Weston-Super-Mare - JDF is disappointed that he developed such a bad cold at the time WW was in Clifton: 'It is one of the trials incident to the invalid state that I could profit so little by your stay at Clifton'. He went to Torquay for three days for a change of air, but really wants to try 'the bracing air of the higher Alps'. He was glad to read in the newspapers and hear from WW, that Clerk Maxwell gained his scholarship: 'Pray do not suppose, though I take an interest in him, that I am not aware of his exceeding uncouthness, as well mathematical as in other respects; indeed, as he has passed through my examinations, I have been a sufferer from it, and cannot flatter myself that I exerted almost any possible influence on him. I thought the Society and Drill of Cambridge the only chance of taming him, and much advised his going; but I have no idea that he will be senior wrangler. But he is most tenacious of physical reasonings of a mathematical class, and perceives them far more clearly than he can express'. JDF has been re-reading WW's history and philosophy: 'The metaphysics of the latter I must leave quite on one side as too hard for me at present, or perhaps at any time'.
Congratulations on engagement.
Glad to have talked with Sraffa; had a talk with Keynes which did not go so well, through Keynes' fault.
Typed copy. S S Canada. Return to Lemnos.
Refers to having asked Sidgwick 'the other day' about the possibility of discussing a matter concerning himself [Maine], and declares that he has decided to write to him on the subject. Explains that at the funeral of the late Master of Trinity College [William Hepworth Thompson] he asked Vernon Harcourt whether he was going to lecture that term, and that Harcourt replied that 'he should very probably lecture in November; but that, if he did not, he should certainly resign.' November, he observes, is now over and Harcourt has not returned, so that he doubts 'but that he will resign at the end of the year.' He has decided to attempt to succeed Harcourt [as Whewell Professor of International Law], and to abandon his seat on the Indian Council. Acknowledges that this course of action 'will involve much sacrifice of income', but he has long felt that sooner or later he must make his choice between his Cambridge and his [ ] duties. With regard to International Law, claims that he has paid a good deal of attention to it, and used to lecture on it at the Middle Temple. Refers to his work on Ancient Law, and states that some propositions of his on the subject 'found their way into [his work] and have been generally accepted by modern writers.' Reports that since he returned from India, the Foreign Office offered him their Law Undersecretaryship, and that he was 'communicated with from Cambridge...when the Whewell Professorship was first filled up.' Acknowledges that some, who remember that he resigned a Cambridge professorship thirty years before, might think him too old to apply for the position. Mentions that Harcourt's deputy might also be intending to put himself forward. Claims that when he first decided to consult Sidgwick, he was not award that he was an elector, but he has made up his mind that this is not likely to affect his opinion one way or the other. Announces his intention to call on Saturday afternoon; states that he is returning to Cambridge the following evening. Acknowledges that Sidgwick may wish to speak to somebody else on the matter. Says that he has no objection to that, but asks him to try to keep what he may say 'treated as confidential'.
Trinity College, Cambridge. Dated 18th February 1898 - Thanks him for the Pausanias, notes that it is twenty-four years since he took part in Frazer's election to a minor scholarship, and it is 'pleasant to think how completely you have justified the choice'.
Upper Terrace Lodge, Hampstead, N.W. Would like to attend the feast of stories in Mr Ralston's programme but finds the weather makes such plans uncertain; thinks he would enjoy reading Sydney Dobell's Life and Letters edited by Miss Jolly, who is now in the Pyrenees with Mrs Dobell.
Collections at Tetbury and Cirencester
Admiralty. - Dined with Robert Pemberton Milnes and Lowther at Perceval's; Milnes' support steadier than it previously appeared - he may acquire enough confidence to accept office before the end of the season.
The third notebook of four into which Ramanujan's Notebook 2 was copied by an unidentified person, catalogued as Add.Ms.b.101-104. Chapter XVIII is continued from Add.Ms.b.102, and Chapter XXI is continued in Add.Ms.b.104.
Zonder titelBreadalbane Hotel, Kenmore, Perthshire. Dated 18 July 1915 - Discusses Lilly's idea of accepting the Archdeaconry [in Africa] Roscoe has been offered on a temporary basis in order that he could do some anthropological work; suggests he approach Macmillan if not them, then Hutchinson with his popular book; Moulton's loss was the death of his wife, but he knows no details; [Kate] Marseille, a German friend in Cambridge has also died, the Marseilles' son [Rudolph] has joined the English army in the war; is interested to hear that [W. H. R.] Rivers has returned from the New Hebrides; is glad to hear that Roscoe will be lecturing to missionary students at Cambridge, wishes there could be a permanent provision for such instruction.
7 Camden St. & Town - The Astronomical Society is 'under a conviction of weakness, which may prove its strength', their efficient Assistant Secretary [Richard] Harris has been ill. All the observatories are working so hard that the Society hardly gets any papers from them: 'It is a fact, that as astronomy becomes more active the supply of communications sensibly declines'.
WW has ascertained the views of the Trustees who are to elect the Regius Professor of Divinity. They do not think a separation of the Professorship from the living would be wise [see WW to JCH, 11 Nov. 1848]: 'In this opinion I agree for many reasons which it would be of no use to state in detail: but I may say briefly that this mode of endowing University Professorships appears to me at least as good as any which can be proposed as an alternative'. With the death of Dr French the Greek Professor succeeds to the stall at Ely. WW does not yet know who is to be the next Master of Jesus College: 'a matter of no small moment to us who have to work with him. The appointment is with the Bishop of Ely'.
Membership.
2 Brook Street - Congratulates WW on his forthcoming marriage to Cordelia Marshall. He has read WW's paper on the weight of matter ['Demonstration that All Matter is Heavy', 1841] - 'with great satisfaction you enunciate most distinctly in the last two pages the true doctrine (or that which I apprehended as such) regarding fundamental ideas; and the fit separation of this term, from the equivocal one of innate ideas. There are are some phrases in these pages which better perhaps elucidate your views than any in the Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, though the great influence from both must be the same'.
Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Expresses sympathy at the way he has been treated. Is glad he is in touch with Father Bonnar. Invites him to visit when he is free from examining. Defends aspects of [C. S.] Lewis’s Hamlet paper. Dom Sebastian [Moore?], who is reviewing Preston’s book [on the Four Quartets] for the [Downside] Review, remains convinced of Eliot’s greatness and would like to discuss him with Smith. Hay, he finds, is an amateur historian, ‘but generally considered sound by responsible Catholics’. Recommends, for the other side of the secular priests’ case, Leo Hicks’ review of Hughes’s book in The Month. Cannot find the ‘Persons-Raleigh’ reference, but can ask Hicks if it is urgent.
73 Longton Avenue, Sydenham, SE26. - Has been trying to let Trevelyan know ever since [this year's "From the Shiffolds", with his translation of the Homeric Hymn to] "Demeter" came 'with what pleasure' she and Ernest read and will re-read it; so kind of him to share his poetry with them, which comes as 'such a rest & refreshment'. Reads one poem of his particularly when the '"fret & fever of the world" seems to be almost unbearable'. Often thinks about how the 'miseries of the world' come on the wireless and in the daily papers, so 'accumulate rapidly': much of it would otherwise 'never reach one... at all' or 'come so late that there was the comforting feeling' it was all over. Hope Trevelyan enjoyed 'this wonderful summer & late autumn'.
Trinity College, Cambridge - Thanks him for the copy of 'Greece and Rome'; is just back from visiting his brother at the British Legation in Persia.