the opportunity. Remarks that since Henry won the Craven Scholarship in 1857 'no Rugby man has gained that particular distinction till [his] nephew Ralph' a few days previously. Declares that he believes that no Rugbeian since 1857 or earlier has won 'the Battie, the Browne, the Pitt, or the Waddington', and that in 1858 C.H. Tawney won the Davies scholarship, 'as Franklin Lushington had done in 1845'. Adds that Arthur Sidgwick won the Porson Scholarship/Prize in 1861. States that in 1856 the Bell Scholarship for sons of clergymen went to A. Holmes, Henry Sidgwick, J.M. Wilson, and in 1860 to Arthur Sidgwick, and that in 1858 Henry won the Browne Medal for a Greek epigram. Adds that the Browne Medal for the Greek ode was won by Arthur Sidgwick in 1861 and 1862.