Pièce 40 - Letter from Alice Johnson to Nora Sidgwick

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Discusses the proofs of chapters two, three and four of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which she is reading a second time. States that she feels very strongly against cutting this part of the book down at all, as she believes that there is 'practically nothing...that one would not be very sorry to miss from it.' Refers to its 'interest and charm', and to Henry's sincerity and courage, as well as to 'his refusal to be satisfied either with a materialistic or merely abstract theory.' Estimates that the complete book would constitute 'two not very big volumes', and compares this to the size of other biographies, e.g., Tennyson's, J.A. Symond's, V[ ]'s letters, and Colvin's Letters of R[obert] L[ouis] S[tevenson]. Declares that the great variety of topics in the book will make it more interesting to more people. Adds that in reading the proofs she has marked things she thought to be misprints, and refers to some inconsistencies and inaccuracies. States that she is very anxious for a reference to Henry's letter 'about In Memoriam in Tennyson's Life' to be brought in somewhere in the work, and also that the account he wrote in Archbishop Benson's Life about his school days will also be included. Refers to Henry's interest in others, and in particular to a letter he wrote to her after her Tripos. Undertakes to try to send off the proofs of the second chapter the following morning.