Written in answer to Houghton's letter of 29th. Robert Pemberton Milnes hated Mr Shepherd [sic] who was so severe as to be sometimes cruel; his parents were unaware of it at the time and few pupils then would have considered complaining; he was a good classical scholar. Mr Belsham knew nothing and was theologically prejudiced; few gentlemen taught by Belsham except John Cam Hobhouse and sons of Sir Evan Nepean and Sir William Smith. Dissenting background a check to private nature. Robert Pemberton Milnes' private nature. Surprise at his political divergence from the family in famous speech on government of the nation [Apr. 1807]; remembers occasion as it coincided with viewing the corpse of her governess Miss Le Mesurier. Robert Pemberton Milnes was not a Tory by nature but had a personal opposition to Grey and Grenville; he explained his refusal of office on the grounds of unfamiliarity with the task and threat to health, but it must also have arisen from his reservations about the Tory party; her own recollections of his beautiful reading aloud.
Mr Belsham was living in Hackney when Robert Pemberton Milnes was his pupil; recalls Charles the groom driving Robert and Rodes to Mr Shepherd's at Gateacre in Liverpool, probably about the time Miss Le Mesurier came as governess; Louisa's eldest sister [Martha?] was briefly taught by Mr Leadley the Fryston curate; later demolition of the Vicarage revealed a skeleton which Jane said haunted the area; Robert Milnes' clear perception of political folly meant that he could never have given himself wholly to any party; quotes Watts on idleness as a warning to Houghton.
Piccadilly, sent to his brother care of Rev. D. Brown, Aberdeen. - Came to town about a fortnight ago; meant to have returned but his father wanted him to stay, so he will now be here over the [parliamentary] debate on Friday. Was in the House the other evening, when they 'run the Doctor so very near. Some people think he will be outvoted on Friday', but Robert thinks not.
Has been 'very unwell' and out little; is going to drive with [Thomas or William?] Belsham today. A. [Arthur] Heywood is also 'laid up', The 'old set at Cambridge continue much the same, Gascoigne being the oracle of the bridle & saddle men; & Goulburne & Headly & Thornton of the steadies'. Has 'liv'd very little with the Methodists [?] this last term having only been in Dealtry's room twice. Has seen more of Bankes than anyone else; he 'calls here almost every day. He reads in the morning & is a terrible rake at night'. Has been to Newmarket only once and 'saw [Henry?] Mellish in all his glory'; believes he is 'still above water'.
Hopes that his brother is 'seriously devoted to his books', and is not only spending many hours reading, but has also 'taken up some general & systematic plan of classical & historical literature'; recommends him to 'touch very lightly on the Scotch moral philosophy & of their political as far as it is connected with it, as a very little common sense will teach you infinitely more in the way of conduct (wch is all that metaphysicks can pretend to aim at) than all the abstract Philosophy in the world'. Their father is much better.