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Asks Nora's opinion on the review of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir in the Times. Believes that letters, 'delightful as they are have not all the charm of [Henry's] conversation.' Relates that she met a young lawyer called Mr [John?] Buchan some days previously, who commented in relation to the book that 'too much space in proportion had been given to the early letters'. States that 'John [her husband] is intensely interested [in the book]', but agrees with the aforementioned criticism. [Incomplete]

Contains: "Einstein's Advent", by Oliver Lodge, remembering his father and the impact of the new developments in physics; portrait sketch of Max Beerbohm by William Rothenstein; portrait sketch of William Rothenstein by Max Beerbohm; poem, "To Gordon Bottomley", by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "War Sky 1940", by Sylvia Sprigge"; "4. Sunday", by Sarah Shorey Gill, with introductory note to her granddaughter Polly; poem, "To Seville: Siesta", by Carla Lanyon Lanyon.

The letter of 1916 (March 12) is addressed `Dear Shaw' (perhaps Sir Napier Shaw, see D.74).

Miscellaneous quotations and epigrams from various sources, including Alexander von Humboldt and Lord Rayleigh.

Explains that he did not answer her letter about Chris [Benson?] because he wanted to find out more than he then knew about the demand for modern language teaching. Reports that he has now ascertained that the two teachers whom they have appointed to teach the medieval languages (Romance and old Teutonic) 'will probably try to get pupils in modern languages.' Believes that if they do 'the supply of teaching will at least equal the demand, so that there will be no opening at all.' Thinks that in any case it would be a very risky thing for Chris to do. Does not believe that the number of men who will take up modern languages will be great. States that there is a German and a French teacher officially employed at Newnham, besides the two medieval teachers. Thinks that Chris would probably pick up a few pupils, but believes it to be a risky enterprise. Wishes to talk the matter over with her.

Mentions that Arthur [Benson?] says that she and her family may all be to coming [to Cambridge] for a Sunday in November. Asks if she could come for 22 November, when he expects that he and Nora should be 'quite alone'. Adds that Nora sends her love and begs her to come. Asks her to come on 29 if 22 November does not suit; Lord Justice Bowen and possibly Rayleigh will be with them then.

Two letters, one of them written as Secretary of the Royal Society informing him his paper will be read 15 June 1893

Thanks Nora for her letter about Lord Rayleigh's recollections of 'the curtain incident', and remarks that it seems to come to very little as he describes it; believes that he probably has forgotten some of the details. Remembers that there are some documents at Cambridge - probably notes in pencil taken at the time - copies of which she has in her possession. Gives what she believes to be the address of Norman MacColl [one-time editor of the Athenaeum]. Reports that Austin tells her that he is a very nice man, and would be willing to help her in tracing Henry's articles, but that the present editor, Mr Rendall 'is a much less agreeable person'.

[Sent from Terling Place]:- Announces that he and Nora are not going to Rome as they had planned, partly due to his academic work, and partly due to the fact that he has 'been drawn more and more into some [local] quasi-philanthropic work at Cambridge' which involves the reconstructing of the old Mendicity Society on the principles of the London Charity Organisation Society, and which requires his presence there at Christmas time. Discusses the difficulties of the task; in his view, the 'people who ought to be helped 'are 'so often just trembling morally on the verge of helpless pauperism', and it is hard to say whether help 'will cheer and stimulate a man to help himself, or 'push him gently into the passive condition of letting society take him in hand and do what it will with him'.

Discusses Rayleigh's possible transfer to Cambridge, and refers to all the mathematical professors having signed a memorial to urge him to come and succeed Maxwell as Professor of Experimental Physics. Remarks that it is unusual to give up leisure and the comforts of a country house 'unless one is quite sure that one's duty to society requires it.' Asks her for her opinion of Ada [Benson, engaged to be married], and asks her to send him Ada's address. States that they were 'very much delighted to hear of it' and that [Henry Weston?] Eve has told them 'good things of him [Andrew McDowall, Ada's fiancé].' Reports that they have seen Arthur, but not William, who is not very well. Sends his and Nora's love to Edward and the children, and asks how much came from the 'Personal Appeal' after all.

Typewritten copy. Believes that he is 'progressing in convalescence', but is having his 'ups and down '. Has read with much interest the report that Bryce sent, and thinks it to be 'decidedly improved' by the additions. Awaits the result with interest. Presumes that the report will be published at some stage, and asserts that 'even if the Council decides against action, it will be a good thing to have some discussion of the matter....' He and Nora return to London for a day or two on the following Monday or Tuesday, and then go to the Rayleighs for a few days, and then to Cambridge. Adds that 'it still seems very uncertain what degree of working faculty' he shall get back to when his convalescence is completed.

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.

Confesses to being uncertain about Myers' 'kind offer'. Reports that J. W. Hales is going to give a course on Shakespeare, which will be 'more literary than [Walter?] Skeat's'; thinks it better to defer Myers' [course] until the May Term, 'in order not to produce an embarras de richesse. Suggests that Myers give one or two lectures on Milton's Paradise Regained. Announces that he shall be in London on 4 [January]. Asks him not to mention 'the evening of the [Tenant's] Dinner at Terling [house of Lord Rayleigh; perhaps a reference to Sidgwick's engagement to Eleanor Balfour?]'.

Encloses Rayleigh's letter [not included]. Wishes that the latter had asked him to bring Myers to Terling, and suggests that he may yet do so. Claims that Mrs Jencken 'seems about the best medium out, and to have her rapping away in the private house of a senior wrangler using all the resources of his laboratory is too tempting a prospect.' Proposes to ask Rayleigh to arrange for some séances with Mrs Jencken in London, to which Myers could bring [John Couch?] Adams. Asks Myers if he could alter the time of his inspectorial visit, in case Rayleigh wishes to confine his invitation to Sidgwick. Reports that their 'anxiety still goes on: but the doctors seem to have good hopes.'

Declares Myers' news to be 'excellent'. Asks how long Miss Bibby [a medium] is to stay, and hopes that 'the thing does not act injuriously on her nerves...' Wishes that he were there. Reports that he has seen Crookes and is 'much impressed.' Announces that Herne comes to him the following night. Announces also that his decisive interview with Morley about his book [The Method of Ethics] is to take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. States that he has forwarded Myers' letter to G[urney]. Asks if he [Sidgwick] could go to Myers early the following week 'if this seemed best as regards Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh]'.

Reports his arrival in Newcastle, and his meeting with Miss Fairlamb in Mr Blake's shop, and their subsequent meeting with Miss Wood - both mediums. States that he engaged them for séances. States that he likes them both 'from a severely scientific point of view', and finds that they know about Myers' letter, but 'were simply disinclined to go... to an unknown place at the instance of an unknown gentleman'. Suggests that he arranges for the two ladies to come for a fortnight, and asks whether he thinks it is worthwhile, adding 'not if [Myers] take[s] Mrs Fay to Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh]'. Refers to the problems relating to his unaccompanied visit to Newcastle; 'that a single individual does not afford a sufficient reservoir of [ ] [force] for materialisations...' Asks if Arthur gave Myers Sidgwick's message. Explains that he 'conjectured an alliance between Crookes and Greenwood', hoping that the latter would find funds for the spiritualistic endeavour and would have the social advantage, while the former would have the scientific advantage.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Encloses a notice for the "New Quarterly"; doubts whether it will get enough subscribers to 'pay its way', but thinks at long as it lasts it should 'keep up to quite a high level of interest': the first number does not look bad, and he has 'high hopes of [Desmond] MacCarthy as an editor'. G. L[ytton] Strachey is acting as literary sub-editor, and Lord Raleigh and [Robert John] Strutt, friends of the proprietor [George Arthur Paley] are 'more or less responsible for the scientific side'. Never wrote to say how much pleasure he got from Benn's book ["History of English Rationalism in the Nineteenth Century"], which he thought 'excellent both as history and literature'; sympathised with what he said about Tennyson, Browning and others. Hopes the Benns are well; may visit Italy in the Spring, and hopes to see them if so.

Regrets that he could not have 'a last word' with Myers the previous night, and explains that he had to 'bolt suddenly in order not to keep the Archaeologist waiting.' Hopes that, from what he said about Rayleigh, Myers does not think that Sidgwick should trust Rayleigh's or anyone's report of the phenomena more than Myers'. Explains that Rayleigh is more useful for his special purpose of convincing his p[ ] of the world'. Believes that 'the matter had better stop' if Rayleigh sends a very decided negative, but that if he is doubtful and Myers thinks Sidgwick could influence him, he would be willing to write to tell him that he is 'only prevented from joining by the personal dislike entertained for [him] by the medium', but that this does not affect his personal impression of her trustworthiness.

Asks his opinion on 'R[ayleigh?]'s suggestion', and states that whatever is done should be done quickly; the question is 'whether Yorke would get into a scrape if Miss Alderson was instructed to ask [Nilsen] about it.

Reports that he and Nora have now got their affairs regarding 'the Education of Women' into order for the term. Has much to do, as he is to lecture on Shakespeare, Bacon, and perhaps Milton in addition to his usual work. Reports that when they left her the previous Monday week, they saw Worcester Cathedral, the restoration of which he 'did not much admire', and then went on to Cheltenham, where they went skating. States that they had a pleasant week at Cheltenham, and that he believes that Mrs Myers [mother of Frederick Myers] health is worse than it was; she 'was much interested about fighting the corporation of Manchester who are trying to turn Thirlmere Lake into a big ugly reservoir for Lancashire towns.'

They had a very pleasant night at Rugby [with the Arthur Sidgwicks]. Declares that Rose [his niece] is 'a charming creature', and reports that the other baby [Ethel, just over a month old] was 'thoughtfully kept out of [his] sight'. '[Jex]-Blake has raised nearly £10,000 for buildings at Rugby', such as an observatory and library, which Henry says 'shows great energy in dignified mendacity'; he himself has donated thirty pounds. They then spent a couple of nights with the Rayleighs, and then went home. Reports that [his cousin] Alfred Sidgwick has sent him another essay, 'which is also not bad'. Hopes that the weather has not troubled her, and reports that they found their 'ill-built house very cold' when they got back to it. Sends on Nora's love.

Trusts that Myers' impression of Mrs F[ay] is 'the true one', and undertakes to try to clear her behaviour of suspiciousness as far as possible, if 'R[ayleigh?]' asks his advice. Asks Myers if he would like 'R' 'in the other business' if he won't go in for Mrs Fay'. States that he has asked Butcher to sound Leaf. Asks who is the Newcastle party, and how Myers proposes to commence the negotiations. Asks when 'the Indescribable' [Mrs Fay's stage act was 'The Indescribable Phenonemon'] will appear again in public. Reports that there is a Professor [E.H.?] Palmer 'who says he can do all her tricks: and has promised [Sidgwick] that he will...' States that he wishes to go once more 'and see what they are.'

Has just been with Nora, who has returned from Paris. The 'Secret [of their future marriage] may be now considered altogether public', as Nora has told all her relatives. Tells her that she may tell who she likes. They are going to Nora's brother-in-law's house in Essex [Terling Place, home of John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh] the following day, and states that he will probably make that place his 'headquarters' until about 10 January. Will be in London on 4 January for a night, and probably another night in the same week. If his mother has to be in London after 10 January, she will find them all - Nora, Henry, Arthur and Charlotte Sidgwick, H.G. Dakyns and J.A. Symonds - there.

Has decided not to go to Newcastle, mainly because he does not want to cut himself off from Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh] 'till the last moment, having made the arrangement.' Arranges to go to Myers at Hallsteads [home of Annie and Walter Marshall] 'on Monday 17th', unless he hears from Terling first. Asks Myers to explain Sidgwick's behaviour to his [Myers'] mother and uncle. Tells him to write to the enclosed address [not included] if he is disposed to go to Newcastle alone. States that Mrs Burns does not know the names of the mediums, but says that she believes that they are private. Also sends a [piece] of last [Medium] [not included] that may interest Myers.

In relation to 'the guarantee', states that he will take his share, 'and could probably persuade Arthur Balfour if not Rayleigh. Thinks that Crookes and Well[ington?] 'are too poor.' Declares that he does not want to have to pay Paddock's damages for breach of contract. Does not believe that it will be considered that there were adequate grounds for the breach. Wishes that he thought otherwise 'for Eva [Fay?]'s sake' and theirs. Invites Myers to come on Saturday to talk it and other things over. Reports that he has sent off his last copy, but is 'still overwhelmed with labours.' Is condidering going to town at the end of the following week, and asks Myers if he shall be there.

Reports on the burial of his brother-in-law Francis Maitland Balfour, who died in a climbing accident in the Alps. Writes that they 'have just laid the coffin in the earth...on high ground within a cluster of trees', where his wife took him six years ago to show him her mother's grave. Speaks of the privilege he feels in being associated with the Balfour family for the past six years; says that family life 'can never again be what it has been'. Regarding the possibility of eternal life, says that he has 'no faith like [Myers'], but is 'glad that at least the funeral service is not so alien' to him as it was.; today he felt it to be 'symbolic, interpreted by the words of the Apostle, who to-day seemed to have known more than the churches understood - or perhaps he was inspired by one who knew more'.

Announces that he and Nora intend to return to Cambridge the following night. Adds that Rayleigh is going back then, and that they shall stay at 5 Salisbury Villas. Asks Myers to write to him there the following night to let him know how things have gone since he last wrote. Expresses his desire to join in any experiment that Myers, if he has been successful, may make on Monday. Asks him also to indicate when they may conveniently meet on Monday. Expects to be in Trinity or Newnham 'a good deal of the day.' Adds that he will look for Miss Mason's MS when he gets to Cambridge.

[Sent from Lincoln]:- Explains that he has been putting off writing because of 'a sense of incompleteness' about his life. Considers his life 'in three aspects'; in relation to his book [The Methods of Ethics], in relation to his enquiry into Spiritualism, and in relation to 'the holiday-making which may be supposed to be the proper business of the month of August.' Reports that Macmillan has decided to take on his book, and to give him half profits. Had urged Macmillan to show a portion of the MS to Mr John Morley, the editor of the Fortnightly Review, because it is 'written in a rather obscure and technical style, intended primarily for students', he [Henry] feared that it was unfair on Macmillan to ask him to take the risk of publishing the book, but Morley said that the book ought to generate a fair amount of interest, and to pay its expenses. Reports that since then he has been correcting proof sheets.

States that he has plenty of time to spare and has been researching Spiritualism. Reports that he went to stay with Lord Rayleigh early in August to meet Mrs Jencken, 'one of the original Fox girls, in connexion with whom these singular phenomena first attracted attention in America in 1848.' Declares that they heard 'an abundance of "raps" ', but that the experiment that they were trying did not succeed. After leaving Rayleigh he spent a fortnight at Hallsteads. Reports that 'many remarkable phenomena had occurred there before [he] arrived, which were all the more interesting because there was no public medium', and gives details of these incidents. Declares that Hallsteads [home of Walter and Annie Marshall] to be a charming place, and that he enjoyed his stay there very much. Reports that all at Lincoln [new home of his sister and brother-in-law] are well, that Mary is apparently very well, and that the boys are 'in excellent spirits.' Offers his 'sincere commiserations on the matrimonial engagement', and hopes that she is bearing up against the blow.

Thanks Myers and asks him to send word as soon as he can; tells him that if he has not mentioned Sidgwick to 'Mrs S.' not to do so, and declares that he will renew his acquaintance with her on his own account. Announces that he shall perhaps not go to town on Monday, as Rayleigh wants him to go to [Terling]. States that the latter 'is rather inclined to go in for the Fay business', and undertakes to urge him as strongly as he can. Thinks that he ought to let him know what Myers told him [Sidgwick] 'about the Colonel's "record" '.