States that he returned the previous Sunday to England from Constantinople, where he had spent 12 days and had seen, amongst others, Sir Philip Currie, Mr Black and Professor [Vambery]. Refers to Currie's views on student interpreters from Cambridge, the development of Oriental Studies at that university, as well as his attitude to the proposed introduction of Bulgarian, which he hoped to remove in due course, into the course. It was the opinion of Mr Block [a Turkish scholar] that the men should be trained in Constantinople rather than in England. Discusses the situation regarding the dropping of Bulgarian and the proposal that £100 be paid to himself for teaching Turkish; declares that his conscience would not allow him to take a salary for the teaching of that language to the student interpreters. Refers to his strong feelings on the subject of Cambridge being excluded from 'her proper share in the public services, and put aside once more in favour of Oxford', and to his willingness to render service to the University without expecting a pecuniary award in return. Admits to being more knowledgeable about Persian than Turkish, and to be more interested in the latter also. Refers to Dr [Charles?] Wells, who, he believes, is more learned in Turkish than he, and who would be a valuable addition to the Oriental School at Cambridge. Believes that for the practical teaching of Oriental languages it is very desirable to have a native 'repetiteur'. Hopes to call on Sidgwick the following Sunday. Repeats advice to take on Dr Wells as a Turkish lecturer, and states that if he [Browne] is to continue teaching Turkish himself, he must have the help of 'an educated Turk' to make it a success.
Browne, Edward Granville (1862-1926) Persian scholarPest University. - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton.
Relates that after leaving Patterson in Budapest he 'went for much briefer visits to Vienna, Munich, Strassburg [sic], Nancy, and Paris'. Claims that the week he spent in Budapest was the part of his tour 'on which the light of memory shines by far the most brightly'..Supposes that the university people 'will by this time have all reassembled', and asks Patterson to send his greetings to Beóthy [?], Lanczy, Medveczky, Pulszky and Vambery and others. Asks him to send him the address of Professor [József?] Szabo, to whom he had promised to send his photograph. Asks Patterson to ask Mr Pickler if Sidgwick had promised to send him something, and what it was. Asks him to thank Sir A. Nickelson if he meets him for his kindness to him, and to tell him that the [conversation] of Mr Szillerzy [Dezső Szilágyi?] has often recurred to his mind. Declares that if he had the time he would like to write an article on Hungarian politics, but that preparations for the International Congress of Experimental Psychology will absorb his spare time for the following three months. Expresses regret that they did not have more private and personal talk. Sends his greetings to Patterson's wife and daughters.