Item 28 - Letter from A. V. Dicey to Nora Sidgwick

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Writes on the death of Henry Sidgwick. Assures her what a terrible loss it is to him, and of how great a value to him Henry's friendship and advice have been over the years. Claims that he was 'the most truthful, the most searching and the most sympathetic of critics', and then when he was last at Cambridge he read through Henry's article on Bentham in the Fortnightly [Review], and looked forward to discuss it with him. Claims that he was 'all a professor ought to be and can be in England', and how he himself, and many others, have profited from Henry's example, and trusts it may continue to help him while he teaches at Oxford. Claims that he owes thanks mainly to Henry for 'the Cambridge L. L. D.', and that the latter gave him [Dicey] encouragement when he was out of heart about his work. Also expresses his thanks to Nora and Henry for their having come to him [and his wife] for the previous Ad. Eundem meeting, and realises now that that visit to Oxford 'must have been a fearful strain and effort'. Mentions with fondness 'the Sunday with Sidgwick and...the bright meeting to hear his essay on Green.' Claims that these memories, and his last few minutes of conversation with him in London will now remain with him as cherished memories. Concludes that Henry's life 'has been a joy as well as a blessing' to all who knew him.