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Two letters.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Praises Pollock’s review of Willis's biography of Spinoza (cf. A1/20), and imagines an amusing exchange with 'a typical Cambridge rector'.

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Transcript

Trin. Coll. Camb.

Mr W. K. Clifford requests the pleasure of the Master of Trinity and Mrs W. H. Thompson’s company at an evening {1} They can’t come. Oh no! it couldn’t have been that, you know! Can’t find another sheet of paper;—they are all full of gymnastic programmes: Vaulting horse. Single Trapeze. Parallels. Double Trapeze. Horizontal. Rings. Climbing. The whole to be preceded by an elegant exemplification of the rapier, with buttons. My sweet Fred! as if I ever slept in that miracle of folly called bed! I balance a leaf of my table on two chairs (to be out of the way of cockroaches!) and sleep as softly as if it were a slab of marble. Pryor, educ[ationa]l value of classificatory sciences or else imminent social crisis. Your Spinoza is splendid: sets people right on exactly the points, and nearly tempts one to become theological. I am told, however, that I swear too much already. Picture to yourself a typical Cambridge rector in hall, descanting upon the lovely bells he is going to put up, hinting subscription; me (appealingly) What, sir, is the least sum that you will take to put up dumb bells? New scene made for Ghanfortera; turns it into high old edification; poetic justice satisfied by providential jimmy. {3} We fear Keary won’t be a success. Vaya con Libertad.

May the eternal freedom that creates all living things and inspires every good work preserve you from obeying any law rule convention or precept ever sanctioned by God or man.

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{1} The first sentence, which is written in purple ink, was evidently the beginning of an abortive invitation.

{2} Pollock’s unsigned review (headed ‘Spinoza’) of R. Willis's Benedict de Spinoza (1870) in the *Spectator, No. 2184 (w/e 7 May 1870), pp. 589-91. Cf. CLIF A1/20.

{3} The meaning of this sentence is unclear.

Album containing over 250 letters, notes, documents, unaccompanied envelopes, printed items, and photographic prints carrying the handwriting and/or autographs of sovereigns, prelates, government ministers, peers, authors, and Trinity College masters and professors, with a few unusual items in addition. The material appears to have been largely culled from the correspondence of George Peacock, his wife Frances Peacock, her father William Selwyn, and her second husband William Hepworth Thompson, with a few unrelated items. Most date from the 19th century but there are a few items from the 18th century.

Among those represented are King George III, Charles Babbage, E.W. Benson, the 15th Earl of Derby, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, W. E. Gladstone, Lord Houghton, Charles Kingsley, H. W. Longfellow, Lord Macaulay, Sir Robert Peel, John Ruskin, Adam Sedgwick, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Anthony Trollope, and William Whewell; there are in addition a miniature handwritten Lord's Prayer in a circle no larger than 15mm across, a carte-de-visite photograph souvenir 'balloon letter' from the Paris siege of 1870 with an image of the newspaper 'La Cloche', and a photographic print of Lane's portrait of George Peacock.

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk - Hardly ever keeps letters, so has none of Edward FitzGerald's; indeed, generally only had notes or cards from him since they lived near to each other and 'kept our topics for such times as we met and talked them out'. Suggests John Allen, Dean Blakesley, Dean Merivale, the Master of Trinity and Mrs Thompson as people who could supply letters, but has 'misgivings whether such letters should be published, good and pleasant as they may be', questioning whether FitzGerald 'would have sanctioned it? He, who carefully tore up letters almost as soon as he received them'.

Encloses a letter from John Allen [ADD.MS.a/6/23?]. Thanks Crabbe for congratulations on the engagement of his son William to [Emma] Colvin.

Will not go to the auction, but would like to have catalogues. Mrs Ritchie (Miss Thackeray) should have some, as two of her father's drawings are on sale. 'Also Mowbray Donne, Allen and Crowfoot cum multis aliis'.

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk.—Sends a proof of his article on ‘Captain Ward’, and discusses it. Has heard that Thompson is ill.

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Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk
Nov. 23. 1877.

Dear Wright

Many thanks for your two letters.

I send you a proof of “Captain Ward” which will appear in “Suffolk N. and Q” on Tuesday week, Dec 4th. {1}

But since I sent the first, Text A, I have heard a second recital from another parishioner, who learnt it from his grandfather.

I have put all these readings and additions to the proof sent to you {2}.

Please, perpend.

They, ie Text B, seem to me to be improvements, specially the verse

“Go ye home …
at sea”.

I am not so sure about the second additional stanza. It is rather a puzzle, where it should come in, if at all.

Now as regards Mr Chappells information. Does he mean that these four Ballads have been printed from the several Ballad Collections, or that they [are] at present only in these Collections, but as yet unprinted? or if printed, accessible only to the initiated?

If you can ascertain anything from the Pepysian, or any other source, will you, in your kindness, send it direct to Frank. His address is

Francis H. Groome
5 Argyle Park Terrace
Edinburgh.

He can then append an Editorial Note, in brackets, of what he has gathered about Captain Ward, and the various(?) ballads about him. Will you also send the proof to him with any hints as to the value or non-value, of Text B; of which however he has already received a copy. If you would let your name appear, as his informant, it would add to the value greatly.

I have just heard from FitzGerald, and he says: “Mrs T. writes rather sadly, about ten days ago, of Thompson: “So altered I should scarce know him” she said.” Is this so? I hope not. He was, of course, not looking well when I saw him; but he must have been very ill since then, for, “scarce know him”, to be true.

You will see I have utilized my notes about Dowsing.

Yours sincerely
Robert H. Groome

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{1} In fact the article appeared in the Ipswich Journal on 11 Dec. (No. 7587, p. 1).

{2} Add. MS b. 74/8/5.

Thanks Sidgwick for his present of his new work on his 'favourite subject' [Outlines of the History of Ethics...?] Remarks that he hopes that the work, being historical, will be within the limits of his capacity. Announces that they are to leave Scarboro[ugh] for Harrowgate in a couple of days. Presumes that Sidgwick rejoices 'at the discomfitness of this most immoral of high-churchmen.' Sends their regards to Mrs Sidgwick.

Letters patent dated 1 Dec. 1886 in the original red box with the royal arms stamped on the top of the box. This is accompanied by eight letters and a related document and printed item.

Four letters from John Hassard of the Vicar-General's Office over the last half of November 1886 relate to the logistics of resigning the Deanship of Gloucester and the appointment as Master of Trinity. One of his letters is accompanied by a note from Randall Davidson the Dean of Windsor regretting he cannot attend Butler's installation. Another letter from E. J. Perowne invites Hassard to spend the night at the Lodge of Corpus Christi College the night before the installation. The letters are accompanied by a copy of sections 1 and 2 of the "Pluralities Act" of 1838 concerning the restriction of holding a Deanship and Mastership at the same time and a printed sheet listing "Days Fixed" for the prelates of England for 1887, issued by Hassard of the Vicar-General's Office.

Two letters relate to practical details relating to the Master's Lodge and its staffing. The previous Master's widow Elizabeth Frances Thompson informs him of the death of her sister (Laetitia), and describes the state of the Lodge, items needed for housekeeping, and her recommendation of the housekeeper Mrs Jones. The Junior Bursar Gerard F. Cobb's letter contains practical details relating to the Master's Lodge and its staffing. A letter from Trinity Vice-Master Coutts Trotter forwards a copy of the statutes of the college and carries a description of the installation ceremony.

[The College, Ely] - Thompson's marriage

[The College, Ely] - hopes that JWB and Mrs Blakesley will meet his wife

Volume of letters arranged alphabetically by correspondent, with usually no more than one letter per person, each correspondent identified at the top of the page on which the letter is mounted, in the form of an autograph book.