Item 66 - Letter from H. Montagu Butler to George Otto Trevelyan

Deanery, Gloucester. - Agrees it is 'pleasant' that their two boys [Arthur and Robert] 'would have been close together' [in the scholarship examination for Harrow?]: hopes it is a 'happy augury of future friendship'. His son has another year at Elstree then hopes to try again next year: he was only twelve last November, and is still 'very weak in translation' though his composition is 'promising'. Trevelyan's son came top of all the scholars in the two translation papers: hopes he will have a 'bright & happy time' at the Grove [Harrow house]. Is going with his sons and two daughters for an expedition in the 'Forest of Ardennes [Arden]', as they call the neighbouring Forest of Dean, starting tomorrow; they should reach Tintern on Saturday. When the time for Trevelyan 's speeches comes, will think about him: quotes the lines from [Addison's] Cato which 'brought down thunders at the speeches in 1835', when 'Peel was... the hero of the ovation!'.