Item 61 - Letter from Edward G. Browne to Henry Sidgwick

States that he returned the previous Sunday to England from Constantinople, where he had spent 12 days and had seen, amongst others, Sir Philip Currie, Mr Black and Professor [Vambery]. Refers to Currie's views on student interpreters from Cambridge, the development of Oriental Studies at that university, as well as his attitude to the proposed introduction of Bulgarian, which he hoped to remove in due course, into the course. It was the opinion of Mr Block [a Turkish scholar] that the men should be trained in Constantinople rather than in England. Discusses the situation regarding the dropping of Bulgarian and the proposal that £100 be paid to himself for teaching Turkish; declares that his conscience would not allow him to take a salary for the teaching of that language to the student interpreters. Refers to his strong feelings on the subject of Cambridge being excluded from 'her proper share in the public services, and put aside once more in favour of Oxford', and to his willingness to render service to the University without expecting a pecuniary award in return. Admits to being more knowledgeable about Persian than Turkish, and to be more interested in the latter also. Refers to Dr [Charles?] Wells, who, he believes, is more learned in Turkish than he, and who would be a valuable addition to the Oriental School at Cambridge. Believes that for the practical teaching of Oriental languages it is very desirable to have a native 'repetiteur'. Hopes to call on Sidgwick the following Sunday. Repeats advice to take on Dr Wells as a Turkish lecturer, and states that if he [Browne] is to continue teaching Turkish himself, he must have the help of 'an educated Turk' to make it a success.