The Mill House. - Continues the explanation of his sonnet from the last letter [9/116]; after jokingly describing the poem as 'terse, weighty, thrilling, magnificent, Dante-Baudelaire-Rossetti lines', he confesses that he does not think much of it, and wishes they [the "Speaker"] had published the translations they have returned. Is getting on 'fairly well' with the new plan of his play. Has only seen the Frys once since Sunday; he is 'very busy'. Is going to see Sanger in London on Monday before he starts [for Greece]. [George?] Moore has invited to join him, MacCarthy and another on their 'wonted Easter exhibition', this year to the Lizard in Cornwall; has been the last two years and liked it, but will decide nearer the time. Suggests that she might use the library as her study while he keeps the little room; noise does travel from the kitchen, but a baize or felt door would improve matters, and the Enticknaps are 'very quiet people'. Gussie is at school all day; he has in the past been 'a little noisy' in the evening, but is improving. Sophie has asked what books he would like [as a wedding present], suggesting an edition of Thackeray, or Browning (which he has); Thackeray would be good but perhaps he prefers Meredith. Has a Goethe and Heine; has read some "Faust" and means to do more; gets on quite well with a translation and dictionary, but very slowly.
Declares that she is 'feebly going about begging for a few ideas'. Refers to some old proofs from about fifteen years ago, and to a little volume of old essays, one of which is called Toilers and Spinsters. Her father gave the name to the latter, and she has decided to call the book after it. Reports that the previous day she went to call upon 'a few Spinsters and Toilers', and that 'a rather nice one in spectacles' told her that she thought 'the Camb'ge Exs had done a very great deal for their Schoolmistresses [ ] and ask for certificated spinsters to teach in their schools'. Intends to rewrite the essay, and recounts that the previous day [Blanchie] Cornish had unconsciously given her 'a little theme in [ ] about wanting emphatic life', and this made her 'travel off to Cambridge and wonder whether there wasn't something to say about the girls who have grown up since the little essay was first written'. States that they arrived there a fortnight previously and will be going home very soon. Hopes to see Sidgwick before long, and hopes that he had a pleasant holiday. Reports that she saw '[their] bride' the previous day for a minute, but hasn't yet seen the Cornishes.
42 Queen's Road, Finchley Road, N.W. - Has published a number of works anonymously; excessive literary toil caused her to break down last spring; poverty was temporarily averted by a Literary Fund grant; now convalescent but unable to work with same intensity. Asks if Milnes will sign her Memorial to Lord Palmerston seeking a grant from the Literary Civil List; Dickens has signed; Thackeray and perhaps Disraeli will do so; Earl Russell only prevented from signing by official etiquette. Appends list of her novels and plays.
Written on note to Thackeray from Richard Monckton Milnes.
Press cuttings on his death: extended notice of funeral and poem on his life.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Happy to be expecting Elizabeth and Julian today. Interested to hear about the castle [at Aulla, owned by Aubrey and Lina Waterfield?], and envies Robert's chance of 'a fine fortnight near Florence' [with the Berensons]. Caroline has just finished reading Colonel Young's book on the Medicis, which pleased her greatly, and Sir George intends to try it. Young appears to be 'an old Indian officer', and his work to be 'free from that sort of canting way in which people think it is necessary to write about Italy... like Symonds, Hare, and in some sort Ruskin' and 'hundreds' of other lesser writers. There was a 'glorious eclipse of the moon' last night, and 'much distress of politicians for it to portend'. They are going to read Forster's novel ["Howards End"] aloud, having finished [Arnold Bennett's] "Clayhanger" which was 'admirable'. Adds in a postscript that Major Dobbin [in Thackeray's "Vanity Fair"] might have written Colonel Young's book, 'instead of his history of the Sikhs'; it has 'the honesty and thoroughness of [Sir George's] Colonel Gerald Boyle" [who composed a manuscript "Notes on the War of the American Revolution"?].
Trinity College Cambridge. Is finding it difficult to study both mathematics and classics at the same time, would not wish to give up reading classics for a term as the Bell Scholarship exam is approaching, making steady progress in maths, algebra "the most inhuman and barbarous composition that has ever been concocted for the torture of the brain", reading Horace, sermon by Blunt, Thackeray in Cambridge lecturing on the humorists of the nineteenth-century.
Blackheath - notice to quit his rooms, profligacy of Brookfield, Thackeray and Buller, Tennyson's sister, coalition between Tories and Radicals, Apostles should be less profane in their conversations
Letters from: William Makepeace Thackeray, 24 Dec. [1848]; Frederick Knight Hunt, 11 Oct. 1852; G. J. Cayley, 1 Dec. 1852, enclosing a pencil portrait of Savile Morton.
Letters of 1852 refer to Morton's murder by H. E. Bower.
The Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Teases Bob by suggesting his poetry is a fraud, and for his 'untidy, would-be genius look'. Hopes the weather has improved; asks if Ravello is a rainy place, as she remembers it being wet when he was there with George, and whether he cannot work well unless he is outside. Glad Mrs [Sophia] Reid is so kind to him. Hopes [Pasquale] Palumbo is better; asks if his wife and daughter would keep up the pension if he died, about Bob's room, and whether he is now the only guest. Has got a new hat; her family say it suits her, and her uncle [Paul François Hubrecht] teases her by saying 'Varello', his new name for Bob, would like to see it. Reads from Bob's letters to her uncle and aunt as they are 'so interested to hear anything'; was annoyed that her aunt seemed to have the idea that her feelings about the [Second Boer] war were 'gradually changing' but this is all resolved. Later, writes that she has just returned with her uncle from a rehearsal of Haydn's "Schöpfung (Creation)" which she much enjoyed.
Writes on Thursday morning that she has received Bob's letter with his plans for returning towards the end of January; has been discussing them with her uncle and aunt. There are no real objections to it on her part, though she does feel it 'rather a pity' for her visit to England to be so much sooner; worries about leaving her uncle and aunt alone in the winter since Tuttie [her cousin Marie] will not have returned; also thinks it is a shame for Bob to leave Ravello so much earlier than planned, though she is delighted that she might see him in a month; Bob's parents have first say in the matter. Since he will only be in Holland for a short time, she thinks he should return later in spring when she is back from England, to be introduced to some friends and relations. Feels it would probably be better if she travelled to England by herself, though he knows her opinion that sensitivities on the subject are 'absurd & silly'; asks him to tell her what his mother thinks. Very glad [Pasquale] Palumbo is better, for his wife and daughter's sake and because now Bob will not have to move to a 'damp hotel'; begs him never to do this, and asks if Mrs Reid could take him in; if Mrs Palumbo is 'so fond' of him he can have fewer scruples about staying. Jokes about the fee in kisses which Bob asks for his literary advice; has read "Romeo and Juliet", but not yet "The Merchant of Venice". Had a happy day yesterday in Amsterdam seeing the baby [Amanda Röntgen]; her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] 'asked at once how many letters from Ravello' she had in her pocket, and she read some of the latest one to her with the Vaughan and Blake poems. Went in the evening to hear the whole of the oratorio ["The Creation"] which delighted her, as Haydn's music always does. Is sending Bob the three photographs of her; likes the one without spectacles best, which reminds her somewhat of her mother's face; will also send them to his mother. Describes a dream she had with him in last night. He must not be anxious about her feet; is managing keep them warmer with 'footbags, gaiters etc etc' and a hot brick, thought she does have chilblains at the moment. Calls Bob her 'dearest dearest diddle-diddle-darling (as Jos Sedley said in Vanity Fair when he was drunk!'
Re memorial to William Makepeace Thackeray.
Upper Mall, Lahore (on headed paper for Punjab Club, Lahore; Punjab Club crossed out). - Was very glad to get Trevelyan's letter and hear there was a chance of seeing him here. They hope he will give them 'the honour' of hosting him when he is in Lahore. Knows it might not suit him to 'separate from [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson: unfortunately [Malcolm] Darling lives about three miles away, and they 'do not run to a motor'. But he and his wife will be very glad if Trevelyan can manage to stay with them for all or part of his time: 'Jos Sedley (as you were good enough to call me last time I met you [a reference to Thackeray's Vanity Fair]) will do all he can to show you whatever you think worthy of your notice in Lahore.
Asks Trevelyan jokingly if he is 'an agent of the Public Services Commission or of Mr Montagu [Under-Secretary of State for India]'; he will be welcome 'in any guise', and 'will be able to instruct us 'poor Indians in the up to day methods of the West'.
Trevelyan should send a wire from Bombay if he can stay with them and Stow will meet him on arrival, as their house is 'a new one and not known to all the cab drivers'.
Asks Myers when he intends to come to Cambridge. Reminds him that his card says the following week, but that his letter to 'Mrs V. said 18th.' Announces that he [Sidgwick] goes to Rugby on 11 [May] to steep himself in 'H. Hayman' [headmaster of Rugby School, at odds with Arthur Sidgwick and other masters]. Refers to an un-named matter of mutual concern, and states that Birks also 'has a work of Ethics in his desk.' In relation to his failure to be appointed to the post of Professorship of Moral Philosophy, claims that he regrets 'the gentle external compulsion that it would have given.' Thinks that he must stay in Cambridge 'at least one year more: and most probably for ever.' Believes that he is ill-adapted for Cambridge society. Thought Pearson was going to be chosen for the post. Regrets that Myers is 'so decided about Old Kensington [novel by Annie Thackeray, currently being serialised in The Cornhill Magazine], and claims that he himself is hesitating. Notes that 'W. M. T[hackeray] had a way of boring one with long introductions.' Adds ' "Christ[ ] North" no good?'
Re memorial to William Makepeace Thackeray.
36 and 38: to Annabella Hungerford Milnes.
Re memorial to William Makepeace Thackeray.
27 Rutland Street, N.W. - Has given his friend Sir Charles Nicholson, who is travelling to Egypt in November and will pass through Italy an introduction to Browning. Had an invitation from Carlyle two days ago to meet some friends of Browning, the Twisledons [Twisletons] but was not free; Carlyle is evidently recovered. Another friend of Browning's, Mrs Cust, has called on Woolner, wanting him to cast her hand as a gift for a sister who is going to India; found she was an old friend of the Trevelyans.
Has done little since he last saw Browning but work on his bust of Tennyson; has 'worked upon it closely for nearly 9 weeks and have fully a month's work yet before it can be completed'; complains about lack of time spent on most works of art nowadays, particularly sculpture. Rossetti is soon going to paint an altarpiece for Llandaff Cathedral; he is travelling to Wales with Seddon, the architect responsible for repairing the building, 'so that probably he will not be long before he commences it - but as to finishing? -'
David Masson asks in which paper Browning's article on Chatterton is to be found. Story about Thackeray's recent lectures at the Glasgow Athenaeum. Does not 'hear much spoken of in the literary world except [Elizabeth Barrett Browning's] Aurora Leigh'.
The Shiffolds. - Thanks his mother for her letter; they are very glad to hear that she is getting better from Aunt Annie. The 'mild weather' will make it easier for her when she starts getting out again. Julian is well, and 'finds plenty to do painting cards and almanacs, and building a theatre with his bricks'. He, Robert, and Emmy [Bessie's niece] are reading The Taming of the Shrew together. They are all going to London together for a few days after New Year; will take Julian to a dramatisation of [Thackeray's] The Rose and the Ring, which 'they say is very well done'. Very kind of his mother to say she will send a cheque towards the expenses of Julian's going to London, and they are 'very grateful'.
Bessie's niece Emmy has 'not yet had her letter from her young man at Hong Kong' [Frank van Leeuwen?], though it must arrive soon; she did however get a telegram with Christmas wishes yesterday, so she is 'quite happy'; the 'difficulty of communication is rather trying for her'. The Faggetters [a couple providing help in home and garden for the Trevelyans?] 'continue to be pleasant and effective'; this is a 'great relief for Bessie after the unspeakable Knights'.
Hopes his father has 'quite recovered from his cold'; sends love to him and to Aunt Annie.
'She told me that not long before Thackerary's death she said to him "Father, which one of all your friends have you loved best?" and he replied "Why, old Fitz to be sure, and Brookfield"'
Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk - Hardly ever keeps letters, so has none of Edward FitzGerald's; indeed, generally only had notes or cards from him since they lived near to each other and 'kept our topics for such times as we met and talked them out'. Suggests John Allen, Dean Blakesley, Dean Merivale, the Master of Trinity and Mrs Thompson as people who could supply letters, but has 'misgivings whether such letters should be published, good and pleasant as they may be', questioning whether FitzGerald 'would have sanctioned it? He, who carefully tore up letters almost as soon as he received them'.
Encloses a letter from John Allen [ADD.MS.a/6/23?]. Thanks Crabbe for congratulations on the engagement of his son William to [Emma] Colvin.
Will not go to the auction, but would like to have catalogues. Mrs Ritchie (Miss Thackeray) should have some, as two of her father's drawings are on sale. 'Also Mowbray Donne, Allen and Crowfoot cum multis aliis'.
Letter from the 1830s[?] from FitzGerald to Hilton written after a misunderstanding brought about by an epigram he left at Hilton's door; refers to quarrelling regularly with [William] Airy as a means of preserving friendship; invites him to breakfast despite his cough. Three ink and pencil sketches, one dated 1829, are unsigned, and are possibly by FitzGerald or by Hilton. Two other ink sketches dated 1829 are also unsigned but identified by a caption as by William Makepeace Thackeray.
Accompanied by a letter from A. M. Terhune to Mrs E. Armitage about the FitzGerald letter, and an offprint of an article, "Carlyle with the late Mr Edward FitzGerald" from the Ipswich Journal, 17 July 1883.
Hilton, George Jones (b c 1808-1891) clergyman26 Faubourg St Honoré, Paris. - Met Milnes here frequently here in 1840 with Thackeray and others; has recently joined Nathaniel Johnston & Sons, Bordeaux wine merchants; their wine is only available in England wholesale, but individual buyers can obtain it through himself; solicits orders. Refers Milnes to his Cresswell cousins-german.
Two letters in which Sandars discusses the Lockhart Bogle portrait of W. M Thackeray, Mrs Ritchie's pleasure in it, and the arrangements to get it to Cambridge. Also asks about the subscription for the Tennyson MS for the College Library.
States that '[t]here are not two ideas in the book which I am sending to you' [not included], 'but there is one sentence belonging to you...and it one day seemed to suggest the image of Paradise...' References to Germans and Germany. Asks if she will see Sidgwick the following week. Mentions Thackeray's petition.
Cornish, Blanche Warre (1844-1922), writer and conversationalistIntends to go to the [Bernese Oberland] on the 14th of the month; they will be at Grindelwald on the 18th, and will stay there for about a week. Expresses desire to see Sidgwick, and asks him to come and see them on his way to M[ ]. Refers to Thackeray.
Cornish, Blanche Warre (1844-1922), writer and conversationalistHoughton. - Charlotte reports Charley improved. Beau Brummell's note interested the family, but few remembered him; Milnes' description of a dandy as an 'unprincipled exquisite' confirms her feelings that Brummell's career does not merit a biography. Mr Thackeray's lectures on the 'Four Georges' bring royalty into disrepute for private gain; the Kings were not faultless but the nation advanced considerably under their rule and a patriot should recognise the fact; quotes Montalembert on respect for the throne; to lose such respect would be disastrous for the country,