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Opens the correspondence. There has been a breakdown of relations between HMC and JB (of unspecified length, but possibly 50 years ago - last meeting ca. 1820) through HMC's misunderstanding of an act of JB's, but HMC is now satisfied that no offence was meaned. Ill health in ca.1820 led him to holiday and then buy a property on Mont St. Michel - compelled to sell this last year because of the 2 cataracts which have blinded him. Also a property in Foret Montier. Quote from Hor.C.2.14, Hor.C.3.6. News of his own family. His epitaph which he has composed. Recalls Vincent's epitaph for Albany Wallis (OW). Used to attend Abbey services, where Howel Holland Edwards (schoolfellow) is a prebend. School much reduced (only 100 pupils, cf. Eton's 800). Refers to the monuments of Edward Smedley, Vincent and Busby. All the old trees have been removed from Dean's Yard. Tothill Fields have been built over (a town with squares and gardens) from Millbank to the Floodgates. Wishes to be remembered to some (university?) friends.

Opens the correspondence. There has been a breakdown of relations between HMC and JB (of unspecified length, but possibly 50 years ago - last meeting ca. 1820) through HMC's misunderstanding of an act of JB's, but HMC is now satisfied that no offence was meaned. Ill health in ca.1820 led him to holiday and then buy a property on Mont St. Michel - compelled to sell this last year because of the 2 cataracts which have blinded him. Also a property in Foret Montier. Quote from Hor.C.2.14, Hor.C.3.6. News of his own family. His epitaph which he has composed. Recalls Vincent's epitaph for Albany Wallis (OW). Used to attend Abbey services, where Howel Holland Edwards (schoolfellow) is a prebend. School much reduced (only 100 pupils, cf. Eton's 800). Refers to the monuments of Edward Smedley, Vincent and Busby. All the old trees have been removed from Dean's Yard. Tothill Fields have been built over (a town with squares and gardens) from Millbank to the Floodgates. Wishes to be remembered to some (university?) friends.

JB has passed through town without visiting, but HMC couldn't have received him anyway because of various maladies.

Little to add since his last since he is still slowly recovering - as they to say at Westminster, ex nihilo nil fit. Has been dosed with Peruvian bark (quinine) and henbane. Repeats the story of Dodswell (actually Dowdeswell - see 6). Asks how JB is paid after the abolition of tithes (see 4). On hot topics in town, including the fraud of Captain Richardson on Coutts. Increase in crime - the lower orders now settle their differences with knives rather than fists. Hopes that Liddell will restore the fortunes of Westminster. Remembers the many holidays at Westminster - three weekly half days, saints' days, full plays - a miracle that a good scholar ever emerged.

No need for JB to send the pamphlet on tithes (see 11), since HMC has discovered the principle behind the bill. On the deficiencies of Daniel O'Connell's policies in Ireland, and the difficulties of waging war on Irish rebels. Quotes a line of Horace - he remembers so much not because of lessons, but rather the practice of the 6th Form at Westminster at passing their many hours of idleness (see 11) by quoting and then capping verses. On parts of Horace worth remembering in their own right, and the vain search (e.g. by Sir John Hobhouse) for places he mentions (e.g. his villa, the spring of Bandusium). On a recent assertion that the earth is no less than 47,000 years old - some discussion of the views of Dr William Buckland, Dean of Westminster.

JB has enquired about someone who turns out to be the son of their old friend George Trevilian, latterly Archdeacon of Wells (NB there is no George Trevilian, or Trevelyan, in the Record, and there is no such name in the list of Wells' archdeacons, although he was a canon 1809-1827 - but he was Archdeacon of Taunton). What name is John Fawcett now known by (see 7), why did he change it, and what part of Italy does he now live in?

Further enquiries about John Fawcett (see 13).

Cross-written. JB is looking for a curate - John Ollivier, booksellers of Pall Mall, keep a register of clergymen in want of a position. Thinks of 'fumum et opes strepitumque Romae (Hor.C.3.29.12 - first read before he was 12) whenever he enters London. Ill discipline at the military academy in Woolwich, where 8 or 9 have been expelled - as with those expelled from university, they will never be able to hold a government post. A few tears ago the Duke of Wellington prevented his son from being expelled by Christ Church - he had got drunk on champagne, piled all his furniture in the middle of the quad and set fire to it.

Doubts whether his grandson (up at Balliol) would be able to perform the duties of curate (see 15), since he is not yet quite in holy orders. A Westminster boy was with him yesterday; numbers, at present 90, will rise by 30 after Christmas, the old KS dormitory is now used only for sleeping, rooms have been constructed on the ground floor for use during the day, and School is being heated by hot water pipes. More time is being devoted to study, whole play days have been abolished, and Lily's Latin Grammar now being used. All these changes have been brought about by Dr Buckland, the Dean. More musings on John Fawcett (see 13).

Returns a letter from Pulteney (see 8) to JB - asks for the former's address in Italy. Wonders whether late life illnesses are the Protestant equivalent of Purgatory - and then bemoans the influence of Cardinal Newman.