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Has heard from a Second Election that the Play is to be continued this year, the Adelphi. The Head Master, educated at the Charter House (see 3), has abandoned Busby's Latin grammar, which formed so many eminent men (William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, William Markham, Archbishop of York, and Robert South, and replaced it with Lily, used by many of the minor country schools. Has doubled the number of lessons and introduced Maths, unknown in their day. The scholars' dormitory now only used for sleeping, and the space beneath it has been converted into 3 day rooms - these alone have fires, and there are none in the dormitory. On the possibility of a Papal nuncio in London (see 31) - perhaps Daniel O'Connell's prediction of 2 years ago will happen, the celebration of Mass in Westminster Abbey.

Withdraws recommendation of the oculist Alexander (see 2) - he is rough and brutal. On his own cataracts (including a failed operation) and other ailments - all very expensive. Again asks for JB's translation of Horace (see 3). On the sweeping away of tithes in these days of reform, and on the unfair remuneration of senior clerics - their old schoolfriend Hobart (The Hon. Henry Lewis?) as Dean of Windsor received

Visits to Monasteries in the Levant by Robert Curzon - maybe a son or nephew of their old friend David Curzon OW (actually David was 1st cousin once removed to Robert). Has no room for new books, so uses a circulating library. His contempt for novels. On the murders at Stanfield Hall. Examinations at Oxford have become tougher - but the clergy of his young day no less effective than clergy nowadays. Has JB's son stationed at Charlemont written of a proposal to drain Lough Neagh, the finest lake in the British dominion ? (Part of a proposal to make the River Hind navigable from Roscommon to the Shannon.) If it happens they may find old arms which HMC removed from rebels and threw in there during the rebellion of 1798. On the excavation of Ninevah.

Offers to look for a curate for JB - and suggests he writes to any friend at Oxford or Cambridge.

JB has been corresponding with the Marquis of Anglesey (Henry Paget, 1st Marquis, OW). HMC presumes on the question of his son's advancement in the army. So that JB does not appear to be soliciting, HMC suggests that he passes on, 'from a friend', a treatment for tic douloureux. Further remarks on Sir George Murray (see 5) and his brother John, who were day scholars; their mother lived at the west end of the street where Langton's boarding house was (Little Smith Street), and behind the new buildings where Mother Ottey's and Doctor Hume's boarding houses were (on Dean's Yard, where Church House is now) - presumably where the Church House bookshop now is. Has heard lately of old friend Dowdeswell (Edward Christopher) - as indolent as ever, since though a canon at Christ Church has never slept one night in the college, despite a requirement that canons reside one month annually. Asks after JB's potatoes. since HMC cultivated them on a grand scale during his long residence in France for a private individual. More on the Corn Laws.

Celebrated his birthday (16th December) on the 17th - more suited to gaiety than the Sabbath. Cannot stand novels. Has just read the life of the actor John Bannister, who used to join the boys for fencing tuition under Angelo, and afterwards for beefsteak and porter at Mother Dawson's (see 31). The Play (was to have been The Andria) will not happen this year because of the death of the Queen Dowager (Adelaide, widow of William IV).

Has finally been able to come downstairs after his lumbago. The French are so used to revolution that very little surprises them - things which would horrify an Englishman. On the case brought by George Cornelius Gorham against the Bishop of Exeter, on being refused preferment. Sad to see the progress which Roman Catholics are making in England. On the neglect in the education of young men at the universities - they are too old at 17 or 18, as opposed to 10-12 years old in their young day. Dean Buckland is ill (see 73) in the parish of Islip (as was Vincent - the living belongs to Westminster Abbey).