Item 69 - Letter from Alexandrina Mayor to Nora Sidgwick

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Explains that her husband, [Professor J.B. Mayor], has been very busy since he received Nora's letter [104/67], and is hoping to write to her soon. Relates that Nora's letter led her and her husband to talk over 'the memories of old times', and that he suggested that she should write down one or two of them for Nora. Recalls that the meetings 'used to be in turn at one or other room in Cambridge and at Trumpington vicarage', and that they always used to be announced to her as 'a "sabia conversazion" '. States that the meetings were always at 'T[rumpington] V[icarage]', as her uncle [Professor Grote] had altogether given up going out to dinner or in the evenings, and that those attending used to dine and at first after dinner she used to sit in the drawing room alone. One day, however, her uncle announced that she was to be admitted a member of the 'S.C.', and they would come into the drawing room after dinner, for the discussion. Recalls that at first the members consisted of Henry Sidgwick, Mayor, Somerset and Venn. Believes that Henry got to know her uncle at his Fellowship Examination, and states that her uncle used to have two or three of those in whom he had taken a special interest over to dine; recalls Henry and his future brother-in-law Edward Benson being first introduced in that way. In relation to the dialogue that took place, states that her husband will write more, and, in the meantime, assures her that 'it was a real discussion' at Trumpington.