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31 Kensington Park Gardens, W.—Sends part of a report relating to Clifford, which Pollock may quote. Has sent Pollock’s article to the printer.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

31 Kensington Park Gardens, W. {1}
7.5

Dear Pollock,

Here is the part referring to Clifford of the Report I mentioned. The expression is less concentrated than from memory I supposed it was, & you must judge how far you can make use of any of the sentences or whether you would not better put the gist of the recommendation in words of your own. Perhaps you will tear up the paper when you have made use of it, the document being private. I need only add that according to a by-law of the College, a Professor vacates his office as soon as he has let two sessions pass without lecturing.

In the circumstances I have sent on your art. to the printer, & must ask Land to stand over for another quarter which for your sake, I daresay, he will be willing enough to do, seeing his critical notice can afford to wait {2}.

Yours truly
G C Robertson

[Direction on envelope:] F. Pollock Esqr | 24 Bryanston Street | W.

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The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 8 May 1879.

{1} A second printed address—6 Lorton Terrace, Ladbroke Road, W.—has been struck through.

{2} Pollock’s critical notice of Spinoza's Wijsbegeerte, by M. C. L. Lotsij (1878), appeared in the July issue of Mind, having been given priority over J. P. N. Land’s critical notice of Proeve van eene Geschiedenis van de Leer der Aangeboren Begrippen, by C. B. Spruyt (1879), the publication of which was delayed till the December issue.

Asks for clarification on the meaning of 'Experimental Psychology', and expresses the wish that his name not appear on the reception committee if the phrase is intended to be associated with telepathy at the 'proceedings of the Congress'. Mentions Gurney and Myers as being active 'in connexion with the inquiries indicated'. States that, on the other hand, the phrase is associated with physio-psychology, he should be very happy to have his name joined with those of 'Bain, [Sills], Croom Robertson' and others named by Sidgwick.

Requests that he may express, through the addressee, 'to the Congress, at its meeting in University College' his extreme regret for his inability to participate in its proceeding. States that he would gladly have joined with his late colleagues Professors Schäfer and Horsley and with his successor Professor Sully in welcoming the members 'to the rooms of the College.'

Asks Sidgwick if he would read the enclosed note [included: 95/55] or convey the substance of it, to 'the Congress' at its opening. Explains that there are many foreign members whom he regrets to miss seeing, 'and who may naturally, at University College, expect to see [him].' Also expresses the hope that there is to be no hurrying up of the University Commission's report. If evidence is still to be taken after the vacation, expresses the desire to offer some himself.

Assures Sidgwick that he understands that he can do nothing 'with or for Gizycki', and thanks him for all he said in reference to[ Edmund] Gurney. Explains that he 'had no thought of [ ] or insinuating a judgment on the whole work of the S[ociety] [for] P[sychical] R[esearch]' in the Mind notice. States that 'Telepathy' was specially referred to because Gurney, 'besides being so peculiarly identified with it in P. of the L., had himself brought it forward [in] [the] Mind articles on Hypnotism'. Admits that a presidential address of Sidgwick's that spoke of the degree of proof which he thought had been obtained on that particular subject came into his head when writing. In relation to the University of London Commission, he believes that Selborne is 'drawing something up, but he is said to be ill and not getting forward.' Claims that the Commission 'had the merit of impartiality, but it was the impartiality of ignorance as to the facts and conditions of the London question'. Remarks on the absurdity of the Commission attempting to get 'real hold of the question' in just nine sittings. Reports that he heard that S[ ] 'broke off after the first day', and that he himself had 'a good deal to say, both as U.C. teacher and L.U. examiner'. States that the 'door was shut on the 4th of August, not to open any more.'

Refers to Sidgwick's intention to writing a piece for Mind 'on a subject inclining to the sociological'. Asks if he would be willing to write a short notice of Gizycki's Moralphilosophie for the April issue. Also asks him for his impressions on his [Robertson's] notice of E. Gurney. Reports that he has promised L. Stephen to write Gurney's biographical notice for the National Dictionary [Dictionary of National Biography], and that the latter's friend, N[orman?] Grosvenor, is to come to him to give further information on his musical development. Reports that Gurney's elder brother [Rev. Frederick Gurney?] has taken exception to his having connected Gurney's physical breakdown 'with the ardour of his psychical research.' States his intention of writing to the brother 'to learn from him directly what is on his mind.'

Writes on the occasion of the death of Sidgwick's brother-in-law, Francis Maitland Balfour. Assumes that Sidgwick will not send his MS that week and informs him that it will reach him in time if send by the middle of August to an address in Aberdeen. Also states that the review of 'Stephen' could also be sent to that address. Of Balfour, he says that he never met a man who charmed him more than he; that the loss to science is 'simply incalculable'. Sends his regrets to the family.

21 South Villas, Camden Square, N.W.—Is not surprised that Clifford needs to leave London again. Robertson has offered to take his classes again. Does not think he could collect much money for the subscription, as most professors are not in a position to subscribe.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

21 South Villas, Camden Square, N.W.
March 29th 1878 {1}

My dear Mr Pollock,

For some time past Clifford was clearly falling off. I am therefore not suprised† to hear that he has to leave London again and at once. I hope that it is not too late. At the College we shall miss him very much, of course, but that cannot be helped. We shall try to find at once a substitute for him for this term, which has just begun and Robertson has written to Mr Ball to inquire whether he could take Clifford’s classes as he did at the former occasion. Clifford does not need to trouble himself about it. All that is necessary is that he should write to the Secretary of the College to say that he has to give up lectures for this term. He should enclose a Certificate from the doctor. I think it would be better at first not to say anything about next Session.

I doubt whether I could collect much money for the subscription. Most Professors are not in a position to subscribe. But I understand that there is no difficulty on this point.

Prof. Robertson will see Clifford to morrow† and arrange about comunication† to the Secretary and about his substitute.

I am rather anxious to come not so prominently forward in arranging things for him as I did before. But if you think there is anything in which I could do anything please let me know and I shall do my best as before.

Yours truly
O Henrici.

[Direction on envelope:] Fred. Pollock Esq. | 24 Bryanston Street

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Letter-head of University College, Gower Street, London. W.C. The envelope was postmarked at London, N.W., on 29 March 1878.

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

† Sic.

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Is delighted (by the news of Pollock’s engagement). Is studying energy and reading Kant, Aristotle, and Noah Porter. Croom Robertson is going to marry Miss Crompton. Refers to the mathematical volume published in commemoration of the marriage of Camilla Brioschi.

(Undated.)

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Transcript

My dearest Fred—I am so glad, you can’t think; {1} and am biting the end of a quill pen in consequence—like Smut who is very ill from somebody trying to poison him, which he has taken Morison’s pills for it and they have done him good. I don’t mean that I am ill, but that Smut used to bite a quill pen once when he was well and happy. Of course I meant a pretty pig; that is, it is the other sort of falling in love that is akin to madness and involves a disease of your faculties. I shall tell you all about energy when you come back and I know more about it but I have now got Mahaffy’s translation of Kant and Grote’s Aristotle and a great wise lumbering silly book by Noah Porter {2} and I think some true propositions are apparently general but are really particular judgements about our apprehensive apparatus and not about things—this is an approximation to Kant although of course the judgements in question are not those which he considers a priori, but quite different ones. I have now got another pen at last, and can make stops; the former one got so full of ink that I could not empty it, merely because at first I said it would not hold much. Croom Robertson also is going to be married to Miss Crompton. {3} Henrici has received two math[ematica]l dissertations published by Casorati and Cremona per le nozze di Camilla Brioschi; which I think an ingenious epithalamium. {4} You make a fellow quite giddy with your double state; but you know I love you in all shapes and look forward to better acquaintance with the other part of you.

Willi.

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{1} Clifford was responding to the announcement of Pollock’s engagement to Georgina Deffell.

{2} The first volume of Kant’s Critical Philosophy for English Readers, by J. P. Mahaffy, Aristotle, by George Grote (2 vols.), and The Human Intellect, with an Introduction upon Psychology and the Soul, by Noah Porter, all published in 1872.

{3} Croom Robertson married Caroline Anna Crompton on 14 December 1872.

{6} F. Casorati and L. Cremona, Per le nozze di Camilla Brioschi con Costanzo Carcano (1872).

Is glad to send the circular as promised. Mentions a tablet under the windows. Asks if Sidgwick knows anyone with money to spare for the project. Mentions his sermons and that he had heard from [George Croom?] Robertson in Aberdeen. Says that his wife sends greetings to Mrs Sidgwick.