This series of correspondence is largely made up of letters from Mr John Hicks (a servant of the Russell family) to Rachel, Lady Russell. Mr Hicks is writing to Lady Russell regarding her son Wriothesley, Lord Tavistock, who he joined on his European travels across Holland, Italy and France as a tutor, companion and assistant, as well as attending him at Oxford. Hicks swaps between dating his letter in old style and new style whilst abroad.
In the first letters to Lady Russell Mr Hicks writes of the following: Lord Tavistock's intention to go to Woburn from Oxford and Hick's determination to keep him applied to his studies; requesting Lady Russell get Mr Thornton to check on Lord Tavistock at Woburn; the Earl of Abingdon being ill of colic and it hindering the Bishop and Lord Tavistock's visit; Lord Tavistock's schedule of study including disputations and philosophy in the morning and classic authors in the afternoon; books being studied including Plutarch, Arnobius, the last book of the Apologist and Camden's Queen Elizabeth in English and Latin; Lord Tavistock's temperament being pleasant and cheerful; Lord Tavistock's arrival at Southampton House; finding a tutor to advise on books for Lord Tavistock to read whilst he is staying in London; Lord Tavistock's return to Oxford and Mr Hick's preparations of his lodgings; the good reputation Lady Russell has gained in the education and care of her son.
In his letter to Lord Tavistock (CS1/96/3) he writes that he hopes Lord Tavistock is observing Christmas and the nativity as sacredly as they do in the College Chapel. He gives a description of the Christmas practices at Oxford and the sermon to be given Mr Kenton and requests that Lord Tavistock ensure he takes Holy Communion on the nativity if not then on New Year's Day.
The letters written whilst Lord Tavistock and Mr Hicks are abroad to Lady Russell concern: their safe arrival in the Hague and a description of the events and firework display for the public day of thanksgiving for peace; the loan of Mr Masters' coach to Lord Tavistock; Lord Tavistock's dinner engagements with the English ambassador, Lord Villiers, Lord Pembroke and Sir Joseph Williamson; Lord Tavistock's visit to court; the very high cost of living in the Hague; French comedians who are popular despite acting badly and charging extravagant rates for places; the terrible quality of the cooking and Robin's [Tavistock's cook?] disapproval; Lord Tavistock's busy schedule not allowing him to take physic or bleed; Lord Tavistock in good health; the liveries of the French and Spanish pages and footmen; best wishes to Lord and Lady Roos; a description of Monsieur O'Dyck's balls, the assemblies and social engagements attended by Lord Tavistock as part of the King's court including with the Duke of St Albans; dancing masters; Lord Tavistock having a mild cold and sore throat; Lord Tavistock's drinking habits being to have little wine and mainly beer and ale brought from Southampton House; an account of Dr Sherwood who stayed with Lord Townsend; the English they have met being homesick and wishing for the king to return to England; their intention to visit gardens and estates of interest such as "Houndfloodyck" and Lord Portland's gardens, after the king has left; fine closet shown to Lord Tavistock by Monsieur O'Dyck's daughter; a description of their plans for observing Christmas and the practice in the various churches in the Hague; Lord Tavistock's shame regarding his gambling and Mr Hicks' solution of presenting him with a copy of Dr Sharp's sermon; the disbanding of the forces and the uproar against it in the Hague; the appointment of Lord Albemarle as Lord Chamberlain and Lord Tavistock's disapproval; writing to Mr Thornton at Woburn to keep the Duke of Bedford informed of their travels; a description of a visit to see the fortifications at Narden which are meant to be very fine though Mr Fatio believes the ones built by the King of France are finer; a public dissection which Mr Hicks did not want Lord Tavistock to watch in case it made his cold worse; Lord Tavistock's visits to Amsterdam's public buildings and donations of the city (avoiding the hospitals with the bad smells not appropriate for the unhardened nose); the very disagreeable Dutch cookery and wine in Ambsterdam; the arrival of Mr Sherrard and Mr Spencer at the Hague and their provisions for Lord Tavistock's journey; Lord Tavistock's New Year's resolution resulting in more serious behaviour and Mr Hicks' belief it will put an end to the talk of them in England; the agreement for 10,000 seamen quietening the unrest in The Hague; money distributed from Lord Tavistock's collection at the sacrament to the English minister's poor church housekeepers; talk of Mr William Trumboll; plans to travel from the Hague shortly; sending items back to England such as Latin and French books that are not required for onward travel as advised by Mr Sherrard; a "bill of stow" required for their goods returning to England; the knowledge and value of Mr Sherrard; safe arrival in Naples with good provisions and comfortable lodgings at Mr Young's; an opportunity to see the Spanish court and the Neopolitan princes whilst in Naples; Lord Tavistock's interest chiefly being in meeting people of quality and not just seeing antiquities; letters from Cardinal Giudice being delivered to noblemen by Lord Tavistock; Lord Tavistock's choice to spend the carnival at Rome rather than Venice; a nobleman with a poor reputation who has possibly gone to France; description of the Neapolitan people abounding with pride and envy; operas, conversations and court visits keeping Lord Tavistock distracted; Lord Tavistock waiting upon the Great Duke in Florence; Lord Tavistock's new role as counsellor to the Great Duke and a ring gifted to him by the Great Duke; Marquess de Medici appointed to attend Lord Tavistock and instruct him in the ceremonies of the place; an explanation of the use of titles in Florence; Lord Tavistock's tour of the Great Duke's collections and his villa Poggio Imperiale furnished by the Great Duke's late mother and includes some English pictures; a visit to Pratolino where the court spends the heat of summer; onward travel to Pisa; his feeling that they are best only staying long enough in each places to see the sights and then move on; their present staff including two Italian footmen who they will not keep on for long because it is expensive; Lord Tavistock's plan to return to England; his reception at Milan; the prince having taken Lord Tavistock to his country house called the Casino; the warmer weather in Milan compared to Rome; having to send for credit at Genova not having found a banker in Milan; preparations being made in the town for the birth of the young prince; where to leave letters; a visit to the Borromean Islands; their arrival in Turin; proposal for a different route home by the Consul of Nissa; Mr Hicks' doubt as to why Lord Tavistock suddenly wishes to return home and his guess that it may relate to Cardinal Cosimo; an accidental encounter with the prince in Turin and a description of his odd looks; Mr Hicks' message via Mr Hoskins that the accusation that Lord Tavistock has changed his religion is false; the accusation of Lord Tavistock's gambling being complex and best settled when they have returned home to England; dancing master at Fountainbleau since they arrived in Paris; Lord Tavistock's recovery from fever.
In his last surviving letter to Lady Russell Mr Hicks congratulates Lady Russell on the birth of her grandchild and the news that Lord Bedford is the darling of the court [made a Knight of the Garter in March 1702] and writes of his wish that all her grandchildren will be as well-educated as her own children were.