The additional manuscript series are artificial groups containing manuscripts from various sources. Most of the contents are single items or small groups, but they include some fairly large personal archives, either arranged in sequence or scattered in various places. See the overview of the collections (https://archives.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php/overview).
Trinity College Library, CambridgeFour letters: "Refers to I. Newton letter to Sam. Pepys 23 Dec. 1693 bought by R. J. Edleston from F. Barker (who bought it from [?] 'Bibliotheca Phillippica' 4th July -6 July 1892) and later presented by Miss Edleston to Trinity College Library in 1953." - note on second page of Add.Ms.c.1/100.
Edleston, Joseph (1816-1895) Fellow and Bursar of Trinity College CambridgeThree letters.
Two letters.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey - Forwards typescript copies of two letters concerning Erythrophloeum, from C. A. Wheelwright, Union of South Africa, Department of Native Affairs, Pietermaritzburg to I. B. Pole Evans, Chief, Division of Botany, Pretoria dated 30 July 1917 sending specimens, and a letter from Evans to Prain dated 24 Dec. 1917 sending a specimen of the bark of Erythrophloeum guineense obtained from Mr Honey of the Municipal Gardens, Lourenço Marques in Swaziland; Prain indicates he has asked for specimens from both Swaziland and Natal to verify they are both from Erythrophloeum.
Thanks Sidgwick for his 'most interesting and thoughtful book', which he has looked at. Observes that Sidgwick seems 'to discuss the great subject in a way different from that young author', of whom he knows, and feels that Sidgwick's long experience in teaching will make him 'a clear and precise expounder.'
The letter states that the Council of the Senate of Cambridge University, 'acting on the recommendation of the General Board of Studies, have proposed the appointment of a Syndicate to consider the expediency of allowing more widely than at present an alternative for either Greek or Latin in the Previous Examination' and that a number of residents 'have appealed to non-resident Members of the Senate to aid them in resisting all enquiry into this question.'
Sets out 'one or two reasons against this very unusual step'. Refers to the report of a Syndicate of eleven years previously, whose members included Dr Kennedy, the Professor of Greek, and which proposed the removal of the obligation on candidates for honours of studying both Latin and Greek on the grounds that the obligation of students to study both languages tends to exclude from the University a number of able students, educated in schools in which Greek is not taught.
States that since that time, with the development and extension of 'the "modern" system', about half the boys educated in the schools represented at the previous Headmaster's Conference 'are now taught only one classical language. Argues that with the obligation still in place, the University is prevented 'from receiving a number of boys thoroughly capable of profiting by academic study and training', while the time spent by other boys on both classical languages could better be spent on other subjects.
Asserts that the removal of the obligation, would not, as those who are attempting to block this move claim, result in an end to the study of Greek in all but the leading schools. Acknowledges the charms of Greek literature, 'its historic prestige, and its established position in the education of Europe', and claims that the teachers at Cambridge who desire this change 'certainly do not aim at the extinction' of the language. Refutes the argument that ignorance of Greek would injure all professions.
Adds that it is not proposed that the above considerations be taken as grounds for an immediate decision in favour of the proposed change, but merely as food for thought. Appeals to 'all open-minded Members of the Senate to assist...in defeating this attempt [to stop the proposed change].' Announces that voting will take place in the Senate-House on the following Thursday, 29 October at 2pm. Adds the text of the Grace relating to the appointment of the Syndicate referred to in the letter. The names of those on behalf of whom the letter is written are included, and the name of Francis Darwin added in ink to the list of signatories.
Handwritten covering note by Henry Sidgwick stating that the letter has been sent to the London newspapers, and asking whom the fly-sheet is sent to send their signatures to the University Press if they agree with the arguments contained in the letter.
States that he has greatly enjoyed reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir. It is right that it should be published: while some eminent men who have written books 'disappoint in their biographies', Henry's books 'did very far from present him fully', and 'the biography gives the charm of his conversation and personality happily.' It makes him feels that he wishes he had known him better than he had. Refers to Henry's position in regard to matters of faith and his fairness of judgment.; would have liked to have known more of Henry's attitude to Christianity. Refers to the 'last months', and declares the letters of that time to be 'especially remarkable even from a literary point of view for sincerity and the perfect expression of true and vivid feeling.' Trusts that [Arthur] Balfour 'will get much good from this short rest.'
Asks Nora's forgiveness for intruding on her sorrow. Wishes to add a few words to the sympathy which she is sure must be felt for Nora 'by every single person who ever knew' Henry. Has sometimes doubted the wisdom of working for the Moral Sciences Tripos from a teacher's point of view, but says she can never be too glad that she took it because it brought her in contact with Henry and 'Dr. [James] Ward.' Looks back 'on the hours spent in that delightful little study in the old house, as some of the most helpful in [her] life', and says she used 'greatly to envy the undergraduates who had the charm of discussing with Mr. Sidgwick some of the deepest problems of life'. Declares that 'even as it was, one's life has been the better and [stronger] for having known him'; has 'a dim idea' of what the loss must be to Nora.
Woods, Alice (1849-1941) Principal of Maria Grey CollegeWoodend, Perth Road, Dundee. Dated Nov. 7 1918 - Tells him not to come; thinks Frazer & Green should be sold, but that it wouldn't sell well at the moment; hopes [Moncrieff?] will not cause any further problems.
Explains the delay in sending a copy of Roden Noel's poems [not included]- to her. Asks if she has seen his review in the Spectator, which, he claims, was written 'with a sincere effort at rigid impartiality', and therefore has not altogether pleased the poet.
Claims that he has not been able to find out anything for the advantage of Mrs Horton, and that he cannot [hear] of the school his mother mentions [see ADD.MS.c/101/181], and asks if it is Clapton. Discusses the boy [Fred Horton]'s educational future, and suggests that if he could not get a scholarship at Rugby, he probably would not be able to obtain an exhibition. Promises to talk about the situation with her when he comes to visit, which he hopes will be 'about Thursday week - if not, the Sunday following.'
Asks her to tell him by return of post what Arthur is going to do at Easter, and whether he may ask Trevelyan to come down for a day while Arthur is there. Claims that he is not over-working. Reports that he suffered from some sleeplessness at the beginning of the term, and that he does very little work in the evenings. The consequences, he claims, are that he neither wants nor can afford a holiday, and wants time to prepare his lectures for the following term. Asks her to send him William's address.
Undertakes to bring 'Lowell's new volume' with him, and remarks that 'the "commemoration ode" is, on the whole, splendid', and judges that it ought to appear in any collection of English Lyrics. With regard to the word 'English', remarks that it must now become designative of race and language, not of polity, and that they must now call themselves 'as opposed to the Americans, Britons.' Remarks that 'Mary [Benson?] has subsided into silence', and does not think she is studying either algebra or political philosophy. Reports that Mrs Kingsley asked after her the other day.
Also includes:
99/193 - letter from Isabel Sidgwick (Apr 1901) to her sister-in-law Nora Sidgwick, enclosing Henry Sidgwick's wedding buttonhole flowers
99/204-205 - two letters from Mary Sidgwick to her son Henry (1859).
Writes on the subject of awarding degrees to women. Agrees with Sidgwick that 'things are not now as they were in 87'. Takes a fairly neutral stance on the issue, claiming that he would discourage any opposition to the request 'for a syndicate to consider the question'. Expresses concern at the interference of non-residents in University affairs, and discusses the importance of the University's constitution.
Reports that nothing fresh has happened, but declares that 'what has happened...seems to [him] to furnish adequate matter for a Dialogue between a Poet and a Philosopher.' Arranges to meet 'at the Restaurant' to talk.
Trinity College - Nassau Senior's notions about the nature of science will provide WW with specimens of what is to be avoided: 'I will refer to the passages and revel in their absurdity'. The world will soon see them as non-sensical. WW will be glad to see RJ's recent speculations about induction - 'for among other questions it is certainly an important one how the true faith can best be propagated. I have done what I could in my review of Herschel' ['Modern Science: Inductive Philosophy', Quarterly Review 45, 1831]. What would RJ make of a 'popular exposition of the matter applied mainly to moral political and other notional sciences is what I do not so well see'. The principles of induction can only be taught or learnt by numerous examples. Of induction applied to subjects outside of natural philosophy WW can only think of RJ's book, and 'a good deal of Malthus's population is a beginning of such a process excluding of course his anticipatory thesis, the only thing usually talked of'. There are various subjects which are well worth an examination for this purpose, such as language and antiquities - but in what RJ calls intellectual philosophy WW sees 'scarcely a possibility of exemplifying induction. So if you can make anything of the matter I shall be very glad to see it'. Rather, WW thinks the pupil should first 'read Euclid and algebra and when he has done that, mechanics and Newton, and there then is some chance of his knowing in his third year what induction is'.
Written on the occasion of the death of [Mrs Sidgwick's brother, F.M. Balfour] in a climbing accident. States his intention of attempting to answer Sidgwick's question frankly and as clearly as possible. Announces that he is beginning to think 'all this mountaineering indefensible, but stresses that he should not blame either Balfour or himself for not having thought so 'before these terrible accidents.' Discusses the difficulty of laying down precise rules [in relation to mountaineering], and refers to papers he wrote for the Alpine Journal, in which he advised caution. Refers to Mather's and B[ ]'s letter. Discusses the relative merits of guides, and observes that they were more relied upon in the past. Explains that his wife does not wish to trouble Mrs Sidgwick with any expression of sympathy, but assures Sidgwick that she has been constantly thinking of her. States that his natural impulse would lead him to ask Mrs Sidgwick's forgiveness, but acknowledges 'the uselessness of saying anything of that kind.'
Stephen, Sir Leslie (1832-1904), knight, author and literary criticWW did not send RJ his first sheet 'so that I am a good deal in the dark as to what you mean to do with your positive law. In the mean time I find some phrases which had rather startled me do not startle the barristers to whom I repeated them and of course I was wrong'. RJ expects to send WW the first sheet of his lectures next month.
Woodend, Perth Road, Dundee - Thanks him for his sympathy [on the death of her brother John in the war], will go back to Rouen next week; thanks him for writing to [Francis and Amy?] Burkitt; finds John's death a 'blank' and part of the waste of the war.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey - Clarifies the meaning of 'catchment area' and writes out a botanical name provided by Otto Stapf: Leguminosae Caesalpinioideae Dimorphandreae.
Woodend, Perth Road, Dundee - Thanks him for his sympathy [on the death of her son John in the war], asks him to wait to visit, Frances is getting leave to come home; they've received over 300 letters of condolence including a telegram from the King and Queen.