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Has not heard from JB for 6 weeks, and hopes that all is well. Presumes that JB is hearing from his son in Ireland about the troubles (the Young Irelander Rebellion) - doubts that Smith O'Brien will have the effrontery to appear in the House of Commons.

Extraordinary events at home and abroad (presumably revolutionary movements in Europe, Chartism and Ireland). Liddell will very shortly move on to become tutor to the Prince of Wales (this did not happen). Surprised that Liddell was ever appointed - younger son of Lord Ravensworth, a family C knew well- 'remarkable for their inattention to literature.' Anticipates the monster Chartist mutiny scheduled for 10th April (see 40) - like their fellows in Paris they probably want good pay and no work. On the power of the mob in Paris. A riot in Madrid has been suppressed by the military.

On ways by which JB may combat his depression. Invitation to stay - books (but no novels), walks in London, the diversion offered by current affairs (e.g. a failed rally on Kennington Green - presumably a Chartist demonstration, but clearly not that of 10th April on Kennington Common), the return of British expats from France in the face of the revolution that year (80,000 estimated to be in Paris alone - the family of the Earl of Pembroke occupied 8 carriages).

Cross-written. On the abdication of Louis Philippe, King of France, who departed in such haste that he left behind his pocket book containing £15,000 in bank notes. On unrest in Europe, and demonstrations in Britain whipped up by Charles Cochrane (the Spanish Minstrel). The varying competences of physicians. On the 1798 uprising in Ireland, and the unpleasantness of civil war.

3rd performance of the Play took place last night - in addition to the clergy and the Heads of Houses and tutors from the two universities, there were present from the government Lord Morpeth and the Marquis of Lansdowne (Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice OW), so perhaps the school may be revived.

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).

Does not yet know if the Play will take place this year (see 29). On the theft of £48,000 in 1844 from a safe at Messrs Rogers and Co., a Lombard Street bank, and a reward being offered and recently claimed, on condition of no prosecution and anonymity for the culprit. Does not know when Fawcett (Thomas, brother of John?) will venture south.

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.

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.

Pulteney (see 24) has visited three times. Westminster on the up, but will never attain its former grandeur because of rival schools and Eton (see 3). Remarks on the potato blight and the new Houses of Parliament. The rising price of provisions - the Queen is making all this 'into ridicule' by limiting her household to one pound brown bread per day, but placing no limit on beef and venison; compare also the sums thrown away each week at the French and Italian Theatres.