Item 141 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

Reports that he is 'still lingering' in Berlin, and that he goes to Halle on Friday. Complains that nobody there wants to talk philosophy, and states that 'the atmosphere is too exciting to read much. Claims that the [Franco-German] war is 'a disgrace to civilisation', and that his only comfort is that Napoleon, 'when he sees that every month of war is doing more to unite Germany than ten years of peace, will make it as short as he can.' Believes that if he wins the first battle he will propose to stop, 'taking Luxembourg and glory, and leaving Germany alone.' Reports that his friends believe Prussia would not take this. Asks her to forward the enclosures [not included].