Naples. Boarded the Ranger brig bound for Malta and Egypt (but didn't get to latter). Palermo - Trapani (3 nights at sea from Palermo!) - Malta - Messina. Voyage partly undertaken for the health of Lady Harriet Drummond, but her sea-sickness caused the abandonment of the original plan of going to Athens. PE not as sea-sick as he thought he might be - only sick so as to make a discharge on one day. Will ignore Malta and Sicily till they meet, because he needs to address a letter from his sister-in-law - but Valetta very pretty - after 20 odd years of rule the English have introduced cleanliness, but have yet to set up a church. Sister-in-law's poor health caused by the weather - but the spring in Naples was just as raw as in England. Thanks for offer to look after PE's exports from Italy. Miss B. (Bigge?) has married. Various business matters. Mrs Bedford has died - PE has not heard from Bedford the son, but he himself could not write to anyone after his own mother's death. Some gossip from Grote concerning the love affairs of one Diana. Comments on the will of Mr Carew. Plans to return to England via Rome, Florence and Venice.
Thanks PE for consulting Athenaeus ms. - criticism of Schweighauser. Has heard of an Athenaeus mss. In Florence, though later than the Venetian. Clarendon Press will not yet publish J B Gail's Xenophon, since it has recently reprinted Schneider's edition. Correspondence with Boissonade. Asks for PE's comments on 1st volume of Poetae Minores (which he will include in an appendix in volume 2).
Still very busy - simultaneous publication of two books. Thanks PE for complete copy of Heracleidae. Mus Crit longer than expected (140)(128 pages). Hippolytus will be finished the next day, and a copy will be sent to PE. Sidler's Dochmiaea unsatisfactory - hopes for a better attempt from PE. More on Barker - an 'unprincipled dog.' PE has deferred coming to Cambridge.
Unable to think of way to assist PE's application to the Archbishop of Canterbury to be Speaker's Chaplain. CW a candidate for the Speakership. The Oxford parliamentary candidates. His brother having trouble getting his men to volunteer for extended service. A certain Hall has been trying to borrow money from CW with Phillimore as intermediary (who has warned him that he will not succeed) - PE may receive a similar request.
Yet another daughter has been born - any hope of a son must wait until another year. PE apparently did not attend the execution of one Nicholson (???). Allusion to the elevation of William Howley to be Bishop of London (inadequate to improve the lamentable deficiency of talent on the scared bench - he subsequently became Archbishop of Canterbury!). Brother Henry to marry one of Lord Carrington's daughters - described as sensible and amiable, 'though not handsome. The Carrington family gives him some consolation by showing that it is possible to have nine daughters, and finally a son.
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.
Parr trying to contribute his views on the inscription (v.448f.), but CW has seen nothing of his which pleases him in either sentiment or expression. Encloses a version by Lord Grenville. Discussion of the authenticity of 'Cambrensis.' Off to the theatre to see George Barnwell (The London Merchant, or The History of George Barwell, by George Lillo), with the last scene revived, and the gallows and new drop introduced on the stage.
Has tried unsuccessfully to make PE a Freeholder of the County of Montgomery (thus giving him a vote there?) - Lord Chancellor Eldon's conscience has stood in the way.
