PE has apparently been disappointed in an amatory suit - CW advises him to persist. Asks PE's opinion of a Latin inscription drafted by Phillimore to be engraved on a 'magnificent silver vase voted to his brother (Watkin) by the county of Denbigh' - would prefer the first five lines only, but fears that the committee will opt for the (very lengthy) whole. About to go on a fortnight's yeomanry campaign in Welshpool.
About to be snowed in. The Chislehurst school (v.445) has apparently asked for some sort of reference - he reluctantly agrees, thinking a guarantee of payment should be sufficient. Roderick has pleased him more than he thought (v.446) - despite some pedantry, the story maintains its interest. Detailed comments on Waverley. French quotation from a letter to Henry from the Prince de Ligue, on current European politicks - 'good enough' for a man of near 90.
Henry - glad to hear of PE's return to England. Domestic (servant with uterine cancer) and work problems for both him and his brother (who also appears to have strained something around his groin - 'somewhere, as sailors say, between wind and water') prevent a trip to Dover. Invites PE to stay in 10 days time. PE seems to have asked for help in obtaining a sextant. G.C. - can only ride gently because of his injury (which is not too bad - no danger of needing to carry his aidoia - Greek = genitalia - in a wheelbarrow).
Chained to his desk by the deliberations of Parliament. Of his six weeks vacation, two are promised to another friend, and he will spend three weeks at the seaside with Henry (presumably his brother). May, but probably not, pay a flying visit to Southey (300 miles is too far). Excuses for failing to write. Will really send the book by Barre Roberts (can this be the copy of 357?). Has bought a horse, apparently kept with the Light Horse Volunteers.
Thanks PE for his account of the school in Chislehurst - asks him to get particulars of terms, and also whether they can provide satisfactory care for a sickly child (v.445).
On his little left-handed nephew (Taylor) going to school going to school in Chislehurst - probably best for him to start after the holidays. He should learn French and Latin, but Greek will be wholly unnecessary, at least for some time. Has not yet seen Southey's Don Roderic (Roderick the Last of the Goths), but Bedford gives a good account of its sales - expects some fine passages, but the general story and action to be heavy and tedious. Waverley is the most entertaining novel he has read for some time.
A friend has claimed that Cambridge has produced more great men than Oxford (with the exception of statesmen). Asks for PE's thoughts on lists of men from both universities - should he continue the contest, or sound a retreat and declare that the great men were a result of circumstances independent of the particular systems of education?
