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Typescript letter with reminiscences of the early days of the Society of Psychical Research, Henry Sidgwick and William Barrett.

Refers to a packet 'labelled as [his] Uncle Henry's letters' [not included], which he sends to her, and tells her to deal with it as she wishes. Claims that he is 'having a long task over papers and letters' [after the death of his mother], but that there are nice moments in it.

Letter [118/1]: Encloses 'a copy of a little magazine', because it contains a reminiscence concerning Henry Sidgwick, which she thought might interest Nora. Sends regards of herself and her husband.

Printed extract from the Carrow Works Magazine [118/2]: including James Stuart's recollection of having drawn up a letter 'to a learned body in Cambridge asking its members to extend its privileges to the outside world.' Gave Henry Sidgwick the draft to read, and the latter's corrections impressed upon him 'the great advantage of not overstating a thing.'

1-93: letters to Nora Sidgwick about Henry Sidgwick's illness and death
94-133: miscellaneous correspondence and printed papers of Henry Sidgwick, many relating to the debate about compulsory Greek at Cambridge.
134-190: letters to Henry Sidgwick from his mother Mary
191-194: letters from Henry Sidgwick to Spencer Baynes regarding his article on ethics for the Encyclopædia Britannica

One oval portrait, wearing a long jacket and trousers, bow tie and watch and chain, seated in an ornate chair, with one arm resting on a table, with his hand on a book. Two cartes de visite: one of Henry Sidgwick, wearing a long dark jacket and light-coloured trousers, seated on a chair in front of a wall ornamented with plaster-work, with his hand resting on two books, which lie on a covered table; the second is of the head and shoulders of Henry, with a long beard and wearing a dark jacket. According to Henry Jackson [103/59], one of the cartes de visite was taken by [Jules] Guggenheim in Oxford.

Also a blank card with 'Newnham College, Cambridge' printed on it, and an envelope addressed to Nora Sidgwick, postmarked 1907-07-10.

Says he made an exact copy of the list of the Ad Eundem [see 103/57], but asks Nora to send it back to him if it turns up, as it is 'the only early record of the Society.' Regarding to the three photographs [of Henry Sidgwick] that he sends [see 103/60], claims the 'carte de visite head' taken by Guggenheim in Oxford was not his. Thinks that the oval photograph 'excellently represents Henry as he was soon after he took his degree.' Adds that he has, and values, Mr [ ] Smith's 'admirable portrait.'

Reports that Ryland Adkins has been staying in Oxford for a political dinner, and mentioned that he had been reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir 'with the greatest possible interest', and that an aunt of his had also been reading it 'with the keenest interest within quite a few days of her death.'

Reports that he has just finished reading Arthur Sidgwick's biography of Henry Sidgwick, which, he claims, 'had a purifying and ennobling influence' on his heart. Explains that he is a Methodist preacher, and does not have the same attitude to Christianity as Henry Sidgwick had, but asserts that the latter 'found his abiding place on earth in it. Compares the effect of the book on him to that which he experience on reading, as a young man, the biography of Charles Kingsley. Adds that he lived in Oxford not long before, and claims to have known Arthur Sidgwick's face on the street, and so read the book for his sake.

Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which she is grateful to Nora for sending, arrived the previous day, and she is reading it 'with the greatest interest'. Declares what a privilege for her it was to have known Henry, and says that the fact that he and her father [Roden Noel] were such dear friends gives the book 'a double interest' to her. Observes that there are a lot of letters to her father included in it. Praises the portraits of Henry in the book. Looks forward to seeing Nora the following Saturday, and adds the arrival time of the train that she proposes to travel by.

Thanks Nora for sending him a copy of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which seems to him 'a fine record of a bright and noble spirit' and of a friend whom he sadly misses. Hopes that she is keeping well, and that she is not working too hard.

Writes to thank her for sending him Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir. Admits to have only looked at the outside of the book, and states that the ' "format" ' seems to him 'to be everything that it should be and just what one would expect from Macmillan'. Says he understands the relief that Nora must feel to have the work done, and looks forward to reading it.

On headed notepaper Newnham College, Cambridge:- MS note [in Nora's hand?] states 'All enclosed in one envelope docketed by Mary Sidgwick "Their [Henry and Nora's] wedding arrangements" '. Originally accompanying 105/13-18.

Refers to an enclosed extract [included: 106/4/2] from the Harvard Quarterly Journal of Economics listing recent publications on economics, including Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir.

Returns the obituary of Henry Sidgwick [included: 106/1B], which he describes as 'a very extraordinary production, and yet touching.' Supposes that 'her feeling pressed for utterance and she [Meta Benfey] thought it was so long ago that it did not matter'. Has translated the exordium and sent it to Minnie; thinks that he had said to Nora the previous night that he would send the translation of the Benfey article to her, but failed to send it, and so sent it to Minnie. With envelope addressed to Nora Sidgwick, postmarked 28 Nov 1906

Quarterly Review vol. 205, no. 409, Oct 1906

Refers to the current number 'of the [American] Outlook [6 Oct 1906]' sent to her by her friend Miss Sington, part of which she now encloses [included]. It contains a review of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir by H. Addinton Bruce, which Sington believed Ewart would like to see, and suggested that it should be shown to Nora, or to someone at Newnham College. Expresses the desire to introduce Sington to Nora, and hopes to do so when the latter goes to her flat the following February.

Reports that she spent September at A[rmadale?], opposite R[um], and spent two days with Madge and Mr Vaughan and their four children. Adds that she spent a day in August with Katharine's nurse, and her mother and boys. States that that Katharine and her mother 'are enlarging the garden before they move to Lyme Regis', and that Katharine will probably go to Davos in the winter.

Thanks Nora for sending her her [Green's] husband' letters: he wrote so few letters that she values the ones that do exist all the more. Declares that she very much enjoyed reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, and that it seems to her 'a most vivid picture" of Henry. Remarks that one thing that struck her was 'his wonderful patience and gentleness with those who differed from him.' Has just heard that Miss Maitland has died: it is a great loss to Somerville. Is staying near the Vaughans for a fortnight; Madge has recovered well after the birth of her son David. Hopes that Nora will have a good rest.

Explains that he has been busy with Ecclesiastical Commission business, and the 'Camb[ridge] Mod[ern] Hist[ory]', and has only just found time to read Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir. Writes to tell Nora how much he likes and admires it, referring to its self-restraint and dignity, and to the way in which the letters 'are left to tell their own story, aided by the excellent pieces of biography or incidental explanation here and there.'

Assures her that the company would not think of printing another edition of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir without letting her have an opportunity of making any changes she thought desirable. States that the question of reprinting does not arise at that time, although the sales 'have been eminently satisfactory'; relates that they have disposed of over one thousand four hundred of the two thousand copies that were printed

Excuses himself for pointing out to her 'a trivial misprint' in Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, to be found on a line of the 'verse cited from [James Russell] Lowell on p.466'. States that he found the book to be 'intensely interesting and impressive' and remarks on 'how great a service has been rendered to the thoughtful people of the present day by its publication.'

Thanks Nora for her letter. Thinks that Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir 'recalls a great deal of [Henry] to those who knew him', but fears that it would not give to those who did not know him 'any full reflection of the indefinite charm [there was] of his conversation or of the loveableness in his nature.' Admits that it is impossible to reproduce conversation in writing. Relates that he followed Henry and other friends in joining the Free Christian Union. Refers to J. J. Taylor, and suggests that his name is spelt 'Tayler'. Suggests that the Union was in some sense a precursor of the Christian Social Union and the Christian Social Service.

Has been reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir 'with great interest'; remarks that one misses in 'the "litera scripta" the peculiar charm of [Henry's] "vox viva"'. Speaks of Henry's charm, humour, openness and warmth. Reports that they have their 'Cambridge daughter [Bertha] home now', and that she has been made Librarian at Girton. Adds that 'Iceland [with] Scandinavian folk-lore is her hobby and to work at this she wants to be near a University Library.'

She and her sister [Edith] are deeply grateful to Nora for the 'beautiful present' of a copy of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which they shall read with great interest. Recalls how their father [James Martineau] used to speak of him, and how much he reverenced and admired him. Relates that their father always thought that when a book was sent to him he ought to read it before acknowledging it, but confesses that they cannot follow his example in this case, as it might put off their thanks much too long.

Regrets to hear she has been unwell, and hopes that she will soon be able to get about again. Is glad to hear that the life of Henry Sidgwick is soon to be published, and predicts that it will 'meet with a wide and cordial welcome'. Offers to send a longer note about him. Relates that when he was in residence as a Fellow of Christ's 'in the years '64 and '65' he and Henry 'had many walks and talks, and frequently inter-dined.' Claims that amongst 'the "dons" of that time', with whom he was acquainted, 'there was no one in any way comparable with [Henry] in intellectual vigour and acuteness, in open-mindedness, in variety of interests....' Thanks Nora for her sympathetic reference to the cause that prevented him [Hales] from lecturing at Newnham the previous term; explains that it was insomnia.

Explains that he had put off thanking Nora for the copy of Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir until he had read it, and that he had put off reading it 'in order to have leisure while doing so to put [his] reflections in the form of a review'; says that this will shortly be published in the Economic Journal, and that in it he has tried to express his admiration 'for the character which is so well portrayed in the Memoir.' Is proud to be among those 'who as friends and admirers of Sidgwick have been thought worthy to receive the Memoir.'

Thanks Nora and Arthur Sidgwick for sending him a copy of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which he wished to finish reading before writing to her. Read the book with profound interest, and says that every word in it is precious to him. Feels that 'the book as it is done is done in [Henry's] spirit', and that Nora has carried out his wishes, and avoided all inessential personal matters'. Praises the work, but states that he could never be satisfied by any biography of Henry, because it was written by members of his family. Declares that he wants 'the man himself just so much - or not only, the philosopher, the philanthopist, the conscientious struggler for [ ] religious conviction.' Recalls a conversation he had with him once while they were taking a walk, in which he touched on 'intimate personal facts of life - with his own absolute candour', and observes that the book does not reveal anything of this trait, nor of his humour and 'essential humanness'. Claims that he is not criticising or complaining, but 'writing truthfully as [Henry] would have liked' him to do. Declares that there are two theories of what a biography should be, one being 'the objective, less personal, "epistolary" form', and the other 'includes the real personality', which, he claims, letters 'hardly ever give'. Suggests that Nora and Arthur could not produce the latter, and hopes that 'some friend, endowed with artistic insight and sympathy and literary powers of reputatio], will some day do it, to supplement [their] excellent work.'

Encloses 'a very small cheque for the F.W.H. Myers Memorial' [not included]. States that he has just been reading carefully through Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir 'with very unusual pleasure, and some inspiration and gratitude.' Announces that he is reviewing it for 'the British Friend'. Claims that it is 'full of matters of the deepest interest' to him, and states that he feels much obliged to Nora and Arthur for it. States that he is in frequent correspondence with Miss Johnson on psychical matters.

Has only just finished reading Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir; explains that they [she and her husband?] went abroad in March. States that as a biography it is 'vividly interesting from the first page to the last....' Remarks on the strong sense the letters 'unconsciously give of the expansion and development of [Henry's] life'. Refers to his attainment of a fellowship and the establishment of Newnham College, and describes his marriage as 'the crown to the perfecting of his life.' Refers also to how nobly he met his fate. Relates that they used to call him Socrates. Invites Nora to come to spend a day with them at Wych Cross during the holidays. Speaks of Henry's conversational gifts, and declares that she liked Leslie Stephens' and Mr Bryce's accounts of 'his talk'. States, however, that she and her sisters feel that the 'irrecoverableness' of the charm of Henry's conversation 'is not ever guessed in the letters.' Refers also to his recitation of poetry, and claims that his talk 'was the expression of his whole being....' Claims that she can think of six men - including her brother [Richmond] Ritchie - 'who can none of them at all tolerate each other, who all lay down their arms and speak with unqualified and enthusiastic admiration of [Henry]'. Hopes that they may meet before long.