States that what Myers has told him 'is certainly a relief', and claims that he shall now find it easier to tell those who have to be told, 'without saying anything about his insanity.' Refers to a séance, at which he, Nora, [Henry] Slade and Lankester were present, and which is the subject of some controversy. Thinks that Myers had better go, 'when Miss B[ibby]'s sittings are over, if nothing else turns up.' States that if Myers comes across anything good, he [Henry] will instantly come to town and go with him. Undertakes to send back Miss B[ibby]'s note the following day. Sends his regards to Myers' mother.
Is very glad to hear from Myers. Refers to his excuses about 'the stay of Capua'. States that he and Nora'shall be glad to hear about the Ghosts.' Invites him to Cambridge, and states that they shall be alone until 10 October. Refers to the 'Poem', which he describes as 'st[ ] and entertaining and pleasure-giving', but open to some criticisms, which he proceeds to set forth. Sends his kind regards to Myers' mother.
Has decided not to go to Newcastle, mainly because he does not want to cut himself off from Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh] 'till the last moment, having made the arrangement.' Arranges to go to Myers at Hallsteads [home of Annie and Walter Marshall] 'on Monday 17th', unless he hears from Terling first. Asks Myers to explain Sidgwick's behaviour to his [Myers'] mother and uncle. Tells him to write to the enclosed address [not included] if he is disposed to go to Newcastle alone. States that Mrs Burns does not know the names of the mediums, but says that she believes that they are private. Also sends a [piece] of last [Medium] [not included] that may interest Myers.
Reports that he and Nora have now got their affairs regarding 'the Education of Women' into order for the term. Has much to do, as he is to lecture on Shakespeare, Bacon, and perhaps Milton in addition to his usual work. Reports that when they left her the previous Monday week, they saw Worcester Cathedral, the restoration of which he 'did not much admire', and then went on to Cheltenham, where they went skating. States that they had a pleasant week at Cheltenham, and that he believes that Mrs Myers [mother of Frederick Myers] health is worse than it was; she 'was much interested about fighting the corporation of Manchester who are trying to turn Thirlmere Lake into a big ugly reservoir for Lancashire towns.'
They had a very pleasant night at Rugby [with the Arthur Sidgwicks]. Declares that Rose [his niece] is 'a charming creature', and reports that the other baby [Ethel, just over a month old] was 'thoughtfully kept out of [his] sight'. '[Jex]-Blake has raised nearly £10,000 for buildings at Rugby', such as an observatory and library, which Henry says 'shows great energy in dignified mendacity'; he himself has donated thirty pounds. They then spent a couple of nights with the Rayleighs, and then went home. Reports that [his cousin] Alfred Sidgwick has sent him another essay, 'which is also not bad'. Hopes that the weather has not troubled her, and reports that they found their 'ill-built house very cold' when they got back to it. Sends on Nora's love.
States that he shall be delighted to write Myers' autobiography, but adds that he must see a good deal of him to do it well. Hopes that he is coming to visit soon. Remarks that Venn seemed to expect him 'in an official capacity' in the neighbourhood. Refers to Myers' letter, which he deems to be 'very interesting', and claims to be 'impressed by the tranquil objectivity of [his] descriptions.' [Part of the letter torn out at this point.] Declares that he feels terribly ignorant of the whole subject, and claims that he does not believe in deliberate choice in love. States that when he was 'young and erotion (cf. Clough)' he used to repeat to himself 'the end of Iphigenia's prayer (Goethe, favourite play of [his] for wholesome warning'. Quotes some lines.
Refers to Myers' work and inquires whether it leads to a permanency. Asks him to tell his [Myers'] mother that Sidgwick is '[temporarily] supplied with a President of [his] "Hall" ', Miss Clough having promised to start them; she is to come only for one or two terms, so Sidgwick is still looking for her successor, 'though more tranquilly'. Reports that he is now examining houses. Complains that '[t]his whole matter' takes up so much of his time, but believes that it is worthwhile. States that he is 'forced more and more into involuntary antagonism with Miss Davies', and reports that she wrote to him recently 'and mentioned affably that [he] was the serpent that was eating out her vitals.' Reports that he saw [ ] [deleted] 'the other day' in Cambridge, and now regrets 'that she could not come.' Declares that she is 'so very [ ] [ ]' [deleted], and understands why, under some circumstances she might strike some people as 'unconciliatory.' Sends greetings to Myers' mother, to whom he is very grateful for 'her exertions' on his [and others'] behalf. Refers to J.A. S[ymonds'] poem.
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.
Refers to Myers' visit to him, which was 'delightful and salutary'; says Myers always does him good, though he makes him 'feel more deeply the perplexities of conduct'. Wishes that he had 'more wisdom to impart to those whom' he loves. Sometimes 'console[s]' himself 'for fundamental scepticism' by feeling that it is 'necessary, if we are to choose Good per se; disagrees with Kant's view that this 'noble choice is the only good thing in man, but does himself think it 'a great good.'
States that Myers' narrative 'is of thrilling interest', and declares that he has no doubt that Myers was 'the right man for the situation'; refers to the 'Testimonial' [not included; note in Myers' hand explaining that this concerned 'a Schoolmistress who had got into a mess.'] Admits to being impressed 'at the thought of the amount of emotional electricity generated by [Myers'] passage through these feminine atmospheres', and offers to idealise him 'into a sort of Genius of Flirtation'.
Quotes from an unpublished poem of Myers'. [Myers quotes more extensively from the poem, beginning with the lines: 'Few are the Friends of Women; and they see On many a cheek the rose of amity,...'] Thanks him for his generous gift, and promises to tell of 'it's [sic] ultimate destination.' Sends greetings to Myers' mother, to whom he sends circulars [not included].
Reports that Myers' letter gave him 'a mixture of pleasure and pain'; is 'hopeful of being something positive in the Universe', but this is 'something very unsmooth and unrotund, adapted for very peculiar functions'. Complains that he feels more and more unlike his own ideal, and perhaps 'acquiesce[s] more and more in [his] own limitations'; still, his 'aspirations are the best thing' in him, and has so far 'unmixed joy in Myers's 'sympathy'.
In relation to his 'Domestic troubles' [note by Myers explains that this is a reference to his scheme for female education; 'his harem at Cambridge'], confesses that they gave him 'more amusement than anything else'. States that he regards the 'female-educational movement as being in the phase of tentatives and experiments', and thinks that they may do it 'as much good by failing in an intelligent and cheerful manner as by succeeding'. Did not intend to blame Miss C[lough]. but rather his 'own want of tact'; though the 'storm is now blown over' Miss Clough has 'real reason to complain of [him] as unsympathetic'. She saw that he was 'partly amused by it' which he thinks 'hurt her': '[t]he Scheme is her life at present, and it is so little a piece of [his].' Refers also to Miss Venn, who has been 'simply delightful' in relation to 'the Suspicion affecting [his] character'.
Announces that he goes to the seaside - probably Broadstairs - after the Cambridge Examination, for about a fortnight, after which he shall return to Cambridge. States that he shall see Myers on 12 July if possible. Inquires about 'the [S]ecretary for C.A.E.', and declares that his cousin would be delighted to go. Also asks Myers to tell his mother that he [Sidgwick] made a speech advocating her views in relation to arithmetic on their Syndicate, and that it was agreed 'to divide the paper into two parts: one of which is to be pass and the other honours'.
States that he is quite willing to enter into negotiations with the Newcastle medium. Asks for more information about her. Confesses that he does not quite like what Myers told him about Mrs Fay, and says she told Gurney at Brighton that Sidgwick 'had behaved to her "like a perfect gentleman" or something of that sort.' Claims also that she is not as frank as she seems. States that he still has perfect faith in her, but that this now depends merely on personal impression, supported by Myers', and Gurney's and Crooke's. Feels that he must now drop her and Mrs Jencken out of his ' "Case for Spiritualism" '. Complains about their disagreeableness and 'their persistent and singular frustrations'. Announces that he intends to have some more séances with Herne in December, and will join with Myers in the negotiations with Newcastle, 'especially since the Never-failing Crookes is not to appear in the rôle of Triumphant Liberator till the end of January'. Send his regards to Myers' mother, and declares that he shall be very glad to go to Brandon House [Myers' house at Cheltenham] some time during the F[ ] Season.