[1]

ap. 10th [date added later but apparently wrong:] 68 Down, Bromley Kent

Dear George – It is very sad about Frank, tho' a comfort that he did well – Flower told Aunt F.H. that he was very much taken with Frank & that he was too good to get the scholarship. Newton said in a note wh. come today that Frank had done very well & especially in the Viva Voce part – wh. intelligence surprised Frank very much as he didn't think he'd done it well. I can't help thinking he might have got it if they had allowed time for directing.

There have ben cogitation abt his profession & it has eventuated in Doctoring being seriously talked about. It seems the only opening & then if he branches off to

[1v]

science it isn't waste time –

He has a clever plan by wh. to keep in college – For you not to give up your rooms but to let them to him – but this he'll talk to you about.

We've had a very unpleasant event this week. The immaculate Tommy has thrown Father. They were cantering over Keston Common when Tommy tripped & fell bang down – so completely head over heels that his ears & the pummel of the saddle were the two parts muddied. Father of course instated Tommy's movement & wd not have been hurt at

[2]

all if Tommy had not hit him a fearful blow in the back. This numbed his back & prevented his getting up – but as it was a frequented place someone soon came to his help & he was taken into a house & lay down on a sofa for a bit – after 1/2 an hour Tommy was caught & as the fly Father ordered was very long in coming he got on Tommy & was led home – He came in m. exhausted & in considerable pain – but Spengle is sure no bones were

[2v]

broken & that it is only a flesh bruise – This happened on Thursday [8 April 1869]

He is now able to hobble about the room a little & only in m. pain when he moves & tho' he is a good deal shaken & upset we hope he is on the road to be quite well. But it is very bad that all confidence in Tommy is gone – It isn't only once or even twice he has badly stumbled in a canter & it seems that it must be something in his way of going wh. is downright unsafe – I fear another Tommy will never be found & I fear Father's nerve will be considerably shaken – so it is altogether a bad job – Eupha went on Thursday after a most pleasant visit.

[3]

She is quite the pleasantest person I know. […]

[3v]

have come from Woolwich & the 4 boys & Bobby have been v. happy wildly scrimmaging on the lawn enjoying out 1st summer day. […]

[4]

years after […]

Sunday Morn. Father m. better mother says. Have nuffin m. to say-

Lovely heavenly day again – Paris m. be getting nice -