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States that 'Prof B[irks]. decided Tuesday' [ie was elected Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge], and claims not to care very much. Reports that he has seen Miss Brooke, with whom he had been corresponding, and reports that 'she is not so good as to make you put aside the idea of Miss Drew' to whom G[ ] H[ ] had introduced him.

Refers to a passage in a letter in Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which 'seems to have been written under a slight misapprehension.' States that Henry 'not unnaturally supposed that he had been summarily passed over [in 1881] for a junior, and former pupil, but says that it was 'not quite so abrupt as this'. Explains that the then Vice Chancellor, Dr Perowne, had firstly offered the post [as deputy to the incapacitated Birks, Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy] to Venn, who responded that he could not accept it and considered that no one but Henry ought to be appointed. Perowne explained that 'as he was choosing a deputy for Mr Birks he could not [ ] select any one whose opinions were so entirely opposed to his.' Claims that he again declined the post, and thinks that it was then offered to Keynes. The offer to Cunningham 'was therefore not so abrupt as may have been supposed.'

Thanks her for the copy of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir; explains that he wanted to read it before acknowledging its receipt. Says that he went to Lowestoft to work, and to read the book 'by the way', but that it has engrossed him all week, and has interested him intensely. Says that it gives 'everything that personal friends most wanted', but regrets to say he does not think it is at all 'the work the world wanted or expected.' Suggests that '[t]he general need would have been better met...by a topical arrangement' rather than the exclusively chronological one that she has adopted, and also that the letters 'might have been curtailed sufficiently to make room for some continuous presentation of Sidgwick as a philosopher, a political thinker, an educationalist, and a "man of letters" '. Remarks that it is odd to find in the life of a philosopher 'no account of his philosophy'.

Fears that the impression that is likely to be made is that Henry cared more for psychical research - a topic that is 'ever recurring' and which takes up a large part of the index entries. Believes that this latter interest was 'the real labor injustus of his life', and laments that it was Benson and Westcott 'of all men' who should have started him 'on this surely hopeless quest'. Refers to his '[ ] hasty acceptance of telepathy', and 'his later tacit retraction'. States that 'no one can fail to admire his moral courage in this whole Memoir however much one regrets the terrible waste of powers that would [ ] have been better employed.' Believes that had he lived longer he would have done very much more. Suggests that it might have been worthwhile to add the name of the Vice Chancellor who appointed Dr Cunningham as deputy for Professor Birks [in 1881], if, as he believes, it was Dr Perowne. Also suggests that Frank Balfour 'might have been mentioned on page 224 as a member of the Eundum. Refers also to Coutts [Trotter?], and to [Gerry] D[arwin]. Expresses his surprise at finding no letters to Professor [ ] Robertson in the Memoir.

Wonders why he should mention all these things when what wholly possesses him 'is renewed admiration and affection for about the most perfect man [he has] ever known'. States that he should place Henry and Arthur Balfour in this category. Relates that when he [Ward] 'was tired of waiting for a post in Cambridge [Henry] offered him £150 a year to stay'. Claims that he did not accept it, but soon afterwards Henry resigned his professorship and Ward was then assigned a place on the College staff.

Informs her that the Reverend T.R. Birks has been elected Professor of Moral Philosophy. Claims not to be bothered by this development, because a professorship would entail '[m]ore dust, more dross, in comparison with Knowledge and Virtue'; because his election would have meant not great increase in income; and also because 'it would have entailed several woes', including being asked to dinner by '[s]everal more stupid people'. Tells her not to waste any sympathy on him, and to keep it all for 'H[enry] H[ayman] who...will soon want it'. Hopes to go to Rugby on 11 May. Hopes that her cough is better.

Asks Myers when he intends to come to Cambridge. Reminds him that his card says the following week, but that his letter to 'Mrs V. said 18th.' Announces that he [Sidgwick] goes to Rugby on 11 [May] to steep himself in 'H. Hayman' [headmaster of Rugby School, at odds with Arthur Sidgwick and other masters]. Refers to an un-named matter of mutual concern, and states that Birks also 'has a work of Ethics in his desk.' In relation to his failure to be appointed to the post of Professorship of Moral Philosophy, claims that he regrets 'the gentle external compulsion that it would have given.' Thinks that he must stay in Cambridge 'at least one year more: and most probably for ever.' Believes that he is ill-adapted for Cambridge society. Thought Pearson was going to be chosen for the post. Regrets that Myers is 'so decided about Old Kensington [novel by Annie Thackeray, currently being serialised in The Cornhill Magazine], and claims that he himself is hesitating. Notes that 'W. M. T[hackeray] had a way of boring one with long introductions.' Adds ' "Christ[ ] North" no good?'

States that Myers' letter is 'rather a relief' to him; had been afraid that the latter might make himself content 'to choose with a dangerous suppression of true instinct.' [Note in Myers' hand explains that Sidgwick refers to the fact that he will not, after all, marry Miss Drew; Sidgwick had taken Myers' account of her 'a little too serious', and he claims that there never was any chance of his making 'a mercenary marriage.'] Nevertheless, it would delight him to hear that Myers was 'prosperously betrothed'. Admits to having 'an almost morbid dread of marriage as the termination of romance'.

In relation to the election of Birks as Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy, thinks that it is 'not as bad as it looks... as far as the credit of Cambridge is concerned', though regarding the teaching of undergraduates 'the post is simply thrown away'. Claims that it has been the custom in Cambridge to consider the Professorship as a mere ornament and dignity, and that Birks 'is a man of force and acumen, and has written books that show these qualities'. Believes that Birks' election fixes him [Sidgwick] in Cambridge 'for some years more.' States that the reason why he does not like Myers discussing him with any friend is that he is, he claims, 'ashamed at any Superior Person's attention being [ ] to a subject so unimportant to the Universe'; 'So do it as much as you like', he adds. Refers to [Cyril?] Flower, and to the fact that he has changed his opinion about him.

Includes an analysis of the answers to the scholarship exam 1847 (item 1); an untitled essay on university mathematics (items 4-8); a mathematical solution to a water/wine mixing problem, by T. R. Birks (item 17); and several drafts of letters to editors.

Adam Sedgwick's Commemoration Day sermon was 'as I think you know, a beautiful and profound dissertation as he delivered it; and having been rethought and rewritten since it is much more beautiful and coherent; and along with certain notes which he has appended to it, it forms an essay upon philosophy, morals, and academical education which it will delight you to read' ['A Discourse on the Studies of the University', 1833]. George Peacock preached 'a sort of political essay in the duty of regulating our views and feelings in accordance with the new and reformed state of things, which though by no means devoid of cleverness and dignity sounded rather like an article in the Morning Post than a sermon'. Something much better was given by the Trinity student Birks [Thomas R. Birks, 2nd Wrangler 1834] who gave a dissertation on the subject ''that there is a moral truth which in its own way is as certain as mathematical truth' such as I really do not know any other person who could have written - the philosophy was most profound and consistent, and the views of the nature of morality of the fine and elevated kind which I hope we shall always hear from our best men here...His images often reminded me of Bacon's; - a mighty flash of ornament with a clear thread of poignant analogy sparkling through it'. WW is to concentrate on his own philosophy 'such as shall really give a right and wholesome turn to men's minds'.