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Seatoller. - Thanks his mother for her letters, and for the Times [Literary] Supplement. The article on Petrarch was interesting; he is a 'gentleman' Robert knows little about, and though the article was good it does not make him 'particularly anxious to be further acquainted with him, at least with his poetry'. The weather has generally been good, and he has got on 'fairly' with his work. Was 'very sorry about Searle [his death] though... expected it'.

Sent on his mother's letter to [Roger] Fry: 'unfortunate that it is a pastille', as they are 'rather difficult to deal with' and he doubts 'travelling improves them; if Fry thought he could do anything Robert could possibly take it with him when he goes South [see also 13/21]. Supposes George does not want him to read more proofs [of England under the Stuarts]; of course if he does, Robert would have time and willingness to go through more at Wallington. Hears Aunt Annie will be there, which will be nice.

Has little to say, as 'nothing happens here'; Bessie will arrive on Friday, and seems well. Hopes both his mother and father are well.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club:- Apologises for being unable to promise to go for a walk with her on his half-holiday for the next two weeks, since there are matches on both the next Saturdays, so he must 'play in the sixth form game with a view to them'. Ought to see something of her, however, since they only play from 2.30 to 3.30; Georgie could be with her in the meantime. Any half holiday, Tuesday or another day, would do. They had a match on Saturday, but it was 'spoilt by the wind'.

Georgie is well; Robert thinks he is 'working all right'. Robert has 'got the new flannels but think[s] them rather ugly'. Hopes Charlie will 'get the declamation'; did not realise before that it was a competition for a prize; would like him to 'beat Muggins'. [F.C.?] Searle has 'recovered his voice, at least in part', and they are all 'very glad'. Saw Charlie last Tuesday after the match, and had a 'good talk' with him.

Hopes 'politics are going right'. Sees there is a 'revolution' in Chile. Is 'expecting news of a battle'. Bowen has 'bought a lot of lead soldiers for his form', but they are 'of a very inferior nature'. Robert is keeping well.

Adds a postscript to say that he has kept his 'accounts satisfactorily so far'; a subscription has 'reduced [his] finances' and he will need more money this week, but there is 'no hurry'.

On headed notepaper for the Harrow Philathletic Club, with 'The Grove' added in Robert Trevelyan's hand:- Thanks his mother for her letter; was 'very sorry to hear about Sophie [Wicksteed?]. The news 'really sounds rather bad'. Hopes Charlie has 'recovered from his Classical accident'; wonders what he hit his head on.

Read in Chapel yesterday and went to supper with Welldon afterwards; met [C. S.?] Roundell there, who 'is awfully dull'. They had a 'good match on Saturday', and will play again next Saturday; got on better in the last, though had his 'nose hit hard by the ball'. Georgie came out fourth yesterday, which was not as high as Robert expected. Seems that things are going 'well enough' in politics: the 'division on the electoral question seems to have been a good one'.

Is well; G[eorgie] has had a 'slight cold' but seems better now; [F.C.?] Searle is 'in a great state of excitement at the recovery of his voice'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has just read 'our dear brother's novel' ["Gerald Eversley's Friendship" by Welldon, their fellow Apostle], which is 'not so bad as [he] expected': the 'commonplaceness of the story and the setting is so bold and unconventionally conventional' that it is not laughable. About half the book is set at Harrow, and this is 'good, that is true to life'; he 'knows more of boys' than George thought. Versions of Van [A. G. Watson, known as 'Vanity'] and [Charles] Searle appear. The two main characters are a 'young barbarian' and a 'swot' who make friends; the swot's 'religious doubt' is the subject of the last half of the book, and must be respected as written by 'one of the last of the old style [emphasised] of Xtian brethren', as he takes Welldon to be. The morals of this part seem to be that 'religion may be false but it is necessary to happiness and conduct', and that a young man should 'go to Trinity, not Baliol [sic]': the swot goes to Balliol, 'finds people making epigrams instead of talking apostolically', suffers religious doubts which are not taken seriously and attempts suicide; clear that Welldon views the swot's 'reversion to Xtianity rather a poor job'; George thinks Balliol people 'will be very angry'.

Glad that Robert is coming back soon; thinks that their mother is inviting 'McT' [Jack McTaggart?], to whom their father is eager to show the Macaulay books, but she will not do so before Bob returns. Is getting 'very fond of the West Wood', and wishes there were such a place to walk in Cambridge: the Backs are 'too academical and not solitary or secluded enough'. Is 'beginning to find imagination of unreal company or circumstances very refreshing for a few minutes each day'. Describes how the battle [involving toy soldiers] is going in detail, with suggestions as to how it should proceed; sketches out a map for this.