Copy of original, 1941, by Max Beerbohm
Kinnardy, Forfar - Thanks WW 'for the great service you have done all geologists and me in particular by your splendid article in the British Critic' ['Lyell's 'Principles of Geology' volume 1', British Critic, 1831]. The 'keeping out of view all collision between geology and theology is a piece of tact which all [here] regret that the Quarterly Review did not do - no one more so than the editor - But for my running my head against the history of opinion I should have done this as carefully as you, I shall in v.2.' CL greatly admires what William Buckland has achieved in such an atmosphere. Can WW help him with his nomenclature: 'I cannot freely connect Sedgwick and other geologists whose judgment I much respect'. The 'only terms and divisions on which I feel quite decided are first to separate Tertiary and Contemporary'.
One letter only.
The Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 - Admires 'Amadeus', which he has seen several times, and which he is rehearsing (as Mozart); finds it repays work and exploration as richly as a classic.
Incomplete illustrated fair copy of a travel journal which stops in the middle of chapter 4 of a projected 9 chapters. MS title page continues, 'Illustrated with plates, vignettes, plans, and a map of the route taken from the time of entering Switzerland to the time of leaving it at Basle; by James Coulman Ross; of Trinity College, Cambridge; Life member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.' With a contents page that projects chapters and plates not completed here; present is a folding panorama map from the Aeggischorn and from the Mettelhorn, a folding map of the route in Switzerland, and a folding table, 'Notes from the thermometer, aneroid, & barometer, copied from observations taken by Rev. Geo. C. Hodgkinson'. Ross travelled with George Christopher Hodgkinson, George Frederick Hodgkinson, George James Spence Hodgkinson, and Grosvenor Hodgkinson.
Sans titrePeterborough Deanery. Rumour that mesmerism is going on at Dr Vaughan's, Arthur Butler in the second class.
Memorial of George Henry Ellis on application made by Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan. Pencil note at end partially erased and crossed through. Endorsed by Ellis and Ellis.
Caxton House - note about the payment of postage
Remembers his long vacations
Robert Mayor comfortable but weak
Is very glad to hear from Myers. Refers to his excuses about 'the stay of Capua'. States that he and Nora'shall be glad to hear about the Ghosts.' Invites him to Cambridge, and states that they shall be alone until 10 October. Refers to the 'Poem', which he describes as 'st[ ] and entertaining and pleasure-giving', but open to some criticisms, which he proceeds to set forth. Sends his kind regards to Myers' mother.
States that by Herbert [her son]'s kind help she is in time to greet Nora the following day. Sends their love to her and best wishes that she may have comfort and the joy of knowing her work is of increasing value. Remarks that Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir seems to be occupying much attention. Has just come from a visit to the O[gles] in London; reports that everybody she met spoke of the great pleasure the book was giving them. Liked the review of it in the Times Literary Supplement, but did not like the one by H. Paul. Adds that those to whom she spoke in London said that the effect of the book was to make them feel as though they had been talking to Henry again.
States that the effect of melancholy to which the reviews allude could not be avoided 'because the letters naturally deal so much with his theological feelings and his deep thoughts on life.' Claims that he was 'so bright and happy in his intercourse with his friends', and how he showed his best side when he felt 'the answering sympathy'. Refers to his complaint of the want of humour in George Eliot, and declares that she has just been reading some of her work, and 'had been feeling this so much - in spite of Mrs Poyser [in Adam Bede] and the 4 aunts'. Declares that they are glad to see that Arthur Balfour 'is so much better for his sea air' and hopes that Monday night won't try him too much. Reports that she had lunch with Nevil the previous day at Lincoln College, and that he could only spare her three hours. Refers also to Arthur. Has been reading [Memoirs of] Archbishop Temple , and remarks on how carelessly it has been edited [by E. G. Sandford]. Remarks that Henry's memoir is 'a charming size', and that one volume is much more likely to be read than two.
Sans titreLetter in clerk's hand, signed by Wordsworth.
RJ learnt this morning that both his Parliamentary Bills are safe. If he had not been so close at least one of them would have failed - 'but even that is but a trifling consolation for being tied up like a dog with such a small occasion. Prime reform in the manner of conducting business in the legislature and in the distribution of work among the public offices must be the work of the next generation - and a radical one too. RJ and Charlotte Jones are off to Folkestone and possibly France tomorrow. RJ's 'Law has been an amusement and consolation to me - there is no sort of obscurity hanging over either the sources of the common law or the times[,] occasions and men concerned in welding the mass - so much I am sure of and hardly know how to believe it should not have been made plain before'.
Carlsruhe. - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton; discussion of health spas in Germany with the hope she might see Houghton there; family news, and regards to Houghton's daughter Amicia.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary. - Has just heard from Drummonds that fifty pounds has been paid into his account by his father; thanks him for his 'kindness'. Is postponing reading the prose of Interludes until he and Bessie have finished reading Boswell's Tour in the Hebrides aloud; they will then read Sir George's book together. Robert finds the verse 'as good as ever', especially Horace [at the University of Athens], always his favourite. Has compared it with the 'second edition of 1862'. Also thinks 'the parabasis of Ladies in Parliament' might be 'better than anything in Horace'; discusses this.
Bessie is well, and enjoying the fine weather; everything seems right with the house, and they now have 'about all the new furniture that was necessary'. They are looking forward to his mother's visit in autumn.
Perse School House, Glebe Road, Cambridge - Congratulates Frazer
Orchard Lawn, Winchester - Thanks him for his note; in reading 'Taboo and the Perils of the Soul' he has other examples of sympathetic magic: a lost nail from a cow's foot that needed to be found and stuck into some bacon as related by Cecil Torr in 'Small Talk at Wreyland'; a child born with a rupture healed by being passed through a split ash tree; and horseshoes that must be hung heels uppermost.
Accompanied by the envelope redirected from the Albemarle Club to the Midland Grand Hotel, London NW1.