Refers to Henry's letter to Katharine, which induced her to write to Nora and Henry, 'just to feel in touch with [them] both.' Declares that she loves them both dearly, and thinks about them constantly. Reports that three days previously H.F. Brown sent her Henry's letter 'to him, dictated to Graham Dakyns...' Wishes that they both could have come out to Switzerland again, 'just as in the old days!' Recounts her memories of the Sidgwicks' last visit there, when the latter were 'just fresh from [their] [Hyères] visit', and the wonders of their latest mediums, '[not yet proved fraudulent]'. Laments that now 'the last of the children will soon be gone too', and that his world in the past few years 'has been shrinking at an appaling rate'. Claims that the Sidgwicks were her favourite visitors, and refers to how 'Johnnie' [John Addington Symonds] loved the talks he had with Henry, and how he made point of keeping his letters. Hopes to see them both in the autumn, when she intends to go to England. Asks Nora who will do her work at Newnham, as she assumes that she could not stand the social strain of it now.. Reports that their house is full now, with Madge, her husband and baby, Walter Leaf, and others. Announces that Katharine is to go to England in three weeks, and in two months will be married, the idea of which, she claims, she has yet to get used to. Refers again to Henry's letter to Katharine. States that she hopes that 'C[harles] F[urse] is worthy of all the believing love of which she [Katharine] is making him the centre.' Prays for God's blessing to be upon the Sidgwicks.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), authorAnnounces that she returns to London, having spent 'a delightful 48 hours' [in Coneyhurst], and that she finished reading Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir the previous night, 'with vivid and most grateful remembrance' of the many happy times she has passed in the Sidgwicks' home - 'at Hillside, and at Newnham College'. Thanks Nora and Arthur also, for the book, and for the effect it has had. Is grateful to those, such as Bishop Gore and Baron von Hügel, who described Henry 'in specially happy words'. Looks forward to seeing Nora again in June, or whenever she can come.
Reports that the garden 'is brilliant now, with crocuses of all colours, daffodils, glory of the snow...', and claims that she likes so much to think that Nora worked at the memoir, 'besides European Polity [The Development of European Polity by Henry Sidgwick, published posthumously in 1904]' in her [Ewart's] hut. Reports that Mr Furse's paintings at the Burlington Fine Art Club 'are most admirable....'
Refers to Sidgwick's letter to her mother, and thanks him for saying 'such nice things' for her [Katherine]. Expresses happiness at the news that Sidgwick is getting on well. Praises her mother, and expresses her own happiness. Reports that they drove down to Wiesen that afternoon; describes the scenery and refers to the Landwasser. Claims that the Züge remains one of the finest things she knows. Thinks that it will be hard to leave Am Hof, since it is the place that she associates with the whole of her happy life. Is glad that they are going out to her mother for the winter. Announces that she goes to England in early September, and hopes to be married about 18 October. Refers to the Sidgwicks' kindness to her when she was young.
Furse, Dame Katharine (1875-1952), nursing and military administrator.Claims that she cannot help writing, after reading Sidgwick's last letter to H.F. B[rown]. Says that she has thought of him and Nora much since she saw them in London. Glad that they are 'able to move about among [their] fellow-men even at Margate'. Reports that the weather is persistently bad in the High Alps, and remarks that it is well that Horatio has the History of [Venice] 'to employ his mind, for his walking boots won't sit idle on the shelf on such a day as this.' Reports that her sister [in law] Charlotte - Mrs Green - is there, and that Lina Duff Gordon and 'Charles Furse's nice sister' went off to England that day. Refers to Katharine's happiness, and confesses that it is infectious, but expresses her concern as to whether it can last. Reports that Charles writes to Katharine that he has eight portraits to finish and two large decorative p[ ]s for Liverpool 'before he can possibly find time for marrying her'. States that 'Madge's letters are all agog about the prospect of Sedbergh' [her husband William may have been in the running for a position there] and that the elections are to be settled by the twentieth of the month. Declares his testimonials to be excellent, and says that she is glad that Sidgwick saw him. States that she loves him best of her sons-in-law. Sends her love to both Sidgwick and his wife.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), authorHas just finished reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, and thanks Nora again for giving it to her; reading it 'has been like living with old friends over again. Remarks on how Henry's 'unique character shines out of that wonderful series of letters from early days to the patient givingup of all that life means in the last dozen....' Notes also that at the end he was not tired of life; that he wanted to live, and had Nora by his side. Recalls Henry at Mentone, 'and then through the [ ] of years until that last pitiful sight of him in the nursing-home....' Suggests that the love he won from his friends was his best gift, and declares what good company he was. Has a letter he wrote to her daughter Katharine 'in the last weeks of her engagement to Charles Furse.' States that she has Katharine and her boys with her now. There is an exhibition of Charles' work at the Burlington Club Rooms in the following few weeks, and they will probably go to it.
Symonds, Janet Catherine North (1837-1913), authorWith note by Bernard Babington Smith, 15 Jan 1976.