Congratulations on engagement.
3 Buckingham Gate, S.W.
Death of Mrs Chater, Church MIssionary Society have made no provision for her children, urges Charlotte and Robert Mayor not to sacrifice all their property for Church MIssionary Society but to make provision for their children, Henry suffering from "rheumatic gout", news of family and friends, death of Lord Curzon, trial of Queen Caroline, Mr Batty building a school at the end of his garden for poor girls: Everton
Death of Mr Assheton: Liverpool
Cannot understand Joseph wishing to go to Hastings and Brighton [The Priory, Kenilworth]
On headed notepaper for Rollin & Feuardent, 61 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, W.C. and 4 Rue de Louvois, Paris.
Expresses his happiness at the news that Sidgwick is recovering from his illness, and is convalescing at Margate, which, he claims, has 'the finest air in England.' Expresses wish that Sidgwick and his wife could be with him on [Minchin]hampton Common, which he describes, and also that some of the 'Children of light' could join himself, Mr and Mrs [ ] and his sister Mary there. States that they often talk of Sidgwick and Mrs Sidgwick, and have been anxious to know how they have been getting on. Expresses the affection and friendship he feels for Sidgwick.
Writes in relation to a request made to him to write a column in the Athenaeum in memory of Fawcett. Denies that he declined to write it out of any indifference about the subject, but feels that such a column would be 'one more panegyric of the kind which every one is writing...' Expresses his wish to say something about that part of Fawcett's life of which he would know more than any one [1854-1864], and reports that he has begun to put down his recollections. Supposes that his notes will make a magazine article eventually, but is anxious to make it as complete as possible. Claims that he has no letters or documents of any kind, but hopes to be able to write a few pages, which will be his contribution to Fawcett's memory.
Trinity College - When will RJ be coming to vote for Cavendish [William Cavendish], could he also bring any of his work on wages so they can concoct an application to the Cambridge press syndicate? WW has had another letter from Mrs Young which appears to authorize him to negotiate with Peacock [George Peacock to work on a biography of Thomas Young].
Ore Place, Hastings. Dated 30 Juni 1911 - Has received the books; thanks him for the flattering things he wrote about his country; they themselves celebrated the coronation of George V; thanks him for his helpful letter; agrees that differences can be respectfully discussed.
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'.
Enclosing verse.
Papers
Correspondence re research etc, 1951, 1964, 1971, 1974.
Royal Observatory Greenwich - Edward Sabine has given Airy a letter from Francis Beaufort to pass to Whewell: 'It seems that the Admiralty of the present day are not so good men of business as some of their predecessors, and a little private action upon them is desirable'. It appears to be the opinion of all concerned that no formal application can be made: 'Therefore will you write at once privately to the Duke of Northumberland. - The Treasury have demanded the Annual Estimates earlier than usual, and there is no time to be lost'.
Written from Caius College.
Thanking Whewell for his 'kind note, and the enclosed valuable letter to Sir J. Herschel'. Young is probably applying for a teaching position in a colony - possibly S. Africa.
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'.
Concerns Of the Plurality of Worlds.
On Charles Curran
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be glad to welcome Elizabeth and Robert on 13 August; they will see Aunt Annie [Philips], who comes on the 9th. Glad they will be there for the 'festivities'; there will be the Exhibition, the servants' party, and a garden party for the neighbours to introduce Mary, who must 'make dignified little bows, and not jump onto the arms of chairs!'; she is 'great fun', and Elizabeth will like her when she knows her. Interested to hear of Miss [Laetitia] Ede, who is sure to get on since she has 'real energy'. Sir George knows nothing about Gregorian chants; he liked the 'florid music at the Oratory' and is sorry it has stopped. Asks if she should find someone to accompany Elizabeth on her visit; Mr [Charles?] Orde of Nunnykirk gave Caroline a name, which she encloses; it will be a problem what to do with her in the evening 'if she is not a lady' so she may ask her to come for the day to see what she is like. Cannot put Elizabeth up at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent] on the 4th, as Maria [Springett] is taking her holiday and has put everything away; hopes it will not be inconvenient to go to a club or a hotel; believes the Great Northern Hotel is comfortable and would be convenient [this section of the letter crossed out] but Elizabeth is travelling by Euston. Hopes the weather is drier by Monday, when a group of hospital nurses are coming. Asks whether Mrs Salmonson [sic: Jeanne Salomonson Asser] will return to Holland when Elizabeth leaves Rottingdean.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Much obliged for the 'Bird book' ["The Bird in Song", edited by Robert Sickert"], which is a 'delightful collection'; has read Robert's poem ["The Lady's Bat"] with 'very great' pleasure, as well as the piece of Courthope's ["The Paradise of Birds"], Logan's "Cuckoo". Feels that 'Keats's unrhymed sonnet' is an omission; agrees that the letter to [John Hamilton] Reynolds is a 'charming effusion"; brief discussion of Keats. They have [E. V. Lucas and C. L. Graves's] "Signs of the Times" and have read it aloud; it is 'capital fun'. Likes to think of Bessie's sister being with her, and that Caroline is coming to visit. His recent work on the last two chapters of his book ["The American Revolution"] has been 'like beginning a new book', but he has 'got into it now'.