| Description | It seems a long time since leaving Collingwood, with only one letter from Bella in the interval. He describes their life in the country, the house 'like a great steamer divided into watertight compartments'. He refers to the children of the house and his talks with Edward [Hardcastle] 'a hot conservative' on politics. Hardcastle met Dean Stanley and was fascinated by him, reminding him of Father [Sir John Herschel]. Stanley has made a great impression on Manchester clergy. They are alarmed at the supposed fusion between Gladstone and Newman. He notes Gladstone's intention to contest East Lancashire and plans for securing votes. They dined with [Hugh] Birley, and William gives an account of his building churches and schools. He escorted the Hardcastle girls to a lecture on magnetism at the Royal [Manchester] Institution. He asks his mother to post his Schiller. William paid a visit to Owen's College, spending a few minutes with Professor Balfour Stewart and he saw a 'live Spectrum of metal or two', which he describes. He concludes by saying he is called to see some crystals, wishing to add something of their evening reading of Shakespeare. |