29 August 1881 – 4 September 1881

To York [The British Association].

Fryston. Breakfast 8.30. Lord Houghton reads out part of letter from Carlyle to his wife, written here at Fryston (for which he paid ^io : I OS.). It begins, 'My dear Bairn,' describes the Milnes family and life at Fryston. R. M. M.'s sister ' about Richard's height, a fair height for a gown.' Roebuck dined here, ' flew at me over and over again like a cockatrice, and was duly flung off, more to the satisfaction of the company than of me,' Odd to think of this letter coming back here. Ld, Houghton said, 'when I brought Carlyle here, we came into this room (the hall). My father, who was a most courteous man, expressed his great pleasure at seeing him, and how much he was obliged to me for bringing him : then, showing his cigar, said, " I hope, Mr. Carlyle, you don't object to this occupation." C. replied with emphasis, " I think sir it is a very natural occupa- tion, and I should like to join in it as soon as possible ! " '