Item 231 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to F. W. H. Myers

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States that Myers' letter is 'rather a relief' to him; had been afraid that the latter might make himself content 'to choose with a dangerous suppression of true instinct.' [Note in Myers' hand explains that Sidgwick refers to the fact that he will not, after all, marry Miss Drew; Sidgwick had taken Myers' account of her 'a little too serious', and he claims that there never was any chance of his making 'a mercenary marriage.'] Nevertheless, it would delight him to hear that Myers was 'prosperously betrothed'. Admits to having 'an almost morbid dread of marriage as the termination of romance'.

In relation to the election of Birks as Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy, thinks that it is 'not as bad as it looks... as far as the credit of Cambridge is concerned', though regarding the teaching of undergraduates 'the post is simply thrown away'. Claims that it has been the custom in Cambridge to consider the Professorship as a mere ornament and dignity, and that Birks 'is a man of force and acumen, and has written books that show these qualities'. Believes that Birks' election fixes him [Sidgwick] in Cambridge 'for some years more.' States that the reason why he does not like Myers discussing him with any friend is that he is, he claims, 'ashamed at any Superior Person's attention being [ ] to a subject so unimportant to the Universe'; 'So do it as much as you like', he adds. Refers to [Cyril?] Flower, and to the fact that he has changed his opinion about him.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 264-265.