Item 242 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to F. W. H. Myers

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Has had 'spiritual reasons' to write to Myers for a long time, 'but they have all been outweighed by the sort of lethargy of spirit' in which he still lingers. Announces that his plans are nearly fixed, and that he would like to meet Myers in London. Intends to go there on 24 [July], but is unsure about when he is to visit his sister. Is sorry that Myers could not come to Margate, but 'does not think [he likes] the place as much as the previous year; jokes that it may be only his 'immense intellectual resources' which prevents it boring him during the day, though 'at sunset the contrast between the enchanted sea and the platitudes of the promenade delights [him] as before'. Reports that he 'struggles on' with his 'little book [The Methods of Ethics] because he feels that it must be written, and that it will bore him more the more he delays its completion. Asks for Myers' news. Likes Symonds' book [Introduction to the Study of Dante], though it does not give him 'supreme satisfaction.' Announces that he cannot come to London before 21 [July]. Intends to spend August and September in his rooms.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 282.