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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.

On the rising price of potatoes in London, and the unjustness of the response to the Irish Famine. Public indifference to important questions - so, no disapprobation has been expressed at the House of Commons voting to remove some disabilities experienced by Catholics. HMC says that some (not all) Catholics can buy absolution at confession and then return to their criminality.

JB's new curate apparently has a sonorous voice - discussion of what goes towards a good sermon, and the views of the fictional Sir Roger de Coverley (in The Spectator). Old schoolfellow Thomas Feilde has died. People fleeing Ireland are bringing disease with them - London has responded by starting to clear slums - Pie Street (Old Pye Street?) has disappeared, and the government is contemplating throwing open Tothill Street to create a wide road form Buckingham Palace to Parliament. He would very much like to possess a very old map of London which used to be in the shop of the one-eyed baker Jackson on the corner of the Bowling Alley (now Tufton Street). Has JB heard anything of Pulteney (see 8, 20 and 21)?

Returns a letter from the Marquis of Anglesey to JB (see 7 and 8) - JB's son has apparently been posted to Spike Island (in Cork harbour). The new curate has used one of his grandfather's sermons (see 22) - HMC amazed that anyone should write new sermons, given the huge number of books of sermons sold 2nd hand every week. Discussion of London book auctions - a Mazarin (Gutenberg) Bible has been purchased for the American government for £500.

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.

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.

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).

Has heard from a Second Election that the Play is to be continued this year, the Adelphi. The Head Master, educated at the Charter House (see 3), has abandoned Busby's Latin grammar, which formed so many eminent men (William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, William Markham, Archbishop of York, and Robert South, and replaced it with Lily, used by many of the minor country schools. Has doubled the number of lessons and introduced Maths, unknown in their day. The scholars' dormitory now only used for sleeping, and the space beneath it has been converted into 3 day rooms - these alone have fires, and there are none in the dormitory. On the possibility of a Papal nuncio in London (see 31) - perhaps Daniel O'Connell's prediction of 2 years ago will happen, the celebration of Mass in Westminster Abbey.

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.

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).