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Add. MS b/74/5/1 · Item · 9 Mar. 1866
Part of Additional Manuscripts b

Monk Soham.—Thanks him for a copy of his book (the Bible Word Book), and reflects on the death of William Whewell. Invites him to stay, to give him an opportunity of consulting manuscripts at Helmingham. Discusses connections between English dialects and East Frisian.

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Transcript

Monk Soham
March 9. 1866.

Dear Mr Wright,

Many thanks for your book {1} which I have looked over with very great interest, and shall hope to have an early notice of in the Christian Advocate.

You have lost a Great Man at Cambridge {2}. I thought him looking so handsome, when I saw him a month ago. Age had given dignity to the hard features, and his white hair gave him a venerable look.

All his foibles and failings will be buried in his grave and forgotten: but he will live, specially among you at Trinity.

As regards any Chaucer M.SS. at Helmingham, I only know of one a fragment on paper, and I cannot trust my recollection as to what it is.

The books and M.S.S are not accessible save when Mr Tollemache is there.

Perhaps he may come down during the Whitsun Holydays.

Can you come and stay a few days with me, in case the Library is then accessible.

I will ask Bradshaw to come down with you, and you shall rummage one or two closets &c, which I don’t think have been sufficiently gone over.

I quite hold to your project about the General Dialecticon—to coin a word—and will gladly help in it.

I think I can furnish some good specimens of old Harvest-songs, and such old songs as go to tuneless tunes.

Did you ever hear a true Suffolk tune—“never ending, still beginning.”

Do you know a book—of which I carried off Vol. 1. the other day from the P.L.—which mightily amuses me.

“Firmenich, J. W. “Germaniens Völkerstimmen.”

I cannot make out much system in it, except that the series of dialects are topographically arranged. Perhaps the third Volume contains results.

I have gathered some very curious illustrations and Bremen dialects.

Perhaps things all known before, only having the special flavour to me of game taken by my own hunting.

E.G.

Do you know the Dorset Dialect? How constantly the words “I low” recur: “I low, twill rain tomorrow.”—I used to think this meant “I allow” by the figure of Tmesis—so convenient for amateur philologists.

But, lo ye {3}, in East Frisian. | (p. 18. Fermenich)

“De Dokter Liefpien het mi dar’n Dings an mien Schürdöer schreven, ich lör, ’t is Kremerlatien”

“Docter Liefpien had written me something about it on the — {4} door, I low, it is Kremer-(?) Latin.

(Elsewhere it is called “Dews-latien” = Dog-latin!!!

Then p. 42. Mundart Kiels.

Ich glöw, et sull en Amtsverwalter sien.”

I low, it was an Official.”

So here we have “Ich glaube”. and Dorsetshire “I low” = I believe.

Tög = heng {5} = Dress = Toggery.

Noch ein Wortchen!

Moor = Mother | = Mor, Suffolk.

Yours sincerely,
Robert. W. Groome

I know so little of your Cambridge politics; but who will be your new master.
Mathison, Vaughan, Thompson? {6}

Has W.H.T. any chance?

Have you read E.F.G. “Mighty Magician” yet? {7}

[Second postscript:]

I open my letter to obtrude some advice.

In your list of books appended to your W.B. {8} I miss one book, which may be after all well known to you, but if not a book of great value for your Shakspere Glossary, if you are meditating such a Magnum opus.

“The Courtier of Count Baldesar Castilio – – – – done into English by Thomas Hobby. | London Printed by John Wolfe | 1588.

I meant to have excerpt† it for the Big Dic {9}, during poor H. Coleridge’s Life, but since then “fresh fields”—I cannot “pastures gay”—for they are sad at times—have occupied me.

—————

The first postscript was added at the head of the first sheet, the second on a separate slip. There are a few irregularities of punctuation, which have not been corrected. The letter was sent with two lists of notable words in Hoby’s translation of Castiglione’s Courtier (Add. MS b. 74/5/2).

{1} Wright’s Bible Word Book, first published this year.

{2} William Whewell, who died on 6 March.

{3} ‘lo ye’: reading uncertain.

{4} A question mark has been added above the dash.

{5} Reading uncertain.

{6} W. C. Mathison, C. J. Vaughan, W. H. Thompson, all Fellows of Trinity.

{7} Edward FitzGerald’s translation of Calderón’s play El mágico prodigioso, privately printed in 1865. There are six copies in Trinity College Library.

{8} i.e. the Bible Word Book.

{9} This is the apparent reading—perhaps short for ‘Big Dictionary’; but the reference is unclear.

Letter from George Airy
Add. MS a/200/132 · Item · 21 Feb. 1859
Part of Additional Manuscripts a

Royal Observatory Greenwich - GA did not like the Senate House Examination Papers [see GA to WW, 5 Feb. 1859], 'and I digested and abstracted them. Of the Abstract I sent a copy to Mathison [William C. Mathison]. It so became known, and Challis [James Challis] asked for a copy which I sent him. Subsequently Mr. Ferress (moderator) has asked for a copy which I send'. Would WW like a copy.

Letter from George Airy
Add. MS a/200/139 · Item · 2 Apr. 1859
Part of Additional Manuscripts a

Royal Observatory Greenwich - Sheepshanks Exhibition [see GA to WW, 30 Sept. 1856] can be divided into three parts: 1. Gravitational, 2. Geometrical Astronomy and 3. Theory and Practice of Observations. GA could do number 3, Mathison [William C. Mathison] number 2 and if Adams [John C. Adams] is around, he could do number 1. A Transit-Circle was first introduced in Greenwich, because 'a Mural Circle cannot carry a large object-glass. - But there are many distinct advantages. As a Transit, it is no better than a detached Transit, but as a Circle it holds its position much better than a Mural Circle: the same object is infallibly observed in both elements; and (probably for that reason) one observer with the Transit-Circle observes a greater number of objects than two with Transit and Mural Circle: and it saves the salary of one observer'.

Letter from George Airy
Add. MS a/200/146 · Item · 20 Oct. 1859
Part of Additional Manuscripts a

Royal Observatory Greenwich - GA received Mathison's [William C. Mathison] letter this morning announcing that the Sheepshanks Seniority should meet tomorrow [for background see GA to WW, 30 Sept. 1856]. GA will catch the 10.57 train.

CLIF/A1/2 · Item · 17 Nov. 1866
Part of Papers of W. K. Clifford

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Sends birthday greetings. ‘I suppose you went to see Kean, and enjoyed him very much.’ Describes measures taken by the men of Trinity to observe the meteor shower. Has been for a walk with Mathison. The new Master has given an eagle (lectern) to the Chapel. Has been told (mistakenly) that the Prince of Wales is dead.

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Transcript

Coll: SS: Trin: Cantab:
Nov 17/66

My dear Papa

I wish you many many happy returns of the day, and that each one may give fairer hopes of its successors. Moreover I wish in particular that I may contribute to your happiness myself more than I have done before. I don’t know that I could wish you very much more than that I may be able to repay ever so small a part of what I owe you. So again, dear Papa, many many happy returns of the day.

I suppose you went to see Kean, and enjoyed him very much {1}. What did he play? We had great fun here looking at the meteors {2}. The Great Court was full of men who clapped and encored whenever there was a good display. The Pleiads were distinctly seen to give chase to one of the brightest, but the couldn’t catch him, and so returned to their places. Conybeare, Leeke {3}, & I, got well wrapped up and lay in respective gutters on the roof of the New Court, where we could see everything. Challis, the astronomer, thought the show was a very good one. I went for a walk with Mathison the other day; we were mutually affable. My bedmaker was surprised to see him call; she said he hadn’t done so since Mr Fitzwilliam was in the rooms, and then it was beautiful to see him with his head on that gentleman’s shoulder just as if he had been his father. “Was he a fellow-commoner?” said I. “Oh yes, sir.”—The tone of this was perfect; she hates Mathison because he dropped on to her for not being here when a certain freshman came up. The new Master has given an eagle to the Chapel for the lessons to be read from {4}. Somebody told me last night that the Prince of Wales was dead; I don’t know if it’s true {5}. With best love to dear Mama and all the little ones—as Moule {6} puts it, “with warmer love than this scrawl indicates”—believe me to be

Your very affectionate son
+W. K. Clifford.

—————

{1} There are no references in The Times to performances by Charles Kean during this month, but the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography records that he and his wife drew crowded houses in the provinces in September.

{2} A notable meteor shower occurred on the night of the 13th. See The Times, 12 Nov., p. 10; 15 Nov., p. 10, etc.

{3} Several Leekes were at Trinity at this time. It is unclear which one is referred to here.

{4} W. H. Thompson had been admitted as Master on 17 April. This ‘eagle’, or brass lectern, was presented to the college by Thompson and his wife. See Willis and Clark, Architectural History of the University of Cambridge, vol. ii, pp. 590-1.

{5} A telegram from St Petersburg scotching this rumour was printed in The Times on the 19th (p. 10).

{6} H. C. G. Moule.

Add. MS c/99/64 · Item · 16 Mar 1866
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

Announces his intention of coming down 'about the middle of passion week', from Wellington College, but states that he cannot quite fix his movements, as he wants to be in Cambridge to inaugurate the new master [of Trinity]. Reports that there was relief at the appointment, as there was fear that it would be a non-resident. Declares that Thompson 'will make a very good sort of master, though not perhaps the best' as he is 'a little too lazy or dyspeptic'. Claims that they expect further changes in the College, 'as it is thought Mathison will take a living', but that they won't make Henry tutor.

Informs her that he shall not bring any friend with him as he prefers the domestic circle when at home, and will stay over Easter Sunday if his mother has room for him. Confirms that he is interested in the ' "grammar question" ', and strongly believes that the language should be taught to boys 'without making them learn by heart a syntax in Latin.' Looks forward to seeing his uncle Robert, but does not wish to talk about theological questions [with him]. He is willing to talk about 'any amount' of politics or philosophy, however. States that he has not forgotten about the poems, but cannot find the book. Undertakes to buy another one if he cannot find it, and send it to her. Expresses regret in relation to his mother's health, and hopes to see 'them in a week or so.' Refers to the fact that Edward [Benson] is not well, and that 'he seems a good deal worried about new masters'.

Add. MS c/99/65 · Item · [3] May 1866
Part of Additional Manuscripts c

Reports that he saw Arthur. Refers to William's speech at Manchester; that 'the Manchester people printed him as the Revd. Dr Sedgwick Master of Merton and how the Conservative weekly took him to task for so impudent and conceited an imposition.' Claims that it was a malicious article.

States that they are in a considerable state of agitation there [in Trinity College] 'as all sorts of projects of reform are coming to the surface, partly in consequence of having a new Master [W. H. Thompson]...partly from a hope...that Mathison was going to take himself off.' Admits that there is much that need alteration, but is grateful that there is also 'very little of what Carlyle calls hide-bound Toryism.' Reports that an investment of his is turning out very badly. Remarks that the Italians seem bent on war, and if they do go to war he fears that they won't pay the interest on their enormous debt. He believes that such a situation would result in his losing £50 per annum from his income.

Is still undecided about whether to go abroad that year or to stay in England and read philosophy. Announces that there are several visits that he wants to pay in the latter half of July 'to schoolmasters and others.' Speculates that he 'may be decided to go abroad by the fact of a European war'. Declares that he has never been even on the skirts of a campaign; he came after one at Solferino, 'and even that was exciting enough.' Asks his mother to write, if only to say that she has received Ionica [the anthology by William Johnson (Cory)].

Add. MS a/213/96 · Item · 26 May [1861?]
Part of Additional Manuscripts a

Talbot is afraid that his son [Charles Henry Talbot] will not do very well in the forthcoming college examinations: 'He is often unwell, but even when well he finds himself almost incapacitated from reading. It is a thing to be pitied for it does not arise from idleness...He says, I experience a complete want of mental energy', asks Whewell to mention this to his son's tutor Mathison. Will send him some new specimens of photoglyphic engraving, given the interest the Whewell's took in the subject, and which he has now much improved.