Thanks him for his note, 'which pleases and relieves [him] from anxiety.' Claims to feel 'as serene and sublime as usual', and states that they shall be with Myers the following day. Reports that they 'bore a poem of [H.R.F.?] Brown's C[ ] night for three hours unflinchingly', and remarks that '[s]urely this proves Genius!'
States that she was glad to receive his letter, and also to receive one that came from H.F. Brown at the same time. Agrees that the latter 'is remarkably tolerant of criticism', and remarks on the difficulty of his task. Reports that the proofs 'have now come in up to the opening of the second volume [of the biography of John Addington Symonds compiled by Brown from his letters and papers]', and expresses her relief that Sidgwick and Mrs Green are to revise them. Agrees with Horatio 'that to Bowdlerise these letters till all colour of individuality is gone - would be untrue to the subject and unfair to the readers', and maintains that the question of suppression is one of degree. Does not agree that all allusions to ill-health should be suppressed, and hopes that the 'Harrow part' in the first volume can be amended. Refers to the bad weather that they have been experiencing of late, 'and now a change to glorious October.' Reports that her cat, [Quasjee], has knocked over her inkstand and has left a paw-print on the already addressed envelope. Has decided to send it on as it is, though admits that it is more in Francis Galton's line than Sidgwick's. Reports that [Mrs] Greg has written that she is going with Walter to stay at the Hunter's Lodge, and asks Sidgwick to make friends with her. Send her love to Sidgwick and Mrs Sidgwick, and refers to there visit to her in Davos-Platz as 'the pleasantest thing that has happened' to her that year.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), authorClaims that she cannot help writing, after reading Sidgwick's last letter to H.F. B[rown]. Says that she has thought of him and Nora much since she saw them in London. Glad that they are 'able to move about among [their] fellow-men even at Margate'. Reports that the weather is persistently bad in the High Alps, and remarks that it is well that Horatio has the History of [Venice] 'to employ his mind, for his walking boots won't sit idle on the shelf on such a day as this.' Reports that her sister [in law] Charlotte - Mrs Green - is there, and that Lina Duff Gordon and 'Charles Furse's nice sister' went off to England that day. Refers to Katharine's happiness, and confesses that it is infectious, but expresses her concern as to whether it can last. Reports that Charles writes to Katharine that he has eight portraits to finish and two large decorative p[ ]s for Liverpool 'before he can possibly find time for marrying her'. States that 'Madge's letters are all agog about the prospect of Sedbergh' [her husband William may have been in the running for a position there] and that the elections are to be settled by the twentieth of the month. Declares his testimonials to be excellent, and says that she is glad that Sidgwick saw him. States that she loves him best of her sons-in-law. Sends her love to both Sidgwick and his wife.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), authorRefers to Henry's letter to Katharine, which induced her to write to Nora and Henry, 'just to feel in touch with [them] both.' Declares that she loves them both dearly, and thinks about them constantly. Reports that three days previously H.F. Brown sent her Henry's letter 'to him, dictated to Graham Dakyns...' Wishes that they both could have come out to Switzerland again, 'just as in the old days!' Recounts her memories of the Sidgwicks' last visit there, when the latter were 'just fresh from [their] [Hyères] visit', and the wonders of their latest mediums, '[not yet proved fraudulent]'. Laments that now 'the last of the children will soon be gone too', and that his world in the past few years 'has been shrinking at an appaling rate'. Claims that the Sidgwicks were her favourite visitors, and refers to how 'Johnnie' [John Addington Symonds] loved the talks he had with Henry, and how he made point of keeping his letters. Hopes to see them both in the autumn, when she intends to go to England. Asks Nora who will do her work at Newnham, as she assumes that she could not stand the social strain of it now.. Reports that their house is full now, with Madge, her husband and baby, Walter Leaf, and others. Announces that Katharine is to go to England in three weeks, and in two months will be married, the idea of which, she claims, she has yet to get used to. Refers again to Henry's letter to Katharine. States that she hopes that 'C[harles] F[urse] is worthy of all the believing love of which she [Katharine] is making him the centre.' Prays for God's blessing to be upon the Sidgwicks.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), author