Thanks his parents for their letters. The [cricket] match began yesterday and will go on until Tuesday. Thinks the picnic will be on Friday. Will send his mother four roses he has got in his garden. Mrs Bartlett [the matron] says the medicine has 'put some colour' into his face and he should go on taking it. Has caught three caterpillars; 'Levson' [Granville Leveson-Gower ?] says he thinks they are peacocks, so Robert has given them away since they are common and small. His other caterpillars seems to be doing well; people think it will turn into a moth. Mr Arnold says the back board has made Robert's back straighter already, that he is fourth out of five in arithmetic and was bottom in French last week but is now second. Is working alone in Latin to 'get up' his grammar. Goes to bed late now, and gets up late.
Was 'made a walker alone' last Monday, as were Bramwell, [Frederick Pethick] Lawrence, Holt and Whitelaw; walked with Smith and Whitelaw today. Mr Viner has lent him "The Ladies in Parliament" [written by Robert's father]; thinks "Horace at Athens" is 'so funny'. They will have fun at Eastbourne at Easter. Is getting on well. Wrote to Grandpapa P[hilips] and to Archie this morning. They went to church this morning.
Thanks his father for his letter. Thinks G[eorge] is happy and 'quite at home' [at Wixenford]. Mr Arnold has told Robert to ask Charlie how much he will have to know when he goes to Harrow; wrote to him a few days ago. Likes the Virgil and Euripides' "Iphigenia" very much. Hears that Welldon has been chosen for Harrow [as headmaster]; hopes he is a 'nice man'. He and George are getting on well in their work. Asks his father to thank his mother for her letter and the umbrella. Tomlin 'took Up[p]er Shell'. [Nugent] Hicks is going to Harrow next term. Has written to Grandpapa T[revelyan]. Sends love to all, 'Spider included'.
Thanks his mother for her letter. Has read [his father's] "Holiday among some old friends" and "Horace at Athens", which are 'very interesting'; does not think he can understand the others yet. Thinks they will have a match with Mortimer next Saturday week. Hopes Grandpapa [Sir Charles Trevelyan or Robert Philips] and Sophie [Wicksteed?] are better, and that Georgie is well now. Thinks that everyone has recovered from the chicken pox now. Glad that Charlie is getting on well. Has given the note to Mrs Bartlett [the school matron].
Had a match with Cameron [Lovett-Cameron's school at Mortimer?] yesterday, which was a goal-less draw but a good game. Would rather come home on the 2nd as Mr A[rnold] does not like people to leave early, and Robert likes staying for the last day. Has found he has another pair of shoes in his locker. Notes in a postscript that 'the holls [sic: holidays] are very near.
It 'snowed hard last Sunday, and no one could go out'. Has had a stiff neck and cold, but neither have been very bad. Sorry to hear Charlie has a bad cold and hopes he gets better soon; asks Caroline to thank him for his letter. They had a 'grand set out last Tuesday', which they had as half holiday instead of Wednesday. Mrs Lyell and Mrs Stirling came, and they had charades; will tell his mother 'all about it' in the holidays.
They have arrived safely [at Wixenford]. He and Georgie are both all right. [Nugent] Hicks is going to Harrow and will be in Butler's house.
Has caught a large Fritillary [butterfly]. The picnic was the day before yesterday; he did not catch many butterflies; they 'killed an adder'. There is a new boy called Bramwell mi[nor]. There has been another match with Mr Lloyd's school, who won.
News of butterflies and caterpillars. The boys in the first class are Bryant ma[jor] and mi[nor], Martineau, Whitelaw, Guest and Napier [D.R. or W.H?].
Glad to hear that Georgie has a bird. The masters [at Wixenford] are Mr Wailkins, Mr Price, Mr Cole and Mr Berage [Berridge?], who is leaving, plus another he thinks is called Mr Hall. News of his butterfly catching and caterpillars. Asks when his father is going to Ireland.
Mrs Barlett [the matron at Wixenford] wants to know whether Robert should continue taking his medicine. There is a boy 'who is a landleager here called Hugo Montgomerie' [Hugh Montgomery]. He goes 'up the backboard' twice a day. The 'fourth class has been destroyed by measels [sic]'.'Gest' [Guest] is the head of the school, who is going to be a mid[shipman]; Borne is at the bottom. Asks her to ask 'Boar' ['Booa': Mary Prestwich] and Miss Martin for his seeds.
[Gerard Craig?] Sellar came back yesterday. He, [D.R. or W.H.?] Napier, Bright, and Van de vi [Veen?] Porter have been to tea with Mrs Haines; they played in the hayfield before tea, and rounders afterwards. The masters have won a match against the 'big game and the eleven'. The 'grandsons of Runjeetsing [Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ie, the children of Duleep Singh?] were here once'. Some Eton boys who had been at Wixenford came last week and played [cricket] against the eleven last week.
It is 'raining very hard' today. Asks whether his father has made his speech yet. Hopes they are having better weather. His 'greek and prosidy [sic]' examinations' are today, thinks the 'Latin gramer [sic]' paper is [letter unfinished].
News of his caterpillars. They have to label the butterflies; there are some books in the library which they can use. Will send more roses.
The 'Farmbrights' beat them [at cricket?]; will play them again. The cake is very good; he has it at 'luncheon' and once they all had it for tea; the book is 'very amusing'. Guest has got some silk worms. Has begun bathing and syntax. Thinks the picnic has been put off till Tuesday.
Thanks his mother for the book, stencil plates and cake. News of caterpillars and chrysalises. Guest came second in his exam to go into the Navy. Mr [Ernest] Arnold says Robert may go into the third form in about a week. Played another school [at cricket?] on Friday, who beat them; they are going to play the Farmborough school this week.
Had to 'go in to the liberary [sic]' on Saturday since it rained. They go butterfly-hunting between four and six on half-holidays. There are '7 hours work [at school]' and he does five; he goes to bed at seven and gets up at half seven in the morning. Everyone says his 'poison bottle [for butterflies] is very strong'; one boy said it 'almost knocked him down'; Archie borrowed it to 'poison a white'. Asks his mother to tell Miss Martin that the 'beautiful brimstone' broke in two when he was putting it in a 'relaxing pot'. Asks if he can have a 'breathing case for caterpillars'.
Is not going to school until Thursday. Booa [Mary Prestwich] thought of taking them to the Zoo today, but the wind is too cold so they are not going. Went to the Baker Street Bazaar; Robert bought his mother a paper basket; Booa bought '6 unbreakable tumblers' and a mat for Sir George's room. Is doing lessons every day with Miss Martin. Mrs Stephenson invited him and Georgie to tea, and to play in the Horticultural Gardens afterwards, but they are not going.
Someone knocked him under the chin by mistake during football [rugby], which they have now begun to play regularly, and made him bite his tongue 'rather badly'; it is almost better today. Does not know whether his 'privet is alive or dead'. The Douglasses [sons of the Marquess of Queensberry, at Wixenford School with Robert?] have come back.
Chief Secretary's Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin. - Thanks Bobbie for his letter: is very interested to hear about the 'new boys and masters, & who are ill'. They have had 'great gales' recently, but there is frost today. Asks him to send his Sunday letter to Welcombe, as she will leave here early on Monday. They will soon pack up here; the 'soldier boxes' will go into the book box [see also 22/72]. Hopes Bob is enjoying his football. Bob's father attended a levee at the Castle yesterday, and 'carried a big two-handled sword before Lord Spencer [the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland]'; he will carry it again at the drawing room, and she thinks it will be 'very funny'. Asks Bob if he would like any 'crests' sent to him. Will write again soon. Asks if he has got the hymn book.
40 Ennismore Gardens, S.W. - Wanted to visit Bobbie [at school] this week, but since it is Ascot races thinks it will be best to avoid that railway line until next week. Sorry there is whooping cough at the other school, which she expects is Mr Moreton's. Will bring him a pair of cricket shoes; supposes he wants them to have spikes. Asks if he can swim better this year: he should learn to if it does not tire him. It is 'very hot & dusty' in London, but is sure the butterflies are enjoying the weather. Bob's butterfly book has 'come home very nicely bound'; asks whether he wants it at school. Georgie sends his love; she is reading to him about Croesus, which he is enjoying.
Chief Secretary's Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin. - Is leaving early tomorrow to go to Welcombe; Bob's father is staying until Wednesday night. Has been very busy packing; the 'soldier boxes' will travel in the carriage. Charlie has written in 'very good spirits': he received good marks for his 'holiday task'. Hopes no more boys have got ring-worm, and asks whether the doctor has been to examine them. He must have had some days with good weather for football; asks if he will soon 'go into the big game'. They hope that some of the [Phoenix Park] murderers have been caught, and will be convicted. Hopes Bob gets on well with [Gerard Henry Craig] Sellar and Alexander. Georgie is very well; he is coming to Welcombe on Tuesday. Bob's father sends his love.
Chief Secretary's Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin. - Thanks Bob for his 'very nice letter'. Glad that he likes Alexander, and has scored some goals; his father is pleased that Bob is working so well and hopes he make much progress this term. Last night was very windy, and there has been a snowstorm today; it is very cold. Some of the photographs that have arrived, and are very good; will send Bob one. Has not yet been able to get Bob a hymn book, but will send one before next Sunday. Asks how many boys there are this term.
Letters from R. C. Trevelyan to his mother and father from Wixenford and Harrow schools; other childhood letters; letters to his parents from schoolmasters and examiners; school reports.
[On headed notepaper for 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.]:- Is 'so very sorry to hear about Grandpapa Trevelyan [his illness or death?], it is very sad indeed'. Thanks his mother for the hamper, which he and Blackwood greatly enjoyed. Thinks he and Charlie are getting on very well; they both went to tea with Mr [J. W.?] Cunningham, who Robert thinks has the house G. O. Trevelyan stayed in when he first went to Harrow. Mr Cunningham is old and 'very pleasant'.
Thinks there will be a rehearsal of the speech day tomorrow. It is 'very cold', and if the weather continues he thinks he will 'not go to ducker [the outdoor swimming pool]'. Has received a letter from Mr Arnold, who says they [Wixenford School] have won a match against Mortimer: the school seems to be 'getting better at games'. Hopes Georgie is well.
Robert's place in class, with masters' comments, for Latin, French, English, Divinity, History, Geography and Arithmetic, with comments on Music, Drawing and General Conduct. Date for the beginning of the holidays given.
Robert's place in class, with masters' comments, for Latin, French, Divinity, History, Geography and Arithmetic, with comments on English, Music, Drawing and General Conduct. Date for the beginning of next term given.
Wixenford, Eversley. - Glad that Bobby's report [originally enclosed] is again 'a satisfactory one': he has done 'well all round' and would have done very well with a 'little more briskness'. Feels his 'continued rapid growth' may be slowing progress, so has suggested to the Matron [Elizabeth Bartlett?] she should ask Mrs Trevelyan if he can take the tonic he took last year for a few weeks. His conduct has been excellent, and 'with the approval of all the masters' he has been given the senior boys' 'little privileges of walking alone etc'; thinks he has 'just the kind of character that grows with increasing responsibilities'. Thinks Bobbie intends to work hard and be higher in class by the end of term; he 'did decidedly best' in the Greek exercises they are just beginning.
Wixenford, Eversley. - Has just returned from abroad; thanks Mrs Trevelyan for her recent letter and that of 6 August saying that Mr Trevelyan had paid a cheque into Arnold's account. Glad to hear how Bobbie has got on; will 'thankfully receive suggestions' if Mr Trevelyan finds time to test Bobbie, and expects that if his term is not interrupted by illness he will make 'marked progress'. Did not expect Bobbie to complete all the work he suggested for him over the holiday. Will expect him on 20 September, and let Mrs Trevelyan know if she hears of anyone else coming from London that day. Hopes that her summer has been 'comparatively free from anxiety'; saw notices about the 'tour in Ireland' in the newspapers, and hopes she enjoyed this; she must be glad to see 'difficulties gradually disappearing' there and the results of her husband's work [as Secretary of State]. He and Mrs Arnold send their regards.
Wixenford, Eversley. - Asked Mrs Arnold to write yesterday with details of Bobbie's train home, as he was too busy to do so properly. Thinks they should be pleased with Bobbie's progress considering the 'long interruption to his work at the beginning of term'. Since his parents like him to do some work in the holiday, give some suggestions. Has done better in several examinations than in his class work, showing that he had 'understood and remembered the work better than anyone'; he tends to lose marks in class due to 'his slow manner and mumbling though not unintelligent way of reading'; gives an example of him understanding a grammar exercise better than older boys.