Item 65 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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Reports that he saw Arthur. Refers to William's speech at Manchester; that 'the Manchester people printed him as the Revd. Dr Sedgwick Master of Merton and how the Conservative weekly took him to task for so impudent and conceited an imposition.' Claims that it was a malicious article.

States that they are in a considerable state of agitation there [in Trinity College] 'as all sorts of projects of reform are coming to the surface, partly in consequence of having a new Master [W. H. Thompson]...partly from a hope...that Mathison was going to take himself off.' Admits that there is much that need alteration, but is grateful that there is also 'very little of what Carlyle calls hide-bound Toryism.' Reports that an investment of his is turning out very badly. Remarks that the Italians seem bent on war, and if they do go to war he fears that they won't pay the interest on their enormous debt. He believes that such a situation would result in his losing £50 per annum from his income.

Is still undecided about whether to go abroad that year or to stay in England and read philosophy. Announces that there are several visits that he wants to pay in the latter half of July 'to schoolmasters and others.' Speculates that he 'may be decided to go abroad by the fact of a European war'. Declares that he has never been even on the skirts of a campaign; he came after one at Solferino, 'and even that was exciting enough.' Asks his mother to write, if only to say that she has received Ionica [the anthology by William Johnson (Cory)].

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 145.