Item 31 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to Mary "Minnie" Benson.

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Hears, through their mother, that she wishes to hear about Rugby. Reports that 'a settled gloom overspreads [them], broken only by occasional anecdotes about B_s', due to problems relating to the headmaster [Henry Hayman], and to 'Vaccination'. Reports that Arthur has been quite ill, and that Haslam has had to come and do his work. Claims himself to be '[ready] enough to feel very strongly that Science is in an imperfect state of development...' Reports on problems that have arisen between the sixth form and 'H_r', which has resulted in parents threatening to withdraw their boys, and the Trustees ordering an enquiry. States that the New Board is to be appointed before the end of the following term. Is certain that the crisis is having an adverse effect on the health of Arthur and his mother. Remarks that the chapel looks 'dreadful'.

Asks her to write to him telling him how she is, and reports that he is 'very well, also very lazy', though he spends a little of his time in writing on philosophical subjects, including 'scraps in the Academy and elsewhere, and also writes 'letters and scraps in the Cambridge Reporter, besides Secretarial work for the women's lectures'; he is therefore 'not found out to be idle'. Has given up the idea [of their mother moving to Cambridge], as he thinks that it would be too much for her. Sends the 'Programme' [not included]. Sends his love to Edward, who he hopes is better, and states that he is delighted to hear about Charley.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 244.