Item 202 - Letter from Edward M. Young to Henry Sidgwick

Owning himself to being 'considerably at Trinity' that night, and being in a philosophical mood, asks after the nature of Sidgwick's discussions. Claims that Sidgwick's approval of his [degrading] 'was the more consoling as Tommy was vehement against it'. Reports to having caught a cold in his throat, but to be otherwise convalescing. Announces that they are to go to St Leonards or Brighton soon. Refers to Goodford's promotion [to provost of Eton], and states that 'Carter must be his successor', as one of the under-masters. Discusses Windham, who he claims to be mad, and refers to an incident in which his tutor Balston 'turned him out of his house for stabbing a boy'. Reports that he tried to get Goldwin Smith from [Mendies], but they had not sent it yet. States that the more Heterodoxy he reads, the more orthodox he becomes, and claims that his illnesses bring him to old faiths 'making them brighter, and clearer of difficulties than before'. Refers to the fact that his theses generally start from Genesis, of which the more he reads, the more he sees the impossibilities of disconnecting it from the doctrines of the New Testament. Hopes that Arthur [Sidgwick] 'is not the worse for the Craven [scholarship]', as he has heard that he was ill during it. Refers to his [Young's] 'Eton plan'. Wishes that he were not so cut off from Sidgwick and others. Asks if Trevelyan is hunting and sends his love to him.