Item 146 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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Explains why he did not write to her sooner. Intends to come to Rugby on 22 or 23 September, for about a week. Reports that he arrived in Cambridge 'after a very successful journey', which included Heidelberg, Ulm and Darmstadt. In relation to the war states that 'intense exultation swallowed up all more painful feeling in the German minds', and reports that he did not happen to see anything of the wounded. Refers to 'an exceedingly bright, genial young German' with whom he travelled between Ulm and Darmstadt, who was very eager to learn what Henry thought would be 'the action of the neutrals, and especially England.' Relates that he told the young man that any sympathy England had for France was 'quite unselfish', as they had 'no fear whatever of Germany' and that they thought 'that territorial aggrandizement of any kind would prevent an enduring peace'; thinks he appreciated this, but 'the Germans assume a kind of pedagogic air: they feel it a "Stern Duty"' to punish France. Reports that he and his friends at Cambridge, who number 'about four', are all absorbed in the war.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 2328-239.