Showing 85 results

Algiers.—Asks after the baby and her mother, and commends the choice of name. Outlines a scheme for the education of children, which he has partly communicated to Macmillan. Will write to Milady (Lady Pollock).

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Transcript

Algiers Monday June 26/76

Dearest Fred—Nous voici enfin les deux compères! et ça va comme vous voulez, cette petite mignonne et la femme chérie? I like the name well; you can shorten the first part into Belle or the second into Elsie which is very effective. We must come to an understanding with the Moultons about primary education. She has been marvellously successful with her children. I have a scheme which has been communicated in part to Macmillan and which grows like a snowball. It is founded on “Pleasant Pages”, {1} the book I was taught out of; which is a series of ten-minutes’ lessons on the Pestalozzian plan of making the kids find out things for themselves, history of naughty boys on Monday, animals on Tuesday, bricks on Wed[n]esday, Black Prince on Thursday, and so on. In the book it was very well done, by a man who had a genius for it; if you go to see Macmillan in Bedford St he will shew you the book which he got on my recommendation—he is also himself newly interested in the question. His partner Jack read part of it and was struck. Well, I first want that brought up to today, both in choice of subject and in accuracy; adding, e.g. a series of object lessons on Man (papa & mama, house, street, clothes, shop, policeman, “wild & field,”). Then I want it taught on the Russian system, in different languages on successive days; no direct teaching of language until there are facts enough to make Grimm’s law intelligible, for which English, German and the latin element in French would be enough; no grammar at all until very late and then as analysis of sentences and introductory to logic. This is the difficult part; it would require a French and a German teacher, both trained and competent, besides the English one. So far as the book is concerned it would of course be easy to print it in the three languages. Lastly, I have bought 12 volumes of the Bibliothèque Nationale for 3 fr.—Rabelais, 5 vols., and Montesquieu, Pascal, Diderot and Vauvenargues. They are 25 centimes each, admirable for the pocket—& of course you know them. There are two or three hundred volumes. Whereupon we must of course get the same thing done for English literature, and the setting forth of all literature in English (e.g. I have Les Maximes d’Epictète), but more particularly we must get published excellent little manuals at 2d or 3d for the use of Board & other primary Schools. I do not even know that penny schoolbooks would not be a successful move—the size of a Daily News, say, printed by the million in a Walter Press, folded and sewed by machinery to about the size of the Bibliothèque, indicated in the left-hand top corner of this page. {2} A Daily News would just make one of these volumes. Fancy the Pensées of Pascal, with the notes of Voltaire, Fontenelle, and Condorcet, a good Life at the beginning, etc. all well printed on a sheet of the Daily News! But of such a size could be made a very good elementary schoolbook of Arithmetic, Geometry, animals, Plants, physics, etc.—rather larger than Macmillan’s Primers, but of the same sort. {3} Now I must go to dinner, but I shall write to Milady an account of our adventures at Bougie and Sètif and of the Arab who had a gazelle in a basket that wanted to eat Lucy’s hat. Herein I have only been apostolic, moved by your account of the gathering, {4} and determined to support the general next year. Too long have I been absent from that august assembly.

All my love to you & George & the dear creature.

Thy
Willi.

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{1} Pleasant Pages, a periodical conducted by Samuel Prout Newcombe, was first published in six volumes (probably comprising weekly numbers) between 1851 and 1853 (London: Houlston and Stoneman). It was reprinted in one volume by Houlston and Wright in 1861 and again by Houlston and Sons in 1874. The work had previously been published in one volume in the United States under the title Pleasant Pages for Young People, or Book of Home Education and Entertainment (Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1853).

{2} A rectangle measuring 5½ by 3½ inches is marked out in the place indicated.

{3} ‘I have a scheme … same sort.’ This passage has been marked off by pencil lines in both margins.

{4} Possibly the Conference of Liberal Thinkers at South Place Chapel.

(Algiers.)—Congratulates him (on the birth of his daughter). Asks him to pay any money he has for them into the bank. Willi is certainly better, and they have done a great deal of sailing and driving.

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Transcript

26th June—

My dear Fred

Your letter was received with great rejoicing. I congratulate you with all my heart. The old man will do so on his own account.

If you have any more money for us please pay it in, (we have altogether had £300) we have not run out but much fear being left at the mercy of an accident in this quarter of the world.

Willi is certainly better. We have done a great deal of sailing & driving which he has thoroughly enjoyed. He is very happy & the sun has quite spoilt his beautiful complexion

Ever Yours
Lucy

31 Kensington Park Gardens, W.—Sends part of a report relating to Clifford, which Pollock may quote. Has sent Pollock’s article to the printer.

(With an envelope.)

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31 Kensington Park Gardens, W. {1}
7.5

Dear Pollock,

Here is the part referring to Clifford of the Report I mentioned. The expression is less concentrated than from memory I supposed it was, & you must judge how far you can make use of any of the sentences or whether you would not better put the gist of the recommendation in words of your own. Perhaps you will tear up the paper when you have made use of it, the document being private. I need only add that according to a by-law of the College, a Professor vacates his office as soon as he has let two sessions pass without lecturing.

In the circumstances I have sent on your art. to the printer, & must ask Land to stand over for another quarter which for your sake, I daresay, he will be willing enough to do, seeing his critical notice can afford to wait {2}.

Yours truly
G C Robertson

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esqr | 24 Bryanston Street | W.

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The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 8 May 1879.

{1} A second printed address—6 Lorton Terrace, Ladbroke Road, W.—has been struck through.

{2} Pollock’s critical notice of Spinoza's Wijsbegeerte, by M. C. L. Lotsij (1878), appeared in the July issue of Mind, having been given priority over J. P. N. Land’s critical notice of Proeve van eene Geschiedenis van de Leer der Aangeboren Begrippen, by C. B. Spruyt (1879), the publication of which was delayed till the December issue.

Very kind of Flora to give him Sir Frederick Pollock's Greek verses; they are a translation of a 'very fine poem' by Sir Alfred Lyall about a Hindu ascetic watching an army passing by [the first part of "Studies at Delhi"]. Pollock was an excellent Greek scholar and his translation 'seems rather a tour de force'; will send Flora the English poem if he can find it. Is 'fairly well again now', and went to London yesterday, but still gets tired if he walks too much. Hopes he will be able to cycle over some day to see Flora, and perhaps her lead soldiers; has some here, which he will show her if she can visit them.

13 Old Square, Linc : Inn - Thanks him for the little Renan book ['Quatre témoignages sur Anatole France], and discusses Greek indifference to picturesqueness; is awaiting further disclosures about the Zinoviev dispatch, thinks [Ramsay MacDonald] is dishonest if it is genuine, and also an incompetent Foreign Secretary if it is not.

13 Old Square, Linc : Inn - Disputes the idea that the fox was already established as a sacred animal in the time of Queen Anne, as mentioned in Frazer's Spectator pepers; accompanied by a note quoting Gawain on hunting.

Hesitates to intrude upon her sorrow, but assures her that no day has passed without his thinking of Henry Sidgwick, whom he loved and honoured. Explains that he learned from Frederick Pollock that she was collecting Henry's letters. Refers to the only one he has [not included], which was written to him the previous winter.

9 Park Place, Hills Court, Exeter.—Has been to hear Sir John Bowring speak at a Unitarian chapel. Presents some humorous aphorisms on women, in French.

(Undated. Marked ‘circ. 1870’.)

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Transcript

9 Park Place, Hills Court, Exeter

I am so glad there is a good book to read: but it is sure to be in German, and too much trouble for me. This morning by stealth (asking the way of a policeman) to a chapel of the unitarians; where Sir John Bowring to a highly respectable audience (their only fault) held forth on religious progress beyond the Xtian pale. It was rather the old story: account of Confucius and Buddha and the Parsees, and how nice they all were, and what the King of Siam had said to him {1}. There was a great deal about progress, and expanding thought, and things; but the whole atmosphere was close with as strong a perfume of mystic devotion as any church I was ever in. The regular minister also looked a preeminent parson. Tennyson might be edified to know that they alter his “Strong Son of God, immortal Love” into “Eternal God, etc.,” and then sing it as a hymn. Sort of Old Hundredy kind of tune. What a row there will be when my people find out that I have been there; which they must in time.

My years of play being now over, I present my experience in the form of aphorisms (à la Balzac) to those who may come after me; these being (as he says) neatly written out, may have the air of thoughts.

I
Sous cette forme gracieuse que nous appelons femme, il y a ordinairement plusieures âmes, dont chacune renferme une femme complete, mais dont le plupart n’ont pas encore subi l’incarnation.

II
Chaque femme est vierge quant à celles de ses âmes qui ne sont pas encore nées.

III
Sous une femme feminine quelconque, il est possible de créer une femme parfaitement neuve, fraiche, et vierge; et d’agir en sorte qu’elle vous aime, et que cette âme à laquelle vous avez donné l’existence domine sur toutes les autres et devienne Elle. Alors elle ne peut être infidèle avec cette âme-ci. Celui qui veut se donner la peine pourra toujours faire ainsi.

IV.
Celui qui veut pas se donner la peine pourra faire autre chose.

V
Il ne faut pas laisser aimer la nouvelle âme avant qu’elle soit arrivé à l’age convenant. Rien ne supprime le dévellopement plus que l’amour précoce.

VI.
Qui s’attend, s’étend.

VII.
La Reine ne fait point du mal. Qui mal y pense a mal fait.

I hope to see you tomorrow. À la libertad. Thy

Willie

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{1} Bowring had negotiated a commercial treaty with King Mongkut of Siam in 1855.

Letters dated 1867 - 26 June 1908.

13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn - States definitively that 'ius primae noctis' is now thought to have never existed.

48 Great Cumberland Place, London W. - Has been reading his paper in 'Fortnightly' with interest, gives a variation of the 'ritual murder' story, in which Jews kidnap a Christian and circumcise him, an accusation representative of beliefs about unpopular races, which can be seen down through time.

Envelope docketed in Frazer's hand 'Sir F. Pollock on Saturnalia &c.'

Letter of acceptance for the 1905 Apostles' dinner.

Hôtel Central, 12 Rue des Feuillants (Marseilles).—The city is noisy but amusing. He liked Bordeaux and would like to see more of Lyons, but they were driven from Avignon by the bugs. Has just recovered from an attack of constipation. Describes a climbing expedition with Lucy. Is thinking of learning some Arabic and visiting Algeria.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Hôtel Central, Rue des Feuillants,12. June 1/76

Dearest Fred. Here we are in the very middle of a noisy city {1}, but it is bright and amusing. I think the big towns of France are too much neglected for Paris; I like Bordeaux very much, & should like to see more of Lyons, but the rascally hotel keeper at Dijon (Hôtel du Jura, den of thieves; evangelical service every Sunday) made us miss our train, hoping we should go back to him, so that we only got to Lyons after dark. The reason we could not stay at Avignon is simple but effective; the bugs drove us out. I think I was upset by the camphor wherewith we fought them, the want of sleep, and the nuisance of having to go on when we had got lodgings and thought we should rest quiet for a week; anyhow I became as one that hath no excrement, and whose inward parts refuse to make dung. This always gives me a sick headache, but with castor oil (huile de ricin) and a good climb I have gotten the better of mine enemies. It was the more painful as the whole city is divided between lieux d’aisance (in rows on each side of the shop, mighty convenient and no extra charge for paper) and great cafés. This is a fertile plain with bare hills all round, and I had a strong desire to get to the highest point visible on the west. I reconnoitred one afternoon and found an omnibus group going to the edge of the hills, so on Tuesday {2} we started just after breakfast and succeeded—at least I did, but Lucy gave in within ten minutes of the top because I had let her rest on a spur which she thought was the end. Even so there was a fine view of the theatre of hills, the plain in the middle covered with houses olives and figtrees, and the sea. Also a confounded church which towers above everything here, Notre Dame de la Garde, was at last well below us and could be looked down upon with just contempt. But from the top one could see over the range to a great arm of the sea, the Étang at the upper end of wh. is Arles, while further away to the W {3} are the mouths of the Rhône—too far away to be seen. We saw some lovely green lizards about 7 in. long with 5 in tail besides—pardon, I mean ·15m. with ·1m. tail. Also a snake near a meter† long, but as I could not see his head, do not know them by their backs, had no stick, and as he was (This was among the azaleas.) {4} active in departing, I did not lay hold of him. On the way down we asked the way of two old women in a cottage and got some real Provençal—I could only make out lo cammin and derecho but as this was well supplemented by gesticulations it served. We were that thirsty that on reaching the omnibus station—about 4 miles from Marseille—we tossed off a bottle of wine between us, and have been roaring drunk ever since. Every evening the frogs make the most infernal racket and din that was ever heard—we thought at first of geese and crows and then of some dire machinery, but it must be frogs. I had a moonlight walk last night by the shore to the east. It was very dusty and noisy. I think we must expedite by train to La Ciotat to get real sea-side. My last scheme is to learn a smattering of Arabic and run over to Algeria—who can tell how useful it would be? Ourassek atini Xalib—please give me milk—is all I can make out as yet. Herewith Lucy’s portrait—we had to go up 17000 steps to get them done, which is why we look so out of breath. I should like much to see those married men at Cambridge. Thy Willi.

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esqr | 12 Bryanston St | London W | [In the top left-hand corner:] Angleterre [There is also an inscription in Arabic in the bottom left-hand corner.]

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The envelope was postmarked at Marseille on 2 June 1876, stamped ‘Marseille a Lyon’ the same date, and postmarked at London, W., on 3 June 1876.

{1} Marseille.

{2} 30 May.

{3} Indistinct. Perhaps altered from ‘West’.

{4} ‘This . . . azaleas.’ written at the foot of the page which ends here; brackets supplied.
† Sic.

16 Cavendish Square, W.—Sends ‘the last touching record’ of Clifford’s death, and praises his character.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

16 Cavendish Square. W.
Sunday.

Dear Mr Pollock

Here is the last touching record of the death of poor Clifford—Whether Nature be all, or, as I humbly think, not all—whether, after life, there be conscious light, or only blank darkness, certainly this man with his exquisite sweetness & simplicity of character, with his rare intellectual capacities and gifts, with his moral strength & gentleness, & with that force of genius which carried him with increasing swiftness over the difficulties of abstract knowledge—was one of the noblest of her creations. And if the better part of religion be that which creates a life rather than a creed surely this life is an example which one need feel no shame in following.—

The memory of Clifford will long remain a precious possession to his friends of all classes & of all creeds; & when they think of him they will think also of you by whose devotion the days of his weakness & anxieties were covered with strength & comfort.

Sincerely yours
And[re]w Clark

[Direction on envelope:] Fred[eric]k Pollock Esq | 12 Bryanston Street | Portman Square W

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The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 7 March 1879. Letters omitted from words abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Refers to a forthcoming Congregation and other engagements. Comments on Rossetti’s Poems and George Eliot’s ‘Legend of Jubal’. Is eagerly awaiting Swinburne’s Songs before Sunrise.

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Transcript

Trin. Coll. Camb.

Dear Fred

Congregation on Thursday. Dine with me on Wednesday at seven. The General is coming. We have chosen the 8th or 15th for Richmond with strong preference for the 8th. Of course you have read Rosetti’s pomes & the legend of Jubal. {1} I don’t know whether I like the latter—it is rather ingenious to use that unaccountably silly legend of the long lives to illustrate that men are only επωνυμοι {2} to the gods we make of them. Some of R’s things are very pretty, and some almost powerful: the thought seems to me archaic. I die daily till “Songs before Sunrise” {3} be mine.

The Flies will just have to perform on the 24th; there will be swell gymnastics in the morning, and everybody shall be put up. Thine W.K.C.

If you will hint your pleasure I will get the supplicat ready and things. I expect also Charles Niven.

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Written in purple ink.

{1} Rossetti’s Poems, his first major collection, appeared in 1870. George Eliot's poem 'The Legend of Jubal' was first published in Macmillan’s Magazine in May the same year.

{2} Presumably the sense is ‘those who give their names to’.

{3} Swinburne's Songs before Sunrise was published in 1871. On 4 January it was advertised in The Times (p. 12) as being ‘just ready’.

Catalogue kept by Sir William Frederick Pollock, Bt, of his Dante collection; several loose sheets with notes on his translation. Note and letter by his son Sir Frederick Pollock about additions he himself has made in pencil to the catalogue, since the collection has been given by his mother to Trinity.

Reggio Calabria. - Thanks Bob for his letter. As in the past, is 'greatly troubled about the Finns' [regarding Russification and the reduction of autonomy in the Grand Duchy]. Saw [Julio?] Reuter around the time of the [Sir Frederick] Pollock-[John] Westlake circular; they agreed then it would be worse than useless for the '[Arthur] Ponsonby lot' to do more than publishing the Parliamentary [Russian] Committee's pamphlet ["The Crisis in Finland", 1909]. George feels that perhaps now 'we, or one of us, ought to do more'; will turn his attention to this as soon as he gets to town. Of course they 'cannot save the Finns', only Grey [the Foreign Secretary] could make any difference, but he will not. This is 'the worst thing since the 2nd partition of Poland'. Notes in a postscript that he is glad to hear such good news of Julian. Will reach London on the 5th.

(Cambridge.)—Cautions him against being transported by the grandeur of Greece, and refers to Geldart’s book on modern Greek. Is irritated that he has to give lessons for the ‘Little-go’.

(In French. Undated. Postmarked at Cambridge, 19 Oct. 1870.)

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Transcript

Je te conseille bien d’avoir peur de la grandeur hellénique. L’on se trouver transporté subitement aux abîmes profondes des montagnes d’amour, d’ou il n’est pas permis de sortir qu’au prix d’une énorme rançon. Je connais bien l’idéale de Rossetti; c’est tout-á-fait épouvantable. Sauve qui peut. Sur le grec moderne, tu connais le livre de Geldart, dans le Clarendon Press series? {1} ni moi non plus. On me fait donner des leçons pour le Petit-aller {2}; ce qui est assez agaçant. Si, ja tengo la carta en lengui alemaña—mais jusqu’au moment actuel je n’ai pu la construire. Tengo aun que aprender esa lengua.

[Direction:] F Pollock Esq[ui]re | 59 Montagu Square | W

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Postmarked at Cambridge, 19 October 1870. Letters omitted from a word abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.b

{1} E. M. Geldart, The Modern Greek Language in its Relation to Ancient Greek (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1870).

{2} i.e. the ‘little-go’, or Previous Examination.

Woodtown, Horrabridge, South Devon.—Will return to him (as a contribution to the Clifford fund) some money sent by Mrs Clifford to pay a bill. Praises articles by Pollock and Helmholtz.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Woodtown, Horrabridge, S. Devon
5 April 1878

My dear Pollock

I hear from Emma that the best thing to be done is to send the money back to You, which Mrs Clifford sent to us to pay their bill. Of course You know all about it, and I think the most convenient way of sending You back the amount is to return Mrs Clifford’s cheque, £19..4..0, endorsed payable to You, that You may either draw the money or destroy the cheque, whichever may be most convenient. I hope there can be no difficulty in such a case as Clifford’s. He must have many admirers who would think it a privilege to contribute to his comfort. I am one, and I hope You will apply to me again if You find it necessary.

I have read Your article in Mind, which I like very much. Also Helmholtz’s. I am sorry to say that I know nothing of mathematics, but in my simple judgement I can see no good reason why it should be necessary to presume intuitions.

ever Yours very truly
W. F. Collier

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esq | 12 Bryanston Street | Portman Square | London | W.

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The envelope was postmarked at Plymouth on 5 April 1878, and at London, W., on 6 April 1878, and has been marked in pencil ‘W. Collier’.

Cambridge.—Comments on the parliamentary news from Exeter. Has met a Swiss student who is a fine gymnast. There are six vacancies for fellowships. Pollock is not back yet and Crotch is going away, so he will have little to do. Will try to get a quieter room. Uncle McLeod and Aunt Annie say that Charlie is better.

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Cambridge, Saturday
Sep. 12/68

Dear Papa and Mama

I have never thanked you for the bundle of Exeter papers, which amused me immensely on the journey home. You seem likely to have great fun with the election. I suppose Karslake and Coleridge must get in, and then we shall have two awfully swell members. {1} There is a Swiss here studying Natural Science—a very nice man, and a perfect gymnast, only all the skin is already off my hands because of the rosin which he puts on the bars. There are six vacancies for fellowships it seems. Fred Pollock is not yet come back. Crotch is going down for a fortnight so I shall be very quiet—the gymnasium will be shut up and there will be nothing to do in the afternoons—except go to Grantchester {2}. I shall try to get a room somewhere away from College to avoid being called upon next term—it becomes rather a nuisance to live on the ground floor. I have told you all the news already, and must now go and read Puiseux in the Varsity Library before it shuts up. I casually met Uncle McLeod and Aunt Annie in the Metropolitan railway. They said Charlie was quite well again.

Very best wishes to all the little ones from

Your most affectionate son
+W. K. Clifford.

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Letter-head of the Cambridge Union Society.

{1} Sir John Karslake and J. D. Coleridge were candidates for the parliamentary constituency of Exeter, which elected two members till 1885.

{2} Probably to the Nimmos' house. Cf. CLIF A1/13.

26 Colville Road (Bayswater).—Does not think it would benefit him to give up his College work next term. In the summer he and Lucy plan to spend the summer in the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

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26 Colville Road. Ap 7/76

My dearest Fred

I think you are the truest friend in the world, and that everybody is always ready to help me who never helped anybody. But I am sure that to give up my College work of next term would do me much more harm than good; I should continually fret about it and about one or two little things I want to finish, and rest from work is no use at all without rest from worry. I am already picked up under Andrew Clarke’s regimen; shall get a clear fortnight’s holiday in the country from next Wednesday; {1} and there is then only five weeks’ easy work in warm weather. After that we will go in a Cunard boat round the Mediterranean for seven weeks, and then stay as long a time in the Pyrenees; which is enough to set up the Vendôme column. {2} Moreover it seems better to be under A.C.’s eye for a little while yet. If it were winter and one could get away into a warm place it would be a different thing; but I shall be as strong as a horse before the next cold weather. I don’t believe that too great or too sudden a change of life can be good except in very bad cases, and there is really not much the matter with me. Besides that it is enough to make any man well at once to think that he has such friends.

Thy
Willi.

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{1} 12 April.

{2} The Vendôme column in Paris, surmounted by a statue of Napoleon, had been taken down on 8 May 1871, during the Commune, at the instigation of the painter Gustave Courbet. On 26 June 1874 Courbet and his colleagues were condemned to defray the cost of rebuilding it, whereupon the artist, unable to pay, fled to Switzerland. The task of reconstruction was completed in December 1875. The phrase 'set up' is probably used in the two senses ‘restore the health of’ and ‘erect’.

Expresses his surprise at being invited to the [Conversazione] Society's dinner. Gives his address in North Devon. Invites Sidgwick to his home, where he could ensure him, 'absolute seclusion for literary work, with very good air on high ground, plenty of shade, cool rooms. No dust or flies or formalities.' Refers to the visits of Montagu Butler, who had brought a man called [John Henry?] Pratt with him the previous year. Hears reports of Sidgwick through another guest. Also mentions the visit of Frederick Pollock and his wife. Announces his intention of being in Zurich during the month of July, but intends to be 'fixed' in his home in Devon for the rest of the year. Claims that he is 'not rich enough to go to London' that he 'shrink[s] from "society" out of the neighbourhood in which [he has] business to transact'. Claims that he never 'was fit to be a member of the C.C.S.'

Glasgow University.—Is sorry to hear of Clifford’s illness, and hopes the change will be beneficial. Encloses cheques from himself and Professor Blackburn.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Glasgow University
March 31/78

Dear Sir

I am very sorry to hear of Clifford’s illness. I hope the change will be beneficial and that he may still be well & strong.

I enclose a checque for £5, and another from my colleague Prof Blackburn for £2..2.

With best wishes
I am Yours truly
William Thomson

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esq: | 24. (or 29.) {1} Bryanston St | Portman Square | London. W.

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Black-edged paper and envelope. The envelope was postmarked at Glasgow on 31 March 1878, and at London, W., on 1 April 1878.

{1} ‘(or 29.)’ was added alongside slightly later.

26 Colville Road, Bayswater, W.—Asks him to thank his friend. Has been taking Mrs Crawford to studios. The Royal Academy have accepted Jack Collier’s picture of Henry Hudson.

(Dated Monday. With an envelope, postmarked 5 Apr. 1881.)

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26 Colville Road, Bayswater, W.
Monday

My dear Fred

Many thanks indeed & thank y[ou]r friend as best you can. But why do you spell […] {1} with a big ll it made me quite shudder. I conclude that he has the feeling I said & that it is given as a tribute to my old man’s genius—you would’nt† let me take it else.

Don’t talk about y[ou]r ink pot. I have upset the lamp & it is a mess.

You only put Lucy C on the pension form it ought to be Sophie &c &c.

Today I have been taking Mrs Crawford to studios. I hear the R.A.’s accepted Jack Collier’s Hudson picture {2} with a shout of applause. Rady’s {3} is also accepted. This was a member of the accepting body who betrayed the secrets of the jury to our willing ears.

Best love to you both my dears from y[ou]r loving

Lucy

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esq[ui]re | 48 Gt Cumberland Place | W.

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Black-edged paper and envelope. The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 5 April 1881. Letters omitted from words abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.

{1} There is an indistinct word here.

{2} The Last Voyage of Henry Hudson.

{3} Reading uncertain.

26 Colville Road (Bayswater).—Discusses a paper on rectilinear motion. Huxley is preparing to lecture on Spinoza. Suggests that legal measures should be taken against mediums.

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Transcript

26 Colville Road
Oct 4/75

My dear Fred

My letters disappeared for a week because the servant was let in to light a fire and chose to make the study “tidy.” I see I shall never be allowed to become a correspondent.

The marked passages are all right, but the case is even stronger. Tchebichef thought he had proved rectilinear motion impossible with five bars, and was on his way to prove it impossible with any number. Peaucellier accomplished it with seven, but Hart has since done it with five. Magnis componere parva {1}, I am on the point of finishing the enumeration of types of compound statement with four terms (the premises of a syllogism make one type with 3 terms) which Jevons said would employ thousands of men many lifetimes or something to that effect {2}.

The passage of Spinoza is Ethic. part iii prop 2. I find that Huxley (we went to see them last night) is preparing to hold forth on Spinoza with special reference to this doctrine. I told him to read your article & he said Morley had already put him up to it. There is to be a bicentenary in ’77, and the Dutch have taken Holland to hold it in.

Is not a contract to find treasure by magic punishable as [an] attempt to obtain money on false pretences? If this clearly applied to the fee of a medium and all such matters, the moral effect would be splendid. Thine W.K.C.

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{1} 'To compare great things with little things.'

{2} See Clifford's paper on the subject, 1877.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Praises Pollock’s review of Willis's biography of Spinoza (cf. A1/20), and imagines an amusing exchange with 'a typical Cambridge rector'.

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Transcript

Trin. Coll. Camb.

Mr W. K. Clifford requests the pleasure of the Master of Trinity and Mrs W. H. Thompson’s company at an evening {1} They can’t come. Oh no! it couldn’t have been that, you know! Can’t find another sheet of paper;—they are all full of gymnastic programmes: Vaulting horse. Single Trapeze. Parallels. Double Trapeze. Horizontal. Rings. Climbing. The whole to be preceded by an elegant exemplification of the rapier, with buttons. My sweet Fred! as if I ever slept in that miracle of folly called bed! I balance a leaf of my table on two chairs (to be out of the way of cockroaches!) and sleep as softly as if it were a slab of marble. Pryor, educ[ationa]l value of classificatory sciences or else imminent social crisis. Your Spinoza is splendid: sets people right on exactly the points, and nearly tempts one to become theological. I am told, however, that I swear too much already. Picture to yourself a typical Cambridge rector in hall, descanting upon the lovely bells he is going to put up, hinting subscription; me (appealingly) What, sir, is the least sum that you will take to put up dumb bells? New scene made for Ghanfortera; turns it into high old edification; poetic justice satisfied by providential jimmy. {3} We fear Keary won’t be a success. Vaya con Libertad.

May the eternal freedom that creates all living things and inspires every good work preserve you from obeying any law rule convention or precept ever sanctioned by God or man.

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{1} The first sentence, which is written in purple ink, was evidently the beginning of an abortive invitation.

{2} Pollock’s unsigned review (headed ‘Spinoza’) of R. Willis's Benedict de Spinoza (1870) in the *Spectator, No. 2184 (w/e 7 May 1870), pp. 589-91. Cf. CLIF A1/20.

{3} The meaning of this sentence is unclear.

Includes Professor Maitland's speech at the memorial meeting for Henry Sidgwick; obituary by Miss E.E.C. Jones, which appeared in the Journal of Education for October 1900; 'Dr Keynes in the Economic Journal of Dec 1900', references to Sidgwick made by Professor Sorley, quoted from a letter of 2 September 1900, and from the International Journal of Ethics for January 1901; reference to Sidgwick made by Alice Gardner in a letter of 24 August 1900; 'Mr C.F.G. Masterman in the Commonwealth for November 1900'; 'From the Cambridge Letter of 1900 of the Newnham College Club'; 'A.T. Lyttelton [Bishop of Southampton] in a letter of Sept. 21, 1900'; 'Sir F. Pollock in a letter of Aug.30.1900'; 'Mrs Sanger [A.D. Pease] in a letter of Sept.23.1900'; 'Mr C. Cooper who took his degree in 1874 in a letter to Dr Ward' from October 1900; 'Professor Mandello, Professor of Law and Political Science at Pressbourg in a letter of Oct. 14, 1900'; 'Miss Agnes Mason in a letter of Nov 16. 1900'; 'Mrs McLeod [E. Stevenson] in a letter of Oct.24.1900'; 'Miss A.M. Jackson in a letter of June 9.1900'; 'Miss Alice Woods in a letter of Sept.2 1900'; 'Miss Amy Sharpe in a letter of Sept.3.1900'; 'Miss Emma Brooke in a letter of Sept.29.1900'; 'Miss Susan Cunnington in a letter of March 9.1902'. Some MS explanatory notes, amendments and emendations included.