Item 16 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to Mary "Minnie" Benson

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Explains that he has 'just emerged from the mass of business and correspondence that the recommencement of [his] ladies' lectures has entailed', and now wishes to hear from her. Desires to know how she likes the town, 'and the J[ ], and the Germans', and whether she has read much German, and if she is keeping a large journal. States that 'it seems almost like a dream' that he was ever at Wiesbaden, 'and stood at the Roulette tables and saw the view from the Platte.'

Reports that he has been in Cambridge ever since he got to England, apart from a Sunday at Rugby, where he found that there is still a crisis. Believes that 'H[enry] H[ayman] will come badly out of it', and judges the latter to be 'an odd being', whose acts constitute 'a singular mixture of craft and stupidity.' Relates that, having been forced to reinstate [E. A.] Scott, 'he has done it with explanations and qualifications, which practically make the reinstatement incomplete.' Predicts that the matter will come before the board again. Reports that he wrote all she asked him, and hopes that everything turned out well. Praises the Museum W[ ] at Brussels, which he visited, and refers to 'the worst of seapassages.'

Reports that he missed William, but that Arthur 'seemed to think he was all right.' Relates that he saw no old Catholics as he passed through Cologne, but that he had much conversations about them 'with an intelligent German, who suspended them, as Horace says, on his upturned nose.' Reports that he has just heard from Ada [Benson], who says that she has just had 'a most successful tour and wants to know about Italian Hotels.' Expresses his wish to visit Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples, and states that when they have Bessemer Steamers [meant to reduce seasickness] on the Mediterranean he intends to go. Sends greetings to 'Chris [Benson] and his wife'.