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Does not expect to find much that is worth keeping in his letters to Henry Sidgwick, but there may be some cases in which Henry's letter is an answer to one from Sully, and that this 'might make his reply more fully intelligible.' Asks Nora, therefore, to send on to him any letters 'which look as if they might be important in this way'. Is 'deeply absorbed in the reading of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir: the early part of the life is of great interest to him, since he knew very little of Henry's youth and early adulthood.

Recalls a letter he received while studying in Göttingen in 1867 from an 'undergraduate friend at Trinity in which he spoke enthusiastically of Sidgwick's lectures and of his Aristotelian way of setting out his problems.' Refers to Professor Benfey and his daughters and to 'the walk [Henry] writes of under the [?Suidenbäume]'and to Professor Ewald, whose lectures Sully attended, and at whose house he was often a visitor. There was an interval of two years and three months between their visits. Declares that Henry's life 'seems to have been almost a perfect realization of Aristotle's ideal of the perfect life.' Remarks on his deep insight, and maturity of thought, which were reached at such an early age. Thanks Nora for the pleasure she has given him.

Label on what was once spine of cover, 'Epis[tol]a Sacra'; 'N29' in what appears to be the same ink; '85' in another ink. 8 small slits made around former spine for the purpose of fastening.

Expresses his gratitude for Ward's having called his attention 'to the dialogue between Henry Sidgwick and John Grote in the C[lassical] R[eview] for March 1889' [“A Discussion Between Professor Henry Sidgwick and the Late Professor John Grote, on the Utilitarian Basis of Plato's Republic.” (1889) 3 Classical Review 97], and hopes that he will see his way to publishing it. Refers to the fact that Sidgwick always had an interest in the subject and 'always comes to this question from the point of view of ancient ethics.' Finds it surprising that he never read that 'curious paper', and reports that he 'read with great care [ ] Wilson's mendacious attack upon Archer Hind.' Explains that at the time, however, he had been very busy, and had completely forgotten that the paper had appeared. Remarks that 'anything of Sidgwick's about ancient ethics ought to be considered', since it always seemed to him that the subject 'had an especial fascination for him, and brought out in full force his critical quality.' Returns with the letter the copy of the Classical Review [not included]. Also expresses his gratitude to Ward for his having given him his paper 'on the [ ] of psychology', which he 'shall read with all the more interest' because he is lecturing on [Aristotle's?] De Anima and believes that the paper will very directly bear upon that subject.

91 Adelaide Road NW - Whenever he looks at a sentence in Aristotle he often finds either gross corruption or obvious interpolation. Analyses Aristotle's chapter on the infinite closely: 'This chapter I suppose to have had much sway in determining the logicians obstinate confusion between the infinite, unlimited in quantities, powers &c, and the simple infinite of magnitude'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Apologies for not having written earlier to thank Benn for sending his book ["The Greek Philosophers", 2nd edition?]. Had not read the first edition, only Benn's 'subsequent smaller books on the same subject' so it was 'a very great pleasure' to read his views in more detail. Not himself a student of Greek philosophy, so has 'little right to criticise', feeling 'much more inclined to enjoy and admire and learn'. Particularly interested in the chapter on the 'Religious Revival', and the chapters on Plato, whom he now hopes to re-read. Feels Benn is a 'little too severe on Aristotle's poetics', and that Aristotle may have meant something more like 'representation' than 'imitation' by mimesis, and 'a good deal more' by plot than Benn seems to think. Thinks he remembers some remarks of Matthew Arnold on this point. Benn says that Zeno's puzzles has 'never yet been satisfactorily solved'; this may be true 'but B[ertrand] Russell would not admit it' and insists that modern mathematics have done so; Trevelyan cannot judge. Has recently read Russell's last book, and found much of it too difficult to fully understand, though he was very interested it; recommends it. Hopes the Benns are 'keeping well and as cheerful as may be in so sad a time'. They had the Abercrombie family - Lascelles Abercrombie, his wife, and their three children - here for December and January, so the house was full.

Refers to a paper he wrote on the proposed reform in the Classical Tripos, in which he urged the introduction of philosophy 'on the ground that the subjects with which philosophy is occupied are far more directly useful in after life than those with which philology is occupied.' Refers to Mr Vansittart's answer to his argument, and claims to feel somewhat hurt at the tone of the latter's sentences. It never occurred to him in writing his paper 'that useful pursuits could be taken to mean lucrative pursuits'; thinks that it is a pity it occurred to Mr Vansittart in reading it.

To clear himself from suspicion he proposes to give 'the desired definition of usefulness in after life', in order to counter his detractor's arguments. Disputes the opinion that he should adopt 'the doctrine of Mr Mozley' in relation to the matter, and puts forward the view that Cambridge studies 'ought to be such as will be useful in after life' and that they are not sufficiently so. Adds however that he does not maintain 'that they ought to be just such studies and no others, as will be most useful in after life'. Contends that the way in which a study can best help a man forward in his occupation is by furnishing him with the general principles which apply to it.'

Applies his theory to the case of the study of theology, referring to the fact that a great number of Cambridge students become clergymen. Suggests that the introduction of Greek philosophy into the Tripos examination would be of benefit to such students. Also refers to the benefit of the study of philosophy for English lawyers. Makes reference to Aristotle, and Plato's Republic, and to a treatise by Rousseau on education. Adds that he does not question that the study of philology has its uses. Quotes 'Mr Mill', who claimed that every sentence analysed 'is a lesson in logic', and regrets that grammar 'is not at present taught very rationally at Cambridge.' Believes that the introduction of Sanskrit into the examination in place of history would ruin it. States that if a third dead language is added to the two difficult ones already required he will not have any objection to the examination as such but will 'hope to see it sink decidedly below the level of the Moral Sciences Examination, as dealing with less important subjects, and deprived of the power of conferring a degreee, as an insufficient test of a high education.'

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad to see the Liverpool University book list, and will be very interested in [Robert's translation of Aeschylus's] "Oresteia"; has just finished the first four books of Thucydides, 'as a fellow of a famous Oxford College [Oriel]' feels he should 'acquaint' himself with Aristotle, for the first time in more than sixty years; sure a 'little will go a long way' and he will be able to return to Euripides at Welcombe. Reading all of his plays is 'a delightful occupation for the last years of a chequered, and somewhat laborious, life'. Likes to think of Robert and Elizabeth enjoying the autumn colours; cannot remember anything more beautiful than the China pond and East wood at Wallington are now. Glad Elizabeth had a good impression of Mr Walker, who is a 'good fellow' and will probably 'appreciate a parish where there is no public house'. Caroline is 'very patient, and acquiesces in her invalid life'; he himself feels his age, 'but not altogether unpleasantly'.

British Museum. - His brother 'who paints and is at Romford' [Hubert] has written the enclosed essay [now no longer present: perhaps the "Revival of Aesthetics"?] in the 'leisure of the [army training?] camp' and asked him to send Trevelyan a copy, as 'one of the few intelligent people who would not scold him for not having read Benedetto Croce & Aristotle'.

Contains notes from Joseph Some Problems of Ethics (cont), Osborne Philosophy of Value, Laird Study in Moral Theory, Harrod Utilitarianism Revised, Ross Foundations of Ethics, The Philosophy of G E Moore, Jackson Butler's Refutation of Psychological Hedonism and Practical Reason, Huxley Evolutionary Ethics, Joseph Lectures on Plato's Republic and Purposive Action, Ross Aristotle's Ethics

containing notes from Ross Aristotle's Ethics (cont), Stephen Psychoanalysis of Medicine, Bergson The Two sources of Morality and Religion, Price Review of the Principle Questions and Difficulties in Morals, Hutcheson Enquiry concerning moral good and evil, Williams Concept of Justice in British Moralists, Rickaby Moral Philosophy, Carritt Moral Positivism and Moral Aestheticism, Ewing Paradoxes of Kant's Ethics, Taylor The Ethical Doctrine of Hobbes, Freedom and Personality and Freedom and Personality Again, Campbell Psychology of Effort of Will, L J Russell Ought implies Can, A K Stuart Free Will and Responsibility, Hobart Free Will as involving Determinism, Stevenson Ethical Judgements and Avoidability, Emotive Meaning and Ethical Terms and Persuasive Definities and Carritt Hegel's Sittlickheit

With pencilled annotations and emendations.

Bound unpublished manuscript with a title page laid out as if printed, including "London: John Murray, Albemarle-Street, 1824" at bottom, with "London: Printed by Thomas Davison, Whitefriars" on the verso of the half title. In the 13 page preface Buller takes issue with the editor of the second edition of Tyrwhitt's translation of The Poetics, arguing that much of Aristotle's works have been superseded by later works and discoveries and disparaging an Oxford education as never looking beyond Aristotle to Burke, Schlegel, Bacon, Locke, and other later writers. With a short post scriptum moderating the tone of his attack on the editor of the second edition of Tyrwhitt, instead placing the blame on the man's education at Oxford. The translation contains only part of Note I, and appears to be either incomplete or missing the rest of the notes, which appear in the body of the text as running up to XXVII.

Accompanied by a sheet of paper with notes in a different hand in French, Latin, and Greek laid in loose, quoting Thucydides on the plague of Athens.

Contains notes from Carnitt An ambiguity of the word Good, Pritchard The Meaning of acahom in Aristotle's Ethics, Campbell Prologmena to a Theory of the Moral Criterion, Whiteley Goodness of Motive, Duncher Ethical Relativity ?, Ewing Non-naturalistic Analysis of Good, Mabbott Punishment, Leon Rightness of Goodness, Field Kant's First Moral Principle, Prichard-Cambridge The Problem of Duty, Laird Concerning Right, Lamont The Notion of Duty, Hughes Motive and Duty, Falk Obligation and Rightness, Taylor The Freedom of Man, Stevenson Ethics and Language, Prior Logic and the Basis of Ethics, Prichard Moral Obligation, Hare Imperative Sentences, Peters Hare on Imperative Sentenses, Hagerstrom on Intention Command and Duty, von Wright on Deontic Logic, Toulmin Reason in Ethics, von Wright Essay in Deontic Logic abd General Theory of Action