Item 62 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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Glad to hear such a good account of her, and hopes that she is not thrown back by the frost. Complains about the frost in Cambridge, but states that he has had no cold. Tells her not to believe any reports that he has had an attack of the gout; reports that he has 'slightly disordered [his] system by metaphysics and neglect of exercise', and was 'obliged to lie up with an inflamed ankle in consequence'. Intends to do his six miles 'devoutly' in future. Does not know 'any book of sound information' to recommend to her. Asks if she has tried 'Palgrave's Arabia'[Personal Narrative of a Year's Journey through Central and Eastern Arabia (1862-1863)]. Asks whether she cares for novels; says that Mrs Oliphant's Agnes is worth reading. Says that it would interest him much sometime to read his old letters [as his mother suggests, see 101/170] but at present would dread it as 'there would be too many "ghosts of buried plans and phantom hopes" assembled there.'

Maintains that Ecce homo [recently published, anonymously, by J. R. Seeley] is a great work, but does not find the author's method satisfactory, 'because he passes so lightly over critical questions'. Finds the second part 'surprisingly powerful and absorbing'. The book has 'made a great sensation here. The author keeps his secret'.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 143.