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Discusses the withdrawal of Temple of his essay in Essays and Reviews; is not satisfied with Temple's explanation of his step, as was one of those who had 'rejoiced' at Temple's elevation [as Bishop of Exeter], because of his belief in his convictions. Refers to the question raised by Wilson and Jowett, and to the bishop's speech in Convocation, which he describes as 'very courageous'. Declares that Temple 'has said for his collaborators in E[ssays and R[eviews]. what none of his friends dared to say when the question of his appointment was being discussed: and what is hardly reconcilable with the Apologia that some of them - e.g. E. W. B[enson] - made for him.' Regrets to say that most liberals that he has met speak more strongly against the bishop than he has written here, and that he 'almost always find[s himself] defending him'. At the same time, does not think the controversy very important in relation to other controversies and changes 'impending over the Church of England' at that time. Asks her to remember him very kindly to Miss [J], and hopes that the weather has improved. States that he is very busy working on the ladies lecture, and doing secretarial work.

Ought long ago to have thanked Nora for sending him back his letters to Henry Sidgwick, but wanted to wait until he had finished Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir. Finds it 'extraordinarily interesting', and has much to say about it, but will not inflict a long letter on her. Is in the process of writing an article on the book for the next Dublin Review, and states that the theme will be Henry's intellectual character, and the effect of intellectual stimulation that he produced in those with whom he had conversations. Adds that he contrasts him with Jowett, who, although Ward was very fond of him, 'was most unstimulating'. Undertakes to send Nora a copy of his article in proof when it is ready. Hopes that her brother [Arthur Balfour] is quite well again 'after his rest cure.'

(Typed.)

Had intended to write to Sidgwick in relation to the Sub Committee of the Free Christian Union, of which he was appointed a member with Kegan Paul and Sidgwick, when he received a note from Mr Edward Enfield, informing him that Sidgwick and Kegan Paul would be in London from 5 to 9 January. Replied to Enfield suggesting Friday 8th at 4pm as a suitable time for meeting. Declares that this 'will leave ample time for some [ ] [ ] conference between the members of the subcommittee [Motion] to the matter on which they were to offer some suggestions to the General Committee. Asks whether Sidgwick and Kegan Paul would come out to the Limes, Hampstead on Wednesday 6 January to take dinner with him at 6pm and spend the evening in discussion.

Puts forward to the three main points to be considered; whether a series of public lectures or a volume of essays would be the most effective way of acting on social opinion 'in favour of Catholic views of Religion'; the general aim and character of the subjects that such a series should embrace; and the men who should be invited to join in such an undertaking. Believes that the writers or speakers should be free from any appearance of denominational and sectarian influence and that a large majority of them should be 'members of the Broad Church', with some representatives from the nonconformist churches. Would like to secure the aid of Mr Goldwin Smith, and states his wish to propose the name of Mr M[ark] Pattison, whose pamphlet on Oxford Education he has just read. Refers to Mr Jowett also, whose cooperation he would also appreciate. Believes that they should confine their subject to 'the broad ground of a practical and spiritual [Chris]tianity. Discusses the role of Christianity in the world, and declares that their schools, universities and churches need to be brought under the influence of a more spiritual and Catholic Christianity. Suggests some topics for discussion: 'A Reform of the Doctrinal [Formularies] of the Church; the Necessity of a Scientific Theology; on Intercourse between different Religious Denominations; on the Limits of State Action in Ecclesiastical Organisation.' Refers to the [ ] of the Irish Church.

Would like the benefit of Sidgwick's mature reflection on the above topics. Hopes to have returned to London by the evening of Monday 4 January. Gives the address to which HS should send any communication during the following ten days.

Announces that he is willing to write an essay on dogma 'and shall be proud for it to appear in company with discourses by Martineau and [Tayler]'. Thinks it possible that Jowett could be persuaded to write. In relation to the latter, remarks on his faith, and relationship with the Church of England, and on his work on Plato. Advises Sidgwick to get in contact with him directly [see letter from Jowett 94/67?]. Suggests H. B. Wilson as an author of an essay. Believes it to be very important 'that religious men, who have broken with dogmatic [Christ]ianity as dogmatic, should come to some mutual understanding, so as to have a chance of reorganizing worship and religious beneficence when the present fabrics break up'. Expresses his wish to join Sidgwick's association. Gives his views on the form it should take, e.g., that it should be 'definitely Theistic' and that it should adopt as its basis the Nicene Creed, 'leaving out the "Virgin Mary", "Pontius Pilate", and the "third day". and everywhere substituting the present tense for the past or future.' Informs him that he has been staying there [in the Isle of Wight] for nearly a fortnight, and shall leave 'on Wednesday'. From 2 to 9 January 'shall be at Birkin Ferrybridge, Normanton'. Announces that he may be in London on the evening of 11 January to go to a club in Spring Gardens. Asks Sidgwick to recommend a suitable hotel in London.

Declares that she has read the paper on the Sophists. Relates that she discussed the matter with Mr Jowett when he came to visit the previous Monday. Jowett admitted 'that G.G[rote] was right but will have it that "Sophist" carried, at that period, no dyslogistic meaning'. Reports that, since Sidgwick and Mrs Sidgwick's visit to her at Ridgeway, she has found another letter of M. Comte's from 1845, and offers to give him a copy of it. Mentions that she also neglected to show him 'a fine Autogr[aph] of A[ugustus] C[omte] - large hand - in flyleaf of L'ensemble du Positivisme 1848.' The last two pages of the latter work 'contain an urgent appeal to his followers to "keep him going", as the chief teacher of the Religion of Humanity.' Expresses her hope of seeing Sidgwick and Mrs Sidgwick again before she dies. Sends her thanks to Mrs Sidgwick 'for her little note'. Reports that she had a visit from George Darwin on the previous Sunday, who gave her Sidgwick's present address. Darwin informed her that he had been on a visit [with [F] Leveson Gower] to A[rthur] Balfour 'in the far north', in August. She expects Professor Alexander Bain and Benjamin Jowett to visit for a few days early in October.

Two letters

Oxford. Unable to attend speech day at Harrow

Farmer is doing well at Oxford.

Balliol College Probation period for Indian students.

Reports that he only heard a week ago that Young 'had found it advisable (and also feasible) to degrade.' Claims that he was very glad to hear the news, since even if he had been able 'to go in by "making an effort" ', it would have been a very unsatisfactory [culmination] to three years work. Sympathises with him that he will have to work a year more at the old curriculum. Hopes that he is progressing. Reports that he met Cowell in London on Saturday, and he was wondering whether Young would go abroad with him.

Recounts that he found Arthur [Sidgwick] 'only just able to work' when he arrived in Cambridge on Saturday, as he had played fives, which brought on his irregular circulation. Believes that 'it is just about an even chance whether he gets the Craven or not'. Reports that they were quite surprised at having the senior after all in Trinity. Hopes that Barker will conform, and states that Jebb was in good spirits and reading hard. Recounts that [Richard Shilleto?] 'reports favourably of his freshness', but is not very strong in health.

Refers to the fact that Young was at Eton with [Smijth?] Windham, and asks if he thinks he is 'MAD, or only mad.' Declares that 'Wilson is convinced he was a lunatic', but every other Eton man Sidgwick has seen states the idea to be ludicrous.

Relates a conversation he had while dining at Merton College, Oxford. States that he thinks the speeches, especially Coleridge's 'disgraceful'. Wishes that he were at Oxford, because 'they are always having exciting controversies which keep them alive.' Relates that Jowett and his foes divide the [attention] of the common rooms with Mansel and Goldwin Smith. Reports that he has just read 'G. S.' "Rational Religion" ', which, he claims, 'seems smashing', but over-controversial. States that '[p]eople consider Mansel's chance of a bishopric as lessened.' Remarks that in his view the tutors at Oxford work harder and the men less than those at Cambridge. Asks Young whether he read W.S. Clarke's Latin Oration.

Reports that he went up to Cambridge 'to have a quiet study of Auguste Comte', with whose he has rather less sympathy than before. States that he 'tried to fancy being a Positivist and adoring Guttemberg [sic], the inventor of printing, but...found the conception impossible.' Intends to go up [to Cambridge] on Saturday. States that he thinks better of Horace than most men; discerns in his works 'a good deal of a peculiar fresh humour that [ ]', but sees that it is calculated to disgust many men, and wishes Trevelyan could know it.

Reports that his headmaster 'has commited himself to the teaching of physics' at Eton, and is unable to find anyone to come and teach it there. Asks Sidgwick if he thinks it worthwhile to invite Danby, who is at Trinity, to the school to teach the subject during June and July. States that the post would only be temporary as Hornby 'has an Oxford man in view whom he hopes to appoint.' Claims that his contemporaries at Trinity 'are not so much interested in the enlargement of schooling', and doubts whether they knew Danby by sight. Reports that there are soon to be 'two men resident [at Eton] one professing experimental science the other natural history, [say] botany', and that the mathematical teachers begin that week 'teaching the element of mechanics and astronomy.'

Relates that seven or eight of their classical men will be working [at] French, and that a third French master is to be added to the two existing ones, but cannot be found. Also reports that their German, 'hitherto an extra master, is to teach about thirty volunteers out of the first hundred boys', that the Italian master probably will do the same, and that 'Hornby thinks of absorbing the residue, in logic, himself.' States that 'play hours remain unbroken' however. Announces that he has asked Balfour to let him see the questions Sidgwick set him in philosophy. Expresses the hope of persuading John [Mozley?] 'to do the same in King's'. Reports that a year ago he sent to the latter a schedule of Jowett's and Ilbert's subjects for essays, 'but nothing came of it.'

Assures Sidgwick that Hornby would remunerate Danby 'like any London lecturer such as Rodwell when Browning [tried]', and that he would be 'made comfortable'. Declares that Eton is 'a very pleasant place in summer.'

Has appreciated the friendship of Jowett and Butler.

Hotel de la Poste, Bruxelles. - Bessie's letter is much the 'best and nicest and loveliest' - though not 'lovingest' - of their 'first real love-letters'. Glad that she is making progress with Plato; the introduction may help, though 'in some most important directions Jowitt [sic: Benjamin Jowett'] does not know much about it'. Went to a bad French play which was even worse than the opera [Massenet's "Cendrillon"]. Tonight is going to hear [Frederic] Lamond whom his mother took him to see when he was about twelve, his first classical concert, and he was 'entranced', particularly by the Liszt; he kept 'leaning forward with his face in his hands, like [his] brother George' and his mother was worried people would be shocked by his 'bad behaviour'. Lamond's programme is all Beethoven this evening. Spent the morning reading [Thomas Sturge] Moore's "Danaë" at the gallery, opposite 'the magnificent Metsys of the life of Anna'; detects a 'sort of affinity between Moore and the Flemmish [sic] people'; certainly neither of them are classical. Wants Bessie to read "Danaë", which is 'wonderful, though wayward and awkward in places'. Nearly went to a music-hall last night as they are meant to be excellent here; would have been better than the 'awful play'. Has not been 'enslaved' by a 'Belgian or Gallic sorceress'; will take Bessie to a music-hall one day to see the 'only living art', in England at least. Teases her about her ability to fold sheets. Will reach the Hague at about eleven, and change and wash before lunch. If her letter was 'foolish', it was only in the 'good sense' Plato talks of; quotes [William] Blake.

Including one printed leaf.