Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is touched by Smith’s frankness and by his sufferings. Suggests he would be strengthened by a visit to Downside. Dom Christopher Butler has been elected abbot. Hopes that Smith will put a paper together on Chaucer for the Literary Society. Is attracted by C. S. Lewis’s popular theology, but mistrusts him when he goes outside natural theology. Many of the writers he used to reject as worthless when he was a ‘rigid Leavisian’ he has since found helpful. Discusses the appeal of remarks by Lewis on The Merchant of Venice. Is disgusted by the ‘Eliot review’ [a review of Preston’s 'Four Quartets’ Rehearsed] in Scrutiny. Thanks him for his comments on the offprints. Sheed and Ward have agreed to publish an anthology of recusant prose, if he produces one. Asks for advice on the scheme of the book. Is sorry to hear that Parker is ill. Has not yet read Parker’s book. Thanks him for offering to call on Birrell.
Contains: poem, "The Flycatcher", by Sylvia Lynd; "Sicily" by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge]; "Intellectual Conversation" by Arthur Waley, which mentions Maynard [Keynes], Francis [Birrell], Hugh Dalton, Roger Fry, Gerald [Shove] and Sebastian [Sprott]; sketch in memory of Edmund [not Edward, as on cover] Gosse by Max Beerbohm; poem, "Lying Among the Yellow Flowers", by Kenneth Hopkins; poem, "Complaint", by Diana Lodge.
Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, prov. di Salerno, Italy.- Is writing to her instead of to his father, as he intended, since 'Bessie has rather a chill' though he thinks not a serious one, and has gone to bed. She 'often has these feverish chills, and if she goes to bed in time they seldom become serious'; Mrs Reid's doctor will see her tomorrow and Robert will let his mother know how she does. He has a chill himself, though not severe enough to send him to bed. Since the weather is 'very fine, though still a little coldish out of the sun', he expects Bessie will recover soon. They have had 'dreadful weather until two days ago, in various forms'.
Asks her to thank his father for his speech, which they 'both appreciated very much'; will write to him about it soon. The Booths [Charles and Meg] are arriving on the 29th. Some 'rather nice people' are here, the Omonds: 'free-churchers of Edinburgh', though they no longer live there' thinks he [Thomas] was until recently a don at Oxford, and he has written a book 'on the theory and science of metres, a dull enough subject to most people' but of 'great interest' to Robert. Finds him 'practically the only theorist on metre' he agrees with, so of course has much to discuss with him. Tells his mother that 'the fiscal question is nothing as compared with the great metrical question, in difficulty and intricacy,' though he will not claim in importance.
His play [The Birth of Parzival] comes out soon, and the publishers have sent him a copy, which seems alright; his mother may think 'the print a little too high up the page', has doubts himself, but would rather that than too low. The price is to be three shillings and sixpence, as two and sixpence would not cover costs. Has dedicated it to Bertie Russell, who has given him 'much advice and encouragement'; Russell has been 'very critical', too, but so is Robert 'now at least'. Expects people will say that 'though in form a play, it is not really dramatic, and perhaps should have been treated more frankly as a poetical narrative'.
Has no message from Bessie, as he has left her to sleep, but his mother must not be anxious about her; thinks she will only need a day or two in bed. Will write again tomorrow.
Is very happy to hear Trevelyan might be coming; hopes he will be home as he has no important engagements in Rome in summer or early autumn; he could also come to Vallombrosa. His account will be at Trevelyan's disposal for the books, as long as Trevelyan gives a fortnight's notice of his or his friends' arrival. Recommends a few pensions in Florence, but knows little about Rome, and suggests asking Sylvia [Sprigge]. Hopes Julian is recovering, and that Trevelyan's 'domestic troubles may be resolved'; sends love to Bessie. Had a 'charming and most flattering letter' from Trevelyan's brother about his translation [G. M. Trevelyan, "English Social History"].
Encloses a copy of a letter from Zachary Macaulay to Thomas Gisborne about his son John Gisborne's behaviour.
John Eyton Bickersteth Mayor failed to get a Bell's Scholarship, Robert Bickersteth Mayor elected fellow and about to become a master at Rugby
Re. Milman's memoir of Thomas Babington Macaulay.
London - recovered from illness, "spoliation" bill, looks forward to Wellington bringing in a bill to abolish the Church of England, affairs of Lord Ailesbury and Lord Bruce, Kenny in love with Augusta Ponsonby, Porlett Thompson flirting with Lady Tankerville, British Association meeting at Cambridge, Cambridge debauchery
WW is pleased to hear that JCH is much better. WW wants him to cast his thoughts back to etymologies: 'You will still recollect with pleasure our old Etymological Society of (I think) 1832, though so many of the members have been called away from this world of words to the realities beyond the grave. I want to send a few memoranda respecting that Society to the existing Philological Society of London' [Philological Society, No. 117, Vol. V, Feb. 20, 1852].
Asks whether the 'I. of the S.' is proved or not. Wishes Myers to dine with him 'on Thursday at 7.15', and reports that his Anglo-Indian friends, the [Charles?] Bernards will be there, and he wishes them to hear Myers' 'additional evidence'.
RJ finds 'the gentle public much struck with your answer to Lyell [Charles Lyell] as perfectly efficient' ['Of a Liberal Education in General, and with Particular Reference to the Leading Studies of the University of Cambridge', 1845]. RJ thinks WW's 'general principles too as far as I hear meet with great ascent - different opinions as to many of the details of course you are prepared for'. RJ feels great pleasure at WW's 'effort to purify and amend the mathematical training of the place. I have long been convinced that as a matter of training exclusive habits of symbolical reasoning are not merely useless but deleterious and I see very often instances of their bad effects on men of very acute minds'. WW has not converted RJ into liking oral examinations although most of the men at Haileybury to some extent side with WW - 'but I once passed a morning in the schools at Oxford and came away with a profound conviction of the intense injustice of using oral trials for the purposes of assigning relative rank for which men have toiled for years and I do not think that conviction will leave me on this side [of] the grave'. WW's book will probably do good at Cambridge - but only slowly. RJ gives an outline of his current state of health.
Experiments, calculations, diagrams, etc. running '26.2.1941' to '13.12.1942'.
A few calculations also at rear of book.
Batleigh Vicarage, Glastonbury - In the table of contents for 'Vol. II of mixed sciences Ency met: - [Encyclopaedia Metropolitana] 'I perceive that you are wronged by the whole of the Electricity - being attributed to me'. He will rectify the situation with the editor at the first opportunity. Would WW like to come and 'visit these parts' and see 'Gothic ruins and Fossil bone caves'. FL wishes to be remembered to Adam Sedgwick.
Trinity College - If RJ is applying to the University press syndicate he should do so this term. There is a movement at large which wants to establish a professorship in political economy 'on nearly the same conditions as that at Oxford. It is to be established in honour of Huskisson [William Huskisson], by some friends of his - there are two difficulties: one to fix the mode of election the other to get rid of Payne [George Payne]. They wanted to put Malthus in as the first professor'. WW has sent another review of RJ's book to the British Critic ['Review of An Essay on the Distribution of Wealth and Sources of Taxation by the Revd Richard Jones', The British Critic, Quarterly Theological Review and Ecclesiastical Record, 10, 1831].
States that as he fully concurs 'in the letter referring to the Syndicate proposed to consider the "Greek Question"' [see 101/99], he wishes his name to be added to the memorial.
Marr, John Edward (1857–1933) geologist
In the train.—Is returning to London after two interesting days. He was impressed by the Trade Union men he met.
2 Brook Street - HH has read 'with entire acquiescence the volume on University Education you have been good enough to send me' [Of a Liberal Education in General, and with Particular Reference to the Leading Studies of the University of Cambridge, 1845]. HH agrees with all of the book: 'About the preference to be given to geometry as an education of the mind I can entertain no doubt whatsoever'. However, he thinks more should have been said on experimental philosophy as a pedagogical tool. WW has 'rightly commented on Lyell [Travels in North America, 2 vols., 1845]. It was neither natural nor national to insert in a book upon America, the remarks you have so justly considered'. HH stayed with their good friend Everett [Edward Everett] while he was in the USA, who is currently debating whether to accept the place of President of the Harvard College at Cambridge - 'I trust he may decide in the affirmative'.
10 King's Parade, Cambridge. Dated 30 Oct. 1915 - Has sent his 'Golden Bough' and 'Psyche's Task' to Kingsmead, accidentally sent the anthropological questions there as well; has [William] Ridgeway's book which apparently controverts some of his views, and has had a friendly letter from him; [W. H. R.] Rivers is expected in Cambridge in two weeks, perhaps he can come visit then.
Gross-Lichterfelde West bei Berlin - Sends a copy of the advertisement for the 'Golden Bough' that he wrote for the 'Literar Centralblatt'; studies folklore with the aim of refuting the 'blood accusation' against the Jews; is sending copies of his book [unidentified], asks for his comments.
Written in Thomson's hand
Visit of Lady and Jane Langdale, Jane Langdale's articles on Garibaldi for The Westminster Review, thanks for battledore
40 Weymouth Street - case concerning Charles Donne and Faversham, Frederick Donne and his wife visiting
Cambridge University Press 1953-74
Correspondence on various projects and proposed books.
Includes agreement for collaborative book on 'Fission', 1953. See C.68, 'Atoms - Manual'.
Correspondence re proposed book on 'Subatomic Particles' or 'Elementary Particles', eventually dropped at Frisch's request 1960-64. See C.69, 'Subatomic Particles'.
Correspondence re Niels Bohr's Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature, and including Frisch's introduction for reissued version, 1960.
Correspondence re translation of Schrödinger's Meine Weltansicht, and including a 'trial translation' by Frisch, 1961-64.
Agreement for proposed book on 'Quantum Theory and Beyond' to be written by Frisch, 1970.
Other miscellaneous correspondence, last date 1974