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Add. MS b/74/11/1 · Item · 5 Feb. 1868
Part of Additional Manuscripts b

Public Record Office, Rolls House, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.—Sends official papers authorising Aldis Wright to prepare an edition of Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle.

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Public Record Office, Rolls House,
Chancery Lane, London, W.C

5th Feby 1868 {1}.

My dear Mr Aldis Wright

Herewith you will receive the official announcement that the Master of the Rolls {2} has proposed that you should edit Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle, and the approval of the Treasury of his Lordships† recommendation. The papers sent with this will give you all the information you will require; if it be not sufficient Luard will, I am sure, tell you all he knows, and if that will not do, you must call on me the first time you come to London, & here learn all I can communicate on the subject.

Ever faithfully yours
T. Duffus Hardy

[Direction on envelope:] W. Aldis Wright Esq. | Trinity College | Cambridge.

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Sent with Add. MS b. 74/11/2–4. The envelope was postmarked at South Kensington Museum; London, W. (‘Official Paid’); and Cambridge, all on 5 February 1868. Printed on the envelope are the words ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’ and ‘Science and Art Department, South Kensington.’

{1} The first two figures of the year are printed.

{2} Lord Romilly.

CLIF/A3/2 · Item · Jan. 1870
Part of Papers of W. K. Clifford

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Sends some lithographed notes on analytical geometry. Has been told that they cannot become Masters of Arts till next term. Jokes about Pollock's hat, and refers to Auerbach’s Spinoza, the new edition of Shelley, and Sidgwick's interpretation of one of Myers's poems.

(Marked 'Jan. 1870'.)

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Transcript

Trin. Coll. Camb.
Tuesday.

Dear Fred

My lithographed notes were on analytical geometry, and they only got as far as the logical foundations of the algebra thereof; howbeit the first two I send you. We cannot become MM.A. (had you there, I think) till next Term, teste Luard, who ought to know {1}—and who apparently thought I ought to know, for he nearly went into a fit at my ignorance, and spoke in a tone which implied that the eastertermness of first masterhood was at least a synthetic judgment a priori. Don’t know Grote. {2} In regard to your shiny hat (otherwhence described to me as a bright and beautiful object) I wish to observe

1ᵒ. That a habit is to be broken because it is an external circumstance which interferes with my liberty.

2ᵒ. That nevertheless habit-breaking is a virtuous action or a sin according as it proceeds from my internal activity or from the action of circumstances yet more external than the habit.

3ᵒ. That I do things not because society is ripe for being improved by becoming more like me (and I am so nice!) but because I darn choose, confound you!

4ᵒ That nobody is bound on my principles or on any thing else; because Freedom is All.

5ᵒ That you had better sit on it.

Is Auerbach’s Spinoza {3} all about Clara Maria van der Ende? I think she must have been an interesting person. I have gotten the new Shelley, than which I am sure a more detestable book {4}

Yours truly (I mean gruly; it’s put in for the rhyme—I am suffering from heartburn. Sidgwick says that in Myers’ poem the figure of Faith as Our Lady is only realistic and does not mean anything—what do you think? {5}

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Written in purple ink.

{1} Luard was the University registrary.

{2} Probably either John Grote, a Fellow of Trinity, formerly Professor of Moral Philosophy, or George Grote, the historian and politician. The latter’s Aristotle is mentioned in CLIF A4/3.

{3} Presumably Berthold Auerbach’s novel Spinoza, first published in German in 1837, though his translation of Spinoza’s works, published in 1841, also contains a ‘life’.

{4} The reference may be to the revised edition of the poet’s poetical works edited by Mary Shelley, published by Edward Moxon, Son, & Co. in 1869.

{5} The reference appears to be to F. W. H. Myers’ poem ‘The Translation of Faith’, published in Poems (London and Cambridge: Macmillan & Co., 1870). Cf. the following lines:

From where she lay the very Faith arose;
She stood as never she shall stand again,
And for an instant manifest to men:—
In figure like the Mother-maid who sees
The deepest heart of hidden mysteries

The poem is dated at Rome, 7 January 1870, but the preliminary note to the volume is dated March 1870, which would appear to indicate that the date marked on the letter is wrong. However, it may be that Clifford, Sidgwick, and Pollock saw the poem before it was published, or the allusion might be to a different poem.

Add. MS c/105/33 · Item · 19 Apr [1878-1886?]
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

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.'

Add. MS c/100/66 · Item · 30 Apr 1888
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

Refers to an enclosed diary [not included]. Explains that some days previously he had promised a friend of his that he would let Edward know 'that there was a strong feeling in Cambridge that Luard's services to the study of mediæval history deserved recognition by some such post as the Deanery of Lincoln!' Explains that his friend had first wanted him to convey this to Gladstone, but that he had told him that it was out of the question. Asks her to explain to Edward that he now regrets having promised to pass on the information to him, and how the whole matter came about.