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58 Montagu Square, London, W.—His health did not suffer by the journey. He got to the ‘diagram man’ just in time to prevent him spoiling them. The experiment will not ‘come off’, but he will repeat the lecture elsewhere in order to do it. ‘Miladi’ (Lady Pollock) has written to her.

(Dated Thursday. The reference to ‘Miladi’ (Lady Pollock) suggests that the letter was written after 23 August 1870, when her husband succeeded to the baronetcy. A reference to Cambridge suggests a date before September 1871, when Clifford moved to London.)

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Transcript

59 Montagu Square, London, W. {1}

Dearest Mama

I am very much better and did not take any cold on the journey. Mitchell was a great brick and took all possible care of me, and I kept wrapped up all the way. Walter met me on the station and carried me off in a cab. I have been lying down a good deal, and only appeared for a short time last night. This morning I breakfasted in bed, but got to the diagram man only just in time; for he is very stupid and would have spoilt all the diagrams {2} in another day. The experiment I am afraid won’t come off; but I can’t be beaten in that way, and shall repeat the lecture somewhere else on purpose to do it—perhaps make a Sunday lecture of it at Cambridge. This afternoon I have been consulting authorities at the Royal institution, and am rather tired; but now I shall take a long rest. Miladi says she wrote to you this morning but is not sure that Walter has not made a mistake about posting it. I have got some more poppy-heads. How are Edie’s throat and Kitty’s tooth and your indigestion? Now I must stop and have some tea, and send the letter to post; so good-bye.

Your most loving son.
Willie.

Thursday afternoon.

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Black-edged paper.

{1} The home of (William) Frederick Pollock.

{2} Probably diagrams for a lecture. As the next sentence indicates, the lecture had originally been intended to include an experiment.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Thanks her for a parcel; is sorry about the Valentines. Is annoyed that the press has been informed of his lectureship at Downing. The man who won a heat in the sports the other day was not himself, but Clifford of Trinity Hall. Has had a letter from Nimmo and been to a concert at Grantchester.

(Dated Friday. The press announcement referred to appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette on 19 Feb.)

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Transcript

Coll: SS: Trin Cantab
Friday

My dear Mama

The parcel you sent me came quite safely yesterday, and I thank you very much for it indeed. It is too good of you to take all this trouble about my things, and to make a list of them for me. I will try very hard to be careful and keep them straight in future. Also I must thank you for the cake and the butter, which was a most grateful change from the College butter. The cat licked up some of this last from a plate this morning and it made her sick. I am awfully sorry about the Valentines; I sent one to Miss Jerrard in Aberdeen with only one stamp on, which was certainly heavier than either of those which came to Exeter; but she is sure to have taken it in, for she always gets a lot and is very glad to have them. That ass Bamber has heard of my Downing lecture somewhere and sent it to the Pall Mall; which is a great nuisance, as the arrangement was only a private one between me and Pike, and he may not like it. {1} I expect to get paid about £20 a term, but there was nothing said about that. The man who won a heat in the Sports the other day was Clifford of Trinity Hall; who also got a second class Political Economy certificate, an honour to which I have not yet attained and do not ardently aspire. {2} Nobody up here is surprised at any absurdity which is printed as University Intelligence, but I am afraid people in the country are given to believe in it.

I hope poor little Edie is better. How everybody seems to have sore-throat. I heard from Nimmo the other day about three lines: he said he was very jolly and that old Cole was a Brick. I went to a small concert in the schoolroom at Grantchester on Tuesday; it was very nice indeed, and I went back with Hudson of John’s (who shewed you the library and chapel there) to supper at the Nimmos’ {3} afterwards. With best love to all the little ones, and consoling kisses to Edie, believe me to remain

Your most affectionate son
+W. K. Clifford.

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One of the sheets is of the same kind as CLIF A1/2.

{1} The following announcement appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette on 19 February 1867 (p. 6): ‘Mr. William Kingdon Clifford, B.A., Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, Second Wrangler, and Second Smith’s Prizeman, 1867, has been appointed Mathematical Lecturer at Downing College.’

{2} William Clifford (later Phelps) of Trinity Hall was examined for an ordinary BA degree in Easter term, 1867 (Cambridge University Calendar, 1868, p. 184). Before they were admitted to examination for their degrees, candidates for the ordinary BA had to attend the lectures of one or more specified professors for a term at least, and to obtain a certificate of having passed a corresponding examination. The Professor of Political Economy was one of the specified professors. Certificate examinations were held termly. Those for Lent Term 1867 were held on 28 January, and the results were announced on 2 February (Cambridge University Calendar, 1866, pp. xxxiii, 23 ff.).

{3} The Nimmos lived at Mill House, Grantchester. See the Census, 1871.

Cambridge.—Sends birthday greetings. Has sent her a gift of some china. Is sorry to hear that Edie is unwell.

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Transcript

Cambridge Sep. 16

Dearest Mama

I have just come to the painful consciousness that today is Wednesday: I seem to have antedated all the days of this week and have been going about all day under the impression that it was Tuesday. Still I hope to be in time to wish you many and many happy returns of tomorrow, with all the health & prosperity that you deserve, which is saying a great deal. I brought a little bit of china from Dresden for you: I hope it has got to you safely and in time. I am very sorry to hear of poor little Edie: give her my best love and tell her to make haste and get better. Believe me always to be

Your most loving son
Willie.

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Letter-head of the Cambridge Union Society.