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Thanks Sidgwick for his paper, and undertakes to consult him as to the most desirable topic for his own observations. Remarks that he may be able 'to say something which may annoy somebody without touching upon freewill or the categorical imperative'. Wishes him all success against his 'old enemy the [Hay] Fever.' Complains about his dictionary editing work [for the Dictionary of National Biography]. Relates that he had 'a rather bad upset' a fortnight previously, and has been told to do nothing for another six weeks or so. Regrets not having seen Sidgwick some days before.

In relation to Miss Brooke, declares that without being pretty, she is not ugly, and that her face 'shows feeling and intelligence when one looks close.' States however, that 'one has to penetrate a slight veil of dullness to see these qualities', and that 'there is not a particle of girlish attractiveness about her...' Asks Myers what he thinks of the proposal to tell Miss Clough that he [Myers] is a correspondent, and to arrange to go in some evening. In relation to the 'dear damsel', states that his experience of the correspondents [in the scheme for women's education] would not incline him to give a tragic interpretation to her silence. Refers to his own correspondents, who are all 'irregular and arbitrary in their ways, except one young strenuous well-trained governess in London, and the admirable and delightful Annie Thomas'. Announces that he is off to Rugby the following day, 'where the impending crisis [re headmaster Henry Hayman] still hovers. Invites Myers to breakfast on Sunday or Monday, 'and see one or two undergraduates.'

Sends Nora a letter, which seems to him 'a sincere and touching tribute' [not included]. Hopes that she is well, and has had some rest. Explains that he is still tied [to Oxford] by an effort to reduce his arrears. Wishes her well for 1907.

Reports that he has discovered that the sea air does not cure hayfever. Describes Southend as 'not a bad little place', with no beauty, 'but cheerful enough and no Smells, to speak of.' States that he pays £1 a week for two little rooms, with an eating house next door, where he dines for a shilling. Reports that he is reading political economy and [Gewter], and that his eating house 'only takes in the Standard, where Protestantism is breathing less fire and slaughter than [he] had expected.'

Hopes that she has sent him his letters, because among them is 'an examination paper for Ladies' about which he is rather anxious. Remarks on the visitors to the area. Reports that he had considered going to Margate, but was afraid of being sea-sick. Resolves to come to similar places regularly in June, 'get iodized and then go back to London until the hayseason is over.' With regard to Mr Horton, undertakes to pay one third of £60 in two instalments of £10 per annum [for the education of Horton's son Fred], and states that when he agreed on their scheme he had in view his prospective decrease in income. Reports that he has just earned £10 by taking part in an entrance examination. Asks her to ask Arthur whether a Warrington whom he has examined [Thomas Rolls Warrington?] was a new boy in his form 'when he had a Boil.' Claims that he thought that he recognised his signature.

Mostly reviews of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, with some letters to Nora Sidgwick regarding the publication, or sending on reviews. One review (106/77) of Henry Sidgwick's The Philosophy of Kant and Other Lectures, from the Academy.

RJ returns WW's proof ['Of a Liberal Education in General, and with Particular Reference to the Leading Studies of the University of Cambridge', 1845]: 'Certainly there is nothing in it that Lyell [Charles Lyell] can have the slightest right to complain of. There is one point on which I think you might have dilated and reproved a little more, with advantage. I mean his quietly taking it for granted that the system which best suits the best pupils is best, or fit for all - you have hit the point clearly enough for your best readers but have not kept it long enough in view for the mass. It deserves exposure and compleat exposure because it is at the bottom of half the nonsense talked and believed about education in general and Scotch and English education in particular and I know of old that no head is more mystified by the error than Lyell's'. WW should also speak more about 'the extent & objects of the "obedience & deference to authority" which you speak of in 120'. RJ describes the state of his health.

Thanks Sidgwick for 'a full and clear reply' [ADD.MS.c/100/93], and claims that the latter's views 'exactly coincide' with his, in relation to the 'argument' in question. Asks Sidgwick who is the chief logician in his university. Recommends 'Magic Pens' to him.

Reports that he has been reading Sidgwick's proof sheets [for The Elements of Politics?] 'with interest and delight', and that he has 'little to suggest.' Judged the chapter on law and morality to be particularly good. States that if he were writing the book that he would 'hedge' a little about continental notions of law. Relates that since he was talking to Sidgwick that he has been reading several German law books, and that his view of the duties of a German judge 'is all the more hazy.' Notes that a jurist 'even when he is writing about elementary legal ideas, e.g., possession will cite 'Entscheidungen der ob[ersten] Geshichte of von Celle, Darmstadt, [Rostock]' etc. if he thinks them sound'. Refers to the notion of a '[hertige] römische Recht', which he contends has rendered everything so vague. Claims that according to the English idea of a good judge, 'he does justice when he sees and oportunity of doing it', and that 'a man could be a judge of quite the highest order without a strong feeling for positive morality.' Suggests that Sidgwick might add that the English highest courts of appeal, House of Lords and Judicial Committee 'hold themselves bound by their own decisions in earlier cases. As regards different laws in different parts of a country, cites the advantages gained by experience, and the positive effect Scotch experience has had on English law, and vice versa. Praises the chapter on International Law and Morality, and comments on the great difficulty there exists in obtaining a body of international rules deserving the name of law.

Reports that Ryland Adkins has been staying in Oxford for a political dinner, and mentioned that he had been reading Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir 'with the greatest possible interest', and that an aunt of his had also been reading it 'with the keenest interest within quite a few days of her death.'

Hopes 'to be back in 80 days'. Asks about the possibility of postponing his lecture from May to the following October, but states that if Sidgwick has any difficulty in procuring a substitute, he will fulfil the original engagement. Claims that he pleased to hear of another edition of Sidgwick's book. States that although he doesn't agree with it on many points, he owes a great deal to it. Wishes that Sidgwick 'could get the freewill problem fairly put in a box!' Reports that he has given Sidgwick's message to Symonds, who 'seems to be going on with remarkable steadiness and to be for him in good health.'

Sends Sidgwick 'a fuller version' of a paper sent to him on 8 March [not included: see 93/108], and asks him to give his opinion as to the soundness of the reasoning.

Announces that they are all going to London 'on the 6th', and he proposed to attend regularly from that time forward. Adds that he will come 'on the 4th', if Myers really wants him. States that five of them (including Lady Rayleigh and Nora) propose to attend 'from 6th to 17th, at Holland's invitation'. Reports that because he had not heard from him he 'concluded to put off Dakyns.' Reports that he has just heard 'the terrible news'. Asks Myers to write to him.

RJ sees no reason why WW should not publish his lectures ['Lectures on Systematic Morality', 1846]: 'They will be extremely useful to your class and out of them and your Elements ['The Elements of Morality, Including Polity', 2 vols., 1845] you may at some future day make up a finished work - an elaborated system by which you may be content to abide'. RJ is to dine at Henry Brougham's today. 'I am to be examined by the Lords Committee on Tuesday'.

Appeals to those proposing to vote the following day 'against all consideration of the question of relaxing the requirement of two classical languages as a condition of the Cambridge Degree in Arts'. Maintains that their arguments render their 'summary refusal of inquiry peculiarly unjustifiable.'

Says that a certain section of his opponents who campaign for a refusal of inquiry into the matter base their arguments on the belief 'that it is impossible to impart literary culture without two ancient languages...and that the amount of knowledge of Latin and Greek now imposed by the Previous Examination secures on the average an adequate amount of literary culture. States that 'if the opposition to the Graces had been based on grounds such as these', he would have thought it 'narrow-minded and ill-judged', but 'should not have complained of the stage at which it was offered.'

Strongly objects however to the argument that if the suggested change were to be adopted, it would result in the extinction or abandonment of Greek. As a counter-argument he points out that 'the experienced headmasters - mostly classical scholars - who are foremost in advocating the change, consider such predictions groundless.' Suggests that there is a strong case for further inquiry into the matter, and that the opinions of schoolmasters on the subject 'might be obtained and laid before the University.'

States that 'the list of residents who have declared themselves in favour of the appointment of a Syndicate includes 18 of the University professors', and that to these may be added the name of Lord Rayleigh, formerly Professor of Experimental Physics. Adds that he has been authorised to state 'that Mr. Arthur Balfour has telegraphed from Dublin to a friend in Cambridge expressing his regret that he cannot be present to vote, as he is strongly in favour of the Grace.'

Russell Avenue, St. Albans - Thanks him for his letter, defends his belief that the preface to the Addison essays volume was not a fiction, and points out that the Librarian at the British Museum [Sir Frederic Kenyon] was also hoodwinked.

4 notebooks, including one titled "Notes on words"; lecture notes on ancient languages, and miscellaneous notes, all in Wright's hand. Accompanied by three letters from W. W. Skeat, one dated 11 Nov. 1872, with philological notes.