Showing 35 results

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad Elizabeth's nurse is better; fears it will be a while until Julian is quite well, and she must follow the doctor's advice; hopes he recommends a move before the hot weather. The seaside would be good if not for 'change of food'; wishes it were not such a long journey north to them, but babies do feel it less than older children. Have had cheerful letters from Charles and Mary on their way to the [Man] Hunt. She and Sir George are quiet next week, though she needs to go to London to see '"my friend Mr Carter"'. Annie [Philips] is coming on the 24th for a week. The Roosevelt party of four are coming from 4 - 6 June; also present will be Charles, Mary, Lord Morley, and George so it will be a full house. Wishes it were over, as it 'will be like a whirlwind' sweeping over them and entails her getting a new black dress. Is not very strong yet. Sends love to Robert and hopes he is getting on well.

Letters from Morley dated 16 July 1902 - 10 June 1908. Accompanied by two cuttings about Morley.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Very cold, and the 'warmest thing to do' is to write to Robert at Ravello. Must have been delightful living 'in sight of Florence' [staying with Bernard Berenson at Settignano]. Sends love to Elizabeth; hopes she will be well on the journey to Ravello and have good weather. George is here for Christmas, and will then join Janet at Stocks; Charles and Mary return this evening from Mary's grandfather [Lowthian Bell]'s funeral. He was eighty nine, and 'very active in business' almost up to his death; awful weather for a funeral; considers the number of people who 'have caught their deaths at funerals'. [John] Morley has made a 'fine address enough' at the opening of a free library [in Plumstead], though this is now 'a most hackneyed occasion' thanks to [Andrew] Carnegie. Sir George himself is to open 'the [underlined, due to controversy] library' at Stratford on Avon; they have done well to choose someone 'accustomed to steer amidst quicksands'. They are going to Welcombe on Tuesday next 'in patriarchal fashion, with a through carriage for [their] whole establishment'. They like their Burne-Jones ["Idleness and the Pilgrim of Love"?] more and more, and will bring it to London; Sir George likes it best of their pictures apart from the Francia. He and Caroline are 'rather proud' of having got such 'sweet pictures' for a third of what a 'Road Magnate pays for a doubtful Romney'.

Will dine with the Associated Chambers of Commerce

Following the question 'What is your opinion of the comparative merits of John Morley & "Charlie" Hammond" [perhaps Charles Frederick Hamond, and referring to them competing for the Newcastle-on-Tyne seat in the 1892 or 1895 general election], lines under the title "Honest John" describe Morley 'A good sound freethinker to judge from his books', while 'Charlie' is 'not half as bad as he looks'; though 'John P. Robinson' says that 'really Jehovah deserves a big G'.

Limerick on the other side about the 'Rev. Sydney Smith, when at Acre' [the 'Rev' is emphasised, perhaps to distinguish Smith from Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, who fought at the Siege of Acre] meeting Napoleon 'Buonaparte dressed like a fakir'.

26 Colville Road (Bayswater).—Discusses a paper on rectilinear motion. Huxley is preparing to lecture on Spinoza. Suggests that legal measures should be taken against mediums.

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Transcript

26 Colville Road
Oct 4/75

My dear Fred

My letters disappeared for a week because the servant was let in to light a fire and chose to make the study “tidy.” I see I shall never be allowed to become a correspondent.

The marked passages are all right, but the case is even stronger. Tchebichef thought he had proved rectilinear motion impossible with five bars, and was on his way to prove it impossible with any number. Peaucellier accomplished it with seven, but Hart has since done it with five. Magnis componere parva {1}, I am on the point of finishing the enumeration of types of compound statement with four terms (the premises of a syllogism make one type with 3 terms) which Jevons said would employ thousands of men many lifetimes or something to that effect {2}.

The passage of Spinoza is Ethic. part iii prop 2. I find that Huxley (we went to see them last night) is preparing to hold forth on Spinoza with special reference to this doctrine. I told him to read your article & he said Morley had already put him up to it. There is to be a bicentenary in ’77, and the Dutch have taken Holland to hold it in.

Is not a contract to find treasure by magic punishable as [an] attempt to obtain money on false pretences? If this clearly applied to the fee of a medium and all such matters, the moral effect would be splendid. Thine W.K.C.

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{1} 'To compare great things with little things.'

{2} See Clifford's paper on the subject, 1877.

Is pleased to respond to a toast.

26 Colville Road, Bayswater, W.—She could accept his friend’s offer (cf. A7/10) if it were a gift to her husband’s testimonial, but not as one to herself. Reflects on her fortune in having had several years of perfect companionship with her husband. Sends a letter from John Morley about her manuscript.

(Dated Saturday. With an envelope, postmarked 2 Apr. 1881.)

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Transcript

26 Colville Road, Bayswater, W.
Saturday

My dear Fred

Don’t bully me for not writing before. I meant to do so this morning. You expressly told me to take time. I have taken it because I have not been well lately (I have had advice & am better) & everything unnerves me, & makes me break down. Your letter did, & I could not trust myself even to think of it at first. It was on my mind all the time I was with G on Weds but I did not trust myself to speak, for much fretting gives me neuralgia in the throat,—a very fine pain in its way but otherwise unworthy of cultivation. So I have taken refuge in things outside myself.

But I have thought much ab[ou]t the letter & have come to the conclusion that I like y[ou]r friend. {1}

It would of course be impossible to take anything from a man who did not like & admire Willi. But I want (as he did) sympathy for him not necessarily agreement. Other people have also a right to their conclusions if they have taken thought & trouble to arrive at them. If he recognises Willi’s genius & beauty of character what more can one demand from the kind of man you describe? One does—at least I do—expect people to see & sympathise with the perfect honesty & steadfastness with which Willi sought the truth, but not, as a matter of course, to acknowledge that he found it.

With regard to the testimonial. It was only given to me as an acknowledgement of my husband’s genius & as an expression of admiration for him, & I am very proud of it & of every individual contribution & regard it as a medal that Willi won for me. I am proud of everything he gave me, & never even sign my name without a little inward satisfaction. But I suspect many contributed to the Fund who loved & reverenced him & yet did not agree with his opinions. I only wish that I, that in my ignorance have no business to form any opinion, did not agree with Willi. It is a philosophy that is very fine when all one’s world is with one or may be restful enough when one is old & feeble but to anyone in my position is bitterest torture. Yet of course it is better than a belief in comfortable lies. If y[ou]r friend did’nt† like & admire Willi I don’t think he w[oul]d remember his scruples so keenly & speak out now, and I am very grateful & proud when anything expresses admiration & liking of him. You know he can’t want to help me personally, for he does’nt† even know me & if it is mere kindness & generosity towards a woman alone & with children why there are any number of women poorer than I. If it comes I shall take it as given to Willi’s testimonial & be grateful & proud of it, ten times more because of the delay & the circumstances I think.

A gift to me only I don’t think I could take. He is a stranger, & even with one’s dearest friends one has a feeling—that is an instinct (oh yes, I know you don’t like the word but I know what I mean by it) abt taking money, & it is a right one to cultivate. I sh[oul]d not let it stop me if I were destitute for the children’s appetites are to be considered rather than any fine feelings. But I have from the pension & testimonial together nearly £200 a year besides anything I save or am able to earn. So I have had my share of help & don’t want to become a prey to the Charity Organization Society. From another point of view to an outsider I am not so much to be pitied. I had nearly six years of perfect companionship (for we saw each other almost every day for 18 months or more before we married) & found reason every day as it went by to love & reverence him more—and find it still, & see more & more (tho’ it has been my strange good fortune to know the best & greatest men) that there was & is no one so perfect or so great. (Not even you my dear old ugly {2} Fred.) There are not many women after all that have this blessedness—especially women that have, as I have, a horrible power of keeping their critical faculties unweakened by their affections. Now make what you like out of this, I leave it in your hands. Only remember this—I am very very grateful to your friend. That was why y[ou]r letter did me up. I never can see how strong a hold my darling has on people, & see it calmly. Of course I know that he has it & that it will grow.

This is a long letter & I know you’ll abuse me for it. I enclose you a letter I had from John Morley to whom after all I ventured to send my MS. It was worth doing to get that letter I think. Please return it.

My best love to Georgie. What a plague & bother I am to you dear Fred.

Always Yours affectionately
Lucy Clifford

How confused & horrible this letter reads but my head aches & this wind is saluting my tenderest & aging bones, so I am not up to writing even letters.

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esq[ui]re | 48 Gt Cumberland Place | W.

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Black-edged paper and envelope. The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 2 April 1881. Letters omitted from words abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.

{1} W. H. Thompson. See A7/10.

{2} Reading uncertain.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hears from Charles that Robert was in the Gallery [of the House of Commons] on Friday; asks what Robert thought of Charles's speech and its reception, as well as the debate in general. Several friends, including John Morley, have written to him; one (not Morley) says the Tories 'received any allusion to conciliation savagely'. They have no guests until Charlie comes. Has ben reading the letters of T. E. Browne [sic: Brown], the old Clifton master; some passages are very clever, though 'he was quite unkempt and half-civilised'. Sends love to Elizabeth.

[Beginning of letter missing]. - About an unknown individual, says 'The detail of reform floors him. It brings out his distrust of any judgment but that of himself & his class'. A bonfire was lit for St. John's Eve [23 Jun] 'on the Kippel [?]... seen no doubt by chill spirits of the mountain perched on the Jung Frau'. So far they have met only one acquaintance, 'an insipid feeble Trinity man', going up the Kippel today 'in boots that may have been patent leathern', with two ladies 'in their Sunday best, who shrieked' when Charles told them they might have to go through over ankle-height snow; did not mention the risk of the reflected sun to their 'pretty untanned skin'.

The journey from Vevey the day before yesterday went well; they travelled by boat to Villeneuve, passing Clarens and Chillon and 'getting more in love with the Lake [Geneva/Léman] than ever'. The Rhone valley was as 'dull as can be', the only remarkable things being a 'beautiful waterfall', he thinks near St. Maurice, and 'a queer sanctum of some monkish order nestling in an almost inaccessible rock'.

Everything is better than expected - 'Bless the weather for it'. Is 'reading with delight' Meredith's Vittoria, [John?] Morley and Byron. Began Carlyle's Cromwell today: 'Ha! Ha! How about 7 volumes'. Soon there will be 'some difficulty' about Italy, since he is 'so determined to get well' that he will not 'go down and be roasted on Como, even if there are no mosquitoes', but Bob is 'bent on going'' there will have to be a compromise by which he crosses a pass with Bob but does not go much further, and lets Bob travel on for a couple of days by himself if he wants. All is however 'amicable' at the moment.

His parents should write to this place when they get this letter: he and Bob are staying at least until Wednesday. Further plans will follow in the next letter. After that will try and write alternately to his parents and George, so there will not be a need to send letters on to or from Skye [where George is going for a holiday]; asks them to send this on to George.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for sending back the Maupassants [see 46/338], and also for the Saturday Review. He and Bessie were very much interested in his father's letter 'as a delightful bit of biography and autobiography', as was his 'chapter in the Life of Dr Butler [The Harrow Life of Henry Montagu Butler]'. Wonders where the quote about 'Gladstone rising to make his reply to Disraeli' came from;: 'perhaps from Morley's Life [of Gladstone]'.

The only time he himself 'ever saw or heard Disraeli' was when his mother took him, he thinks 'as a boy of seven or eight... into the Ladies' Gallery [at the House of Commons]'; of course he has 'only a very dim recollection of him', especially since his short-sightedness meant he 'could not see him distinctly'.

'[B]eautiful Spring weather here today', with the leaves 'coming out everywhere, though not on the oaks yet'. Has 'just been assisting Julian to shave himself'; he now has to shave 'twice or even three times a week'.

Kingham. Dated July 23, 1914 - Tells a story about failing memory, consulting an article and finding his own initials at the end of it; if [George Macmillan] told him he was complaining, he was only curious, after reading Zachariae's article in the 'Zeitschrift für Volkskunde'; has shared the cost of Lord Morley's portrait with [George Macmillan]; thought Morley looked old and sad at the last dinner. With a typescript note identifying G. M.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Edward will be 'sitting on the top of a carriage' watching cricket 'like Apollo beholding the strife of the centaurs and the Lapithae'; wishes he was there himself to make Edward realise that the game is not 'play' but 'tragedy of the most intense nature', much less a game 'than the comedy which is just beginning through the country [the General Election]'. They are 'very hopeful' in Newcastle; heard [John] Morley make a 'fine speech' recently. He himself 'regret[s] a thousand times every day that [he is] not strong enough and bold enough and eloquent enough to take [his] place in the ranks, and strike a blow against these sons of Amalek and Belial'. Enjoyed his and Marsh's 'tour' 'immensely', if he looks at it in the right way, considering 'only the most perfect moments' - wonders in passing whether outsiders which of them would judge his and Marsh's 'religion' by, for which they are 'sole priests, founders, proselites [sic], apostles, and the whole army of saints and martyrs' - by which principle Marsh must forget their last evening at the Dun bull [Inn, at Mardale in the Lake Distict?], where Bob was 'as bad as any snuffling Puritan holder-forth'. He should however remember the evening's 'one bright feature', the 'face of the Irish girl looking down on you from the top of a bookshelf in the Lincoln's Inn Library'. Is sure Edward will 'find [his] wife at the top of a bookshelf' and that it was 'an instinctive consciousness of this that impelled [him] to climb Parry's shelves on that dreadful occasion'. Men often find their wives in strange place: Adam 'found his in himself'; many find theirs 'in other peoples beds'; a relation of Bob 'found his in his cook, selecting upon phrenological principles' [possibly a reference to Arthur Trevelyan, said to have married 'a housemaid from an Edinburgh hotel' Trevelyan, Raleigh, "A Pre-Raphaelite Circle]". Bob himself is 'in love with several girls in pictures' and claims that 'a statute must be passed making it legal for girls in pictures to marry'. Hopes Edward finds [Arthur?] Shipley well.

Trin[ity] Coll[ege], Camb[ridge]. - Hopes Marsh is 'flourishing'; envies any one who is 'out of this dirty hole'. Can do what Marsh likes on Friday, although he thinks 'there is a dentist-fly somewhere hidden in the pot of oin[t]ment, as John Morley would say'. They have begun exams: he has done 'hopelessly in the Greek Trans[lation] but fairly in the Latin Prose'. [John] Barran 'seems satisfield'; [Robert?] Kitson was 'remarkably lively at Commons'. Bob thought of giving everything up and 'running to hide in the North' after the paper this morning, but 'public opinion was too strong'; the 'Rochester Pet quite beats the Hexham Slasher'.

Relates the problems he has had with a female medium, who was 'fatigued and unwell, anxious to rest on Sunday'. Discusses the fact that there had been no formal exception of [her conducting séances] on Sundays in the contract, and refers to her manager, and other problems relating to her services. Tells Myers to show the letter to Gurney. Announces that he goes to London again on Monday, then probably to Cambridge, when he shall have to see Clay about his book. Confesses to feeling bad about Macmillan having taken the book on half-profits. States that Macmillan is going to send the proof sheets to John Morley. Reports that he met Mrs Montagu Cookson [Blanche, wife of Montagu Cookson - later Crackanthorpe?] at dinner at his cousin's, 'and liked her - tho' not so well as Mrs F. H'.

Declares Myers' news to be 'excellent'. Asks how long Miss Bibby [a medium] is to stay, and hopes that 'the thing does not act injuriously on her nerves...' Wishes that he were there. Reports that he has seen Crookes and is 'much impressed.' Announces that Herne comes to him the following night. Announces also that his decisive interview with Morley about his book [The Method of Ethics] is to take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. States that he has forwarded Myers' letter to G[urney]. Asks if he [Sidgwick] could go to Myers early the following week 'if this seemed best as regards Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh]'.

Declares that the 'enclosed' [not included] will explain why he must defer his visit again. Refers to Morley's praise of his book. Sends his love to 'A' [Myers' cousin Annie?], and hopes that she is not going away before he comes. Announces that he is going to Cambridge on the following Thursday.

253: press cutting with quotation from Thiers on Palmerston attached.

Pixton Park, Dulverton.—(8 Dec.) Her party [see A1/179] left London last night, after rushing from a matinee in which Diana was appearing. They slept at Taunton, and arrived at Dulverton to find Mary and Goonie there. The men have gone shooting.—(9 Dec.) They are all feeling ill, and have spent the time working and being read to. Duff and Michael have gone.

[24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.] —(10 Dec.) Diana has the measles, as has Letty. Has been shopping for Christmas presents. Conrad, who called, is ‘utterly gloomy about the war’. Even the fall of Jerusalem is, she admits, little consolation, but she hopes Scatters will send a ‘souvenir’ from there. She dined with Hazel and John Lavery and Ivor Wimborne and they went to the cinema. The Roy made ‘ “hand” advances’ to Hazel in the motor there and back. Hazel claims that when she repulsed him on a similar occasion in Ireland he said, ‘Why do you come and stay here if you mean to do nothing?’, but it is doubtful whether this is true.—(11 Dec.) She went to a ‘ghastly’ lunch at Mrs Lionel Guest’s: ‘all Americans and consequently a noise that entirely bitched one’s powers of hearing or speaking’. She was planning to have only twelve to dinner tonight, but Patrick has asked her to have the ‘coons’ in as it is his last night, so an extra party will be coming.—(12 Dec., 3 a.m.) The evening was a nightmare. There was no piano for the ‘coons’, and everyone crowded into a little room, which became even more congested when others arrived. Eventually two bridge fours were arranged and the rest went to Goonie’s for stunts and dancing.—(Later.) Diana is very poorly. Has just dined at Mrs Keppel’s.—(13 Dec.) Has received his telegram. She dined at the Islingtons’.—(14 Dec.) This afternoon’s party for Indian officers at the Islingtons was a failure, as they chose unsuitable films for them. She dined with K and Frances, who were both off to Hackney after a night shift, then went to a party at Cardie’s flat. After stunts and dancing, they played chemin-de-fer. Duff lost £1600 and, to add to his miseries, has a poisoned finger.—(15 Dec.) Diana is rather better, but her Grace [the Duchess of Rutland] is pretty bad. This afternoon she went to a concert at the Albert Hall to commemorate the First Seven Divisions. After dinner at Ivor W.’s, she came home to find Nancy, Sydney, and Olga with Hugo disguised as a woman, and they spent a couple of hours dressing him in her own clothes.—(16 Dec.) She didn’t go the hospital, as the Duchess was worried she might be carrying measles. They spent the afternoon dressing Hugo up again, and took him to see Diana and Duff. In the evening she saw her mother and others.—(17 Dec.) Has received his letter. Insists that his mission is a success. Diana is much better. Has received a letter from Alan.—(Later.) Constance Rich[ardson], Eric, and Hugo lunched with her. Progress on his curtains is slow. Has received a note from Scatters.—(18 Dec.) Has bought most of the Christmas presents he asked for. When he returns they will have a long party at Breccles.

[Sent from Lincoln]:- Explains that he has been putting off writing because of 'a sense of incompleteness' about his life. Considers his life 'in three aspects'; in relation to his book [The Methods of Ethics], in relation to his enquiry into Spiritualism, and in relation to 'the holiday-making which may be supposed to be the proper business of the month of August.' Reports that Macmillan has decided to take on his book, and to give him half profits. Had urged Macmillan to show a portion of the MS to Mr John Morley, the editor of the Fortnightly Review, because it is 'written in a rather obscure and technical style, intended primarily for students', he [Henry] feared that it was unfair on Macmillan to ask him to take the risk of publishing the book, but Morley said that the book ought to generate a fair amount of interest, and to pay its expenses. Reports that since then he has been correcting proof sheets.

States that he has plenty of time to spare and has been researching Spiritualism. Reports that he went to stay with Lord Rayleigh early in August to meet Mrs Jencken, 'one of the original Fox girls, in connexion with whom these singular phenomena first attracted attention in America in 1848.' Declares that they heard 'an abundance of "raps" ', but that the experiment that they were trying did not succeed. After leaving Rayleigh he spent a fortnight at Hallsteads. Reports that 'many remarkable phenomena had occurred there before [he] arrived, which were all the more interesting because there was no public medium', and gives details of these incidents. Declares that Hallsteads [home of Walter and Annie Marshall] to be a charming place, and that he enjoyed his stay there very much. Reports that all at Lincoln [new home of his sister and brother-in-law] are well, that Mary is apparently very well, and that the boys are 'in excellent spirits.' Offers his 'sincere commiserations on the matrimonial engagement', and hopes that she is bearing up against the blow.

Thanks Nora for having sent a copy of 'the Memoir of one whom I regarded with so much esteem and affection [Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir]. Is at present 'deep in Morley's Life of Gladstone ', and also has Mathilde Serao's Il Paese di Gesù [to read]. Reports that her health is still good, but is aware of a deterioration in her mental and physical strength over the previous six months. Reports that her nephew, Charles Cannan, with his wife and family, have taken lodgings in the vilage for three weeks around Easter, which pleases her greatly. Relates that their hills [in Westmorland] are still covered in snow, but that the valleys are green and the roads are again passable for pedestrians. Asks Nora to burn any old letters of hers that she finds. Adds that she is glad to hear 'tolerable accounts of [the] William Sidgwicks and of Arthur.' Tells her not to be overworking herself.

India Office, London.—Accepts her invitation to Alderley. The Government have decided to break up Parliament early, and he is uncertain what to in the interval before the day on which he had expected his holidays to begin. Is satisfied with his Budget speech. Everything is going well [with the Parliament Bill], though Balfour is to move a vote of censure on Monday.

Apologises for her behaviour, and 'for talking in that idiotic way' before him about the watch. Explains that she was 'so tipsy with the beautiful music and service and the lovely sight and the pleasure of meeting all [her] friends in heaven'. Has an innate conviction that Sidgwick will forgive her. States that Mr Morley's little joke pierced her aspirations dead. Sends her regards to Mrs Sidgwick.

Explains that she is about to leave her present position as governess to the children of J.C. Newsom 'on account of religious difficulties'. Would be grateful to Morley if he could inform her of a position 'where no religious teaching would be required' of her. Refers to her doubts regarding popular theology, and claims that her reading of his [On] Compromise confirmed her in these doubts. Informs him that he is twenty-two years of age, and that she receives a salary of £25. Gives the address of her employer, who she says would be glad to answer any questions respecting her.