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Reports that he arrived an hour late [at Kegan Paul's house, Bailie, Wimborne], 'but in good time for dinner, after a most delightful journey.' Describes the weather and scenery, and declares that if he had gone on Friday, he should not have got beyond Temple-combe, 'as the Somerset and Dorset line is dreadfully demoralized'. Hopes that she is better for the change of weather. Reports that he missed [J.B?] Payne, [A. G. Vernon?] Harcourt and [J.?] Conington. Adds that Miss Ritchie, who is engaged to his friend [Francis Cornish], 'is not the one [he] mark[s] highest.'

Shelford.—Discusses arrangements for a forthcoming dinner of the Royal Society.

(Dated Monday.)

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Transcript

Shelford. Monday. Ev.

My dear President,

Telegram to hand—This is very annoying; it was such a real good toast list.

I think now it will be best to ask Lord Salisbury to propose the toast instead of replying to it—& to “couple” your “name” with it. Your response as being that of an official of the Society can be quite brief & without sitting down you can go on to propose the Medalists†—this will save us a speech and we have a quite long enough list {1}

But Harcourt’s failing puts us in another corner—With the Lord Chancellor & Harcourt both speaking the way was clear to ask Ld Ashbourne—this from your telegram you have done. But it will look onesided to have Salisbury & Ashbourne as against Chancellor.

If he falls out we certainly ought to ask Shaw Fevre {2}—in fact we ought even if he accepts, & Rhodes fails—perhaps even if Rhodes does not fail. Let me know what you think.

I go up to Burlington House on Wednesday to finally arrange table—shall be there from mid-day onwards—Please write to me there your opinion of the above & if you have to wire on Wednes. wire me there—Perhaps you will authorize me to write in your name if necessary. On Wednesday we shall know more definitely who is coming, & what answers you have had—& we must then do our best & I will write to whom we may decide on, if there is need. If may be desirable for me to wire you on Wednes. aft, & get an immediate reply—perhaps you will arrange for this

Ever yours
M. Foster

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Letter-head of the Royal Society, Burlington House, London, W. Kelvin was President of the Society from 1890 to 1895, and Foster was Secretary from 1881 to 1903. The letter concerns arrangements for the Society’s annual anniversary dinner on Friday, 30 Nov. 1894, at which the Lord Chancellor (Lord Herschell), the Marquess of Salisbury, and Lord Ashbourne, all mentioned in the letter, were present (see The Times, 1 Dec. 1894, p. 10).

{1} Foster’s suggestions were adopted. See the Times article cited above.

{2} G. J. Shaw-Lefevre, who had attended the dinner in 1892 (The Times, 1 Dec. 1892, p. 6).

† Sic.

Announces that he is going over to stay with [A. G. Vernon] Harcourt from the Tuesday to Thursday following. Wishes to talk to Natural Science men, regarding a notion he is bringing forward in a Trinity college meeting [regarding the need to appoint a Praelector for the direction of new studies in the college, especially Physical Science]. Also wishes to speak with Professor [J. M.] Wilson about philosophy text-books, since they are changing their list [of recommended books] in Cambridge.

Has decided to stay in England and give up his expedition to Paris. Asks where William shall be during the vacation. Informs him that if he comes to Cambridge from the following Thursday to Sunday he 'will probably find plenty of men.' States that their general meeting is on Friday and Londoners come up for it; there will of course be a 'shoppiness in the air'. Tells William that if he could let him know before he [Henry] goes to Oxford what he intends to do, he 'might get a man to dine who says he wants to know [William] - G[ ] of Christ's.'

Reports that he has been very busy with the Moral Science examination; says it 'absorbs one's whole mind', as he 'takes such an interest in the subject' and is 'so anxious to do thorough justice to the men'. Intends to go to Oxford on the following Tuesday for a day, but will stay with a friend, V[ernon] Harcourt, rather than with William. Proposes to bring William back to Cambridge with him for a day or two. Intends to go to Wellington College sometime. Announces that his uncle Robert has asked him to the Raikes, but that he fears that he shall have to decline at present, as he is so busy. Encloses 'a line' [99/77] to his mother about Mrs Clough [see 101/172/1-2] and one to Arthur, which he omitted to send before.