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(1881)

My dear W. Here are some pleasant letters of Fr. not to be returned. Dubba started yesterday to join him very grinny & jolly. We had a nice visit from G. & Hope of 2 days & they are gone to Cam. to settle about Cecil; but I have some business on my mind so I will leave news ─

Hen. & Richard were here on Sat & they think it is a pity our getting rid of No. 6 so hastily,

[insertion:] (Queen Anne St – Eras' D's house) that it wd have been worth keeping for a year as an experiment; chiefly for F. & me to ascertain whether a house of our own wd tempt him oftener to London; but also as Hotel to all the family.

I broached the subject to him knowing that he wd dislike of all things changing his mind & unsettling things; he minded

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it even more than I expected; but ended by saying that we might do what we pleased. For himself & for me it wd be no use or pleasure. He feels that it wd be dismal that he wd have a revulsion to going there (this no doubt wd be got over in time but it wd prevent it being a fair experiment in the course of 1 year) Also the Litches are going certainly to move into a larger house & wd certainly like to have us as often as Q a yr which is v. oftener than we have hitherto been to London. There is no doubt that all of you wd like it (except Horace who feel a dislike to the notion) & you & Sara might like to spend some weeks there, & the question is whether you wd think this worth while. If you have any strong opinion you might tel. to Geo to stop proceedings & send him this 1/2 sheet & the p. 5 to No 6 where will be on Friday.