On headed notepaper of the Privy Council Office. - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton; calls Houghton 'my dear & now almost oldest friend...'
Embossed notepaper, Privy Council Office. - It is a 'very curious thing that Dr Dechannel should report thus, if poor T[wistleton] really committed suicide. He heard the story from Lady Minto, who 'had the details from Lady Elizabeth Romilly', but everyone he has seen in town 'such as Lacaita, [Abraham?] Hayward etc believed in the fact of the suicide'. Is just back from Christchuch where his work is going on well'; did not buy the roan mare. Encloses note from Montagu Smith [no longer present].
Letter incomplete.
Milnes has been blackballed at the Travellers Club, but 'in good company - with Landseer. The Travellers will have neither poetry nor painting'. Milnes' friends did what they could 'but there was a strong cabal against you & nothing could save you'. Suspects that 'the enemy' came from the Foreign Office. Is very sorry. Signed 'JWC'.