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Ought long ago to have thanked Nora for sending him back his letters to Henry Sidgwick, but wanted to wait until he had finished Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir. Finds it 'extraordinarily interesting', and has much to say about it, but will not inflict a long letter on her. Is in the process of writing an article on the book for the next Dublin Review, and states that the theme will be Henry's intellectual character, and the effect of intellectual stimulation that he produced in those with whom he had conversations. Adds that he contrasts him with Jowett, who, although Ward was very fond of him, 'was most unstimulating'. Undertakes to send Nora a copy of his article in proof when it is ready. Hopes that her brother [Arthur Balfour] is quite well again 'after his rest cure.'

(Typed.)

Reports that he writes the letter away from home; is down in Bournemouth with his sick sister. Expresses his sorrow at Sidgwick's illness, and at the news that the doctors fear that his health may preclude his returning to his full literary activity. Reports that he has been anxious all winter about the state of his sister's health. Tries to comfort Sidgwick with the claim that doctors 'are certainly not infallible', and suggests that HS may prove them wrong by producing more work. Claims that he likes to express his 'sense of grateful obligation' and refers to the fact that, as a Catholic, he is a some distance from Sidgwick in religious matters. Refers to Wilfrid Ward, Fr Tyrrell, W.J. Williams, von Hügel's brother and the latter's wife, as those who would express similar convictions and sentiments as von Hügel in relation to Sidgwick. Quotes Basil Champney as having declared, with reference to Sidgwick, that 'there can have been but extraordinarily few men in existence, since the world began, who have had as many friends, and who have been so entirely without enemies.' Reports that he has just had his first exchange of letters with Professor James Ward [a close friend of Sidgwick's], whose book was such a great satisfaction to him.

Refers to the letter to the Spectator of 15 September from 'M' [see 104/14], denying the accuracy of a claim in an article on Henry Sidgwick that appeared in 8 September, and suggests that the statements of the writer of the article and that of 'M.' both 'are true in one sense and false in another'. Claims that Sidgwick's genius was critical rather than constructive, and that his best sayings were amendments on the sayings of others. States also that he did not inspire, 'because his teaching was predominantly not the inculcation of any system - not even of utilitarian ethics - but the correction, limitation, co-ordination, or criticism of what had been more or less loosely said by others.' Adds that he did inspire many of those with whom he discussed the problems of philosophy, and especially on the philosophy of religious belief. Concludes that Sidgwick was inspiring as a philosopher, but as the exponent of a system he was not in the least inspiring. States, however, that 'the ethos exhibited in his own methods of inquiry and criticism, one it became fully apparent, was most inspiring.'

Thanks her for letting him see 'these most interesting proofs' [of Nora and Arthur Sidgwick's memorial of Henry Sidgwick], and states that he quite understands that she will have to shorten the draft. Refers to some 'scraps' written to [Henry Graham] Dakyns, which are 'not worthy of insertion'. In answer to questions she had put to him, claims that he cannot remember the exact date of a letter about 'In Memoriam'; that the reference to Wilfrid Ward is to an article on his [Tennyson's] father; and that the reference to Leslie Stephen is to 'an attack of his on the Idylls of the King'. Suggests 'Tod' might refer to [Alpheus] Todd's Parliamentary Government in the British Colonies. Refers to notes in his father's autobiography - Memoir of Alfred Lord Tennyson - in relation to the interpretation of a letter. Adds that he hopes that Nora's brother - Arthur Balfour - 'will s[ ] Parliament soon - for the feeling of unrest [ ] to Arnold-Forster and Co is becoming rampant.' Sends his wife's kindest remembrances.

Explains that she carried off Dr Henry Jackson's letter by mistake, and encloses it, along with a note from J.B. Mayor [neither included]; says that the latter 'throws some light on the article.' Believes that it would be a mistake to print the article in a collection of Henry Sidgwick's papers 'because his part is so very short', but adds that [ ] Shipley, to whom she showed it 'is much charmed with it as an imitation of Plato.'

Adds that Henry's part only brings out one point, and that they have no way of knowing 'whether he considered Grotes [sic] answer satisfactory - whether the G[ ] of the latter part of the whole paper can be considered as representing Henry's view or not.' Speculates on the circumstances of the discussion; suggests that it took place at Trumpington, and believes that it should be referred to in any bibliography.

Undertakes to send back 'the number of the N[ ] Review' with the number of the Contemporary [Review] containing the article on "Verification of Beliefs" and one in the Nineteenth Century which should be [consistent] but is...p[ ] [ ] in the Ph[ ]'. Thinks that Henry intended Miss Jones 'to judge whether ethical matter not yet printed should be published or whether printed ethical articles should be republished', but believes that Jones is 'a little too much inclined to publish': she may argue with her about particular papers before a final decision is come to.

Refers to Henry's papers in Mind, to notices of books, and to ethical and philosophical papers, and suggests that they discuss the republication of these various works with regard to the arrangement of volumes. Sets out her idea of the ideal format of a volume 'of Philosophical and Ethical Fragments', and lists the titles or subjects of articles, lectures and other works, and the publications in which they appeared.

Is 'out of reach of the bulk of [his] books, not to mention the Athenaeum and the London Library' but says there is 'a good deal about the Metaphysical Society up and down various recent memoirs': mentions Leslie Stephen's life of James Fitzjames Stephen and Wilfrid Ward's book about his father W.G. Ward. Sees no reason why Sir James Knowles, who has the minute book of the society, should not be willing to let Nora see it. States that Shadworth Hodgson is about the only living person who was an active member before he [Pollock] joined the society. Does not think that there is much relevant information on it in Huxley's biography, but suggests that it would be worthwhile to look. States that Dr Martineau was the last chairman of the society.

Remarks that it was surprising that its members stayed together for so long, and states that the Synthetic Society is 'a kind of modified revival of it.' Does not believe that Henry Sidgwick came to the society's meetings often during Pollock's time, but states that he had many better opportunities for discussion with him outside the society. Relates that at one time Knowles 'thought or preferred to think the [society] was going to define the fundamental terms of philosophy and prepare the way for a general agreement', and states that the members certainly were not up to such a task. Refers also to a plan that he and Henry had around 1897 to set up 'a smaller speculative club or brother-hood with enough common tendency to hold it together but no dogmas', but it came to nothing. Is glad that Nora liked his review [of Henry's The Development of European Polity]; states that he was especially impressed by 'the excellence of the medieval part.' Adds that 'the Society was intended to satisfy Tennyson concerning the immortality of the soul', and states that he believes that the latter attended one meeting.

Copy of letter. Refers to Ward's biography [of his father], which Sidgwick was finishing when Ward's letter arrived, and which he much admires. Remarks that Ward has completely overcome 'a certain difficulty' in his task, namely the existence of 'two opposite dangers of failure in giving a full and adequate picture of [his] father.' States that he was most interested in the chapter on the New Utilitarianism, and remarks that Ward's father appears to have 'strikingly anticipated an important part of the argument of the Grammar of Assent.'

Fragment of/incomplete letter Asks the addressee to give [Henry Sidgwick] his 'affectionate sympathy'. States that they have been in 'constant communication' over the past year. Refers to his 'wise just and [ ] nature'. Asks to be kept informed of further news. Refers to Sidgwick's age.