Item 8 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to Mary "Minnie" Benson

1 doc

Explains that he has been 'bothered and unsettled' since he came to Berlin, and that he is now living 'en famille' at the home of Dr Lüdde-Neurath, 1 Markgrafen St. Describes his lodgings as 'very simple and homely', and comments favourably on its cheapness, as Berlin 'is a dear town for Germany'. Reports that he has a big room to himself, with a good view, and that he gets 'boarded and instructed as well...for under £10 for 6 weeks.' Refers to his linguistic skills. Reports that Patterson, who went to Germany with him, developed 'an infinite disgust of Berlin, the Germans, their manners customs and language', and Henry could not persuade him to stay for longer than a fortnight, after which he went off to tour on his own account.

Declares himself to be 'a wretched man for seeing sights', but he went to Potsdam the other day; says that its palace is prettier and more interesting than the 'Schloss' in Berlin. Remarks on the 'intense hatred' that the Germans have for the name of Napoleon. Reports that they passed the palace where the Princess Frederic William resides. Claims that he saw the report of the 'W[ellington] C[ollege] speeches' in the Times, and remarks that he was glad to see that she was 'giving further support to the sinking literature of [their] country...'

Reports that he gained nothing from his spirit-rapping 'but experience in the lower forms of human nature.' Claims that the woman involved, who accomplished 'some very remarkable liftings of the table', 'was a complete humbug', but that the experience does not at all shake his [qualified] belief in spirit-rapping. Asks if Ada [Benson] is still in Dresden, and how long she is going to stay there. Announces that he is to spend a day or two there at the end of September, and is then going to the Riesengebirge, and thne on to Prague.

Reports that the previous day he paid a very pleasant visit to Dr Rau[ ] in the evening, but claims that his German in not yet up to scratch. Announces that he intends to call upon Dr Rau[ ]'s brother that day. Reports that he ate beer-soup that day, and describes its composition. Finds that he is in Berlin 'just at the wrong time, 'as there is no university and almost no society now.' Complains that the worst feature in Berlin 'is the abundance of ---s and ----s.' Sends his love to Edward and his mother.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 54-55.