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[headed notepaper] Secretary for Scotland, Dover House, Whitehall. - Thanks Robert for his letter; has told Caroline about the train. Will be at Welcombe and very glad to see him. Sir George is responsible for recommending a candidate to the Queen for the new professorship of English Literature at Aberdeen, which must be filled before the end of the year; will be happy to hear frim Mr [Walter?] Raleigh.

Nice, addressed to Robert P. Milnes at Fryston and redirected to Bawtry. - Discussion of their future movements; sounds as if they may well meet at Rome. Thinks she and her party should stay in Nice until June as they have paid a reasonable amount for their rooms until then, and so have the Wyvills; may seem strange that. Mr W. is bent upon going further South in the summer by the way of being cool', he has heard some 'glowing descriptions of Lucca which have taken great possession of his mind'. He hopes it will be possible to get cheap rooms there, as 'Most of the best English (in the worldly acceptatation [?] of that word) will be returning home for the Coronation [of Queen Victoria], & you know it is that order of Gentry who make prices high on the Continent'.

Discussion of forthcoming marriage of Lord Galway and Robert Milnes' daughter and of Richard's 'new career', as well as society at Nice

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Is watching the developments [surrounding Florence Trevelyan's legacy to Robert] 'with a friendly, but not a critical eye'. He and Caroline have also had 'vile weather' but have suffered no physical harm; glad the same is true of Elizabeth and Paul. Agrees with [Benjamin] Rogers about [Racine's] "Plaideurs"; thought it 'very poor stuff' when he read it as a boy 'to illustrate [Aristophanes's] the "Wasps"'. They have just finished the Queen's letters ["The Letters of Queen Victoria", edited by A C Benson]; there is much that is interesting 'embedded in a vast mass of twaddle': too much is included by 'so many royalties... not above the average of their class', and though the Queen's letters are often 'very human and spicy' the book should have been half the length. Agrees with Robert that the Mid-Devon [Ashburton] election should shake the [Liberal] party up. Hilda and Audrey Trevelyan have been staying.

Explains the delay in replying to Patterson's letter as being due to 'a difficulty about finding appropriate topics of Consolation - suitable to the unfortunate situation, private and public, which [his] letter depicts.' States that the prevailing idea [in England] is that there is to be no war; and 'that Russia is to have her way in Bulgaria...' Believes that Patterson's colleagues 'will be spared the necessity of going into military quarters', and reports that now 'there appear to be the first mutterings of another scare about Affghanistan [sic].' In relation to Patterson's private troubles, i.e., the small size of his class, states that at Oxford and Cambridge they 'are beginning to consider that it is rather in a Professor's favour if he only gets a small class: it is a sign that his loyalty to his subject is too strong to allow him to degrade it by popularizing it.' In relation to his other problem, i.e., the length of time his lectures take and the fact that he has been called upon to lecture on English literature, to which task he feels himself inadequate, Sidgwick charges Patterson with being 'the laziest of men', but someone who, when he makes up his mind to do some work, 'is very exacting in its thoroughness'. Asks if he would like 'an opportunity of getting out of [his] position'. Reports that in England they 'are keeping her Majesty's jubilee in a rather unjubilant frame of mind.' Refers to the state of things in Ireland in negative terms, and to Gladstone, who is 'agitating for Parnell with the reckless impetuosity of his [in every sense] green old age'. Admits to being doubtful about his brother-in-law's [A.J. Balfour] prospects in relation to coercion, the failure of which will cause his career to be a failure. Predicts that if it succeeds 'the "left wing" of the patriots are likely to dynamite him.' Asks Patterson to send some more news of himself. Tells him that Mrs Sidgwick send her kind remembrances. With envelope. (2 docs)

Florence. - She and her husband have often thought and talked about Trevelyan since he left them, wondering what the future will hold; they 'must leave that to dear Bessie'. Things will be hard for them both now: Bessie will be in 'isolation' at home, as she will not be able to discuss this matter with Bramine's parents or sister unless she is 'absolutely clear in her own mind - it would be mental torture'. The 'terrible business of the [Second Boer] war' will also make an impression on her, feeling as she already does so strongly 'the wrench which marriage with a foreigner would be'. The worst thing about the war is 'the hypocracy [sic] with which all the English statesmen seem to be saturated', preparing for six months while giving the Boers the 'illusion' that an agreement could be made; and then there are speeches like that of Balfour and 'other so called honourable and religious gentleman'. Meanwhile, Harcourt 'protests, but will vote for the money [further military funding]! Is there then no generous mind left?' Are the English so much come down since Lord Chatham?'. In Chatham's day, however, the war was 'against men of the same race' rather than 'those stupid Boers, who live according to their antiquated notions derived from the old testament'; is 'bitter, very bitter, against the wicked Government', however much she likes Trevelyan, whom she calls 'my dear fellow'. As for Queen Victoria, 'one sees how, by being a sort of machine all one's life, one becomes one really at last'; wonders why she did not appeal to the nation; also criticises the other rules who sent ambassadors to the peace conference and 'do not move an inch to help against war', it is a sign of how low the 'moral standard' everywhere seems to be. In time the world will be 'one big Exchange' with no poetry, and nothing mattering but money and greed.

Returns to the letter after several days, now in Rome; meanwhile the British Parliament, apart for a few Irish representatives, have voted funds for the war; cannot understand the Whigs. She cannot sleep at night, and having 'loved the English so', nearly hates them now; cannot write to Bessie about Trevelyan, and in her place 'could never consent to give up my birthright of Dutchwoman, to become a subject of that wicked mecreant [sic] the prince of Wales', who 'sells his soul and that of his subjects for the gold of Africa' and will not even go out to fight himself. Has just received a letter from Bessie, which says Trevelyan is going to see her; prays that if he wins her love his influence may 'widen and deepen her love for all beings and things'. Feels 'very responsible in this matter', since it was she who brought them together, and Bessie is 'half sister, half child, exceedingly dear'. Would be 'dreadful if she became tainted by what seems... the national vice of the English = selfdeceiving egotism, overbearingness, hypocrisy' which they call 'commonsense'. Begs his pardon for speaking so openly, which she does as she knows he has 'width of mind enough to shake off all chauvinistic feeling'; perhaps he does not think the opposition should have refused the funds or resigned.

Reports on the wedding of Meta [Moultrie] in Rugby, to which she and Minnie were invited. Describes the church and church-yard, and the appearance of the bride. Remarks that the bride-groom told 'some very vulgar jokes when he had to make a speech'; one of the bridesmaids, Christabel Coleridge, came to stay with her and Minnie.

Reports on the school concert, referring to Mr Mayor and Mr Walker, and on the speech day. Refers to the comings and goings of Minnie, William and Arthur, and reports that the latter is in London with his friend Laurance, and probably goes to Wellington College that week. Adds that two college friends of William - Mr Harcourt and Mr Epson - spent the previous Sunday with them. Announces that the following day William goes to Wells to see William Lace, and that both he and Arthur are expected back in Rugby soon, after which Arthur will go to Clifton to examine, and then on to Germany, and William will go to the sea with his Uncle Robert's family. She herself expects some of the Bedford family [of her brother William Crofts] in Rugby in August if they can come.

Tells Henry to let her know when he would like to come; suggests the following week, when Eleanor [Benson?] will be there. Announces that she will go to Wellington College at the end of September. Is glad that he is well, but advises him to be careful about eating if he cannot take much exercise. Presumes that 'Whitkirk must be given away', and guesses that it was given to H. Longsd[on]. Reports that 'Bolton Abbey is bestowed upon a Mr. Robinson who had to do with a training school at York, and who is a friend of Mr. Cooper's of E[ ].' States that H. Longsd[on] 'has just got another son...', and reports that William has persuaded Henry's Uncle Lace to let Edward read with a tutor of William's choice before his matriculation. States that they have not yet heard of a house, but that she has first refusal on Mrs Leicester's, if the latter should leave it. Explains that it used to be inhabited by Mr. [T.] Evans.

Hopes to get Edward and Minnie to Rugby for a week 'as the Queen has lengthened their holidays just by that time....' Asks him to recommend a periodical which would give 'the best reviews of books, + treats of upon subjects within the range of a woman's capactity.' Explains that she wants to lend such a publication to Lucy Brown, who has limited access to books. States that the latter has undertaken to take into her home an orphan niece, and has been obliged to set up a small school. Adds that the Brown's brother-in-law , Mr [Henry Dampier] Phelps, has recently died and Lucy must now find a new home for his wife's five orphan nieces. Remarks that Annie Brown 'has mistaken her vocation in attempting a novel'.

Volume with the title page "The Lyndhurst Papers used by Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B. in writing The Life of Lord Lyndhurst published in 1884." The letters and writings have been tipped in and pasted in with cutouts to show both sides. The letters include those from Queen Victoria (to Lady Lyndhurst), Earl Grey, George Washington (to J. S. Copley senior), George Canning, the Duke of Wellington, T. B. Macaulay, the Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Robert Peel, King William (1835), Prince Albert, Maria Edgeworth, Lord Brougham, the Earl of Derby, and W. E. Gladstone.

Reports that he has been busy with the election [for the vacant Knightbridge professorship], in which he has decided to stand. States that if he is appointed it will give him a stimulus to work, but claims that he is quite happy in his 'present humble position'; if she does not mind him 'not Succeeding in Life' he is sure he does not, though it is not a virtue to have 'so little ambition', as it is a spur to industry and if he had more it may have made him 'of more use to [his] fellow-creatures'. However, it 'saves one a good deal of trouble'.

Is glad that she wrote and stopped his visit to Rugby on 27 April, and that 11 May 'will do just as well.' Announces that there is to be a meeting of the Rugby Board on 10 May, and that he would like to be with her about that time. Claims to be 'pretty well acquainted with all that has happened from various sources and think[s] that things are going on as well as could be expected.' Is very glad that William received 'the Introductions' favourably. Reports that Cambridge 'is beginning to look beautiful'. Undertakes to contact William when the professorship is decided. Hopes that she has got rid of her cold. Asks her if she has read 'My Little Lady' [by Eleanor Frances Poynter] and reports that Myers wrote to him from Windsor Castle 'that the work has the HIGHEST recommendations.'

Five letters and one piece of humorous writing from the family of Michael Angelo Atkinson and Amelia Williams, with two letters from Adam Sedgwick in April 1856 about Atkinson and Williams' engagement, to Amelia Williams and to her mother Anna Williams. With two earlier letters: a report on Michael Angelo Atkinson by James Tate to Atkinson's father Peter, dated 12 Dec. 1831, and a letter from M. A. Atkinson at Trinity College to his sister Harriet about French literature. Two more items are written by Harriet Miller, the wife of William Hallowes Miller and a cousin? of the Williams family: one, a letter to her Aunt [Anna Williams?] includes a long description of the dinner held at Trinity College in honour of the Queen and Prince Albert on his installation as Chancellor of Cambridge University in July 1847; the other, a humorous essay about water closets and the loss of the garden privy.

Four disbound sheets from a photograph album with 18 photographs captioned in Jones' hand, a mix of candid and posed photographs. Two photographs date from Feb. 1901 showing the Great Gate flag at half mast for Queen Victoria's death, and the Royal Proclamation outside Senate House on the accession of King Edward VII. There are also six candid photographs depicting the wedding of his brother Herbert Gresford Jones and Elizabeth ("Lily) Hodgkin in August 1900; two boating images: the 1st Trinity III Lent Boat on the water, and spectators of the May Races in June 1901; two cast photos from "The Magistrate" by A. W. Pinero at the A.D.C. depicting E. Dunkels, C. E. Winter, and Jones in character; three photographs of Lyme Regis; one photograph of Jones and others sitting outside L Great Court[?] with chairs, tables, and drinks, an "all night sitting" in the Long Vacation 1901, another of Jones, K. V. Elphinstone, and J. G. Gordon, and one a posed portrait of the guests at a private dance given by J. W. Cropper in June 1901.

Hotel Cavour, Milano. - Very sorry to hear of Elizabeth's 'renewed anxiety' about her aunt; hopes she will not need to return and that her aunt will 'rally'; sad for her and Madame Grandmont to be so far away. She and Sir George have had a good journey so far, and go on tomorrow to Florence; gives their address there, at Rome, and at Naples, where they would be glad to see Elizabeth and Robert before travelling on to Sicily. Sends love to Robert; is glad he is getting on well with his writing, and that Elizabeth likes Ravello. '[D]elightful to be in Italy again'. News of the Queen [Victoria] so bad that they 'quite expect to hear tomorrow that she is dead'. A postscript notes that they have just received the news of the Queen's death.

Refers to her 'nice long letter', which he received two weeks previously, and sends on the thanks of Maggie and Frances [his wife and daughter] for all Nora's good wishes and for the pleasure her letter gave them. Hopes that she is well, and remarks that from her description of her life it seems to him that she is comfortable. Remarks also on the 'solemn and momentous incidents' that have occurred since she wrote to him, including [the deaths of] Creighton, Frederick Myers and the Queen. Adds that they all agree that her brother [Arthur Balfour]'s words 'were the noblest of all' [in relation to the Queen's death.]

Says that he is going to get a new map of Egypt [where Nora is travelling?], so that they 'may sit on that high place and see those sunsets - and the line of the mighty river and the E[ ] plain and the distant mountains.' States that he is also going soon to Oxford when Arthur [Sidgwick] 'has settled down and is ready' for him; wishes that 'something [could] be done to release [Arthur] from some of his work'. Wishes he knew what Henry would have advised him to do. Refers to the explanatory note on the numbers of Henry's letters, which he sends on a separate page [included].

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Here they are 'enjoying the most beautiful weather'. Bessie has gone to London to stay with Molly for a night, do shopping and see friends. They had a 'very pleasant visit' from Aunt Annie, who he thinks will now be with his parents; they thought her 'very well and cheerful, and not too tired by her house-moving'.

Has taken his father's advice [in 12/314] and read [Lucian's On Salaried Posts in Great Houses/The Dependent Scholar, which he had forgotten; it is 'admirable', as is The Life of Alexander [the False Prophet]. Notes 'how modern the point of view is; it might almost be Anatole France'.

Was at Haslemere during the [Diamond] Jubilee of 1897, so his bonfire was 'the one on Blackdowne'; it was a good one, but 'not forty feet high' [like the one at Wallington, see 12/314]. Quotes Aeschylus' Agamemnon 270, 280-281 on kindling beacons in Greek; hopes to publish his translation of the Agamemnon, but [Gilbert] Murray is just now bringing out his translation with the same publisher [Allen & Unwin], so Robert must 'wait another season'.

Sends love to his mother, Aunt Annie, and Booa [Mary Prestwich].

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Envies Robert having heard the Fairy Queen [see 46/254]; Purcell is the 'only name which really fascinates' him in music, apart from that of Mrs R. C. Trevelyan, the effect of allusion to him in Browning's Waring', and of reading about him in the 'list of composers at the beginning of the Anthem-book in Trinity Chapel' as he sat in his surplice like the four or five hundred other young men around him in 'the most impressive Church ceremony (Uncle Tom used to say) except perhaps the Beguinage at Ghent'. Thanks Robert for sending [Lucian's] Peregrinus which goes well with the Alexander Pseudomantis and the On Salaried Posts in Great Houses [whose title he gives in Greek]; considers to be 'the most human pictures of ancient society', and recommends Robert to read the other two if he has not done so. Is going to read gradually through Bergck, except for the Pindar and the fragments taken from ancient grammarians; will use Robert's letter from 1900 with the 'first sketch of a charming little poem on the "roses"'. Good to hear of Robert and Julian's bonfires; cannot remember if he saw their bonfire for the 'second jubilee of 1897' [Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee], which was the best he himself ever saw: the estate was fully staffed, and the estate workers built it forty foot high of brushwood soaked with paraffin.

42 Rutland Gate, S.W. Dated January 24, 1901 - Has the second edition of 'The Golden Bough' and admires it; suggests a method be adopted to show the geographical distribution of the facts it relates to, either the small maps used by the Natural History Museum or the decimal system of the Geographical Classification about to be adopted by the Royal Society; comments on the general mourning occasioned by the death of Queen Victoria.

42 Rutland Gate, S.W. - Has the second edition of 'The Golden Bough' and admires it; suggests a method be adopted to show the geographical distribution of the facts it relates to, either the small maps used by the Natural History Museum or the decimal system of the Geographical Classification about to be adopted by the Royal Society; comments on the general mourning occasioned by the death of Queen Victoria.

AS's servant, John Sheldrake, 'a well conducted boy' has asked him to write to WW on behalf of his father; who wishes to be a candidate for Pocter's place in Trinity College. Sheldrake claims his father 'is a good and sober man - that he is 46 years of age - and that he has always had a good character as an honest and obliging man'. Isabella Sedgwick is now almost well [see AS to WW, 3 June 1862]. AS's health in general is much better. AS went to Windsor Castle 'and had a long and most touching interview with the Queen'. AS was very impressed with the sanctity 'of her sorrow; by her beautiful self possession; by the large views of her duties; by the great expression of her love and good will to her fellow creatures and subjects; and by the firmness of her faith - she said that she wished to see me again on Friday' - however she was ill that day. 'In the other qualities of our beloved Queen I ought to have mentioned her wise views of duty, and her deep personal humility'.

Thanks his mother for her letter. Is 'glad Papa saw the Queen', and wonders what she is like. The Eton boys came on Tuesday, and Wixenford 'licked them 1-0'; Robert was 'in the eleven'. There was a paper chase on Wednesday, which was a 'very good one'; Tomlin was 'hare'. As well as eleven Eton boys, three came from Winchester, and played on the Wixenford side. S[ackville?] West came yesterday; Robert thinks for the last time this term. Sends love to all.

Album containing over 250 letters, notes, documents, unaccompanied envelopes, printed items, and photographic prints carrying the handwriting and/or autographs of sovereigns, prelates, government ministers, peers, authors, and Trinity College masters and professors, with a few unusual items in addition. The material appears to have been largely culled from the correspondence of George Peacock, his wife Frances Peacock, her father William Selwyn, and her second husband William Hepworth Thompson, with a few unrelated items. Most date from the 19th century but there are a few items from the 18th century.

Among those represented are King George III, Charles Babbage, E.W. Benson, the 15th Earl of Derby, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, W. E. Gladstone, Lord Houghton, Charles Kingsley, H. W. Longfellow, Lord Macaulay, Sir Robert Peel, John Ruskin, Adam Sedgwick, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Anthony Trollope, and William Whewell; there are in addition a miniature handwritten Lord's Prayer in a circle no larger than 15mm across, a carte-de-visite photograph souvenir 'balloon letter' from the Paris siege of 1870 with an image of the newspaper 'La Cloche', and a photographic print of Lane's portrait of George Peacock.