Showing 40 results

Explains the delay in sending a copy of Roden Noel's poems [not included]- to her. Asks if she has seen his review in the Spectator, which, he claims, was written 'with a sincere effort at rigid impartiality', and therefore has not altogether pleased the poet.

Claims that he has not been able to find out anything for the advantage of Mrs Horton, and that he cannot [hear] of the school his mother mentions [see ADD.MS.c/101/181], and asks if it is Clapton. Discusses the boy [Fred Horton]'s educational future, and suggests that if he could not get a scholarship at Rugby, he probably would not be able to obtain an exhibition. Promises to talk about the situation with her when he comes to visit, which he hopes will be 'about Thursday week - if not, the Sunday following.'

Asks her to tell him by return of post what Arthur is going to do at Easter, and whether he may ask Trevelyan to come down for a day while Arthur is there. Claims that he is not over-working. Reports that he suffered from some sleeplessness at the beginning of the term, and that he does very little work in the evenings. The consequences, he claims, are that he neither wants nor can afford a holiday, and wants time to prepare his lectures for the following term. Asks her to send him William's address.

Undertakes to bring 'Lowell's new volume' with him, and remarks that 'the "commemoration ode" is, on the whole, splendid', and judges that it ought to appear in any collection of English Lyrics. With regard to the word 'English', remarks that it must now become designative of race and language, not of polity, and that they must now call themselves 'as opposed to the Americans, Britons.' Remarks that 'Mary [Benson?] has subsided into silence', and does not think she is studying either algebra or political philosophy. Reports that Mrs Kingsley asked after her the other day.

Claims that he has thought a good deal about what she proposed about the Hortons [see ADD.MS.c/101/180-181]. Discusses the education of the son [Fred] and the possibility of his getting a scholarship to Winchester, and of going on the University education. Believes that if he is 'only ordinarily sharp', that he should probably not go to University, and that the Sidgwicks should help the family 'in some more pressing need.' Also discusses the little girl [Rose]'s future, and agrees with his mother in relation to not taking her away from home. Asks how she liked Paracelsus [by Browning], which he thinks 'has splendid stuff', despite being 'much too difficult and obscure'. Reports that Noel has published a volume of poems, which have been reviewed in the Pall Mall Gazette. Asks after Arthur. Reports that Martineau has written 'a fine pamphlet' for the Free Christian Union.

[Sent from Clifton]:- Announces that he has just arrived in Bristol, having left the Pauls the previous day. Reports that Mrs Paul asked after his mother. States that he enjoyed his visit there and in London. Remarks that Paul has got very nice children. Reports that Mrs Symonds has just had a little girl [Madge], but that he has been assured that he is not in the way. Refers to his mother's last letter in which she had discussed views on religious subjects. Believes that 'English religious society is going through a great crisis...and it will probably become impossible soon to conceal from any body the extent to which rationalistic views are held, and the extent of their deviation from traditional opinion.' Refers to the fact that the Ritualists 'are determined to burn altar lights after all.' Would like the Church 'to include the ritualists'. Reports that Noel has brought out a volume of poems, which he undertakes to send to her. Asks her to tell Arthur that he has 'nearly evolved both the major and the minor premiss [sic] of [their] practical syllogism', and that 13 February is the 'Ad Eundem day', and that he is to write to Reynolds.

Announced that he has arrived in Cannes 'after a somewhat trying journey': the worst part being the Dover to Calais crossing which he found so rough that he was afraid to subsequently take the night train to Avignon 'for fear of being regularly knocked up'. Was glad to instead spend a morning in Paris, a town he 'love[s] above all towns', where he suffered the effects of a very cold North Wind. Refers to the tradition of selling étrennes [new year's gifts], which he does not wish to 'transplant' to Britain; it is bad enough having to give presents to friends when they marry. Reports that he spent some hours in the Louvre, and found that his feeling for Greuze had grown.

Travelled on to Avignon that night, where he encountered a snow-storm. Remarks that the Palace of the Popes 'looks much more like a great barrack which it now is than like a palace'. He stayed in Marseilles on Wednesday night, and the next morning saw the Mediterranean for the first time. Complains that it has rained every day since he arrived. Reports that Symonds 'does not look at all well, but says he is better', and has sprained an ankle. Mentions that Montagu Butler is there, and that he intends to see him soon and hopes to hear about Haileybury and A G Butler. Reports that [Roden] Noel 'left a wideawake' with them, and asks her to send it to him in London. Asks her to keep carefully any letters about his room or else [ ] belonging to him that she may find. Reports that he had 'a melancholy business at Hastings dividing the library [of his friend Cowell, who died the previous month]'; he could not take all the books and those he had taken will 'oblige him to line [his] room with bookcases'. Remarks that this 'complete break-up, extinction of a family is very sad.'

Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which she is grateful to Nora for sending, arrived the previous day, and she is reading it 'with the greatest interest'. Declares what a privilege for her it was to have known Henry, and says that the fact that he and her father [Roden Noel] were such dear friends gives the book 'a double interest' to her. Observes that there are a lot of letters to her father included in it. Praises the portraits of Henry in the book. Looks forward to seeing Nora the following Saturday, and adds the arrival time of the train that she proposes to travel by.

Refers to an enclosed piece [not included], which, together with a few lines he wrote to Arthur, give his view of William. Reports that on the whole he was 'agreeable surprised with his aspect'; claims that he does not look very ill, but that he looks like someone in the first stage of convalescence. States that others who came to the same [Ad Eundem?] Club dinner in Oxford also thought him to be looking better than they expected. Reports that Digby told him that he had spoken to Mr Symonds, who attends William, about the latter's attack.

Asks her to thank Arthur on his behalf for the signatures. Announces that he sent in his thirteen propositions [for college reform] that day. Declares that 'the extent to which [he is] reforming mankind at present is quite appalling'. Reports that they have 'a fine old Conservative Institution which will resist many shocks of feeble individuals like [himself].' Claims that these Conservatives 'are too triumphant at present', and refers to Italian affairs, including the failed revolution, Victor Emmanuel and Garibaldi. Mentions that Trevelyan was present at the latter's arrest. Undertakes to tell her when anything is settled about [Roden] Noel's visit. States that he has asked him to visit some time in December, since he [Henry] intends to go abroad for about three weeks at the end of the month. Announces that he must be back in Cambridge earlier than usual after the Christmas vacation, as he 'holds the dignified post of "Father of the College"!'

Refers to Noel's letter upon which he has been meditating, and explains that he has been busy with the education of women. Refers to the term 'absolute', which he declares to be used by both of them in different ways. Feels it important to refute its usage in 'implying that two contradictory opinions about the same object...held by two persons may both be true.' Believes that nothing is intrinsically unknowable. Uses the statement made by Noel in his letter that 'stars do not move in an ellipse rather than a circle, apart from the way in which minds with a certain knowledge view them' to refute Noel's use of the word 'absolute'.

States that 'all experiential beliefs...may either actually or conceivably be proved true or false'. With reference to beliefs which do not relate to possible experiences, such as the beliefs of memory '[cf. Ward]', the belief in the existence of the non-ego, or of any object of one's cognition apart from one's cognition, or of any ego except oneself etc., asks 'what criterion or criteria can be given for the truth or falsehood of these beliefs in a most deep and subtle problem of the higher Logic or Metaphysics which [he is] at present meditating.' Announces that he intends to offer a solution in 'April'.

Asks Noel why he takes so much trouble to bring Sidgwick to agree with him about the unknowable. Declares that both he and Noel believe in the existence of a plurality of egos, and states that if a solitary thinker denies it 'there is no possible test of experience by which his denial may be confirmed or refuted.' Gives an example, using 'A,B,C'. Refers to Noel's assertion that thought or cognition modifies that which is cognised, and asserts that 'the object cognised is not affected, modified by the mere fact of cognition.'

Discusses ethical beliefs, to which Noel had referred in his letter. Declares that it seems to him that 'the eternal debate on ethics may be represented as a discussion whether these beliefs are analogous, in respect of the criterion of their truth or falsehood, to experiential or extra-experiential beliefs.' Discusses the differing attitudes of a utilitarian and an anti-utilitarian in relation to ethical beliefs and their identification with experiential and extra-experiential beliefs.

Refers to Noel's ethical arguments, and contends that every moralist must obey his own conscience, when he has taken every possible pains to enlighten it, and that 'the injunction of conscience is felt to apply not to him as an individual, but to every person in given circumstances.' Asserts that there is some rule prescribing conduct for a person, not as an individual, but for him as a person of given nature, and in given circumstances. Claims not to have met anyone who have no moral sense at all, but admits to have met some whose '[varying] impulses coloured in the strangest fashion their assertions of objective rightness'.

Strongly believes that 'the Right is knowable', if not absolutely, but as a standard to which one may indefinitely approximate. Believes that the current morality is faulty - 'by having too general rigid rules and not making allowance enough for individual differences.' Hopes for progress in ethical conceptions, resulting from observation and experiment. Professes his ideal to be 'a law infinitely constraining and yet infinitely flexible, not prescribing perhaps for any two men the same conduct: and yet the same law...'

Declares this to be the longest letter he ever wrote and asks that it be sent back to him. With emendations and amendments. Accompanied by annotated covering sheet.

Asks Sidgwick to accept an enclosed copy of the Book of [Sorrow] [not included]. Says that [Roden] Noel showed Sidgwick's letter to him, and expresses delight that Sidgwick liked his work. Claims not to mind that he did not like his Poems, and expresses gratitude for Sidgwick 'standing by my side when [he] really needed "backing"'. Refers to Noel and his poetry.

Writes to express her sympathy with Nora on the death of Henry Sidgwick. Claims that she did not know of Henry's illness until quite recently, but fears that what Fanny [Henry's sister] tells her that he 'must have suffered much'. Assures her that he will be greatly missed, and refers to 'the beautiful useful good life he lived'. Declares that he was her husband [Roden Noel]'s earliest and best friend, and was his best man at their wedding. Recalls with fondness his many visits during her early married life, and is glad to think that he and Roden have met again. Prays that God may help Nora to bear the loss.

Confirms that the box arrived. Regrets to hear that she is not yet recovered; he did not realise how ill she was, probably because she was doing so much, but declares that he ought to have known her better by this time. Is glad that she thinks that Martin [Benson] is like him, and hopes that he will turn out better; says he thinks a 'tide' in his own affairs, a few years ago, might have 'led [him] to greatness' had he taken it and hopes Martin may 'have as good opportunities and make more use of them'. Remarks that Martin surprised him by the extent to which he appreciated things, but thought that he had 'less character than Arthur', which may also be true of Henry himself when he is compared with either of his brothers.

Refers to Dr [Rowland] Williams, and admits to have been impressed with 'his courteous deference to the opinions of those who were arguing with him, and his candour'. Reports that Cowell has slight disease of the lungs, but states that the dangerous part of the ailment is the heart, which his father believes that he cannot get over. Of his pupil Lord Lorne, remarks that he is not very intellectual, but very charming. Reports that he did not see any more of 'the young ladies' of whom his mother speaks. Tells her to dismiss the notion that she may have had that he was 'making love to one of them.' Declares that his is studying Metaphysics, which is 'very absorbing', but bad for the digestion. Confirms that he knows Carlos Smith slightly, and states that he is a very accomplished man. Informs her that 'he plays beautifully on the piano and knows six languages.' Reports that he stayed two days with his friend Noel, who is also 'absorbed in Metaphysics'. Says he knows nothing about Ecce homo [by J. R. Seeley, published anonymously] but reports that everyone there speaks highly of it; had decided not to read it after seeing a review, but realises he will have to. Expresses his extreme regret at hearing about Tryphosa [Lace, his cousin].

Teston Rectory, Maidstone - Sends a copy of a work by a pupil of his who has just been admitted to [Trinity College].

Embossed notepaper: Warlies, Waltham Abbey. - Seeking regular literary work; poor trade in the City has forced him to dissolve partnership; 'Poetry - Metaphysics - General literature - Eastern Travel - might be named as my special subjects'.

Reports that he has returned to Cambridge, having spent a week in Paris with [G.O.] Trevelyan. States that he is staying with [Roden] Noel, but shall be in Cambridge on Thursday. Claims to have enjoyed his visit, but that he felt 'very dissipated'; his sole employment in the morning 'was to read the play for the evening.and go to the galleries.' Praises French acting and French cooking, as well as Paris itself. Asks her to tell Arthur that he disliked the St. Michael [attributed to Raphael] more than ever. Mentions a trip to the Louvre, and the fact that he finds that he takes much less pleasure than he did in modern French art: the only painting that he liked in the room reserved for it was Greuze's peasant girl. Asks whether she has read Trevelyan's book, Cawnpore, which he believes ought to increase his reputation. Maintains, however, that it retains some of his old defects. Reports that he got her stereo-photograph 'at 113 Rue [Boulevard?] de Sebastopol'; describes being allowed to try out the equipment and 'transported to any part of the world', and says it was 'more like magic than any other part of modern civilisation [he] ever came in the way of'.

Announces that he yields to Myers' and Barrett's arguments, and undertakes to write to the latter 'to accept unconditionally.' Explains their possible travel plans from Newcastle to Cambridge, and on to Oxford. Asks Myers to breakfast at North Hill on the following Wednesday. States that they shall both be very busy, 'especially Nora', and he wishes to hear all Myers has to say. Reports that Barrett has written asking her to join [the] Committee. Undertakes to telegraph if they stay in Newcastle, in which case they plan to pass through Cambridge on their way to Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh], and would like Myers to come to lunch. States that Arthur Balfour will be Vice-President. Enquires about John Hollond and Roden Noel. Reports that Jebb is flourishing, but involved in an educational controversy.

Announces that he intends to come down the following week, leaving Cambridge on the Wednesday, probably spending a day with Roden Noel, and arriving home in or around Friday, or on Wednesday if the visit to Noel falls through. Does not feel that there is 'the least need that Arthur should try for a fellowship now'; he has discussed the matter with Lightfoot. Reports that he is still reading Hebrew, and has just finished Deuteronomy. Intends to continue reading when he goes home.

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.

Announces his intended movements over the following days, which include remaining in Margate until the following Tuesday, lunching in London, travelling to Harrow, staying with [Auberon?] Herbert in London, travelling to Wellington College [to see the Bensons], staying with Trevelyan at Weybridge, and travelling to Roden Noel. States that after 24 [June] he heads for Cambridge. Asks Myers if he intends to go to Miss Bonham Carter, and hopes that they [Sidgwick and Myers] shall meet.

Hopes that his ['____'] was effective, and states that he 'found it a pleasant Summer Beverage.' [Note in Myers' hand states that he cannot remember to whom Sidgwick refers]. Claims that Myers' 'emotional dissipation' fills him with 'entertainment, envy, amazement and certain sympathetic gloomy forebodings...' In relation to his work on philosophy, states that he thinks he has 'made a point or two about Justice', but that the relation of the s[exes] still puzzles him. Asks if the permanent movement of civilised man is 'towards the Socialism of force, or the Socialism of persuasion (Comte), or individualism (H. Spencer)?'. Quotes in Greek from Euripides' Bacchae 333-336: 'εἰ μὴ γὰρ ἔστιν ὁ θεὸς οὗτος, ὡς σὺ φῄς/παρὰ σοὶ λεγέσθω...' [Even if he is not a god, as you say, call him one...], adding 'This is not what the Devil says now, but something much subtler in the same style'.

[Sent from Paris]:- Gives an account of a wedding he attended recently. Refers to Roden Noel, whom he met in the Louvre. Claims to be enjoying Paris very much, and likes the Tuileries and the Champs Elysées 'as much as ever.' Admits not to be attracted by France as much as by Germany, and gives his impressions of Paris and of the French people. Thinks that he will leave Paris 'on Monday week', but may stay a day or two longer. Reports that Arthur is to leave on Thursday. Hopes that William is recovered from his attack.

Regrets that he is unable to accompany Myers to Paris at Christmas, due to time constraints. [Myers adds a note that he had invited Sidgwick]. Has involved himself in 'so much Education and Educationalism' that he cannot really work in term time; he 'must write one or two books in the course of the following two or three years', and since he finds he writes 'slowly and with great labour', must work during the vacation. Claims that he is getting into a state of 'Book on the Brain', but that 'instead of one, there are at least three'. Invites Myers to come and see him, and claims that he has the effect of making him feel '- temporarily -Wise and Good.' Maintains that if he said that to [Roden] Noel, 'he would think [Sidgwick] meant in contrast with himself'.

Asks for information concerning Myers' coming to Cambridge, 'The Prospects of Poetry' and 'The Probabilities of Medicine etc etc'. Declares that they have much to discuss, Sidgwick having failed to write due to the unrealised expectation of seeing Myers at Rugby. Reports that he has to teach history that term, 'no successor having turned up to Pearson: and Cambridge breeding no historian'; they are 'thinking of taking some healthy young resident and locking him up with a Hume'; it is 'rather a disgrace to us that we all take so small an interest in the human race'.

Asks if he has seen Noel 'in the Dark Blue [a literary journal]'. Suggests that he may have been ashamed to send it to Myers, as 'some of the polemic is almost personal'. Declares that it is very well written, 'except the polemical part', and states that he writes better prose than verse. Reports that Noel nearly quarrelled with him 'for reluctantly avowing that [he] did not consider him an equal of Swinburne.' States that Noel 'thinks that the Verbal School (S[winburne?] Rossetti, etc - non sine te) have been found out'. Refers to the Edinburgh of July, and the Contemporary [Review] of October as having evidence to support this theory. States that Noel also thinks that 'Buchanan and R.N are going to be chaired instead by a mutable but at length appreciative public.' Refers to 'a certain Mutual Admiration league' between Noel and Symonds. Believes that Symonds's poetry could be successful, 'if he could only impassion himself about a good subject.'

Asks Myers to send his last epic. Tells him to read Noel's article. Sends his regards to Myers' mother. Announces that his second correspondence circular is soon to appear. Reports that Miss Clough is in Cambridge, that the house is 'getting on', and that there will be five [women] there that term.

Discusses Myers' intention to take up medicine. Warns that it could be 'too great an investment of time and nervous energy. [Part of letter deleted by Myers?]. Remarks that there seems to be much to be said for the subject, but that it does not seem likely 'to lead to much poetry'. Of a poem by Myers about Alfred de Musset, remarks that he 'cannot quite divine the evolution of thought in the whole piece...' [A note in Myers' hand states that he put an end to the poem 'on the receipt of this criticism.' Announces that he intends to go to Hallsteads on the following Saturday for a day or two. States that his book is 'at a standstill. Reports that Roden Noel claims that 'all people whose taste has not been perverted by academic education regard him as Coming Poet', and so he can't stand Sidgwick anymore. [Partly deleted note by Myers refers to Roden Noel]

Undertakes to mention Myers' wishes in relation to the Moral Sciences Examination. Does not know 'who the other two [examiners] will be.' States that Mayor has been applied to. Is torn between 'a desire to get a good man and to do honour to the Tripos by getting a M. Sc. firstclass-man.' Says he 'quite accept[s Myer's] epithets for [D. G.] Rossetti's sonnets' which pleased him 'critically and classificatorily' since he discovered in Rossetti 'the "missing link" between Swinburne and Christina Rossetti'. Wishes Rossetti would write more.

Discusses Mozley's article on Modern poets in the Quarterly [Review], and claims that he is the first man 'who has spoken adequately of Clough.' Reports that there is a new edition of Clough in the press. States that he has not seen [Roden] Noel since he reviewed him. Remarks that 'that review has turned out unfortunate', and that '[R. H.?] Hutton likes the poems and therefore would have reviewed them...with his goldest pen.' Claims that he could not have said anything stronger in [Noel's] favour, and does not agree with Myers about the book. Declares that Markby 'is a little over enthusiastic about female prospects' and believes himself that 'the question is in a hopeful state.' Claims that 'there is no real conservatism anywhere among educated men.' Adds his opinion in relation to the use of 'esquire'.

Thinks that it would be difficult to find a replacement for Myers in the Moral Science Tripos [in which Myers examined]. Advises him to write to Sidgwick or some other member of the Moral Science Board as soon as he has made a decision. [Note in Myers' hand: 'I thought of going to Australia with the dying Ch[ ] Taylor']. Declares that he is curious to see [Alexander?] Macmillan. [Part of letter cut out and some words obscured at this point.] [Note in Myers' hand: Ludibria Lunae] In relation to Courthope, thinks that he should not have recommended Myers to read it. Claims that he did not write consciously as an advocate, and that the subject of the satire irritated him.

As regards [Roden] Noel, asserts that he wrote 'with a positively painful effort to be rigidly impartial'. Discusses his attitude to writing reviews: he never reviews anything 'which has not really interested [him], and which [he does] not think other people ought to read', while at the same time he 'feel[s] more in [his] element' when calculating appropriate amounts of praise and blame 'than when enthusiasm and sublime flights are wanted'. Suggests that if it be true that Myers cannot write a novel it is because he does not care enough 'about little things, and therefore [does] not observe them enough.' Asks Myers to tell him the author of Monsieur Madame et Bébé [book by Antoine Gustave Droz] when he writes.

Announces that he is resigning his fellowships after the next election, and intends to stay in Cambridge to lecture. Believes this to be 'a good thing on the whole - assuming that the College is not at present likely to take pains to get a really good teacher of Philosophy.' Explains why he had not taken such steps before. Asks what shall be said of the man 'who cares only for the highest things, and to those cannot attain?' [Note in Myers' hand: 'quotation from letter of mine to Noel. I was then a Christian.'] Tells Myers to read Ludibria Lunae [by W J Courthope], which is 'original and of it's [sic] kind masterly', and whose intellectual content is 'beneath contempt'.

[Sent from Eton]:- Comments that it is very odd that he has received no books, and hopes that she has not forwarded any to [Roden] Noel's, whom he had left the previous Monday. Reports that he has been staying at Eton since Tuesday, and is going to Oxford the following Monday, until Wednesday. States that Arthur's degree is to come out on the Friday following. Asks if she has anyone staying with her. He was in London for one night, and went by the Metropolitan Railway [opened on 10 January 1863] on Monday: it is 'really most impressive - more so than any other "wonder of the age" [he has] ever seen'; it should be a 'great success', and there is 'no disagreeable smell'.

Refers to some enclosed questions [see below], some of which he believes were discussed by Bagehot, and some are 'one or two points [which] he does not allude to.' Suggests that if she does not feel inclined to make any remarks on 'Bagehot', the most stimulating thing she can do is to read Mill's Representative Government with 'Bagehot' in her head, and notice the difference between their views, 'and try to adopt a judicial frame of mind between them.' Also suggest that she read the Times, the Saturday Review, etc., 'to notice where any of the questions [which] Bagehot discusses is brought up, and try and catch the reviewers point of view and estimate the value of his arguments.' Declares that the advantage of politics or jurisprudence as a study 'is that there are so many cases continually turning up in every day talk and contemporary journalism for applying any principles that one may have taken in...'

Reports that he has been spending many pleasant days in London and in Dorsetshire since the Monday of two weeks previously; says he so many friends in London that its attraction is growing on him. Reports that he has been exploring Clifton, referring to Combe Valley and Leigh woods, and to a poem which mentions the latter [by William Leigh Bowles?]. Informs her that his friend Roden Noel has just brought out a second volume of poems, [Beatrice and other poems] which he judges to be very good. Expresses his regret at hearing her account of their aunt Henrietta, who, he believes, 'ought to be violently incited to cultivate her Art.' Sends his love to Edward.

On a separate sheet: list of five questions on a political theme, with references to the English constitution, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the functions of a constitutional monarchy, and the [probable] effect of Republicanism in Spain, Italy and France.

[Sent from 18 Brookside, Cambridge]:- Reports that they have been 'vibrating between London and Cambridge for about ten days', and that Nora 'has nearly arranged the furniture of [their] new house [Hillside] to her satisfaction.' Expects that they shall probably transfer themselves into their new house in the week after the following week. Hopes that his mother is recovering and that she will soon be able to go out. Reports that they are beginning to have 'some lovely after-summer days' in Cambridge. Hopes that B[ ] has recovered from his attack. Reports that is is 'absolutely "saison morte" in Cambridge', but that there happen to be one or two friends there. Remarks that 'there is a prevailing theory that Cambridge is unhealthy in September', and he believes that this is because everyone goes away then, not vice versa.

Reports that he has had a letter from his uncle Robert, who informs him that the Pet[ ] Charity expects to get some money from the charity commissioners for the better education of girls in Shipton, and that an inquiry is to be held on 25 September. Does not think that 'the "Public Day School Company" have ever tried to deal with the case of towns of that size', and he is very doubtful what advice he ought to give to his uncle about the matter. Informs her that their cook 'has just achieved the manufacture of Fondu and S[ ] Pudding' from the receipts his mother gave him. Announces that Roden Noel is coming to stay with them on the following Wednesday. Refers to Temple's letter about the Eastern Question in the Times. States that Nora sends her love.

Thanks him for sending [Roden] Noel's poems. Reports that Arthur has [James Russell?] Lowell's new volume and likes it very much. Claims that the amount of writing she had to do that term has prevented her from doing very much reading. Reports that she has not been able to do much about Fred Horton and his education, and that at present he is attempting some old Scholarship Examination papers, which she sent to him. Mentions St John's Foundation School at Clapton, and what Edward has told her about it.

Informs Henry that Arthur wishes him to know he will not now go abroad at Easter, as [Fred] Myers has taken ill and cannot go. Arthur thinks that he will go away as soon as he can. States that she will be very glad to see Henry either on 18 or 21 March, and Trevelyan if he comes any time between 18 and 25 March. Expects Edward, Minnie and their two eldest boys on 25 March, and states that Edward wants to go to Cambridge to finish some book that he is bringing out. Minnie is to stay in Rugby until he takes her to pay a visit to the Bishop of Hereford.

Regrets to hear that Henry has been suffering from strained nerves and sleeplessness, and suggests that he take a holiday. Admits to being a little worried about William because of his lack of correspondence since 29 January, and that she hears from Mr [Mandell?] Creighton that he has written to no Oxford friend since he left. Refers to Minnie's domestic problems. Asks to be remembered to Mrs Kingsley [?], and reports that Miss Temple has been very ill.