Three letters concerning the loan of R. Bentley’s books and MSS.
Two letters concern his offer to supply the remaining volumes of his commentary on the Bible.
Cambridge - recovered from illness, [James] Spedding failed [Fellowship examination], College tutors, [Apostles] "grievously thinned", [John] Sterling's son may be apostolic, Spedding taking drawing lessons, [Richard Chenevix] Trench has preached in W. B. Donne's area, death of Arthur Hallam, Tennyson depressed, left some poems with him, George Farish "professes to read law and practices ... the smoking of cigars", Christopher Wordsworth full of modern Greek literature
Letters dated 13 Oct. 1837 - 10 Nov. 1849.
Christopher Wordsworth has spoken with Henry Reeve, William Wood has counselled against a controversy with the 'Edinburgh Review', Brougham and Sydney Smith looked on as demi-gods by the 'Edinburgh Review'
Signed by Christopher Wordsworth. Thomas Musgrave, William Whewell, Blakesley, Thomas Thorp, George Peacock and others
Florence - heard of Blakesley's Fellowship while in Florence, Marquise Sacrati, Byron - "poetry must be a villainous trade if such a man was at the head of his profession", English character
Dockery - acknowledgement of Blakesley's letter, Müller's book
Henry Reeve will insert a comment by Wordsworth in the Edinburgh Review, perfect justice is not to be looked for ftom the periodic press
Reports on her and William's movements over the previous few weeks; their visit to Pattendale, where Henry's Uncle Robert had been, their journey by carriage to Penrith and to Skipton. She went on to Stone Gappe [home of her brother in law Francis Lace], while William went to the Raikes [Robert Sidgwick's home]. On 13 September she journeyed by carriage to Threshfield, on her way to [Arncliffe], where she was met by Mr Boyd's carriage, and found 'all the young Boyds assembled along with Mr Boyd's wife. Claims to have felt that the welcome afforded to her there was 'less hearty than of old' because of her Rugbean connections, and reports that she heard strong condemnation of Dr Temple.
Adds that Henry's Uncle Robert begged her to say that Henry's welcome there 'will be cordial as it ever was.' States that she did not speak to his Uncle Lace of either his or Arthur's resignation of their Fellowships, in order to avoid discussion of the matter. Relates that from Arncliffe she went to the Raikes for three days, and the previous Saturday came to Rugby. Announces that she goes to Leeds the following day for one night.
Reports that William believes that his Lake trip did his health a lot of good, and that he will be at Rugby by the end of the week. Adds that Arthur 'had a most prosperous voyage from Norway, and that his whole trip was a great success. Reports that Edward, Minnie and the children were a month at Whitby, and stayed at the Bishop. of Lincoln's 'for some days' on their way home. Claims to have had 'a good half day at Bolton'. Reports on Henry's Uncle Christopher's illness, and subsequent recovery, and relates that she saw him the previous Friday, 'looking ill and emaciated, but full of jokes as usual, and when grave, he talked of his favourite Millennial Theories just as he used to do....' Asks Henry what he thinks the difference between a ' "spiritual body" ' and a ' "natural body" ' is, and explains that the question refers to a biblical passage.
Sidgwick, Mary (d 1879), mother of Henry SidgwickTrinity Lodge - Trinity Lodge has no windows, walls or roof [due to restoration works]. So far Christopher Wordsworth (junior) and Mill [William Hodge Mill] are candidates for Thomas Turton's vacated office of Regius Professor of Divinity.
WW wants advice over the candidates for Thomas Turton's vacated chair (Regius Professor of Divinity): 'which is as you know one of our best University appointments, being about 800 pounds a year, and one of great influence'. The candidates are Mill [William Hodge Mill], Christopher Wordsworth (junior), Dr Lee [Samuel Lee?] - the Hebrew Professor and WW thinks Graham [John Graham?]. Mill is 'somewhat too near the Tractarians in his opinions'. Wordsworth is well aquainted with the Fathers 'and draws from them consequences very different from the Oxford men'. There is an expectation that WW should be a candidate: 'It would give me a power of trying to introduce improvements into the University, but I think it would not fall in with my schemes of building up moral philosophy. My philosophy grows under my hand, and grows into a form in which I think the world will not reject it. I must add that I believe I should be elected if I were to offer myself'.
Trinity Lodge - Alfred Ollivant has become a candidate for Thomas Turton's vacated chair (Regius Professor of Divinity): 'Tell me what you know of him in Wales or elsewhere. His coming forwards was a move of some of the electors who suspected C. Wordsworth [Christopher Wordsworth, junior], as well as Mill [William Hodge Mill], of Tractarian propensities, and did not like the other candidates for various reasons [see WW to RJ, 9 October 1842]. It is a curious proof how strong the Cambridge antipathy to that school is. I am only sorry for it in so far as if it dispel C. Wordsworth it will much grieve my benefactor his father'.
241: enclosing 1832 verse by Richard Monckton Milnes.
state of the house let by CW, list of repairs required: Gayton
Gayton. Echo in the new chapel at Harrow, hopes 5th November caused no annoyance, hopes Wordsworth will continue as his receiver of rents [of properties in Harrow].
Gayton. Butler thanks Wordsworth for interceding on George Butler junior's behalf, arrangements for the lease of the Headmaster's kitchen garden
Gayton. Purchase by Wordsworth of Butler's interest in Mr Bowen's house, hopes that George Butler jun has acquitted himself well in the Bell Scholarship
Gayton. Arrangements for the lease of Hawkins' house, George Butler's poor performance at Cambridge.
Gayton. Is unable to contribute to the scheme to rebuild the Master's House at Harrow, enquires about the transfer of a lease
Gayton. Congratulates Wordsworth on reinstating his authority over Henry Drury, in GB's time as headmaster Evans tried to establish a separate jurisdiction as Under Master, Oxenham's degradation, Mr Evans had been very inefficient but it would not have occurred to GB to supplant him with Drury
Gayton. Butler has written to Oxenham, Wordsworth's demotion of him means that he will lose even more authority, election of Lord Lyndhurst as Chancellor of Cambridge
CW's letter concerning Oxenham is a comfort: Gayton
Gayton. Congratulates Wordsworth on the examinations of the Harrow boys, relationship between the headmaster and the under-master at Harrow, when Evans was elected under-master to Butler he undermined his authority
Written from Harrow.
Gayton. Wishes to see the lower school revived, problems with Joseph Pope who encouraged boys to get into debt, fagging