Item 177 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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[Sent from London]:- Regrets that he must give up his research into the subject of Spiritualism, due to his work commitments, but hopes to take it up again sometime in the future; calls it 'a most perplexing subject', with 'so much crass imposture and foolish credulity mixed up in it' that it is not surprising that 'men of science' refuse to have anything to do with it. Refers approvingly to Crookes' articles in the Quarterly Journal of Science giving evidence in support of the phenomena, and reports that he [Crookes] 'is exhibiting before the Royal Society experiments of novel and great interest on the motive force of heat'.

Reports that they have had tremendous heat in London, which has made him almost unable to work. Announces that he is now going back to Cambridge for a few days to finish his book, which he hopes to have printed soon. States that it is too technical to give him any general reputation. Hopes that Miss Temple is better. Asks her, if she says anything to 'the Bishop [Frederick Temple]' about Spiritualism, to say that 'no one should pronounce on the prima facie case for serious investigation'. Announces that he is going to the Lakes in August, and that he shall try to see Mary early in September. Asks her to give his 'kind remembrances' to her hosts.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 290-291.