Asks if Miss Edg[ ] could call at his rooms on the following Saturday. Reports that the papers have reached him, and remarks that he supposes that the volume of which she speaks is a collection of tracts. States that, until Nora showed him the letters, he had not realised that the motions, brought forward at the College meetings of 1865 to 1869, were in the main devised by Henry alone. States that he has assumed that Henry had been acting in conjunction with others, such as Edward Bowen and George Young. Remarks that his 'vigorous initiative' was instumental in preparing them for the legislative work of 1870 to 1873. Expresses his concern at the news that she had been unwell. Adds that he expects to be in Cambridge until the end of the month, and that he will be glad to call if she would like him to do so.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Sorry that the shooting has fallen through. The black cock [grouse] here were very bad this year, but they have enjoyed the shooting; they are now shooting rabbits, which have over-run the centre of the estate; will insist on them being 'greatly put down in the winter'. Will try and see the pictures at the Carfax Gallery. Mrs Young has sent 'some amusing college letters' from Sir George to her husband. Is interested by Robert's 'definite information' about the saying to seize Time, or 'occasion', by the forelock; expects it is not in Herodotus. Is reading of the war between Vitellius and Vespasian in the third book of [Tacitus's] "Histories": it 'implies such disorganisation of civil government' and 'licence and demoralisation' in the army that it 'immensely raises one's opinion of Vespasian'.
Expected to hear how Arthur was getting on - supposes that all has gone well, and that he is at work again. Reports that there is a 'nice little party' at Cambridge, and that everything is very favourable to reading. Declares that he has had to put up Venetian blinds to keep out the heat, which has been quite strong. Reports that Dr Lightfoot has come back from Dauphiné, where he has been with Edward [Benson], who says that they had a most successful tour, 'religiously avoiding every high hill'. Reports that Mr Martin is there in Cambridge, as well as Munro and a chaplain, and Somerset (whom she has met), and Sir George Young, 'and King who devotes his life to Gems'. Intends to stay in Cambridge some time longer - probably until the Fellowship Examination is over.
Asks after William, and whether she has got the house habitable yet. Asks her to tell Arthur that there will probably be five fellowships and that Young is thought to be safe. Reports that according to rumours there will be 'a flood' the following year, 'so they will not give any now to firstyearmen.' Asks how she liked [James Surtees?] Phillpotts, and asks if he gave tongue [a reference to R. S. Surtees' hunting books?]. Asks if she would like him to send her Major Jack Downing's book, but claims that it is not worth reading. Reports that the college is in 'a more reforming humour' than he ever saw it, and claims that 'if two or three old fellows would only be made Deans', they should have some fun soon. Announces that his 'Great Easterns [stocks?] are up again'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear that Robert and Elizabeth are having fine weather; it is awful here. Caroline had a 'sharp attack of influenza' but has been careful since. Aunt Margaret [Holland] spent a few days here which did her good after Aunt Alice [Dugdale]'s illness and death. Sir George Young also came for a Sunday, read some of his 'very powerful translations' of Victor Hugo, and told them much about Hugo himself; Sir George is a 'sad, very powerful personage... rather difficult with most people' but they are very old friends. Quite a large party today: Charles; Herbert Paul; Meta [Smith] and her daughter Margaret. They are charmed with [Stratford] and its associations, which form 'a contrast to the dirt and humbug' being printed about Shakespeare in the papers [that he was not the author of the plays]. Mrs Charles Flower said it should be 'seriously argued' as so many people thought 'there was something in it'; he replied that there could not be 'something', only 'everything or nothing'.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Would like to see Robert and Julian in the hay. Their own hay-making was 'deplorable' last year, but the crop has been wonderful this year and was 'practically made in the course of a week'; this makes a difference to the household, as a tea has to be sent out each day to the hay-makers. Strange how children 'like young nations' take verse for their first 'natural channel of literary production'. Is beginning to read Aristophanes in chronological order, with Latin between each play; is currently following up the "Acharnians" with [Cicero's] 'marvellously interesting speech on Sextius'. Judges Cicero to be the best 'orator who reads well': Macaulay reads very well, but 'it is primarily literature'; Gladstone is 'so deficient in matter'; Demosthenes and Bright lack 'the volume of historical and literary, and philosophical matter. Plans to read many of Cicero's best speeches, and Suetonius. Sends a letter from Hilton Young, referring to a 'really beautiful poem of his'; the 'Praed blood' seems to be coming out in him and Geoffrey [a reference to Winthrop Mackworth Praed?] as is 'the old naval blood of the builder and namer of Formosa' [Admiral Sir George Young, of Formosa Place, Cookham, Berkshire]. Has had a letter from Sir George Young about his 'own studies in English prosody, which he is making his old age occupation'; will send it to Robert when he finds it.
Letters dated 8 Oct. [1863] - 2 Dec. 1917.
Stocks, Tring. - Apologises for not writing at once to say she and George could not come ; Bessie's letter came just as they were leaving to pay two visits, and when George is there she 'still find[s] it fearfully hard to remember anything else!'; she therefore forgot it on Sunday at the Youngs' [the family of Sir George Young, 3rd Baronet?]. On Monday they were in Bessie's neighbourhood 'on a mighty walk from Box Hill to Guildford' so Janet hoped to pay a call but there was not time and she had to telegraph; feels 'much ashamed' of herself and hopes Bessie can find someone else. They had 'a wonderful half-hour with the old man of Box Hill [George Meredith?]', and generally 'a heavenly 3 days'.
The letter is dated 19 Jan. 1922. Accompanied by another letter, undated, and the obituary notice from The Times dated 5 July 1930.
Trevelyan notes that Geoffrey Winthrop Young told him the first time he saw Trinity as a boy with his father Sir George Young, he was told that his father saw William Whewell jump up the hall steps in cap and gown. Lord Adrian notes that he saw an undergraduate jump the steps in a gown after hall in summer in 1955 or so.
sends a copy of "Ode to Teddy" [wanting], Praed's sarcasm.
Returns letters [written about Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir; not included], and states that they are all very gratifying. Reminds Nora that 'of the pleasure and the praise 601/633 (exactly)' is hers. Remarks that those by 'ACB[enson], GOT, [James?] Ward, [Sir George] Young, and Tennyson were all good to read, and of course Cornish.' Says that he knew about William Sidgwick of Skipton having given evidence before the Faculty Committee [see 103/94], but that it was outside his drama. Has some duplicates of hers and a few more, and undertakes to send them to her when they reach 'a batch'. Note added in red ink saying that for real criticism they must wait for 'the unbribed Reviewer', but that 'it is a great thing to please the old friends'.
Sidgwick, Arthur (1840–1920), educationist and classical scholar