Copy of letter. Writes to express his sympathy to her on the death of her husband. Claims that he has been thinking of the latter and of the early years of their friendship, when they 'talked and wrote to each other, in the eagerness of youth, on all things in Heaven and Earth.' States that he believes that although Noel 'was keenly disappointed by the world's inadequae recognition of his genius he did his work in life none the less resolutely, and brought out his great gifts, and remained nobly true to his ideal.' Regrets that in later years he [HS] 'often vexed him somewhat by unsympathetic criticism of his [Behe] work', but states that he is glad to think that this never made any division between them. Adds how much he admired Noel as a poet, and hopes that she will always rely on him if the occasion should arise on which he could be of any service to her or to her children.
Sidgwick, Henry (1838-1900), philosopherIs in Cambridge for the term, 'plunged in Examinations' has not had very much holiday, as he has been spending most of his time in reading at the British Museum. Reports that he went down to Wellington College in Passion Week, and that Mary seemed much better, but he was concerned that 'there was something not healthy in the flush on her face, which told of headache.' Reports that the boys seemed well, that Arthur especially 'is much developed by his school[']s experience' and that when Henry left Arthur was 'endeavouring to compose a Latin Elegiac poem on the consecration...of C[ ] Church'.
Reports that Edward is 'full of Lincoln and the Mediæval chapter and the neo-mediæval chapter about to be revived in that favoured town.' Thinks that 'he feels the difficulty of realising his ideal without more aid than he is certain to get.' States that 'they are anxious about the election of a new headmaster [at Wellington College]', which was to be decided the following week. Thanks her for her information about his godson, and states his intention to go and see the boy in June. Supposes that she does not want books to read, as otherwise he would recommend Trollope's Australia [and New Zealand]. Reports that he stayed a night with the [Roden?] Noels, and that Mrs Noel asked after his mother.