Item 23 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to Mary "Minnie" Benson

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Declares that he has been very successful in life since [their] 'brief and transitory yet happy...interview terminated at the Royal Academy', despite his pecuniary losses; thinks 'a large family on £300 a year' is the only thing which could make him 'properly thrifty'.

Is anxious to hear what she thinks of Elaine and [another painting at the Summer Exhibition?] Says that their mother had hinted that she was too much overcome with the heat to enjoy anything, and he hopes that Minnie and Miss Hadley 'strongly impressed on her the advantages that would arise from [Turkish Baths].' Claims that he found the Academy 'once almost as good as a T.B....' Refers to his mother's possible move to Cambridge, which he claims he urged on her as strongly as he felt he ought, but reports that she thinks that he is as yet not settled enough. Wishes that he had 'a kindred spirit still left at Cambridge', since all his friends are now 'wasting their sweetness as schoolmasters' and he visits them 'with a strange mixture of envy and regret for their sakes'; but claims that he is very happy there with his books. Reports that he read Macaulay and Mill alternately, and also reads geography. Announces that he is going to study geology during the summer. Asks her to send him the papers that J. Conington sent him if Arthur has left them at Wellington College. Wishes also toknow all her plans, and sends greetings to Edward.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 167-168