Sympathises with Patterson with regard to his 'misfortunes'. Asks him to tell G[yula?] Lanczy that, on consultation with Seeley, the Regius Professor of History, they are in agreement that Smyth's Lectures on the French Revolution 'is now a quite antiquated book', and not worth buying for the Kolosvár [now Cluj-Napoca] Library. Reports that Seeley had never hear of Professor Miller's History Philosophically illustrated, and that he [Sidgwick] thinks that it too 'was rather passé.' Reports that he cannot find the essay of Patterson's friend and colleague [Frigyes?] Medveczky; asks him to tell him the title, and he will try to read it in some library. Undertakes to try 'to secure the favourable notice of "Mind" for Dr Pickler's [Gyula Pickler?] essay', and asks Patterson to forward the translation to him. Reports that they are 'on tenterhooks, expecting some continental explosion and a conflagration of [ ] extent'.
Reports that he has found Medveczky's essay, but has not yet had time to read it. Undertakes to read it soon. Reports that he has been suffering from sleeplessness for some months, which has led him 'to make a rigid rule of abstinence from all reading after dinner which leads to hard thinking.' Refers to the '"ultra-continental" climate of Pest over the last few weeks', and describes the recent weather in England. Declares that he has been 'rather gloomy lately on various grounds, including the ageing process. Confesses that [Coutts] Trotter's death especially moved him. Declares that his loss 'is all the more irreparable at this crisis, as [Trinity College is] passing thourhg a period of financial distress from the fall in rents'. Undertakes to send some '"in memoriam"' articles that have been written about him by colleagues. Refers to the war 'in [Patterson's] region' and to the slim prospects of peace. States that a European war would be an advantage to England 'in the way of distracting [their] attention from the Irish problem which much wants letting alone'.
Apologises for having neglected Patterson's letter, 'especially the business at the end for [Patterson's] pedagogical friend [Frigyes Medveczky]'. Declares that as he knows nothing about fortnight programmes, he had decided to wait till his brother Arthur came to see him, as the latter 'is in intimate relations with many schoolmasters.' Explains that Arthur was prevented from coming by a [feverish] cold, and states that he is endeavouring to obtain what Patterson's friend wants 'by the next best channel.' Regrets not being able to do more for Medveczky. Believes that he would have got much information 'from D.B.' States that he has lost sight of [William?] Ralston for many years, but would be glad to meet him.
Regrets to hear Patterson complain about the burden of work, and declares that his experience 'is all in favour of writing out lectures', which not only saves trouble, but also tends to make the lectures better. Asks after Patterson's politics. Refers towards their drift towards Dualism or Federalism. Believes that, 'owing to the fiasco of the "Times" the drift will be apparently very decided for a few months.' Declares that 'the chief hope of the Unionist cause seems...to lie in the chapter of accidents.' Observes that they in England are so engrossed in their own affairs that they only spare a mild interest for [Servia], and the apparently growing success of Russia. Believes that the latter will win in South-Eastern Europe. Declares that they are all delighted with Bryce's book, and asks Patterson whether he had heard of Bryce's engagement to Miss Ashton of Manchester. .
Explains that the delay in answering Patterson's letter was due to his busy schedule. Regrets to find his missive 'so sad in tone'. Reports that he is 'living personally a very happy life, - having congenial work, a faultless wife, and a constitution that does not seem to be going to break down just yet'. Predicts, however, that he will not reach the age of seventy. As regards public affairs, declares that he shares 'to the full the general disillusionment of political idealists', probably more acutely because he is at present 'trying to finish a book on the Theory of Politics'. States that he is unable to answer Patterson's question about Ossian, but undertakes to find out the answer to it if he has an opportunity. Announces that, apart from the Elements of Politics and university work, his main interest at present 'is the illdefined subject known as "Psychical Research"'. Remarks that Patterson's friend Medveczky 'had to hear something of [the concept] at the Congress of Experimental Psychology' at which Sidgwick and he met in Paris the previous August. Refers to the 'remarkable success' of Bryce's book, [The American Commonwealth] and to 'the action for libel brought against him by "Oakley Hall" of New York notoriety'. Asks Patterson if he has had the influenza, and what he thinks of the value of 'the pacific assurances circulating in European journalism.' Asks if there is really going to be no war 'because every one is afraid of it', and if 'that excellent patch-work, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy 'is coming unsewn'. Asks him his opinion of Home Rule in Wales.
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.
Explains that he has been busy recently with preparations for the International Congress on Experimental Psychology. Declares that after 4 August he shall be his own master again. Acknowledges receipt of Patterson's 'Grammar', and declares that he is thinking of studying Magyar. Refers to an enclosed account of the elections [not included]. Believes that the Gladstonian majority 'is likely to be between 50 and 60'. Refers to the likely effects of this result on the passing of Home Rule [for Ireland]. Believes that the House of Lords 'will stand firm and throw out the Home Rule Bill. Asks him to remind Medveczky of Sidgwick's existence, by giving him his kind remembrances and saying that he has been waiting to receive the present of his philosophical works which he promised to send. Sends greetings to all his 'hospitable Magyar friends'.
Regrets that his influence with London editors is limited to Macmillan, but asks Patterson to send him A Martyr. Is certain that Frederic Macmillan will give him advice as to what to do with it. Undertakes to ask Kegan Paul, in default of Macmillan's advice. States that the only book [by a friend of his] he had published by Kegan Paul had little commercial success. Suggests that a publisher might think it more advisable to publish the two tales, A Martyr and Noble Rest together. Recalls his 'very pleasant week in Buda-Pest', and sends greetings to Beothy, Lanczy, Medveczky, Pulszky, W. Bal[ ] and others.
Refers to the invitation to accept an honorary doctor's degree' made by Patterson to him in his letter of 24 April, which would like to accept if possible. Regrets that he is not able to come to Budapest to receive it in person on 13 May. Explains that he must attend an important meeting of the Council of the University of Cambridge on 11 May, and the journey that he would have to undertake to reach Budapest in order to attend the ceremony would have a detrimental effect on his health. Asks Patterson to express his grateful appreciation to Professor [Béla?] Földes of the honour, and his regret at not being able to accept his invitation. Expresses sympathy with Patterson about the bad state of his health. Asks him where he expects to be in August. Explains that he must go to a Congress at Munich early in that month, 'and afterwards proposed to go to some Bavarian or Austrian mountains', and suggests that they might meet. Asks him to send him a postcard when his plans are fixed. Sends greetings to his family and to Professors B[eothy], Medveczky and Lánczy.