Photocopy of a diary kept from 13 Oct. 1853 to [8 Feb.] 1855, while a student at Trinity. The daily entries record Belmore's activities: dining, attending church, visiting friends, paying bills, writing family and friends, hunting, playing tennis, walking, dancing, leaving calling cards, reading, and attending lectures. Friends mentioned include Lord Cavendish, Lord Dunglass, Lord Hervey, Lord Leveson-Gower, and Sir Ivor Guest. Visits to London, Eton, Enniskillen, and Ambleside are recorded during the holidays from Trinity. The last entry is followed by a list of members of the Athenaeum Club in Cambridge during the Easter Term 1854, apparently updated in Oct. 1885, followed by a list of names and addresses of other members of the nobility. A 'Whist List' at the back records losses and gains, and another list records the number of rabbits killed between 19 Aug. and 11 Oct. 1854. This is followed by a copy of an envelope dated 23 Nov. 1891 and a printed list of spirit licence applications in Newtown-Butler and Enniskillen in Nov. 1891.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for his letter [46/333]and discussion of [Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke]: Sir George has never alluded to Dilke's action [refusing the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland], and the journalists have noticed his silence; quotes Robert's letter on Dilke's possible motives, and notes Dilke himself said he would not take the post unless in the Cabinet. Spencer [Cavendish?] was in the Cabinet, but 'Freddy Cavendish' not. Dilke was always friendly, though Sir George does not remember him 'taking any part whatever about Ireland'; Dilke's close ally [Joseph] Chamberlain was 'conspicuously helpful and loyal' to Sir George throughout his time in Ireland, showing 'much delicacy, and self-suppression'. Agrees completely with Robert's praise of George's book [History of England].
Julian, and the family, are lucky to have 'such books, read by such a reader' [Elizabeth]; Great Expectations is a 'striking' result of a return 'to legitimate methods of authorship'. Grouse-shooting today for 'practically' the first time this year, since Charles has been very busy; will make sure that Robert and Elizabeth get some birds. Last Thursday marked the sixth full week of his medical treatment; the 'local injury' [to his hand] is almost better, but he is in general much weaker. Is reading through [Xenophon's] Hellenica for the first time, after finishing Thucydides.
They went to the Liberal meeting, and when [Lord Frederick?] Cavendish spoke 'the people made such a noise that he had no time for speaking'. Sends his mother all his love.