Expresses his pleasure at receiving Sidgwick's letter, and at the news that the latter had joined the Free Christian Union. Reports that the anniversary meeting is that day or the next, but he is unable to attend. Hopes that Sidgwick will go. Expresses his anxiety in relation to the Church of England. Refers to Tyndale [John Tyndall?]'s theory on spiritualism, and observes that the Physical Science men 'seem to leave out of sight the fact that if they have no emotional side to their own nature, it is a very important element in the nature of most people.'
Explains that he has been too busy during the previous two months to read very much material that was not connected with his work. Declares a book by 'Miss Ogle', [Lady Verney] Stone Edge, to be 'a pretty and restful novel'. Refers also to The Lost Love, and to the fact that people say that it was written by a Lady Verney. States that [ ] B[ ] has taken up much of his time, because he has been reviewing him for the Theological Review. Asks Sidgwick if he has read a book called the French Revolution by Heinrich von Sybel [1867] History of the French Revolution].
Announces that he is going abroad with three or four of his pupils, and that Mr Paul is accompanying them; they start on Monday 3 August for the Rhine as far as Constance, and then maybe go by Munich and Prague to Dresden, where they intend to stay a fortnight, and get home about 10 September. Between that date and 12 October he hopes that Sidgwick will be able to visit them, and suggests that it would be nice if he came to Dresden. Tells him to come before 3 August if he is unable to come after their return, but is unsure when they will be able to receive him. Explains that one of his sisters is to be married, and is coming to stay, along with her fiancé. Tells Sidgwick to let him know when he can come.
