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.

Celebrated his birthday (16th December) on the 17th - more suited to gaiety than the Sabbath. Cannot stand novels. Has just read the life of the actor John Bannister, who used to join the boys for fencing tuition under Angelo, and afterwards for beefsteak and porter at Mother Dawson's (see 31). The Play (was to have been The Andria) will not happen this year because of the death of the Queen Dowager (Adelaide, widow of William IV).

Visits to Monasteries in the Levant by Robert Curzon - maybe a son or nephew of their old friend David Curzon OW (actually David was 1st cousin once removed to Robert). Has no room for new books, so uses a circulating library. His contempt for novels. On the murders at Stanfield Hall. Examinations at Oxford have become tougher - but the clergy of his young day no less effective than clergy nowadays. Has JB's son stationed at Charlemont written of a proposal to drain Lough Neagh, the finest lake in the British dominion ? (Part of a proposal to make the River Hind navigable from Roscommon to the Shannon.) If it happens they may find old arms which HMC removed from rebels and threw in there during the rebellion of 1798. On the excavation of Ninevah.

Offers to look for a curate for JB - and suggests he writes to any friend at Oxford or Cambridge.

Has finally been able to come downstairs after his lumbago. The French are so used to revolution that very little surprises them - things which would horrify an Englishman. On the case brought by George Cornelius Gorham against the Bishop of Exeter, on being refused preferment. Sad to see the progress which Roman Catholics are making in England. On the neglect in the education of young men at the universities - they are too old at 17 or 18, as opposed to 10-12 years old in their young day. Dean Buckland is ill (see 73) in the parish of Islip (as was Vincent - the living belongs to Westminster Abbey).

This collection contains a variety of material relating to the School’s religious services, primarily focused on Westminster Abbey. There are orders of service from the annual School services held at the Abbey, as well as further material from Abbey events that were often attended by the School, although did not feature it in any prominent way. Finally there is a subsection for Funerals and Memorials, containing orders of service for people related to the School or the Abbey. Many, but not all, of these services were held in Westminster Abbey.

Material generated through the School's events in or relationship with the Abbey, including annual services, weekly Abbey talks, and one-off events. Some items are also included by merit of their religious themes, such as Holy Communion orders of service, but are not specifically tied to the Abbey itself.
Westminster Abbey documents relating to the biannual Commemoration of Benefactors and the annual Election service are held in the EVE series, under their respective events.