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).
Difficulties of reading folio volumes printed in diamond types. Can PE recommend an edition of Yerburgius' Cicero in quarto? Is there a modern one from the Clarendon Press?
Bigge has seen a Dr Holland - all are united on the sort of exercise PE should take, and also that he should not go to Paris. Has been to Waddon and heard that PE has enquired about a horse - strongly urges the risks of this, and to allow him and Bigge to purchase a chaise instead. (Note from Wynn - supports Bedford in every detail.)
Beginning to review PE's Heraclidae. B in a contract with Constable, not Murray (but is this sarcasm?). PE writing in Gentleman's Magazine as Graeculus. PE and B both criticised by one Bailey. PE to send criticism to Hermann.
Nautical metaphor re B's inferiority to PE as critic. Some remarks on errata in Heraclidae. Plans for a Callimachus, to be dedicated to Earl Spencer. Prosiness of Eur. Helen. 'Mourning Bride' (Congreve) translated in Dictionnaire Historique as 'L'Epouse de Matin.' (Samuel) Butler to translate a poem by Lucien Buonaparte (sic) (Charlemagne, or The Church Delivered, publ. 1815). B's Callimachus progressing - Elegies his forte, Hymns s'sad stuff.' Inferior quality of 2/3 surviving Greek poetry - critics gain credit for sorting out the texts, but do not thereby improve the world.
Loss of only child. Possible reconciliation with Butler? B's review of PE in Quarterly Review. Printing errors in Museum Criticum. Books from continent held up by weather. Persae ready apart from collation of one ms. Barker mounting a campaign against Monk.