“I have nothing particular to tell you, but must write a line in return for your jolly letters, which are very pleasant to us. I am very sorry that your cough is not better. I am afraid that you will not get rid of it until we get you at home, and nurse you properly. You will soon be with us now; in the meantime take care of yourself, and make the most of your time (I don’t think I need tell you to work, as you seem so well inclined already). I will write about your coming home, and also about your going up for the entrance Exam. after Christmas. I wish very much that you should go up. I really don’t see why you should go to Rugby three days before the Exam.; but if they insist upon it, I suppose it must be so. I hope you won your match yesterday. It is very unfortunate that you could not play as you would have done but for this unlucky cough. Never mind, you have plenty of time before you for football. All are well, and join in best love to you. God bless you. “Yours most affectionately, “G. E. HUGHES. “The hounds come to Wellbury to-morrow. I hope your game was good. Let us know.” At the beginning of the next term Jack went to Rugby, and almost the first letter he received from his father was the following Valentine, which species of missive appears to have become popular amongst boys:— “_February 23, 1872._ “This is the month when little Cu- -pid robs us of our senses, oh! ’Tis he inspires me to renew My doleful strains of love to you, Oh, charming, fascinating cru- -el Walter Jacky Mansfield Hugh- -es, Scholæ Rugbeiensis, oh! “I learn to dance and sew, while you Are learning Latin tenses, oh! How I should like to dance with _you_, Instead of with my frightful grew- -some governess, oh! charming cru- -el Walter Jacky Mansfield Hugh- -es, Scholæ Rugbeiensis, oh! “I’m sure the least that you can do To calm my nerves and senses, oh! Is (though ’tis slightly overdue) To take this little billet-doux, And be the Valentine so true Of her who signs herself your Su- -san, charming, fascinating cru- -el Walter Jacky Mansfield Hugh- -es, Scholæ Rugbeiensis, oh! “YOUR SUSAN.” In explanation of an allusion in the next letter, I insert an extract of the same date, from one to his sister:— “Jack is in high force, but has been having extra lessons (with all his schoolfellows), in consequence of (what he calls) a ‘towel fight,’ and subsequent ‘war dance,’ in which the school indulged in an irrepressible burst of youthful spirits. What geese boys are!” “OFFLEY, _March 1872_. “DEAREST JACK,