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G[ran]d Hotel Trinacria, Palermo. - Was fortunate that he received a telegram saying the baby [Julian] had recovered before any letter on the subject; is very sorry that Bessie and Bob had such anxiety, and hopes that all is well now. Arrived here last night, and likes it as much as he hates Naples. is reading [George Meredith's] "Rhoda Fleming" again, and now agrees with Bob about its 'inferiority', and that it is 'melodramatic' and beneath the writer; feels that the 'alleged "illegitimate-son-of-Ld-Lytton element"' which gives 'a necessary spice' to most of Meredith's works here completely takes over. It is 'no use writing or even talking' about politics; hopes 'God will inspire our leaders to retrieve the situation that some insane Devil has induced them to throw away'. Necessary to be loyal, so 'the less said the better'. Can 'imagine Bertie [Russell] talking on the subject of Sir E[dward] Grey!!'. Met a 'very nice Oxford, Balliol Don' at Naples, not A.L. [Arthur Lionel] but J.A. [John Alexander] Smith; George thought him a good philosopher and a 'very good man'. He admired Bertie [Russell], and discussed [Henry] Sidgwick and McTaggart 'excellently and critically. George expects 'there are good things about Oxford': there are 'a few great philosophers' at Cambridge, while at Oxford 'the young men are taught a little philosophy', this is 'perhaps not a bad division of labour'.

Green leather volume, with embossing and gold decoration. Printed illustration from 'Happy New Year' card pasted to inside front cover. Bookplate, 'Ex Libris Bryan William James Hall', with coat of arms and illustration, pasted to front free endpaper.

Numerous autographs, mostly in the form of ends of letters and addresses on envelopes, pasted into book. Notes beneath items (sometimes also pasted in) often identify writers. Complete letters etc have been described in individual records dependent to this one, referenced by their folio numbers; signatures and addressees are referenced by linked authority record only. Some names remain undeciphered or unidentified.

Compiled by a sister of C. W. King, see part letter from King on f. 14r, 'I enclose the autograph of a distinguished Grecian for your book. With love I am, my dear Sister, yours affect[ionate]ly C. W. King'. Although no first name appears, C. W. King's only sister appears to have been Anne, sometimes known as Annette (1824-1874). A letter from W. G. Clark to C. W. King, preserved on the verso of the flyleaf, was sent with 'some autographs for your friend', and there are also envelopes and letters addressed to William Aldis Wright and other members of Trinity suggesting King was actively gathering material for his sister. The bulk of the collection appears to have been assembled between the late 1860s and early 1870s.

20 Hampton Street, Walworth. - Is preparing lectures on poetry; first has been deferred owing to rival attraction of the Great Exhibition; has insufficient means to complete the series; Sir E. Bulwer Lytton proposed a subscription but Miller would prefer a loan; names his works; Milnes' previous kindness.

14 Sydney Street, Brompton, S.W. - Was awarded a small civil list pension some years ago; Sir Emerson Tennent planned to reapply but died shortly afterwards; asks if Milnes will sign the Memorial on the subject drawn up by Mr Halliwell with the support of Lords Lytton and Stanhope.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Does not think he will be able to stay with [John] Barran on his way to the Lakes: is going up to Northumberland early, and straight on to Seatoller from there. Asks for Barran's address; either Barran or Marsh will have to tell him 'the way to the Pepper box [Inn?]'. Is 'reading Thycker, bk II', and is 'more virtuous than I have ever been'. Trinity has done well in the classical trip[os]. Is presuming Marsh is in London. Saw 'two Tennysonians at [Bulwer Lytton's play] "Richelieu": Halbert [possibly Hallam Tennyson?] and someone whose name he can never remember

Georgie came last Saturday, and had a 'very amusing visit', though the weather was 'rather hot'. Think he enjoyed it; they [Robert and Charlie?] 'certainly liked having him' there. Everything is about 'as it should be', which he hopes will continue. There is now much to do in the 'scholarship class'. Asks if she could send him some writing paper and his 'new vests, as it is far too hot for these thick winter ones'.

Is reading Danton's speeches, lent to him by Mr Bowen; Welldon quoted Danton's saying 'que mon nom soit flétri, que la France soit libre' in his sermon last Sunday, which 'was a better sermon than usual. Has also read The Coming Race [by Edward Bulwer-Lytton]; likes it 'very much, especially the idea', though 'parts of it are not very good'. Likes 'all books of that sort about invented countries'.

Charlie is well, and is 'club-keeper of the 1st fifth game', and Robert himself is also keeping well. The school is 'so full that chairs are put down the middle aisle of the chapel'.

32 Osborne Terrace, Clapham Road. - Is the widow of the illustrator George Cattermole; encloses letter to Gladstone seeking pension [no longer present]; has no friend since the death of Dickens; Lord Lytton does not support the present Government and Mr [Henry Austen?] Layard is at Munich; offers to send original unsuccessful pension drawn up by Dickens; Mrs Thomas the artist's widow received a pension at the time. Postscript: original petition signed by artists and writers was intended for Disraeli; a copy was sent to Gladstone in January 1869 after Disraeli left office.

Trinity College - wishes to hear of Blakesley in Marienbad, bonfire in Nevile's Court to commemorate the students who crowned the statues on the library, Lytton's speech in the House of Lords against the Archbishop of Canterbury, Deanery of Durham kept vacant,
recovery from illness, French in Algeria

The Knoll. - Sending papers [no longer present] on behalf of her aunt Harriet, who cannot intervene with Government on behalf of John Saunders owing to previous refusal of a pension; will Milnes forward the papers and destroy letter to her aunt. Harriet Martineau's feeble health.

Enclosed: letter from Katherine Saunders to Harriet Martineau, [Nov. 1858?]. St. Mary's Grove, Richmond. - Financial struggles of her husband, who has been deprived of work on the Railway Guide; could Martineau induce Bulwer Lytton or Milnes to approach Lord Derby? Her husband gave a successful lecture at Leeds but was too exhausted to appear at Manchester; his play has been his only consolation amid many disappointments. Encloses copy [no longer present] of letter sent to Derby through Bulwer Lytton. (2 ff.)