Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Perhaps the strongest proof of the strangeness of the times is the 'oversetting of very familiar British institutions': it should be the first day of the black game shooting season, yet they have been eating both grouse and black game for a fortnight, 'at a lunch which begins at 12.30!'. Very interested by Robert's list of Macaulay's 'naturalisations of words', which show 'the sure touch of a man who knows what was wanted' and supports Bryce's claim that in two thousand years people would debate whether Macaulay had more influence on English prose, or Cicero on Latin. Asks if Robert has found out about the country members' payment for the National Liberal Club; would pay the town subscription for him if it is more convenient, but time times call for 'any practicable economy'. Looks forward to seeing Robert's treatment of Lucretius; is reading 'the first decade of Livy', strangely for the first time, and quite sympathises with '[Barthold] Niebuhr's manly and uncompromising love of it'.
Plautus has little of the obscenity of Aristophanes, Niebuhr, preparing for his week in Marlborough.
It seems unlikely that HJR will be able to preach on Whit Tuesday since it appears to be already engaged - Monday seems to be free. WW does not think he can give HJR any reasons 'for and against offering yourself for the Divinity Professorship. Our Master has declared to the electors that he is a candidate; but, if [I] understand him clearly, with the reservation of a disposition to withdraw if one of his own fellows comes forward'. Julius Hare and Connop Thirlwall are to translate the second edition of Niebuhr's History of Rome - 'a very dense & heavy looking mess of German it is. I suppose it is an excellent work but I doubt whether people whose time is less valuable might not translate it properly well'.
RJ had no time to see WW after voting in the senate: 'Herschel [John Herschel] was delirious with anxiety to get away...and allowed me not one minute to find someone else to go with him and so I was carried off most reluctantly'. With regard to the application to the Syndicate [concerning the possible printing of his work on wages] - 'I should be ungrateful to your kindness if I did not send you up what M.S. I have'. WW should only apply if he is certain of success. RJ 'will attend to what you say about wages and state distinctly that I mean to treat of the subsistence and reward earned by the laboring classes whether received in the shape of time from another or in any other shape[.] Wages is however perpetually used both in writing and conversation to denote that subsistence or reward in its largest sense and unless taken in that sense it is not a division of wealth entitled to much consideration - hired labourers constitute a very minute faction of the labouring class throughout the globe - the question of population and many others demand and make obviously necessary a more comprehensive view of the rewards of labor'. RJ could do with the sheets of Barthold Niebuhr Julius Hare promised him [Julius Hare and Connop Thirlwall trans. Niebuhr's 'History of Rome', 2 vols., 1828 and 1831].
Trinity College - If an order is not made for the printing of RJ's book by the end of May it cannot be done till October or November: 'By the bye it has occurred to me that your way of beginning by talking about the definition of wealth is both uninviting and unnecessary. Cannot you manage to introduce the definition their when you first want it, and make your start more characteristic of the views you are going to take?' Charles Babbage has heard in Rome that he is Lucasian Professor 'and is full of gratitude and delight at the honor...Nothing can be better or prettier than all he writes about it'. Rose [Hugh James Rose] says that RJ should read Sismondi's work about Italy. WW hopes RJ has 'not split your head with Niebuhr.
Promises to keep Sidgwick's secret unless he abuses him too virulently. Refers to Sidgwick's MS, which he sends back with some notes he made on it [not included], and states his intention of making more remarks on it in the present letter. Refers to Sidgwick's remarks about 'Sage and [Mythers]', and discusses the 'Messiahship' of Christ, the miracles performed by the latter, and the relationship between Messiahship and kingship. States his objection to 'the pretension of finding something in the Gospels which their authors themselves did not know to be in them'; claims that Niebuhr is always doing this in Roman history. Refers to Sidgwick's implication that St Mark claimed that 'Christ called himself Messiah only late in his career', and to Sidgwick' interpretation of the story of the SyroPhoenician woman, i.e., 'that Christ's scheme had nothing to do with the Gentiles'. Believes Sidgwick to be 'thoroughly wrong in denying philanthropy to be part of [Christ's] scheme.' Remarks on Sidgwick's opinion of the Roman publicans, who, he claims, 'simply enforce an unpopular law', and were the agents of lawlessness, and refers to their portrayal in the Gospels. Refers to Sidgwick's remarks about Seeley's 'neglect of nuances' in his book, and explains that the work is intended only as a sketch. Asks about the reform of the Classical Tripos. States that he has a very strong opinion on the matter, and asks if Sidgwick would insert his views in the pamphlet he is writing.
Seeley, Sir John Robert (1834-1895), knight, historianMattishall - arrangements for Donne's visit, Reginald Buller going to live in Matishall, daughter's illness, works of Dr Arnold, Niebuhr and Milnes, Peel's speech