On the spine is stamped ‘Berryana’.
34 Hertford [St, W.?]. - Thanks for Monograms [sic]; lines on Mary Berry's death; her own sketch of 'the Berry fire side'; that world could never exist in 'these days of R[ail] Rds, Telegrams... and excitement, without thought & repose - I often pity the young who are always in Motion...'. The only fault in the book is not having [?] of Suleiman Pasha to head it. Her grandson Maurice will be in England about the 20th. Thanks to Annabel for condolences on [her son] Alexander's 'sad suffering Death'.
Embossed notepaper, 'Hagley Hall, Stourbridge'. - Does not condemn Monographs except for its title, 'which your present explanation makes much worse'; especially values its embodiment of Houghton's heartiness and friendliness. Lyttelton long ago secured his own immortality by having a Colonial town named after him. Houghton should say nothing to his son about Latin verses.
Hagley. - Further corrections for subsequent editions of Monographs. Does not see enough of Houghton's desired 'unity of impression' to justify the tile. Houghton is too generous to Landor: 'E. Cheney told me Landor called Christ & the Apostles "that impostor with his 12 ragamuffins"'. Miss Berry's imaginary epitaph. Houghton's wicked attack on the Penny Post. Objects to omission from Selected Poems.
Serjeant's Inn. - Seeks forgiveness such as that felt by Guizot towards book thieves, because they wished to read the book: has brought Houghton's book to wider notice by lending it out; no wealthy woman ever buys a book. Does not care for Suleiman Pasha but likes Lady Ashburton; Lord Ashburton was a lesser man than Houghton suggests, 'no amount of the most careful and ingenious training could make a horse out of what nature had meant for a poney'. Did not read notice of Landor, whom he despised; regrets he is unable to dine on the 'Eve of St Epsom'.
Fryston Lodge, Torquay. - Congratulations on engagement, and request for money to send Charles Cookson, the schoolmaster of Middleton, near Leeds [born at Ferry Fryston] to the [Great] Exhibition: 'it really might be of worth to him'.
Curzon St. - Congratulations on engagement.