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Asks when Harrow breaks up, as Mr Arnold is going to invite [Nugent] Hicks or [Thomas James Chesshyre?] Tomlin to visit at the end of term. Beat Farnborough away this afternoon, one-nil'. Sends love to all. The train 'comes in at 10.27'. Is glad 'Mr [Charles?] Fenwick and Uncle Harry [Holland] have got in [to Parliament in the General Election].

The Shiffolds. - Dr Clarke says that Bessie 'could not be doing better'; Paul is also very well, and 'sleeps a fair amount'; Clarke will come again tomorrow. The nurse 'manages splendidly'. The household is also getting on very well: Mrs Ent[icknap] 'takes a great deal of trouble' and Alice also 'helps well'. Gussie [Enticknap] was 'kept in the dark until yesterday evening', when his mother took him to see the baby; he 'seemed very much astonished'. He thinks he will 'soon have someone to play cricket with, but that is looking forward too far'.

Everyone thinks the baby looks a lot like Robert; supposes he must be, but to him he 'looks far more like Mr Finch'; asks his mother not to tell this to Finch. The baby is 'certainly very healthy and a fair size, 7 1/2 lbs and 20 inches'; his hair is 'about Bessie's colour, or a little darker, and his skin is rather brown'.

Lady V[aughan] Williams has just called to enquire and invite Robert to High Ashes for lunch; thinks he will go, as Bessie usually sleeps after lunch. Miss [Sophy?] Wedgwood and Margaret Vaughan Williams also came to see the baby this afternoon, and 'thought him very charming'. Does not think he missed writing to anyone: sent telegrams to Aunt Anna, Aunt Meg, Uncle Harry, Aunt Nora, Janet, Molly and a few others. Sends love - also from Bessie and Paul - to his father; will write to him next. Must finish now as the post is due.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will send this letter to Florence as expects Elizabeth and Robert will leave Ravello today; sorry that they have not had good weather. Has been very busy this week visiting Cheyne Gardens: [George and Janet's new baby Mary] is very sweet and Janet is doing well; George was worried until it was over but now is cheerful. He and Sir George, and perhaps Charlie, are going to Cambridge next Friday to vote against compulsory Greek; they do not expect to succeed but there is 'a great rally on both sides'; it is said it would be carried if it depended on the residents. The Watts and Whistler exhibitions [at the Royal Academy and the New Gallery, Regent Street] are both 'most interesting collections', and there is a 'wonderful show of Oriental China in Bond Street'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert will prefer to go straight home or stay the night in London; is anxious to see them again. It will be interesting for them to see the [new] house and the Enticknaps' baby. Sorry that Charles Booth is still so unwell; has not quite understood whether Mary and Imogen joined them. Glad Elizabeth is not going to Holland; thinks it would be too cold and damp. There is much illness about here; Uncle Harry has bronchitis, and Nora [Trevelyan?] a bad cold. They have decided to keep the old Broadwood piano in London, and want Elizabeth to choose a little one for Welcombe before Easter. Has heard no music, but they have been to a Bernard Shaw play ["John Bull's Other Island"]. Booa [Mary Prestwich] cheerful and looking forward to seeing Elizabeth; Janet much pleased with her letters. '"Mother" [possibly Florence Bell?] is very active and... good on such an occasion'.

Pinewood, Godalming. -Very interested to hear Robert's news [of his engagement], and pleased he has 'such a happy prospect' before him; she and his uncle join in 'the most cordial & affectionate messages' to him and to their 'future niece', whom she greatly looks forward to meeting. It will be 'indeed be a delight to hear her play'; wants Robert to bring her to see them if she visits his father and mother before the marriage; they will be in London after Christmas, but are spending December with Meta in Hertfordshire. Is writing to tell Meta, who will 'sympathise' with Elizabeth about music, especially the violin; 'little Margaret' [Meta's daughter] is learning to play it 'most promisingly'. Good of Robert to let her know himself; thinks Miss van der Hoeven is 'a very fortunate girl in securing your affections'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland [crossed through] Morperth. - Very glad that Robert is 'coming on at the Athenaeum'; Uncle Harry's advice is very good. Gives Sir Alfred Lyall's address and is sure that he would be pleased to do the service [of proposing Robert for membership'. Has received two volumes of Lucretius from the London Library which he has returned as Robert has gone abroad; has given the Library 'a thorough good blowing up'. Asks to be informed when Robert has received and signed anything about the Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] Estate. Hopes Robert has a good time abroad.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear that 'the contributions to [Elizabeth's] commissariat turned out well'. Amused to think of her playing croquet at the Rectory. They have had a quiet week, with only George there as Charles has been 'away shooting and visiting'. The Archbishop of York and his wife are coming today 'which amuses us much', as well as Miss Dalrymple, Dorothy Ward and Carr Bosanquet. The [Herbert?] Pauls and Theo [Llewelyn?] Davies are coming tomorrow, so they will be 'quite gay till Monday'. [Sir George's] elbow is much better; he is reading her a 'most amusing novel by Bernard Shaw... discovered in a Socialist magazine called The Corner'. Will be in London on 9 Oct and hopes to come and see them; asks whether she should stay the night. Booa [Mary Prestwich] is 'rather envious of the blackberries' are there are none in Northumberland. Sure Elizabeth will 'think Pinewood [the Knutsfords' home] very pretty'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The dissolution [of Parliament] has changed their plans: she no longer needs to be in London on the 9th as 'the Committee has been altered', while Sir George must stay to vote for [Charles] Fenwick but the date of the election is not yet known. Will come down a little later and pay a visit, but cannot yet be sure when. Hopes Elizabeth is having a 'pleasant day' with the Knutsfords; would like to know how they find Lady Knutsford. Also asks whether she likes McKenzie [?] and thinks him likely to help; hopes she is feeling 'pretty well'. She and Sir George were glad to be alone again: likes having 'young people here' but there was a lot of coming and going which 'required a good deal of arranging'. She and Sir George went to Hallington yesterday, having not managed to go when Elizabeth and Robert were there; it is a long drive through 'rather dreary country'; the house is pleasant and there were a 'nice couple' there as caretakers; made a 'little hurried sketch' so if they get to Taormina next spring they can tell Mrs C[acciola: Florence Trevelyan] all about it. Charles went to Elland as soon as he heard about the dissolution; no-one is standing against him but there will definitely be a Tory. Asks Elizabeth to tell her 'if the lady turns out to be a musician' and whether she has 'settled many lessons'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Wonders if they have gone to town; wants to hear how they 'found them [the Knutsfords] at Pinewood'. George leaves tomorrow. Charles 'seems pretty safe to be re-elected'. Supposes Elizabeth and Robert do not 'hear much about the fight', but though she and Sir George 'are doing nothing this time of course [they] are intensely interested in it all'. They have had some 'delightful walks on the moors' in the lovely weather; often wishes Elizabeth were there. Hopes she has good news of her aunt and Marie. Is sending some figs; some game will follow tomorrow. Will let them know when they have been able to make plans about coming south.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Looks forward to visiting on the 11th. Is going to the Park [Prestwich: to see her sister Annie?] on the 12th and does not like to leave Sir George for long so may only come to town on the 10th; if she comes the day before she will spend the night of the 10th in Surrey as well. Sir George cannot leave until the 13th because of the voting for Hexham. Would be sorry to miss Robert. Very sorry to hear about [Alphonse] Grandmont, though reassures her that 'surgery is so wonderful now' and there is less to fear. Her aunt's 'weakness' will also add to the 'family anxiety'. Glad that the doctor was able to treat Elizabeth herself; hopes she liked him. They were 'astonished beyond measure at Lionel [Holland]'s reappearance', not that he is standing as a Liberal as they 'knew he was not a real Conservative', but that he has returned, and wonders 'how he gets the money to stand'. Asks if Elizabeth and Robert have heard anything about it; supposes they [the Knutsfords] knew nothing of Lionel's plans when they were at Pinewood. Very sad about Meta [Smith]'s child. They have 'cheerful news from Charles, & [the Liberals] are hopeful of winning seats in the north', though 'the reaction [against the Second Boer War?] is not yet in full swing'. Suggests in a postscript on a separate sheet that Elizabeth could travel back with her to London in the evening, stay the night at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escen]t and dine at her club; George will also be in town.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - They have settled with Thornton Trevelyan to shoot the covers at Wallington on 4 October; asks if Robert will be able to come; predicts the game will be good. They have a large party of visitors: the Knutsfords, Jebbs, and Sir Spencer Walpole; Sir Alfred Lyall and the [Henry?] Sidgwicks come tomorrow. Is getting on well with his book [the first volume of the "History of the American Revolution"], and has revised the first half with 'great help' from Robert's comments; it is 'very much improved' and he hopes to have it all finished in a fortnight.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear the news of the 'Pinewood relations [the Knutsfords]; sure they are happy to have made it up with L[ionel?], though she does not understand quite 'how things stand about him'. Expects Dolmetsch is 'very interesting to talk to about music'; he has a 'touch of genius'; asks if his 'money difficulties' are settled. Sent some game on Thursday as it was the last grouse shooting on Wednesday and Sir George thought they should go; they should be eaten quite soon. Expecting the H[enry] Y[ates] Thompsons and R[obin] Mayor today; Charles leaves on Monday and G[eorge] on Tuesday. Glad Elizabeth has recovered; 'curious how hurtful fruit seems'. George read an extract from his history yesterday, which they 'all thought very good'. Hopes Robert is refreshed by his 'outing this week'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear things 'are comfortable at Pinewood'; they hope to go there for a day in November [to see the Knutsfords] as they will probably be in London for a while to give Sir George 'a little change'. Very amused by Elizabeth's account of the church, which must have been the Irvingite [Catholic Apostolic] Church at Albury, for the sect founded by Edward Irving; describes this; Elizabeth should read Carlyle's life of Irving in his '"Reminiscences " and "Miscellanies" if she is interested; Mrs Oliphant also wrote a 'very readable life' of him. The Duke of Northumberland of the day 'was a great Irvingite'; believes 'the present family also belong to the Church'. Asks if Elizabeth saw the 'Silent Pool' at Albury, which is very pretty. Tells her they should not be in a hurry to move. Thinks it a good idea to be revaccinated if there is smallpox about. Asks what she thinks of doing about Mrs Scharlieb; good that she is stronger, but this does not mean she should not 'have the weakness put right'; Mrs Scharlieb might advise her by letter what she should do. Will be in London for a few days around 4 November; asks her to remind Robert to reply to his father's letter if he has not 'as it seems rather indifferent'; a postscript says that a reply has just arrived.

Asks his mother if 'the duplicate stamp book' is at home, and for her to send it if so. Mr Arnold's leg is 'rather bad, but is better now'. Sellar has given Robert his photograph; Robert asks his mother to put it in his 'photograph book in Ireland'. Has answered 'Uncle Harry'[Henry Holland]s note' . Bright 'is not coming back'. Sends love to all.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The notes on the enclosure he returns interest him very much; is not surprised by the feeling about Swinburne they indicate; any man, even if Swinburne is not 'his' poet, as Browning is Sir George's, or Shelley Harry Knutsford's, must acknowledge him as a 'marvellous and genuine phenomenon'. Has sent a short letter with his own recollections of Swinburne to [Edmund] Gosse, to go into the "life"; Gosse much appreciates the early letters Sir George gave him; the things Sir George did not give to Gosse, he did not show him either. Looking forward very much to Robert's visit; glad they are settled with Miss Barthorp [as governess to Julian]. Has recently read "Humphry Clinker", which he thinks [Smollett's] 'most readable, and least unpleasant, book'.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to get Elizabeth's long letters; she and Sir George are very interested about the house, and Elizabeth seems 'to have a good hold over all the plans and details'; hopes a satisfactory arrangement can be made. Much will depend on the length of lease [the Vaughan Williamses] are prepared to grant; thinks there would be more freedom and less complication if Elizabeth and Robert have it built themselves, but she and Sir George think Elizabeth is the best judge; Sir George will look over the final plans if she likes and say if he thinks them 'wise & safe'. Delightful that Madame Grandmont [Bramine Hubrecht] can come to visit Elizabeth. They have just heard from Uncle Harry [Viscount Knutsford] and are very sorry that Aunt M[argaret] is still so ill; asks for news about her; wants to know if Meta [Smith] has reached Norway; must be 'very depressing for them'. Hopes the weather is better tomorrow when Mr Milnes Gaskell and his daughter come. They 'walked across Shafto' yesterday; Sir George has had two days fishing and shoots a few rabbits in the garden every day; lots got in 'when they varnished the gate' and needed to be exterminated. Hope that G[? George?, or Grandmont?] will bring the violin and that Elizabeth will 'like it and get it'; is sure it will be a joy to her. Charlie spoke at a 'great liberal meeting at Welcombe on Saturday', which seems to have been a success. Asks for the names of any interesting books Aunt Margaret has been reading; wants to get a parcel from the library before guests come. Glad Robert is all right and hopes he will stay as long as it suits him [in the Lakes] now Elizabeth has company; lucky she did not come to Wallington or go to The Park [to stay with Annie Philips]. Says in a postscript that it is a good idea for Elizabeth to send her girl [maid] to the dressmaker as it would be useful if she could do some altering and mending.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Margaret [Holland] died yesterday. Sir George feels it very much. They intend to go to the funeral at Witley on Thursday, and plan to stay in a hotel as they cannot go to Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent]; hopes to get Sir George back on Friday. Seems 'so tragic for Uncle Harry at 81'. Interested to hear of Elizabeth and Robert's 'early expedition'; asks if they found any good furniture.

Pinewood, Godalming. - Does not need to say how interested he and his wife were on hearing about Robert's engagement but does not like to be 'quite silent' on the occasion. From Robert's account of Elizabeth, which he recognises may not be 'very impartial'; she 'seems likely to make him very happy & to please [his parents]', which is all a mother can want; hopes they may indeed all be happy. Sends love to George.

Pinewood, Godalming. - Has been waiting to hear from George or Caroline about their news to write, but since several days have passed writes to say how interested they are about it. Had a letter from Robert, and thought it very kind of him to write; very glad to see how happy he was. Also heard of the engagement from Edith Cropper. Hopes that George and Caroline are pleased, and that they know their future daughter in law and like her and her family.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - The invalids are recovering well: Miss Martin 'sitting up dressed' and Sir George up in Caroline's room for four hours, though he is not to go downstairs till Sunday. He is 'fairly patient, with occasional spurts of wilfulness'. Very sorry that Elizabeth is having to wait [for the baby to be born]; reassurance that it is only a week tomorrow from the expected date. Spending much of her time talking to the invalids. Glad that Nurse G. [Elizabeth's Nurse Godwin] is better. Sir George has decided he will not go to the seaside and will stay at Welcombe till recovered, when they can go to London. Everyone 'thinks Robert will come in on Monday triumphantly' [in his election to the Athenaeum Club]; Uncle Harry is obviously being 'most active'; thinks Robert will like it. Has read "L'Oiseau Bleu" [Maeterlinck's "The Blue Bird"?] and thinks it 'very pretty', though it might easily be spoiled by being put on stage; sure it is better in French than in English. C[harles] and M[ary] are going to London tomorrow. Sends love to Bob and regards to the 'ladies of Leith Hill'. A postscript written on 'Saturday morning' [21 Feb] notes that the invalids have both had good nights; they can meet this afternoon 'to talk over their woes & compare their symptoms'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon [crossed through]. - Her journey went well; on arrival, they were relieved about Sir George, who was 'very seriously ill on Sunday'. He did not send for her, and wrote a long letter which Hearn kept for her [12/166] showing that he did not want Caroline to leave Robert and Elizabeth. Thinks it was necessary as Miss Martin is also ill in bed and Booa [Mary Prestwich] felt the responsibility too much. They have a nurse and he is recovering, but the fever has not gone yet. Originally enclosing Uncle Harry's letter; Sir George is 'distressed' that he will not be well enough to be in town on the 14th [the day of Robert's election to the Athenaeum Club]; he is writing to Uncle Harry and others asking them to help. Caroline thinks it will be all right. Was upset to leave Robert and Elizabeth; hopes Nurse Catt came, and that Nurse Godwin is better.

Henry Thurstan Holland entered at the Temple, understands from him that the courts of law are so full no time should be lost in entering, reading Whewell's Analytical Statics and algebra

[On headed notepaper for 40 Ennismore Gardens, SW]. Is glad the elections are now going better. Asks whether 'Uncle Harry' [Holland] and Mr Cussins [John James Cousins?] ' have got in. The candidates here [in Wixenford's Basingstoke constituency] were Mr Sclater-Booth and Mr Eve: Sclater-Booth 'the tory got in, by a huge majority'. He and the rest of the eleven went for a 'long walk' this afternoon; the match with Farnborough is next Thursday. Supposes they [he and Georgie] are going home to London first. The school beat Mortimer one-nil last Wednesday. Mr Arnold has lent Robert the translation of the Iliad, since he has finished the Odyssey. The minute hand of Robert's watch 'has disappeared'.

The 'elections must be getting exciting now, for they are so near'. Sorry to hear 'Uncle Harry' [Holland] is ill, and hopes he recovers soon. The Eton match is tomorrow. Robert is doing the same Greek and Latin work as before. [Sackville?] West beat Robert in Greek, but Robert beat him in Latin and thinks he can do so in Greek next half term if he tries hard. Thinks he gets on worst with his Greek Prose [composition], and does not always find Latin Prose easy though he 'like[s] it on the whole'. Sends thanks to his mother for her letter. Hopes it will be a 'hard winter', as he wants to learn how to skate properly. Finds the translation of the Odyssey which Mr A[rnold] lent him 'very interesting'; has read four books, and would have read more but does not have much time. G[eorgie] is 'getting on very well', and seems to have done well last half term.