I have heard nothing more of or from Charles; and am a little anxious lest our letters may not have reached him, as the address he gave seems to me not at all secure, having no proper post town. I sent again by another route, giving him an order on an Englishman in Bonn for £5, to allow time if there were unforeseen mishaps: but there is just the same uncertainty as to his getting this. . . .

        I want you to tell me candidly about Aunt's finances. These two years back she has wished to decline receiving anything from me. If it is really not wanted I shall of course not desire to press it on her, especially as we know not what expence Charles will cause. But I should not like to withdraw so as to leave you and John to bear expence alone: and John seems to me particularly to be the one who should be relieved. More especially, since I cannot help thinking he must hold his fellowship with rather a loose hand. . . .

        I fear it is unreasonable, with your family occupations, to teaze you with my musical smatterings. I think I shall soon write an article for the Classical Museum, in part on Greek metrical singing; and I want you to examine the enclosed melody (!) which I have composed for the Alcaic metre. I like the end; but the third part sounds odd to me. If you can improve any part of it, especially the first three, you will do me a service. . . .

        I also want you to send me the music of the Tyrolese Hymn of Liberty, as sung to Moore's words, "Merrily every bosom etc.", I have got it; but it does not properly answer the words, "There the warriors' arms etc. etc." I have translated it into Greek of precisely the same metre, i.e. precisely to suit the same tune; and I want to exhibit the effect necessarily produced on the Greek pronunciation, i.e. accent. I have quite pleased myself (!) as to a tune to the Sapphic metre, by a little improvement on one which I made at Bristol.

        I am trying to deliver some historical lectures to a very promising Institution here, called the Ancoats Lyceum,—a School, Library, and News Room joined. It is trying to get a building. They have 500 members and scholars, and might easily have 1200, if their rooms allowed. The energy of the leading men here in such things seems constantly on the increase.

With true love to you all, I am
Your own brother        
F. W. Newman