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Writes on the death of Henry Sidgwick, and expresses his, Lady Acton's and others' sympathies on her 'dreadful loss'. Declares that he has lost 'the best of friends and colleagues...' Refers to the sympathy and admiration he felt for Henry in relation the manner in which he bore his illness. Reports that [Andrew?] Forsyth spent an hour discussing things with Sidgwick at Jebb's, 'and had no idea till long after that anything was wrong.' States that they were not aware of the gravity of the situation until three weeks earlier, when he met Nora with Arthur J. Balfour.

Typescript of 12 lectures, extracts from the notebook of E. Adams on a course of 11 lectures given in 1872, and one given in New Brighton in 1873. Some of the lectures were copied from the original lent by R. C. Jebb and Mrs [Jeannetta?] Potts, and the rest are Adams' own notes on the lectures. A note on the first page of the typescript quotes Jebb's Life in which he refers to them as '"Lectures on Milton's Areopagitica and some minor poems" given to a class of ladies'. Typescript possibly created by Eliza Adams, as the last typescript notes that it was 'copied from Mr Jebb's M.S. kindly lent me by him 10 Feb / 73'.

La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are 'comfortably settled in this castle' which is a real one: he is not mistaking a hotel for a castle like Don Quixote. Describes the surrounding countryside. The Waterfields have been here for almost a year; gives details of the building and its history. He and Bessie are well, though have had bad colds recently. Hopes his parents are enjoying their time in Rome; had thought they would return for the election; everything seems to be going well [for the Liberal Party] so far. Hopes Charles may still get an appointment; is sure he would deserve it. Haldane at the War Office is 'rather comic', but he 'may just be the right man for the job'.

Jebb's death is 'very sad'; Robert had little opportunity to see him, but the one time he heard him talking at length, he thought him 'delightful'. Bessie sends love and will write soon. Robert is 'well started' on his work again; thinks this place will be as good for wriring as Ravello.

c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are sorry to hear of his father's accident [see 11/134, 12/90], and hope the rheumatism will have gone by the 28th so that his parents may start back then as planned, or soon after. Hears from the Waterfields that his parents' hotel is a good one, so hopes they are comfortable.

Is very sorry that Charles 'has not got a place [in Campbell-Bannerman's government]'; had expected he would, and hopes 'his chance may yet come' soon. Is sure he will 'take his disappointment in the best spirit'; he 'cannot have long to wait' if he continues to do as well as he has so far as a private member. Generally, 'it seems a very good Government'; glad that even the Tories seem to respect Campbell-Bannerman now.

Has just bought Jebb's edition of Bacchylides, an 'excellent book'. Jebb 'made a beautiful speech at the [Apostles'?] dinner' a few years ago which made Robert 'like him very much'.

Believes that Jebb, Myers and Maitland 'are desirable names.' Refers to the 'originators of the scheme who objected to having more than a few [and] when [Stephens] suggested Maitland doubted.' Announces his intention of sending to him at once and asking him to send on to Myers. Believes them to have a good set of names, and announces that he shall propose Maitland when he meets his collaborators. States that he is amused by the caution of Balfour and Lord Rosebery, who, he says, have both learnt to be afraid of commiting themselves to his creed. Thanks Sidgwick for his note.

Informs Sidgwick that Macmillan and Co. are planning to publish a series of school primers on 'the more prominent Greek authors; Jebb is to produce the primer on Sophocles, Gladstone is to undertake that on Homer, and a friend of Green's is to write on Herodotus. Asks Sidgwick to undertake to produce a primer on Plato. States the aim of the series to be the fostering of 'a more popular interest in these subjects...and a more intelligent study of them' in schools. Mentions that he has been reading Dowden's primer on Shakespeare, and remarks on how informative and interesting it is. Explains the terms of payment which the company offers.

Inch-ma-home, Cambridge - Thanks him for his letter giving his permission to use his name on the memorial [to the Australian government on preserving the anthropological record of 'primitive men now left on the globe']; other signatories are Professors [Sir Richard] Jebb, [Frederic?] Maitland, [Charles] Waldstein [later Walston], [James?] Ward, [Henry Francis?] Pelham, Andrew Lang, Henry Jackson, and James Bryce, and of Cambridge science men, [Sir Michael?] Foster, [Alfred?] Newton, [Sir Francis?] Darwin, [John Newport] Langley, [Adam?] Sedgwick.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Much appreciates Elizabeth's present, which is also admired by Aunt Annie [Philiips], 'such a specialist in gifts'. Originally enclosing a 'beautiful letter [from George: see 46/280] about [Henry] Jackson's funeral' for her and Bob to see; encourages her to think of the corner in the cemetery where Jebb and Jackson are buried, men who let their fame rest on their scholarship and did not 'court a pseudo reputation by trifling with sensational and paradoxical matters'. They are enjoying the visits of Aunt Anna and Audrey Trevelyan, 'a fine creature'.

Regrets that he and Nora cannot go to Cheltenham as his brother William and his wife are due to visit them, and then they are to go to the Symonds'. States that they must put off their arrival at Newcastle 'till the 2d: in order to s[ ] a day at Lincoln'. Reports that Edward White Benson is to be the new bishop of Truro. Asks Myers how he has got on with D[ ] 'in the intervals...of reading Mahaffy's reply!' Asks him to tell him 'how Jebb takes it'.

Refers to a conversation they had about Arthur having been offered a teaching post in Glasgow, and whether he should take it or not. Were he in Arthur's position he would not go, but is inclined to think that Arthur should: his experience of teaching would make him 'peculiarly fitted for the work', and the 'long summer leisure' would give him more time to write than he would have if he stays in Oxford. Jebb's assumes that the annual salary for the position is £1,200, and [G. G.?] Ramsay shares that view of its value. They possible somewhat underrate the effect of the movement in education against compulsory Greek, but supposes that candidates for the Ministry 'must always supply a solid nucleus of Hellenists.'

Acknowledges receipt of two of Myers' letters, and declares that he was 'much delighted' with his praise. [Note in pencil: 're article on Clough'.] Claims that it ought to be fair, as he had taken pains to be precise in relation to the subject. Refers to Myers' accusation of Sidgwick 'praising too unreservedly' as a critic, saying that Myers is probably 'right generally' - though this does not come from 'kindheartedness' but from 'an instinct that catholicity is [his] line - but that he 'won't admit it in any particular instance'. Refers also to Courthope's work [Ludibria Lunae].

Discusses Myers' sonnets, which he enjoys, and makes some critical comments thereon. Remarks that the third one seems 'to combine to a great degree the exquisiteness of Tennyson with that of Christina Rossetti...' Undertakes to write again. States that he is 'busy canvassing for Jebb', and asks Myers to go up [to Cambridge] to vote for him on the following Tuesday week. [Note in Myers' hand: 'As Public Orator - Jebb was elected Nov. 2/69. I went up to vote.']

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - They have settled with Thornton Trevelyan to shoot the covers at Wallington on 4 October; asks if Robert will be able to come; predicts the game will be good. They have a large party of visitors: the Knutsfords, Jebbs, and Sir Spencer Walpole; Sir Alfred Lyall and the [Henry?] Sidgwicks come tomorrow. Is getting on well with his book [the first volume of the "History of the American Revolution"], and has revised the first half with 'great help' from Robert's comments; it is 'very much improved' and he hopes to have it all finished in a fortnight.

Announces that Stirling is not to stand [for the post of Knightsbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy], and that therefore he shall; predicts that if either Venn or Pearson are elected, his days in Cambridge 'will be brief', if he can believe 'sufficiently' in himself or his work - 'Otherwise Cambridge is a comfortable hospital for maimed intellects and carrières manquées'.

Tells Myers to write and give him 'the next chapter of the romance.' [Note in Myers' hand suggests that this could be a reference to The Fair Tasmanian ]. Reports that '[p]oor Jebb is in influenza in Ireland.' Reports that Miss Thackeray was very hospitable to them at Freshwater, and describes how she acted in her role as hostess. Adds that 'as the immortal Swinburne said to [him], a man's Best is his real Self and it is only a Philistine who judges him by anything else'.

Announces that he 'went over to [b.m.b.] to arrange with Hall: but found everything settled...through the medium of the Telegraph.' Claims that he 'halfpersuaded' Hall to stay the night '[with the ladies] - holding out the bait of the Great Seeley[;] one of the objects of the poytheistic adoration of the Cross family'. Suggests that if the matter 'comes off' Myers might let Sidgwick have the [Frederic] Harrisons to breakfast, and 'will do lunch on Sunday so as to get [the Charles] Bowens.' Refers to Myers' last letter as 'thrilling', and wishes to speak to him.

Claims that he himself is 'in gloom and inertia.' Asks Myers if he will stay over on Monday. Announces that he goes over to dine with Hall on Sunday, coming back on Monday morning 'with the ORATOR [Jebb?].' Remarks that there are 'several good concise points about the Conservative reaction.' Asks about Myers' plans to come [to Cambridge] on Friday. Adds: 'Hans Gladstone led a Barty Vere ish dat Barty now?', and asks '[h]ow much has C_l_l Ps had to pay for the privilege of not sitting in Parliament'.

Embossed stamp of Queen's College, Cork - Discusses a passage in Greek mentioning spiked shoes; is distressed to learn that [Henry?] Jackson will not stand for the Greek chair; [J. P.] Postgate had already told him of Frazer's jest at [Ridgeway's] expense about the Greek chair; wonders why [Arthur?] Verrall doesn't go up, as good a literary man as [Richard?] Jebb, 'ten times more original, though a little wild at times'.

Reports that he received Sidgwick's note that morning. Fears that he has been in 'a fool's paradise of laziness and self-indulgence for years past.' Discusses human interaction, and expresses his happiness he feels at the sight of Sidgwick's writing. Refers to his work, and repeats that he has been 'intensely lazy and self-pleasing for years past'. Of the rest of his life he says 'everything is very nice', and declares it 'a great piece of luck' to be within reach of Sidgwick's brother [William?] and sister. Reports that he dined with them on Wednesday and Friday, and that the last time [Henry Weston?] Eve was there also. Relates that '[t]he boys came Thursday', and that he stayed in town a day longer than he intended to 'in order to spend an evening with Temple at Palgrave's.' Claims to have been very impressed by the former. Refers to his '[ ] personal influence at Rugby', and observes that he has 'an antique simplicity and directness about him'. Reports that Eve 'has brought himself to a state in which he can be perfectly unconscious and yet apparently devout the whole time.' Recounts that on week days they are about forty-five minutes in Chapel, and on Sundays about two hours, and claims that on the day of writing he took the Communion, but 'came away with a stronger conviction than ever that this pale reflection of the bloody rites of antiquity is quite out of date, and has no longer any meaning at all for a generation which is rapidly learning science and forgetting the meaning of the word sin.' Discusses his colleagues, including Fisher, Carr, Griffith, Penny, Stanwell, Spurling and Collet. Of Eve he says that '[i]t is absolutely a byword against him that he reads Miles.' Informs Sidgwick that the Modern School has been remodelled, and that he [Payne] is second Master in it, having now severed the last link that bound him to Classics. Declares that Sidgwick's brother-in-law [Edward White Benson] 'is more a ritualist' than he had thought, and that 'his whole [Wesen] reminds [him] a good deal of Kingsbury, in spite of the obvious differences.' Declares that he never believes a doctrine is dead because it ought to be, and that he agrees with Mill about the English Dictionary. Asks Sidgwick to remember him 'to the assembled brethren', and remember him in private very affectionately to Jackson. Would like the latter to write him 'a gossipy letter'. Claims to be very curious to see Jebb's article, and asks Sidgwick for another letter soon.

Announces that he yields to Myers' and Barrett's arguments, and undertakes to write to the latter 'to accept unconditionally.' Explains their possible travel plans from Newcastle to Cambridge, and on to Oxford. Asks Myers to breakfast at North Hill on the following Wednesday. States that they shall both be very busy, 'especially Nora', and he wishes to hear all Myers has to say. Reports that Barrett has written asking her to join [the] Committee. Undertakes to telegraph if they stay in Newcastle, in which case they plan to pass through Cambridge on their way to Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh], and would like Myers to come to lunch. States that Arthur Balfour will be Vice-President. Enquires about John Hollond and Roden Noel. Reports that Jebb is flourishing, but involved in an educational controversy.

Typewritten copy. As Bryce had said that [A.W.?] Ward would call on him about the Historical Review, he did not answer his letter. Does not believe that there is a single man in Cambridge competent to deal with modern history in an intelligent way. Refers to Dr Guest, Luard, and the '[Professor?] of "Anglosaxon" and early English literature, and people who poke into ecclesiastical holes and corners.' Refers also to William Aldis Wright. However, there is no one who he should call 'a historian.' Of those who study ancient history, mentions Jebb who would be by far the most effective he knows of for literary purposes 'who would contribute to such a review.' He himself 'once was conceited enough to write reviews of historical works', but that he would now not venture out of his proper line so far. Hopes that the scheme will succeed. Does not think that their press authorities 'would be likely to subvent the undertaking': the University is so poor 'and pressed for funds that [the] Press is requested to devote itself to lucre.'

Refers to a letter to the Royal Society from Lord Dillon on behalf of several interested gentlemen, including Arthur Balfour, James Bryce, Lord Acton, HS, Professor Jebb, W.E. Lecky, Leslie Stephen, and others, in relation to the formation of a British Academy.

Also refers to Henry Sidgwick's plan for the the institution of a new academy or section. Lays out plan, including the ways in which the Royal Society might aid in the project. Refers to its proposed scope in terms of subject-related sections. Refers to the participation of the Royal Society in the foundation of an International Association of the principal Scientific and Literary Academies of the world, and to a scheme drawn up for the organisation of the Association, which provides for the division of the Association into two sections - ' "Scientific" ' and ' "Literary" '. Points out that there is no existing institution 'competent to represent the United Kingdom in the Philosophico-Historical [Literary] section', and this fact is used as an argument for the foundation of a new Academy.

Includes proposals 'submitted to the Committee' on ways in which the demand for the representation of Philosophico-Historical studies in an Academy might be dealt with, including the creations of an organisation independent of the Royal Society; the creation of two ' "Academies" ' within the Royal Society; the creation of two or three ' "Sections" ' of the Royal Society; and the creation of twenty-five to fifty Fellows 'representing the Philosophico-Historical subjects, to serve as a nucleus, and creation of three or four committees, similar to those already existing, viz., one for Ethnography and Archaeology, one for Philology, one for Statistics and Political Economy, and one for Psychology...'.

Reports that the above schemes were discussed at an interview with a number of representatives of the Philosophico-Historical Sciences, and that the general opinion of these gentlemen was in favour of the creation of two or three sections of the Royal Society. Refers to the issue of whether the Royal Society 'will be more useful if the area of its interests is enlarged.' Discusses the divisions between the Natural Sciences and the Philosophico-Historical group of sciences, and the manner in which each group is treated in other European countries. Raises the question of Government grants, and suggests that if new subjects were to share in these grants it might have the effect of dividing the Royal Society into sections with comparatively weak common interests. Refers also to the effect of the scheme on expenditure and on the organisation of the staff.

Would like to borrow Leopardi's Poems.

Thanks her for her letter, and declares that he is deeply gratified by the insertion of the letter of 29 May, especially beause he believes it is 'unique in the highest sense.' States that they look forward to Nora's visit. Sends back to her the chapter [of Henry Sidgwick, a Memoir, not included], which, he claims, surpasses his expectations, and is 'a wonderful picture of [Henry's] thought and action.' Hopes that she will not finally insert the three lines of Bullock Hall's until he sees her, and states that his reasons for this wish are literary. Declares that he is very well satisfied by the references to himself. Refers to a passage 'about "the game of law and order being up" ', which, he claims, was used against him 'in ten thousand leaflets, without the context, and most unfairly.' Adds that Henry's own remark about it is quite proper and reasonable. Tells Nora to think over the references to Dilke and to Jebb's garden. Is sure she will 'keep in about the "Sidgwick Road." ' Adds that it is impossible to alter, or criticise in detail, the general construction of an admirable book, and states that this book - unlike any recent biographies 'presents the real person...one's own old friend'.

Mechanically reproduced letter signed by Lord Acton and R. C. Jebb addressing the question of founding a new Society or an additional section of the existing Royal Society of 'Literary Science'; with three enclosures: a mechanically reproduced copy of a letter from the Secretaries of the Royal Society dated 21 Nov. 1899 (Item 47), a printed proposal of statutes for an International Association of Academies (Item 46), and a printed letter from Dillon on behalf of a committee considering the proposal (Item 46).