1960 correspondence is in response to a request from Thomson for information re radio astronomy in connection with a proposed lecture tour in USA. Folder includes letters from A.C.B. Lovell and H. Bondi, and some ms. notes and calculations by Thomson.
Reports that he has just finished reading Arthur Sidgwick's biography of Henry Sidgwick, which, he claims, 'had a purifying and ennobling influence' on his heart. Explains that he is a Methodist preacher, and does not have the same attitude to Christianity as Henry Sidgwick had, but asserts that the latter 'found his abiding place on earth in it. Compares the effect of the book on him to that which he experience on reading, as a young man, the biography of Charles Kingsley. Adds that he lived in Oxford not long before, and claims to have known Arthur Sidgwick's face on the street, and so read the book for his sake.
He should not be disappointed at his second place and should enter for the lyrics prize
Woodside Lodge, Church Road, Upper Norwood.
requests payment of John Cornford 's share of guarantee of the "Air Display Special" of The Cambridge Anti-War Council
Rasmussen, E. 1939
Rosenfeld, Y.V. 1940
Includes note on back of 1960 Trinity Hall register of addresses. Some sets of calculations have later annotations by Adams.
Overbury Vicarage, Tewkesbury, Glos. - In his letter of 14 March he wonders if there are traditions similar to that of 'Thomasing' or 'gooding' by women in Worcestershire or Gloucestershire on December 21st, mentions a traditional peal that is done as well, perhaps to scare demons. In the letter of 24 March, he thanks Frazer for his reply.
Accompanied by an envelope.
Postmarked Mainz. - Asks Trevelyan to expand the hint about Naxos in 'Act III (new style' [of "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Increasingly grateful to Trevelyan 'for having managed without narrative': in spite of Wagner 'living on narrative', Tovey feels that 'it combines all the musical uselessness of dramatic plot-machinery with the dramatic uselessness of lyric music". Thoughts on the music for A[riadne]'s despair. Has heard many operas in Germany: in the 'provincial towns' of Darmstadt, Mainz, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt there is 'a much-better-than-Beecham opera every day' and only pay five marks for the best seats. The singers are variable, but the orchestra, 'conducted by nobody in particular, is most respectable'. This does not make a profit, but is 'considered as much a necessity as the electric light, the churches & the tramcars'. Imagines Salisbury and Winchester having such institutions. Still struggling with the Theseus and Phaedra duet, but has fixed the shape.
Letters dated 13 May 1842, 13 May 1845.
Letters date from 10 May 1842 - 8 June 1842.
The Synges travelled from Peking to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian railway. An account of the journey by Synge, illustrated with pictures taken by his daughter Elizabeth, appeared in the Railway Magazine, August 1960, pp.574-579
G/103: Softback notebook used as detailed diary of journey on Trans-Siberian railway.
G/104: Off-print of article from the Railway Magazine on journey, with letter re publication and typescript draft
G/105: Visas, memorabililia
Containing verse.