25 Oxford Street, Plymouth. - George Keats has taken legal steps to prevent publication of his brother's poems; can they be considered anybody's property fourteen years after the author's death? Believes he has copies of all Keats' poems. Has written nothing for several weeks owing to a bruised back and abstinence from snuff: 'The act of writing without snuff in my nose, gives me the sensation of not having had a wink of sleep for a week'; doctors warned him to give it up when he suffered a fit in the street and injured his back. Is living with his half-sister and niece and prefers this place to Italy; [his son] Carlino is working at mathematics for a civil engineer's profession. Landor writes from London; asks why he has returned; reports from Florence state that 'Mrs Landor was abusing me with all her might - this is vastly shocking, but one comfort is that I must be even with her'.
Athenaeum Club, Waterloo Place, London. - Glad to learn Brown has embraced [New Zealand] on Milnes's advice, though his society is much missed; hopes friendship will be sustained despite distance; disappointing support by his uncle has underlined moral strength of Brown's move; hopes to hear of his early marriage, as youthful marriages are 'so much the highest happiness possible to man' and the emptier spaces. [Charles Armitage] Brown's translation of Boiardo [Orlando Innamorato?] belongs to Brown's family, and may be claimed from Milnes's library at any time. Limited value of Colonial Office recommendations; 'the feeling is every day gaining ground here that it is most advantageous to a Colony to be as little governed as possible'; wonderful spectacle of the Great Exhibition, but poor showing of United States; offers to supply books. Disagrees about African Squadron; vessels were needed to protect British traders from piracy, and slave-trading is being kept to a minimum.
14 Chas. St, Berners St. - Thanks for favour; Lord Grey's answer discouraging; preparing memorial to directors of N[ew] Z[ealand] Company.
Colonial Office. - Will recommend Mr Hundfield to Sir Charles Grey; cannot do anything for [Charles] Brown as appointments are made by the Governor of New Zealand himself.
The New Zealand Company. has forwarded his letter to Lord Grey; hopes Milnes can prevent its demise.