Both he and Bull have separately lost an old friend - hence the break in correspondence. Does not expect a list of those supporting the revival of the Play to be published (see 29). On the question of establishing diplomatic relations with the Vatican - had any attempt been made during the reign of George III to introduce a Rothschild or a Roman Catholic into parliament, he would have gone mad much sooner. On Spike Island (see 24) and problems in Ireland - ministers see difficulties arising from arming and fortifying the island and increasing the number of warships stationed there. Increasing violence of the lower orders. Extension of rail network enables more farmers to send produce to London. Mentions Angelo's Reminiscences again (see 29) - he goes to eat beefsteaks at Mother Dawson's (a nearby cookshop in Dean's Yard) between school hours.

Recalls his first meeting with JB 70 years ago in 1778 (actually 1779 according to the Record), when he entered Mother Clapham's house; describes his feelings of apprehension. The elm trees in Dean's yard have been cut down to widen the carriageway between the entrance and the Deanery; he does not approve. Likewise, the screens separating choir from aisles in the Abbey have been removed to enable a larger congregation to sit in Poets' Corner - pointless, since one can neither see nor hear from that position. The Irish rebellion is reviving in the wake of the potato famine. Wonders whether JB took up his living in 1786 or 1787 (1797 according to the Record). Commercial benefits of the railroads - but they have spoiled the countryside. The sale at Stowe (see 49) is raising large sums - but a drop in the ocean compared with the 2 million pounds the duke is said to owe. He borrowed £20,000 just to entertain the Queen. Suspects that at the upcoming trial of Smith O'Brien his counsel will plead insanity, which the government will accept to avoid further trouble.

Two remedies (with recipes) to cure loss of appetite and want of sleep. The school has been sent home because of a fever - Dean Buckland, fancying himself a chemist, devised a remedy (which only combated bad smells), but has succumbed himself. London full of foreigners fleeing the troubles in Europe - they need less to live on, and so native workers are priced out of employment.

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).

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.

JB's new curate apparently has a sonorous voice - discussion of what goes towards a good sermon, and the views of the fictional Sir Roger de Coverley (in The Spectator). Old schoolfellow Thomas Feilde has died. People fleeing Ireland are bringing disease with them - London has responded by starting to clear slums - Pie Street (Old Pye Street?) has disappeared, and the government is contemplating throwing open Tothill Street to create a wide road form Buckingham Palace to Parliament. He would very much like to possess a very old map of London which used to be in the shop of the one-eyed baker Jackson on the corner of the Bowling Alley (now Tufton Street). Has JB heard anything of Pulteney (see 8, 20 and 21)?

Has not forwarded the name of Thomas Trebeck (see 7 and 29) to the committee established to support the play (see 29), since Bull wrote that he did not know if he was still alive. Pulteney reports that cricket balls are now bowled so violently that players must be padded. On translations of Terence - thinks that new translations should appear every 50 years to reflect changing idiom. Westminster said to be improving under new Head Master (see 29) - hopes that he will keep the best of the old customs, such as fagging (what hardship is it to carry 2 or 3 hats on one's shoulders to Tothill Fields, or to blow on a fire?). On the import of cattle and sheep by railroad from the interior of Germany and its negligible effect on London meat prices, and on the state of the potato harvest. To assist his French a Frenchwoman comes in three times a week to read Molieres to him out loud.

More on Eton (see 3) - access to it so much easier with the railroad. Last visited Westminster 3 years ago - nostalgic - heard again the bell at 2.45 (known to them as Smith's bell - after the HM)). Cloisters largely unchanged, apart from some trifling repairs to Smedley's monument in the West Cloister - their former tutor (Edward OW) and Rector of Powderham, which living must have been given to him by the 'unfortunate' Lord Courtenay (9th Earl of Devon, and a notorious homosexual). Hopes that JB and his friends have not suffered from the banking panic of 1847 (though the minor house such as Drummonds and Childs coalesced to support each other) - yet Ireland must be fed (the crisis was caused by government borrowing to relieve the Great Famine). The PM Lord John Russell will be faced by Irish MPs making impossible demands - also the question of admitting a Jew, a further blow for the Protestant religion (Lionel de Rothschild - see 31).

Has heard that the author of the epilogue was one Randolph OW (according to Lusus Alteri it was T. Littlehales). On Liddell's change of Latin grammar (see 16 1nd 34). 130 pupils in the school - 2 ushers for the Upper School, and none for the Lower (presided over by the Under Master - but there are only 8 boys in it). A rudimentary central heating pipe has been installed Up School. Only one boarding house in Dean's Yard now (Scott's), and two in Little Dean's Yard where Grant's and Morel's used to be. In College stoves have replaced fires - only used for sleeping, the boys being confined during the lock-up hours in a long room beneath the dormitory. Breakfast at 9, dinner at 2 (used to be 12) and supper at 8. In the Abbey the celebrant's reading desk and pulpit has been sited at the corner of Poets' Corner nearest to the cloisters, so that he can view the congregation both in the transept and in the choir (see 49). An idea had been put forward to unite Westminster and Harrow, using the site of the latter; the low-lying site of Westminster is most unhealthy - the slope towards the river is not enough to carry away the filth from the drains. Tothill Street (see 24) being improved to be a handsome road from Buckingham House to the Abbey.

Lumbago better yet - he can rise from his bed. Dean Buckland has lost his reason, the third such they know; Dean Turton did so before him, the father-in-law of their old schoolfellow Yates (Joseph Yates - Thomas Turton was in fact his step-father), and Dean Vincent as well. The Tothill Fields they knew is gone , along with the dirty lake in the centre - instead magnificent squares and elegant villas are springing up (presumably the developments of Thomas Cubitt). Does the railroad benefit or injure the comforts of JB's neighbourhood?