Item 180 - Letter from Baron Friedrich von Hügel to Henry Sidgwick

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Reports that he writes the letter away from home; is down in Bournemouth with his sick sister. Expresses his sorrow at Sidgwick's illness, and at the news that the doctors fear that his health may preclude his returning to his full literary activity. Reports that he has been anxious all winter about the state of his sister's health. Tries to comfort Sidgwick with the claim that doctors 'are certainly not infallible', and suggests that HS may prove them wrong by producing more work. Claims that he likes to express his 'sense of grateful obligation' and refers to the fact that, as a Catholic, he is a some distance from Sidgwick in religious matters. Refers to Wilfrid Ward, Fr Tyrrell, W.J. Williams, von Hügel's brother and the latter's wife, as those who would express similar convictions and sentiments as von Hügel in relation to Sidgwick. Quotes Basil Champney as having declared, with reference to Sidgwick, that 'there can have been but extraordinarily few men in existence, since the world began, who have had as many friends, and who have been so entirely without enemies.' Reports that he has just had his first exchange of letters with Professor James Ward [a close friend of Sidgwick's], whose book was such a great satisfaction to him.