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States that 'having so long and so eagerly looked out for any request for "letters"' the appearance of a notice in Macmillan's Magazine of the impending appearance of a memoir with Henry Sidgwick's letters has come as somewhat of a shock to her. Begs Nora's forgiveness if she has sent any of the enclosed letters [105/45/2-5], but Miss C[arter] does not remember copying them. If she ever tries 'to give some sketch of the inception' of her work on "Significs" she would certainly have to refer to Henry 'as being one of its first and greatest promoters'. Refers to the accompanying letters, and also to the assistance Henry gave her in conversation on the matter. She will be sorry if none of the letters appeared in the memoir. She has often lately longed to tell Henry 'of the abounding signs that the young world is beginning to see...that the key to one of the greatest of the human positions has been lost and must be found'; predicts that she will not live to see the result of such finding, but that it is enough to be allowed to help 'even so little or badly towards it'. Adds that there are many more short letters, but that they are chiefly about dates or places etc.

Accompanied by envelope, addressed to Nora Sidgwick at Newnham College, with MS notes in Nora's hand: 'Lady Welby/Copies of letters from Henry/Received too late to be considered for Memoir'.

Offer to Patterson and [Gyula?] Lanczy of rooms in Trinity College during the vacation.

Claims that he is having difficulty in collecting 'the opinions and emendations of all interested in the welfare of the Univers[ity]. Mentions that he gave Mr Martineau a copy of Sidgwick's alterations, of which he approves and adds 'a suggestion of another'. Asks Sidgwick to look at it and return it to him with comments. Mentions that he has received Sidgwick's note and enclosure that morning, and assures him that he will introduce the corrections mentioned

She and her family 'always considered Mr Sidgwick, when [they] were all young together, as the most lively, interested talker' they knew. Remembers a visit he made to them as an undergraduate [in 1858], when he stayed some time, 'joined in everything the family did, and... made everything he joined in more amusing'. He suggested they 'should get up Tableau vivants'', proposing 'Sleeping Beauty' for her, and saying that Miss Tawney - her sister-in-law - 'would do excellently for the beauty.'

Relates another incident during the same visit in which she went to the drawing room to help her mother receive some callers 'and saw at the other end of the room Mr. Sidgwick asleep in an easy chair, dressed in an Afghan costume of white felt belonging to [her] father, and wearing the fur cap belonging to it', with a sleeping kitten asleep on top. Declares that he was such a charming visitor, 'always amusing and always making himself at home with [them].'

Invites Patterson to dine with him at the Midland Hotel the following day at 7.30pm.

Typewritten copy of letter dated 31 January 1896. Apologises for not having written to her sooner with reference to her article in Mind on ' Significs'; explains that he has been very busy. Adds that he has delayed to write partly because he does not have any useful suggestions on the question of 'a Paper for the International Congress of Psychology'. Declares that he believes that the question 'is mainly one for logicians rather than psychologists and that it will not be very easy to find a mode of treatment which will make it an altogether appropriate topic for a Psychological Congress'. Suggests ' Interpretation as a psychological process' or some similar phrase as the title of her paper. Observes that she does not include psychology 'on p.25 - among the list of studies that has a peculiar meaning term correlated with it', and remarks that he thinks that there would be 'some interest in working out the characteristics of Interpretation as a psychological process'.

Note in pencil [in Nora Sidgwick's hand?]: 'By Henry Sidgwick according to [J] St Loe Strachey'.

Promises to do his best to give Dr Frefort 'the latest academic ideas' if Patterson sends him to Sidgwick with an introduction. Warns that, being in the vacation, he will have to take his chance of finding people there. States that he does not know any else here whom Patterson knows, except Sedley Taylor. Suggests that, through Bryce, he might find out who there is at Oxford to help him. (2 docs)

Note in penci [in Nora Sidgwick's hand?]: 'Said by [J] St Loe Strachey to be by Henry Sidgwick'.

States that '4 [Petofis] and 2 Finnish volumes have arrived...but the paper book with the title "[Augol] [ ]" has not appeared nor the "two German "books" nor is the "case of the Latin dictionary" clear to [him]!'

Postcard confirming arrival of Latin [and] Magyar dictionary and [Augol] [ ].

Explains the delay in replying to Patterson's letter as being due to 'a difficulty about finding appropriate topics of Consolation - suitable to the unfortunate situation, private and public, which [his] letter depicts.' States that the prevailing idea [in England] is that there is to be no war; and 'that Russia is to have her way in Bulgaria...' Believes that Patterson's colleagues 'will be spared the necessity of going into military quarters', and reports that now 'there appear to be the first mutterings of another scare about Affghanistan [sic].' In relation to Patterson's private troubles, i.e., the small size of his class, states that at Oxford and Cambridge they 'are beginning to consider that it is rather in a Professor's favour if he only gets a small class: it is a sign that his loyalty to his subject is too strong to allow him to degrade it by popularizing it.' In relation to his other problem, i.e., the length of time his lectures take and the fact that he has been called upon to lecture on English literature, to which task he feels himself inadequate, Sidgwick charges Patterson with being 'the laziest of men', but someone who, when he makes up his mind to do some work, 'is very exacting in its thoroughness'. Asks if he would like 'an opportunity of getting out of [his] position'. Reports that in England they 'are keeping her Majesty's jubilee in a rather unjubilant frame of mind.' Refers to the state of things in Ireland in negative terms, and to Gladstone, who is 'agitating for Parnell with the reckless impetuosity of his [in every sense] green old age'. Admits to being doubtful about his brother-in-law's [A.J. Balfour] prospects in relation to coercion, the failure of which will cause his career to be a failure. Predicts that if it succeeds 'the "left wing" of the patriots are likely to dynamite him.' Asks Patterson to send some more news of himself. Tells him that Mrs Sidgwick send her kind remembrances. With envelope. (2 docs)

Note in pencil [in Nora Sidgwick's hand?]: 'Said by St Loe Strachey to be by H. Sidgwick.'

Explains the delay in replying to Patterson's letter as being due to Sidgwick's wish 'to consult [Coutts?] Trotter and some other discreet and experienced person before expressing [his view].' Reports that he has discussed the first of Patterson's queries with Trotter and Michael Foster, and they have all agreed that it is highly unlikely that any publisher would be found who will pay anything to a translator of Mr Loczi Loczy Lajos's book, but that a publisher - perhaps Macmillan - might be found who would 'take the risk of the book, if a translation were offered him gratis'. Suggests that he make an application on the subject to the Geographical Society. Offers to apply to the latter society through Francis Galton; asks him to send any notices which may have appeared of it. Asks him to tell him the general character and drift of the article [ ] [ ] II. Explains that the good reviews tend not to publish translated articles, unless those by foreign authors already known to the English public. Expressed his regret that Mrs Patterson 'is not yet re[ ] to Magyar society.

In reply to Patterson's question, Sidgwick doubts that any English magazine will be eager to take a translation of an article on the emperor Joseph, unless the article were by a foreign author already known to the English public. Suggests that Patterson's friend send his article to the 'Contemporary, or the Westminister Review'. Offers to act as intermediary if the article is to be sent to the Contemporary Review. Offers his sympathy for Patterson's domestic troubles.

Note in pencil [in Nora Sidgwick's hand?] that according to St Loe Strachey it was Henry Sidgwick who wrote the article.

Sympathises with Patterson with regard to his 'misfortunes'. Asks him to tell G[yula?] Lanczy that, on consultation with Seeley, the Regius Professor of History, they are in agreement that Smyth's Lectures on the French Revolution 'is now a quite antiquated book', and not worth buying for the Kolosvár [now Cluj-Napoca] Library. Reports that Seeley had never hear of Professor Miller's History Philosophically illustrated, and that he [Sidgwick] thinks that it too 'was rather passé.' Reports that he cannot find the essay of Patterson's friend and colleague [Frigyes?] Medveczky; asks him to tell him the title, and he will try to read it in some library. Undertakes to try 'to secure the favourable notice of "Mind" for Dr Pickler's [Gyula Pickler?] essay', and asks Patterson to forward the translation to him. Reports that they are 'on tenterhooks, expecting some continental explosion and a conflagration of [ ] extent'.

Reports that he has found Medveczky's essay, but has not yet had time to read it. Undertakes to read it soon. Reports that he has been suffering from sleeplessness for some months, which has led him 'to make a rigid rule of abstinence from all reading after dinner which leads to hard thinking.' Refers to the '"ultra-continental" climate of Pest over the last few weeks', and describes the recent weather in England. Declares that he has been 'rather gloomy lately on various grounds, including the ageing process. Confesses that [Coutts] Trotter's death especially moved him. Declares that his loss 'is all the more irreparable at this crisis, as [Trinity College is] passing thourhg a period of financial distress from the fall in rents'. Undertakes to send some '"in memoriam"' articles that have been written about him by colleagues. Refers to the war 'in [Patterson's] region' and to the slim prospects of peace. States that a European war would be an advantage to England 'in the way of distracting [their] attention from the Irish problem which much wants letting alone'.

Sends [back] Myers two books [not included]; judges Helplessness of Miss Pick [a short story in Odd Issues, by Samuel Squire Sprigge] to be 'quite firstrate'. Declares that the actual date of their departure from London is rather uncertain, but reports that his convalescence 'is supposed to be steady'. States that the letter is the first written with his own hand [since his operation].

Apologises for having neglected Patterson's letter, 'especially the business at the end for [Patterson's] pedagogical friend [Frigyes Medveczky]'. Declares that as he knows nothing about fortnight programmes, he had decided to wait till his brother Arthur came to see him, as the latter 'is in intimate relations with many schoolmasters.' Explains that Arthur was prevented from coming by a [feverish] cold, and states that he is endeavouring to obtain what Patterson's friend wants 'by the next best channel.' Regrets not being able to do more for Medveczky. Believes that he would have got much information 'from D.B.' States that he has lost sight of [William?] Ralston for many years, but would be glad to meet him.

Regrets to hear Patterson complain about the burden of work, and declares that his experience 'is all in favour of writing out lectures', which not only saves trouble, but also tends to make the lectures better. Asks after Patterson's politics. Refers towards their drift towards Dualism or Federalism. Believes that, 'owing to the fiasco of the "Times" the drift will be apparently very decided for a few months.' Declares that 'the chief hope of the Unionist cause seems...to lie in the chapter of accidents.' Observes that they in England are so engrossed in their own affairs that they only spare a mild interest for [Servia], and the apparently growing success of Russia. Believes that the latter will win in South-Eastern Europe. Declares that they are all delighted with Bryce's book, and asks Patterson whether he had heard of Bryce's engagement to Miss Ashton of Manchester. .

Announces that he is willing to write an essay on dogma 'and shall be proud for it to appear in company with discourses by Martineau and [Tayler]'. Thinks it possible that Jowett could be persuaded to write. In relation to the latter, remarks on his faith, and relationship with the Church of England, and on his work on Plato. Advises Sidgwick to get in contact with him directly [see letter from Jowett 94/67?]. Suggests H. B. Wilson as an author of an essay. Believes it to be very important 'that religious men, who have broken with dogmatic [Christ]ianity as dogmatic, should come to some mutual understanding, so as to have a chance of reorganizing worship and religious beneficence when the present fabrics break up'. Expresses his wish to join Sidgwick's association. Gives his views on the form it should take, e.g., that it should be 'definitely Theistic' and that it should adopt as its basis the Nicene Creed, 'leaving out the "Virgin Mary", "Pontius Pilate", and the "third day". and everywhere substituting the present tense for the past or future.' Informs him that he has been staying there [in the Isle of Wight] for nearly a fortnight, and shall leave 'on Wednesday'. From 2 to 9 January 'shall be at Birkin Ferrybridge, Normanton'. Announces that he may be in London on the evening of 11 January to go to a club in Spring Gardens. Asks Sidgwick to recommend a suitable hotel in London.

Doesn't expect 'the "general public" ' to read much of his book [Methods of Ethics]. Claims that the point of it is that 'it treats in a technical and precise manner questions which are ordinarily discussed loosely and popularly.' Claims to be now 'very jolly and sufficiently idle', and awaits the reviews. Reports that Arthur has asked him to go to Rugby 'on the 2d'. States that he shall have to go away 'on the 7th' or earlier. Wishes to have a long talk with his mother, and suggests that he might go to her from Cheltenham 'on Friday [the first] and go on to Rugby the next day.' Asks if this arrangement would suit her.

States that he has wanted to write to Myers since he and Nora went back to Cambridge [after his mother's funeral], but claims that he finds it difficult to write 'not from painfulness of feeling', since his mother's death 'seems really a release, but from perplexity and mingledness.' Writes that he feels as if he had 'reached the summit of the Pass of Life: behind the old memories from infancy, unrolled like a map, and before the strange world of "the majority" near though in a mist, at which [he is] forced to gaze. And more than ever the alternatives of the Great Either-Or seem to be Pessimism or Faith'.

Reports that Nora was away 'all the time at Terling'. States that, although she was not seriously ill, he had been worried about her, but she considers herself quite well now.

Explains that the delay in answering Patterson's letter was due to his busy schedule. Regrets to find his missive 'so sad in tone'. Reports that he is 'living personally a very happy life, - having congenial work, a faultless wife, and a constitution that does not seem to be going to break down just yet'. Predicts, however, that he will not reach the age of seventy. As regards public affairs, declares that he shares 'to the full the general disillusionment of political idealists', probably more acutely because he is at present 'trying to finish a book on the Theory of Politics'. States that he is unable to answer Patterson's question about Ossian, but undertakes to find out the answer to it if he has an opportunity. Announces that, apart from the Elements of Politics and university work, his main interest at present 'is the illdefined subject known as "Psychical Research"'. Remarks that Patterson's friend Medveczky 'had to hear something of [the concept] at the Congress of Experimental Psychology' at which Sidgwick and he met in Paris the previous August. Refers to the 'remarkable success' of Bryce's book, [The American Commonwealth] and to 'the action for libel brought against him by "Oakley Hall" of New York notoriety'. Asks Patterson if he has had the influenza, and what he thinks of the value of 'the pacific assurances circulating in European journalism.' Asks if there is really going to be no war 'because every one is afraid of it', and if 'that excellent patch-work, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy 'is coming unsewn'. Asks him his opinion of Home Rule in Wales.

Advises Patterson that if he should arrive early and find Sidgwick out, the porters will direct them to the two sets of rooms; those of G.W. Balfour and those of Sir W. Harcourt. Invites Patterson and [Gyula?] Lanczy to breakfast in Newnham.

Thanks Marshall for [sending her a letter from F.W.H. Myers], and says that she now understands something of what she [Marshall] described 'of a "thrill" from [ ] Mr. Myers' style'. Is surprised at what Myers says 'about H Sidgwick's ways in youth', as she and her family always considered him 'as the most lively interested talker [they] knew, interested in discussing anything and everything.' Recalls one of his visits as an undergraduate, when he joined in everthing the family did, and they considered that he made everything he took part in more amusing. Refers also to his organising of discussions on wet days, and how he would sometimes be the only outsider among a large family group. Says that she noticed when she came to Cambridge that 'he was altered, quiet, apparently absorbed in thought and though he was always responsive he no longer started things as of old'; 'this would be about the time when he was much occupied with university reforms as well as women's education and other social reforms.' Adds that he was always delightful to meet, and recalls 'with gratitude the letter, alluding to old times', that he wrote to her when her mother died.