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Has got '11 fox caterpillars', and one of the new boys, Hicks, has lent him his breeding cage. The new boys are Holt, Rumbolt, Fleming, Mr Wilkins' son, [Tom] Booth 'a cousin of ours', and Hicks, who is the 'only new boy in the third'. They had honey for tea yesterday.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Thanks her for her instructions about Bobbie's journey [home]. He 'looks much better now than he did and his work shows a corresponding improvement'. Bobbie is 'very industrious' and willing to learn 'grammar and the like'; he 'fails most in applying his knowledge' in translating, but Arnold expects this will improve in time. In general they have 'every reason to be well satisfied with him, and he deserves a most happy holiday'.

It has also snowed at Wixenford, though much more lightly than in the North. He and Mrs Arnold both send regards. Adds a postscript saying that 'Little Tom Booth is flourishing', and they hope to see his father and sister in 'our little crowd on the 12th'.

(Marked 'Private' at top of letter; also another note which has been crossed through). Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Says that he thinks Gerard Sellar and Tom Booth will be 'nice companions for Bobbie'; on receipt of her letter, has arranged that they should share a three-bedded room. Is 'very much indeed concerned to hear of some serious mis-conduct in two boys' whom he 'thought incapable of anything worse than disorderly conduct' and grateful to her for bringing it to his notice. Takes 'great pains to arrange the bed-rooms' as it is the 'best way to secure the boys' happiness & well-being', and knew of 'nothing amiss in Bobbie's old room', not having heard of any 'breach of order or irregularity'. Has hesitated to write asking her to write again, but is sure he will understand his concerns for the other boys and anxiety to hear if there is 'anything wrong that [he is] unaware of and can set right'; will regard whatever she tells him as private and, even if he has to inform the boys concerned of some part of it, will not reveal how he got the information.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Is sure she will be sorry to hear that 'little Tom Booth' is 'suffering from "ringworm"', which will prevent his return to school this term. Mrs Arnold believes that Tom caught it during the holidays; however, since Dr. Sivering [?], who has been consulted, thinks that from 'the present state of the malady' it is possible that it before Tom left school at the end of last term. They cannot therefore 'feel happy' until they hear all the boys are 'safe & well', and 'feel particularly anxious about Bobbie', since he shares a bedroom with Tom. They have been told that this 'unpleasant malady' can go without discovery for some time, as it does not cause pain or discomfort and is 'often in the head & hidden by the hair'. They hope Mrs Trevelyan will be able to reassure them that Bobbie is safe and well, and that they will 'have the pleasure of welcoming him back' on the 13th. She and Mr Arnold send 'kind regards' to Mrs Trevelyan, and love to Bobbie.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Understands how difficult it must be to arrange to send her boys [Charlie and Bobbie] from Ireland on different days, and has 'real pleasure' in acceding to her request; he supposes that if a 'satisfactory escort should offer itself the right day' she would let Bobbie come. They do 'care very much' about this matter, as cases like this are 'often used as a precedent' by people who have no real reason to delay return. Since, by preparing everything in advance, the school can usually begin work the day after the boys arrive, 'Bobbie will lose rather more lessons' than Mrs Trevelyan imagined; however, they will 'make the best of that' and hopes he will catch up soon. Glad to hear that Bobbie has been 'well and happy' and that she speaks 'happily of his general progress'. They have been 'truly concerned about the Booths' trouble [Tom Booth's ringworm; see 45/116], of which Mrs Arnold has just informed Mrs Trevelyan, and hopes they will soon have good news from Bobbie 'on that score'. Sends best wishes for the new year.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Bobby 'arrived this morning, looking very well'. Is glad Bobby was happy with his 'new bed-room companions'; thinks Trevelyan will know that one, 'little Tom Booth', has been kept away from school this term with ringworm. In his place Arnold has put 'a little new boy called Alexander', with whom he thinks Bobby will also be happy; Gerard Sellar will remain in the room. Alexander is the 'cousin of the boy who was recently with us and came through Mr R. Palgrave; he seems a very nice little boy'. Unfortunately, has heard from Mr Booth that Tom 'is not yet much better': this is 'most distressing' as the 'malady is proved to have had its origins here', with four other boys from the school ill with it at home, two slightly and two 'rather badly'. They blame themselves for 'having allowed the common use of brushes'; there were nine brushes, washed weekly, so he thought there was no danger; new arrangements have now 'of course' been made, and they have tried to 'correct any flaw'. They are unsure how the infection reached the school; 'none of the common children in the village are known to have had it', and each member of their household, 'including servants', have been examined by a doctor without any light being shed on the matter.

Trusts they 'now know the worst of the trouble, as all the boys here have been passed by a doctor'; he intends for the whole school to be examined again in a few days. Is 'ashamed to trouble [Mr Trevelyan] in such a matter', but feels that he and Mrs Trevelyan 'would wish to know the worst', and that the school are doing all they can to prevent 'the mischief' from spreading or recurring.

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Is happy to tell her that 'Bobbie has arrived quite safely and looking very well'; is glad she was 'pleased with him', and that he had 'such happy holidays'. They have been 'much distressed' to hear that 'little Tom Booth was not the only sufferer from Ring worm' and that four other boys have had it, two badly and two less severely. None of these boys are here, and all those who returned to school without having seen a doctor have been 'most carefully examined on their arrival'; they have also had their 'own servants examined'. Hopes they are 'now quite safe', but the doctor is to re-examine the whole school in about a week. Bobbie 'brought fine weather with him & the boys have been enjoying a good game of football'. Hopes they will 'only have good news to send' all through the term

Wixenford, Eversley, Winchfield:- Knows she will forgive him for putting off replying to her letter of 19th September, and thanks her for this. Bobbie 'is very much grown; he looks pale at time', but Arnold thinks he has 'gained in tone' since returning to school, and sees 'from his work in the gymnasium that he is strong and healthy'. The 'childishness' which Mrs Trevelyan noticed in him in the holidays is the aspect which 'needs most reform and which must stand in his way till it is cured'; he has 'decidedly improved' so far this term, and Arnold hopes that 'now he is becoming one of the big boys in the school' this will continue. As Sellar has left the school, Arnold has had to choose a new boy for Bobbie's bedroom; has chosen Tom Booth since 'Bobbie liked to have him' and Arnold thought it would be good for him to have 'the responsibility of being "head of the room"'. The other boys in the room are Hugo Law 'who is doing very well' and 'a son of Colonel [T. H.] Lewin (connected with the late historian Grote)'.

Is teaching Bobbie himself 'for a good many hours' - half of both his Greek and Latin lessons - and he 'seems to be making a good start'; hopes Bobbie will soon 'do something worthy of being sent to his Father'. Gerard Sellar 'seems to be settling down comfortably at Eton', where he 'took a very fair place - not high of course', but Arnold thinks he is 'sure to get on'. Sellar 'writes very nice intelligent letters about his first experiences' and is 'becoming happy' there.

Is 'very well and happy' and hopes his family all are too. 'Martineau, Leveson, Bourne, Booth and Wilkins have the ringworm. Douglas minor 'a new boy... has got a round spot on his forehead' so has been 'sent off to the cottage for a few days'. The new masters are Mr Shadwell and Mr Bond; Robert likes them both. The new boys are Lawrence, Walter, Douglas minor and Alexander. Sends love to all.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Arrived without losing any of his luggage. There was 'rather a crowd in the station', but they [he and Charlie?] got a carriage near the engine which 'none of the boys had found' and had it to themselves by the end of the journey. Has 'already finished Realmah [by Arthur Helps], and thinks it one of the best stories he has read; wishes it were longer, for 'quite half is conversation', which he does not enjoy as much. Hallam is teaching them, for which Robert is 'very glad'; they have only had 'two schools so far' with him but finds him interesting already. Has 'got on all right', but has not yet been asked to construe. Ordered his 'bluer' as soon as he could, and will get it tomorrow or the next day. [Thomas Macaulay] Booth is in Robert's house, and 'took middle shell'; Robert is 'trying to help him a little at first'. Hopes that his father's 'cold is better, and that his speech will be a success'. Will write to his grandfather soon. Charlie is well, and Robert walked with him this morning. Jas gone to football for the last three days, and they have had 'several good games'. It snowed this morning, and there was a 'hard frost'.

Thanks his mother for her letter; there are '37 more days [until the end of term]'. Thirteen 'Eaton boys came yesterday', and there was a 'good game'; 'three masters played' on the Wixenford side, and Wixenford 'got a goal'. Sends George some crests; asks if George can send 'some swops', as a boy here 'has a lot'. The new parson has come and 'seems very nice'. They will soon play 'the Camerons', 'Booth has come, and so has Law, and he seems a very nice boy'.

The Grove, Harrow on the Hill. - Will not write to his father or mother today; Robert can tell them anything they want from this letter. Has three photographs from Hills & Saunders, and has given one to Tom [Macaulay Booth?] and one to Moss; Moss has 'already made himself popular in the house' with 'several common-sense reforms which Crooker [J. A. Cruikshank?] was too old to see'. Stow [?] says [Arthur] Bentinck gets along but is 'too retiring'; does not know anything about the new backs yet; Gilmore has grown a beard; has seen Hicks in chapel but nowhere else. Discussion of various reforms; thinks Robert will approve of the replacement of the Greek Test[ament] by Old Test[ament] history from the English Bible. Was surprised to get his remove; there were not many; sits with [Gordon William] Stow at the separate desk for two on Welldon's left and 'swot[s] with [Frank?] Elliott', who has Robert's old room; George may have it next term or soon, as Clive, Booth and Elliott are all leaving, probably also Farquhar, though George does not think 'Mo will let them all go'. The house is much changed this term, he himself is one of the large number of people who 'seem to be much more important', and he thinks he will enjoy the year very much. Sandilands is a 'capital head'; he and Arne [?] are going to join the Corps, but Tom is not. Explains in detail how he comes to be sharing a room with [Arthur Langford] Tregoning; Tregoning does what George likes, and 'does not make himself at all objectionable', but George will 'be most heartily sick of him by the end of the term'. El[liot] is leaving for India in the first week of the holiday; he will 'wander about the country with a tutor' and thinks he will do 'a lot of swot there'; George told him he will not do any at all. Tom [Booth?] is going to try to spend a year or two at Trinity before entering business. A Rothschild [Nathaniel Charles] has joined the house this term, but he 'has to conform, and will be allowed to eat the breakfast cold ham... one of the advantages of Xtianity'. Discusses [rugby] 'footer' and various members of the team; the '"sporting element"' is completely suppressed', with Lefroy 'quite a fish out of water'. Young Sandilands also encountered Haddock at the Balmoral a year or so ago.

Decorated with stickers of flowers, a bird, a lighthouse, and two gentlemen walking. Robert writes that he is 'very well and happy', and hopes that his family all are too. The school has had a 'magic lantern [show]', which was a 'very good one'. Has changed into Sellar and Booth's room. Sellar is captain. They 'played [a] big game' and Robert got a goal. Asks if his mother can send some stamps.

Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'very glad to hear' he has a 'new cousin' [Morgan Philips Price?], and wonders what he is like. Has 'got the money from Booth': twelve shillings and fourpence; has recorded it and his ticket in his account. Sends love to all. Hopes 'Georgie's leg is getting better', and that Sophie [Wicksteed?] is also better. Is 'getting on very well'. This morning it rained so they could not go to church. Wilson mi[nor] has 'got the Chicken Pox'; Robert has had it before and does 'not think one can have it twice'. Asks if his mother can send him 'a few crest and autographs, not the whole letter but only the signiture [sic] (anybody will do)' for 'a boy who is collecting'. 'Stamps' is written below Robert's signature.

Trinity, Cambridge [on Wallington headed notepaper, address crossed through]: - Had a 'very nice time at Oxford, and saw most that is to be seen there'. The play [Aristophanes' Frogs] was 'very good, and quite worth going to see'; the man who played the corpse and Euripides [Arthur Ponsonby] was 'far the best'.

Saw Frank [Dugdale], who was 'not at all well', and will not row in the races next week; Robert thinks it is nothing 'worse than bad neuralgia'; Aunt Alice was going to see him yesterday. They are going to have a game of Harrow football tomorrow, and 'have got footers from Harrow on purpose'. Tom [Macaulay Booth?] 'made a very good speech in the Union tonight against a literary tripos', the 'first he has ever made there'. Charlie is still well.

Asks when the family is going abroad, as he needs to 'settle' when he is going to Welcombe. Sees some of the newspapers 'have mistaken [Arthur?] Balfour's (the Babe's) sister for the sister of the "Heaven-borne"'. Hopes Georgie is well, and does well in the scholarship. There has been snow here this evening: will 'have a nice slush for tomorrow's game'. Hopes his father is well.

[On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club; 'Trinity' added in pencil]: - People are now beginning to go down: Cambridge is 'becoming much quieter', and he is 'rather glad to be able to stay up until next Friday'. Will come home then, and go to Tunbridge Wells on the following day [to see his aunt Anna Maria Philips, and Sophie Wicksteed]. Asks when they are likely to go abroad: he supposes 'as soon as Georgie comes home'. There are no more lectures, but he will go to Lendrum [a coach] once more; thinks he will continue to see him next term, as he 'learn[s] a great deal from him'.

Several people are coming up from Harrow tomorrow 'to pass [their] matriculation', including Tommy [Macaulay] Booth and [J.W.?] Sandilands. Robert is going to pay all his bills this term, including his kitchen bill; will then be able to 'see more or less what the term has cost'. Thinks Charlie is well, though has 'not seen him much for a day or two'. He himself has had a cold, but it is 'almost gone now'.

Hopes 'all is going well in politics', but they [the Liberals] 'can afford to have a few reverses after London'. The Magpie and Stump debating society dinner 'was a great success after the election [of the new President]': Verrall and Ja[c]kson were there, and it 'was not too rowdy'. Lord Herschell's meeting was also a success, though Robert was 'a little disappointed in his speech'. Hopes his parents are well.