PE has consulted a female friend about his love affair, who has recommended that he propose via an intermediary. CW (and his wife) strongly disagree, 'though recognising that PE is nervous of losing a pleasant and easy intercourse. His wife still suffering the consequences of her 'misfortune' (miscarriage?). CW's immediate plans (including a fortnight's exercise with his cavalry) preclude organising a visit from PE. Recommends that PE accepts one of the select preacherships at Oxford as well as the Bampton lectureship in order to prove that he has followed the studies of his profession (as well as those horribly pagan and idolatrous ones which are still pursued at Westminster and Eton).
To PE in Rome. Since PE left his house on 16th May he has received only one letter from Florence, dated 9th November 1816. (Richard?) Heber has asked that PE should search for a long-lost ms. of Porphyry in the Vatican or Laurentian Library. Has returned to Wales early for the Easter holidays, partly to see his wife and children (whom he had left behind through lack of funds - poor rental income), and partly because he cannot bear to support the current inefficient administration (yet he finds the opposition even worse). Reluctantly accepts the revival of the Sedition Bill and the suspension of Habeas Corpus, in view of nationwide riots. Southey in a vituperative public row after the publication of Wat Tyler: A Dramatic Poem. David Hughes, Principal of Jesus College, very soon after his marriage, became melancholy and shot himself. Possible successors - it will probably be Foulkes, no scholar but very worthy and gentlemanlike (he turned out to be the longest-serving principal of the college). Has not seen his brother since his wedding (on 4th February), but will meet him and his bride on the morrow. Phillimore (Joseph) has succeeded Horner as MP for St Mawes. Inflationary pressures across the country - the poor rates in particular are causing land to be left uncultivated. The printing of paper money, without real capital behind it.
Upbraids PE for not writing. Asks after his progress with Sophocles. Politics has been occupying everyone - Pitt is hostile to the current administration. CW has spoken in Parliament on the feeble conduct which has emboldened Bonaparte and caused the present war - a sentence of the speech was in Latin (quotation from Cicero?), which he presents for PE's approval. His brother Henry has been appointed His Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Dresden, at a salary of
Invites PE to Llangedwyn, where he shall be until Christmas, apart from 5 days in October for the Quarter Sessions and 4 days in November for the Cavalry meeting. Asks for PE's help in finding a school for his weakly son - country and sea air are desirable. A house steward has confessed to fraud and slit his throat, but will recover; though there is enough evidence to prosecute, CW is inclined not to, and instead to make him quit the country.
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.
Weather too poor for CW to travel to the country (St Mary Cray?). Southey writes seldom - CW disgusted by his public conduct in the face of a difference of opinion. The government expected to have a majority of 90 in both the Lords and the Commons on the Catholic question.
