Item 75 - Letter from Arthur Sidgwick to Henry Sidgwick

Written on the occasion of Henry's announcement of his impending marriage. Letter interspersed with 'periodical iambics' in Greek. Wishes blessings upon him, and hopes that he will deserve connubial felicity as much as he does, 'and obtain it more'. Annotation in the hand of Arthur's wife Charlotte: 'I'm not going to read any further, but write C.S.S.' Refers to his reaction to the news, and mentions the fact that he saw Arthur Balfour, 'a young slender blackeyed person of a soothing tendency, outside Eton chapel (or St Georges perhaps) about four years ago', and guesses him to be a brother of Henry's future wife. Asks him to inform him of the details of the wedding and where he proposes to live. Tells him to mark his future wife 'in the old Myerian categories.' Refers to Henry's letter to the Spectator, which, he claims did great good; '[i]t twisted old Plug round again like a bobbin, and made Wilson cease from troubling and [Arthur] at rest.' Observes that 'four times two is eight, and if you add the 6 Bensons and Nevil that equals 15.' Declares that he is glad that Henry is going to be at Symonds'.