Item 138 - Letter from Henry Sidgwick to his mother

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Thanks her for her letter. Claims to be divided between staying in Ostend for the quality of the air, and a desire to get to Berlin, which he wishes to see again as the capital of a united Germany: 'partially united, that is, "in shpots," as Hans Breitmann [in comic works by Leland] says". Thinks he shall start on Monday, and will travel from Cologne to Berlin by night. Thanks her for the information about Switzerland, and hopes that she will come. Intends to stay in Germany until the end of September. Reports that he is reading German books, and has an idea of making 'a sort of tour of the universities.' Intends to go to Heidelberg from Switzerland. Regrets to hear that Arthur is not well. Hopes that 'the remarkable unity of feeling among the masters...will make up to Rugby for the dullness or worse of the head [Hayman]'.

In relation to the young Horton, reports that he tried to find out about the civil service appointments, 'but have not yet made anything out', and states that the arrangements for giving them away by examination are probably to be published in the near future. Declares that his original plan of having him at Cambridge would not be suitable, but predicts that 'it may possibly be revived in a new form in connection with this examination - if nothing better suggests itself.'

Expects that his mother will get some dividends for him, and if so, asks her to keep them until she gets his addresss in Berlin and send them in a registered letter. Also asks her to ask his uncle John Sidgwick to pay his [Henry's] share into Mortlock and Co.'s Bank, Cambridge. Asks her to forward the enclosed [not included] to his uncle Albert.

Part transcription in Sidgwick, Arthur, and Sidgwick, E. M, 'Henry Sidgwick'. London: Macmillan, 1906, p 228-229.