Pièce 139 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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Informs her that he is settled in at an address in Berlin. States that he left Ostend on 'the 7th' for Cologne, and proceeded on Tuesday to Berlin, but had an attack of hay fever. Claims that he has now recovered. Asks her to send him his Great Indian Peninsula Dividends and Great Eastern Debenture Interest if they have arrived. States that he is very glad to hear about Christopher Benson, and says of the woman he loves that he does not see why, 'having once come to love him, she should not be just as happy as if he had more in the way of legs.' Reports that the friend he had hoped to see [in Berlin] 'is unfortunately absent'. Thinks of going to Halle and Gottingen, and perhaps to Heidelberg too, after Berlin. Also plans to go to Switzerland, but is unsure. Asks her to inform him of her plans anyway.

Of Hayman [new headmaster of Rugby], states that the idea he got about him when last at Rugby was 'that the line he had planned for himself was a very good one - conciliation and [firmness] combined - only that he wanted the moral and aesthetic culture necessary for carrying out his conception...', and in relation to his speech, states that, from what he can gather from his mother's report, he appears to be sticking to his plan. Reports on the heat in Berlin, and to the drainage difficulties. Remarks on the fact that the prices have been increased since Berlin 'became the metropolis of North Germany', and complains that he is spending a lot of money.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 229.