Part 19/1-2 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to A.J. Patterson

1 letter, with envelope.

Explains that the delay in answering Patterson's letter was due to his busy schedule. Regrets to find his missive 'so sad in tone'. Reports that he is 'living personally a very happy life, - having congenial work, a faultless wife, and a constitution that does not seem to be going to break down just yet'. Predicts, however, that he will not reach the age of seventy. As regards public affairs, declares that he shares 'to the full the general disillusionment of political idealists', probably more acutely because he is at present 'trying to finish a book on the Theory of Politics'. States that he is unable to answer Patterson's question about Ossian, but undertakes to find out the answer to it if he has an opportunity. Announces that, apart from the Elements of Politics and university work, his main interest at present 'is the illdefined subject known as "Psychical Research"'. Remarks that Patterson's friend Medveczky 'had to hear something of [the concept] at the Congress of Experimental Psychology' at which Sidgwick and he met in Paris the previous August. Refers to the 'remarkable success' of Bryce's book, [The American Commonwealth] and to 'the action for libel brought against him by "Oakley Hall" of New York notoriety'. Asks Patterson if he has had the influenza, and what he thinks of the value of 'the pacific assurances circulating in European journalism.' Asks if there is really going to be no war 'because every one is afraid of it', and if 'that excellent patch-work, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy 'is coming unsewn'. Asks him his opinion of Home Rule in Wales.