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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.

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.

Recommends an oculist, Mr. Alexander, to a cousin of JB with a partial cataract. If JB passes through London HMC cannot promise to receive him in person - he lists his painful maladies. HMC is reminded of JB at every breakfast-time because of a teapot JB gave his 1st wife 60 years before.

Quote from the Vulgate (Book of Job, re the illnesses of old age). Alarmed by report that the school had been destroyed by fire, but in fact it was confined to Queen Anne's Bounty Office, between the boarding houses Clapham's and Geary's (NW corner of Dean's Yard). Has received 2 letters from Pulteney, who must have inherited immensely from Lady Bath (wife of Sir James Murray-Pultenay, OW). On the recent discovery by a Boston dentist of ether as an anaesthetic. How the pedantic and erudite use of the original meanings of words in book titles may put many people off buying them (A Catholic History of England, An Apology for the Bible).

Recent bad weather has caused many deaths, including his old friend the Duke of Argyll. Remarks on the crisis in Portugal, and civil unrest/disobedience in England.

Spent 7 years on Mont St Michel (see 1), whose balsamic air restored him to health - far superior to regular health resorts such as Nice and towns in the south of Italy.

Gruesome details of the lancing of a carbuncle. Quotes Hor.C.3.14 - is reminded of a translation of Hor.C.3.6 by JB (he asks for a copy), and thus of Westminster. Pupil numbers not above 100 - an inquiry has been held by the visitors the Dean of Christ Church and the Master of Trinity. The HM Dr. Williamson has been dismissed, possibly for overly savage flogging (a boy was unable to sit down for a week). An OW could not be found to replace him, so a Charterhouse-bred man, Dr. Liddell, has been appointed. Westminster's decline partly due to the preference of the aristocracy and royalty for Eton, and partly to the number of much cheaper schools in London. The Corn Laws. The opening of Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea (a rival to Vauxhall) will attract the worst characters in town.

On the flu epidemic - all the household are suffering, and one of the servants has died.

Xmas and New Year wishes. He and his wife still suffering from flu. Imagines shock of the Marquis of Anglesey (see 6, 7 and 25) on reading in the Times of a £50 reward being offered for the capture of his son Capt William Paget (OW - perennially in debt) for having obtained money under false pretences.

On deaths from flu and various remedies he has been taking, and the suicide of St John Mildmay (financial difficulties). His grandson (son of his deceased son Rawden) has been staying. The school performed an extra night of the Play for Prince Albert, on his return to London...who gave them a extra week's holiday.