Showing 14 results

Reports that Professor Conington, who is a Life Governor has placed a Marlborough nomination at his disposal, and that she may tell Mr Horton if she wishes. Advises her, however, that if the boy [Fred] does not do well enough to get the scholarship it will probably be not worth while for Horton to send him there. States that he intends the £30 annually for two years had better be spent in some other way, i.e., in giving the boy a decent education. With regard to Miss [Alice] Horton, suggests that she should be engaged in some employment 'less exhausting than governessing', such as being a companion to an elderly lady. States that he could enquire about such a position through Dr Symonds.

Suggests that he come to visit them about 28 December for four or five days. Explains that Johnnie could not go away before that. Sympathises with him about photographing. Reports that Johnnie is better than he has been for weeks. Expresses her sympathies in relation to the 'revolution' at Rugby [the departure of the headmaster Frederick Temple?]. Sends her love to Sidgwick's mother, and asks him to tell her how sorry she is for her. Reports that they have had Mr Myers with them a good deal during the autumn. She 'cannot help wondering always if he will "last"...in Mr [Conington]'s sense of the word.' Reports that Dr Symonds is ill again, but hopes that it is just a temporary relapse.

Reports that he arrived an hour late [at Kegan Paul's house, Bailie, Wimborne], 'but in good time for dinner, after a most delightful journey.' Describes the weather and scenery, and declares that if he had gone on Friday, he should not have got beyond Temple-combe, 'as the Somerset and Dorset line is dreadfully demoralized'. Hopes that she is better for the change of weather. Reports that he missed [J.B?] Payne, [A. G. Vernon?] Harcourt and [J.?] Conington. Adds that Miss Ritchie, who is engaged to his friend [Francis Cornish], 'is not the one [he] mark[s] highest.'

Admits that she could not resist opening Arthur's letter to Henry to see if there was one for her also, and, finding none, read it. Hopes that the '[Sen: Op.]' will come after all, and reports that the packet came the previous day. Reports that Edward left them that morning for L[ ], where he had to see a dentist, and hopes to reach Wellington College that evening. Refers to Mr Martin also. Reports that Minnie and the children hope to go home the following day if they hear from Mr Barford that the measles is no longer a threat. Announces that Elizabeth returns to her in about a month. Adds that William will tell Henry 'that Katie Lace is engaged to Mr Wawn!' Doubt that the Cononley curacy 'can possible keep 2 people.'

Reports that Henry's Aunt Henrietta came [to Rugby] the previous night, and will stay a few days before going on to Leeds. Urges Henry to come to visit her at Easter. Reports that Mr Conington sent her Deerbrook, [by Harriet Martineau] which she intends to read at the first opportunity.

Additional note: Sends 'the enclosed [her letter to Henry, above, and letter from Arthur to Henry - not included] with most frantic apologies.' Reports that she did two problems that morning , which has made her feel better.

Reports that she has found 'abundant occupation' at Wellington College. Remarks on Minnie's activities there, and refers to the baby [Margaret] also, a description of whom William accuses Mary of failing to give. Claims that she and Martin get on well. Reports that Edward appeared very well, but that he had a few cases of serious illness in the Sanatorium. Reports that the 'house question is revived'. States that Ada had returned to Wellington College about a week before she [Mary] left, and claims that it was 'scarcely long enough for [her] to penetrate that [ ] of increased reserve....'

Reports that Eleanor [Benson?] and the [Osleys] are at Florence now, and have spent some time in Venice. Adds that Mr [Osley]'s little boy had a serious accident at Strasbourg, but it now recovering, and that they suffered from sore throats at Venice. Reports that Mr G. Woodhouse and Emmeline and their children are at Budleigh Salterton for the winter, refers to an offer of a house in Madeira made to Woodhouse by some friends of Lord Brownl[ ]. Reports that Henry's Uncle John [Crofts] has just taken his second son Ernest to a school in Germany for two or three years, and that Alfred Sidgwick 'just escaped being classed with the 25 "unplaced" boys in the Rugby scholarship examination....' Refers to her 'poor sister [Elizabeth] Lace', of whom they have not yet had 'any really improved account.'

Announces that she goes home on 27 November, and that on 28 November William brings Mr Conington and Mr Ellis to spend Sunday with them at Rugby. Remarks that James T[ ] appears to like Wellington College much. Reports the many of Edward's 'rather grand neighbours', such as Lord Calthorpe and Lord Gilbert Kennedy, invited him to dinner, and that he 'got some amusement from what he said and heard, and was all the better for it. Remarks that she found Wellington College decidedly healthy in the autumn time. [Incomplete]

Expresses the hope that she will write to him in her convalescent state, if she ever got the 'valuable work' which he sent to her. Asks her to tell him her opinion of it if she ever reads it. Reports that he is very busy at present. Asks her to tell Edward that he was quite right about [Henry's] teaching history, and admits that he should never have attempted it, since history 'ought to be taught with enthusiasm and from a full mind', and he is not currently enthusiastic about it, with a mind full of other things.

States that she would have 'got quite well' had she been with him at Cannes., which, he claims, 'has exactly the sort of climate in which [he] can conceive of people worshipping the sun.' Reports that Tennyson is to come to stay at 'the [Master's] Lodge' at Trinity, and he hopes to see him. Claims not to like the poems 'that he has been sputtering all about the press lately...' Reports that their book [Essays on a Liberal Education] 'has been very [amiably] reviewed on the whole', and states that the most unintelligent review that he has seen was that in the Times the previous day. Thinks that Conington's review in the Contemporary Review was very good, 'only a little too minute and a little too egoistic.'

Announces that they have to elect a new member [of Parliament], and states that everyone feels that it is disgraceful that they have 'no really eminent man to bring forward.' Jokes that he cannot help it as he cannot stand, as he is too busy. Informs her that he is 'violently engaged in a scheme for improving female education', and that a Board 'is constituted of Oxford and Cambridge men...to examine governesses and schoolmistresses..' Sends his love to Edward, and states that he heard from [Henry Weston] Eve 'with amazement of his economical triumph[s]'.

Letters on questions of classical philology, many of them related to Duff's work on Silius Italicus' Punica. There are 15 letters, 1 post card and a sheet of notes dated 1921-1933 from A. E. Housman; 20 letters, cards, and notes from W. T. Vesey dated 1931-1932, and a letter from W. T. Heitland dated 4 Jan. 1933, from W. Wyse dated 25 July 1922, and a letter from J. Conington to H. A. J. Munro about his Lucretius dated 1 Dec. 1864.

Reports that he has been in Cambridge for a few days, but has not yet begun to work. Arthur is 'quite satisfied' with his degree, but many are disappointed. Enjoyed his visit to Oxford and declares that William's rooms are 'magnificent'. Conington introduced him 'to one of the "stars" of Oxford - Professor Henry Smith', who is 'a wonderful converser'. Saw Mr Martin that morning, who was looking very ill, and '[George or John?] Paget gives a bad account of him.'

Glad to hear about Katie Lace [his cousin, engaged to be married to the Rev. J. D. Wawn]. Remarks that the clergy of the Church of England 'generally perform their duty to Society in the way of matrimony if in no other way.' Announces that he begins lecturing the following day, and that there are 'piles of portmanteaus at the Porter's lodge just now.' Says that he has been reading 'A Woman's Thoughts about Women [by Dinah Mulock]', and that it seems to him 'more practical and vigorous tho' less refined than Miss [Anne] Browns books.' Asks if he left a racquet at Rugby.

Declares that he has been very successful in life since [their] 'brief and transitory yet happy...interview terminated at the Royal Academy', despite his pecuniary losses; thinks 'a large family on £300 a year' is the only thing which could make him 'properly thrifty'.

Is anxious to hear what she thinks of Elaine and [another painting at the Summer Exhibition?] Says that their mother had hinted that she was too much overcome with the heat to enjoy anything, and he hopes that Minnie and Miss Hadley 'strongly impressed on her the advantages that would arise from [Turkish Baths].' Claims that he found the Academy 'once almost as good as a T.B....' Refers to his mother's possible move to Cambridge, which he claims he urged on her as strongly as he felt he ought, but reports that she thinks that he is as yet not settled enough. Wishes that he had 'a kindred spirit still left at Cambridge', since all his friends are now 'wasting their sweetness as schoolmasters' and he visits them 'with a strange mixture of envy and regret for their sakes'; but claims that he is very happy there with his books. Reports that he read Macaulay and Mill alternately, and also reads geography. Announces that he is going to study geology during the summer. Asks her to send him the papers that J. Conington sent him if Arthur has left them at Wellington College. Wishes also toknow all her plans, and sends greetings to Edward.

Typewritten copy. Wants Bryce's aid 'in reforming mankind - especially the University of Cambridge'. They have at present 'no examination in History', and he and others think they should, and that it should be incorporated into the Law Tripos, 'after the Oxford model.' As an examiner in his Law and Modern History school, he would like Bryce to write him a letter on the subject. Adds that they shall probably make International Law as prominent as they can, because they have just founded a professorship and several scholarships in this subject. Asks if he has seen [F. W. H. Myer's poem] St Paul, which, he remarks, is 'very fine poetical rhetoric - consummate except for excess of artifice, and occasional lapses into bad taste and into startling vulgarity...which reminds one of Ebenezer.' Does not think 'any man living could have written it except Myers'. Has heard that Conington 'is writing a "Numquamne reponam" on classical education in the Contemporary [Review]', and they 'expect to be withered.'

Believes that modern languages should be given 'a platform side by side with Latin and Greek' in university examinations. Refers to the diplomatic service, and foreign correspondents 'in large commercial houses'. Observes that much prejudice exists against the examination which is to supercede the Previous Examination at Cambridge. Refers to Dr Kennedy's suggestion that students should be able to secure 'a double training up to their 6th Term, after which they may read exclusively for either Tripos, or if they prefer it, for the Moral Science's Tripos.' Speaks of his desire to see men leaving the universities well-educated in every sense of the word, and of the importance of allowing 'a certain liberty of choice' in relation to subjects to be studied at university. Remarks that if classical scholars like Professor Kennedy and Lord Lyttelton are prepared to allow an alternative for Greek, he 'should regard it as mere destructiveness if [he] opposed French and German being substituted for it.' Suggests how the difficulty of making two examinations in the Gospel - English and Greek - of equal value might be overcome.

Refers to the M[oderation] Examination at Oxford, and its effect on classical study, and states that Professor Conington, with whom he examined some years previously for the Hertford Latin Scolarship, 'spoke in favour of the [working] of the recent system' [at Oxford]. Declares that he is wholly in favour the new scheme in relation to the Previous Examination, which the University of Cambridge now proposes to adopt, as it 'will act beneficially as a stimulus to industry in public schools and especially in those which, like Liverpool College, draw their pupils from the various grades of the Middle Class' and are obliged to make modern languages a part of their curriculum.

Informs Sidgwick that Conington can give him a M[ ] nomination, which belongs to another life governor ['Albert's father']. Expresses his intention of being in Cambridge from Friday 11 [June] to Monday 14 [June], 'staying with Kennedy' and doesn't know if he will be able to meet up with any of his friends. Kennedy has mapped out his [Conington's] time to some extent; e.g., 'dining in Hall with [W.G.?] Clark on Sunday'. Reports that he had a letter the previous day from Munro, 'formally announcing himself.', and that [Henry?] Smith 'had brought back news from Cambridge that he might very possibly not stand after all. Refers to another candidate [Price]. Comments on Munro's article, which he has read. Refers to Sidgwick's paper and the possible reaction of Oxford ontologists to it. Comments on Sidgwick's new Tripos scheme, and admits that he does not know 'what the points' of it are. Refers to the reaction to Latin Verse [in the Spectator]. As regards 'the new Journal', he claims that he has no time for reviewing, and therefore does not undertake to work for it. Concludes by announcing that 'Horace is done, and going to be printed.' [J. Conington's verse translation of Horace's Satires, Epistles, and Ars Poetica, published posthumously].

Refers briefly to the subject of whether Sidgwick's friend 'wanted the nomination', and goes on to discuss Sidgwick's 'Review of Carthope's Ludibrae Lunae [Spectator 7 Aug 1869?], and the poem itself. Found the review to be 'very good', and the tone of it to be 'excellent'. Refers to Sidgwick's Fellowship. In relation to Horace, claims that the work 'prints at a snail's pace' and informs Sidgwick that a third edition of the Aeneid is printing.