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Trinity College Cambridge [on headed notepaper for Clare College, with Clare crossed through]:- Thanks his mother for her letter. 'Old Vanity' [A. G. Watson, of Harrow] is here, staying at the lodge [the Master's Lodge at Trinity]; Robert saw him briefly, and he 'seemed very happy'. Charlie met him at dinner, but Robert dined with the Lytteltons [Kathleen and Arthur?], sitting next to Miss Gladstone and 'the Newnhamite who is expected to have done best in the classical tripos [Florence Stawell?]', which finished yesterday. They 'all hope that O'Rorke has got through', but are not sure.

Charlie 'seems very well indeed, but has not been doing much work'. They went for an 'expedition in canoes up the Cam yesterday', bathed, and 'had tea at a village'. Hears Bowen is 'cutting out all the Waterloo part from G[eorgie]'s poem'. Hopes that his parents are well. Supposes the [general] election will definitely be in July. He and his friends have 'settled to go to the Lakes, and not to Scotland'; there will be four or five of them.

Typewritten. Explains that this letter 'is a kind of postscript' to Nora's. Discusses whether or not Gladstone should go to work at an educational establishment for women at Holloway. Has always thought it desirable that Holloway 'should succeed and become a really effective part of the organisation of academic education for women', and refers to it as a place where experiment is desirable. Adds, however, that he does not think that it is interest of the movement for the promotion of women's education that Holloway 'should take the first place and put down Newnham and Girton and the Oxford Colleges into subordinate positions.' Believes that in the future it will be a successful institution for the purposes of examination preparation, but that at Oxford and Cambridge they aim to give to the élite of the students 'the interest in knowledge for its own sake and the independent grasp of the methods by which it is being advanced in different departments'. Believes that this 'can only be given in an institution where an active prosecution of original research and thought is being kept up', and does not think that this can be attained at Holloway. Discusses whether Gladstone's going to Holloway would be a gain to that institution 'sufficient to counterbalance the loss that it would undoubtedly be to Newnham', and finds it difficult to say. From a personal point of view wishes her to stay at Newnham, but urges her not to be influence by any sense of obligation.

Typewritten Gave Helen's sister 'as full and exact account of [his] views' as he could. After thinking over their conversation and re-reading her letter it occurred to him that there was one point on which he slightly disagreed with her phrase regarding her views on whether Holloway will or ought to be 'the leading college', and gives his views on this basis on the question of whether she should take a position at that institution. Believes that the prestige of her name does affect the matter somewhat, in that 'it inevitably makes [her] acceptance of the post imply a conviction in favour of Holloway, which would not be implied in the case of an ordinary professional person, naturally and legitimately aiming at professional advancement'.

Typewritten. Refers to the letter Henry sent her at the time of her 'Holloway invitation', and explains that she has kept forgetting to send it to her, along with another which belongs with it. Sends them [105/21-22], stating that they seem to her characteristic of Henry in that they put forward many sides to a situation, and were helpful to her in arriving at a decision. Refers to two passages that 'if written by almost anyone else in the world, would have seemed to [her] most sarcastic', but being written by Henry, she does not feel them so at all. Has always felt grateful that Henry 'had no scorn in him for those who were not clever, nor even for those who were ignorant, provided they were not pretentious and conceited....' Will never cease to be thankful for being on somewhat intimate terms with Henry, and says this is one of the many things she owes to Newnham.

Thanks him for his letter, 'and for an endless number of other things - not least, for Newnham itself'. Speaks of the prosperity of the college, the pride she feels in it, the affection felt for it, and the pain of leaving it. Declares her intention to come to Newnham as much as she can 'for Councils and other festivities'. Declares her intention of going to Cannes in January with her parents. Sends her love to Nora.

States that they do still very much want Nora's paper, but assures her that she would never have dreamed to suggest that Nora bring it up to date. Reminds her that it was Mrs Marshall who told them of it, 'and made the suggestion....' Declares that what Minnie and she now want is that Nora should arrange to come, 'having the question open for the present of whether [she does] actually read [them] the paper.'

Sends a letter that Henry Sidgwick wrote to her at the time of her Holloway invitation [to be the first principal of Royal Holloway College, not included], and declares that they seem characteristic of 'one of the most striking things in Dr. Sidgwick, that he saw a hundred sides to everything, and yet acted practically and decidedly.' Quotes two passages from the letter. Remarks also that Henry 'had no scorn in him for those who were not clever, nor even for those who were ignorant, provided they were not pretentious and conceited', and that he was much easier to talk to than many other people, who were not as intelligent as he.

Adds that they are thinking of getting Mr Graham W[alker] to give them an account of the London Bill, and reports that he gave them 'great pleasure by his unexpected speech at [their] Annual Meeting....' States that she is pleased about Frances Gray.

Refers to Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which she has read. Reports that she has heard 'a rumoured criticism that it does not sufficiently bring out Dr. Sidgwick's brilliancy', but claims that she did not notice whether this is true or not, 'so engrossing is the intense interest of his character....' Claims that the book illuminated and realised what she 'dimly saw and firmly believed' of Henry's character, and had the effect of increasing her admiration, reverence and affection for him. States also that the book increased her awareness of Henry's simplicity, which she compares to that of her father and Mr. Darwin. Thanks Nora for having let her know so much.

Refers to their recent conversation, and clarifies his and Nora's plans in relation to holidays, and their possible visit to her. Explains that they intend to go to the Alps for the end of June and the beginning of July if Nora finds 'that she can miss the Higher Level Examination without neglect of duty'. Mentions that that destination 'is the only complete cure for hayfever', and adds that they would be the guests of the Symondses, 'who are in permanent exile at Davos.' States that if Nora cannot miss the examination, they will go to visit Minnie and Edward from 13 to 18 June, and that they shall be able to make up their minds early in May, after Miss Gladstone has returned. Also discusses the possibility of Nelly [Benson] being sent to Newnham College, and Henry's views in relation to such a move.

Reports that Frank Balfour 'has been for some days in severe fever', and typhoid has been suspected. Claims that some improvement has latterly taken place, and that the pain has somewhat subsided. Refers to the compilation of complaints at Crescent Villa, which they heard about just before Balfour's illness. Hopes that they are all well. Reports that he has seen Arthur [Benson?], and that the same afternoon he came Miss E[llie] Hopkins also called, and absorbed Henry's conversation. Asks her to ask Edward to vote for A.V. Dicey if he should be in the Athenaeum Club between 4 and 6 pm on 20 February. Reports that all is well in Newnham, and that Miss Gladstone is going to be the next Vice President. Explains that it is not yet formally settled, and asks her not to talk of it.

Writes from London, where he is 'engaged in assisting in a collection of Ghost stories and similar matters...' Has been given Edward's name as the secondary authority for a story, which he encloses [not included]. Wishes her to find out whether that version is what was told to Edward, and also the name and address of Edward's informant. Asks after her family. Supposes that Edward is in London from time to time, and asks her to tell him that Henry shall be there 'off and on during July.'

States that Nora is to be at Newnham College for the Long Vacation, and that Miss Gladstone is to 'become responsible' [for the college] in October. Asks her where and when she intends to go on holiday. Announces that he and are going to have two or three weeks' holidays in September, which they intend to spend partly in Yorkshire, and partly, possibly, in Ireland, visiting the Chief Secretary [G. O. Trevelyan]. States that he has never been 'to that unhappy country, and [is] curious to see how it feels when one is there!'

Hopes that his book [Principles of Political Economy] will be out in October. Announces that he does not give up his Praelectorship until Christmas, and therefore shall be in Cambridge the following term, but not at his house. They hope to spend a spring in Italy, and come back to their home in April for the May term. Sends his and Nora's love to all the family.