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Would be grateful if Sraffa looked up some friends when he is in Vienna.

WW cannot be so near without trying to see JCH: 'I should like to come and see you some day next week'.

2 Brook Street - Thanks WW for sending him the preface to the 2nd edition of his Indications [Indications of the Creator, 2nd edn., 1846]. It effectively answers the argument of the Vestiges of Creation [Robert Chambers, Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, 1844] than do most long articles bestowed on this work: 'with all fitting veneration for Cambridge, I must say that we needed something from there to compensate for the lengthy inefficiency of one article, which bore an University name almost openly on its back'. It surprises HH 'that the argument from immiscibility of species; - and from the adaptation of separate several parts to each other, should have been so little dwelt upon in the various answers to this book'.

St Thomas's Hospital - WRL outlines the terms of which the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana pays for work - '5 guineas per sheet': he canvasses WW to do the treatise on geometry - which would 'probably not be required before next spring', and a piece on Archimedes - which they need 'for the next part'. WRL would also like WW to do a life of Plato - which could include what little is known of Pythagoras - ready for the Christmas issue.

Currah - sure that he has paid a bill, settlement of which is being paid for by Blakesley

Appeals to those proposing to vote the following day 'against all consideration of the question of relaxing the requirement of two classical languages as a condition of the Cambridge Degree in Arts'. Maintains that their arguments render their 'summary refusal of inquiry peculiarly unjustifiable.'

Says that a certain section of his opponents who campaign for a refusal of inquiry into the matter base their arguments on the belief 'that it is impossible to impart literary culture without two ancient languages...and that the amount of knowledge of Latin and Greek now imposed by the Previous Examination secures on the average an adequate amount of literary culture. States that 'if the opposition to the Graces had been based on grounds such as these', he would have thought it 'narrow-minded and ill-judged', but 'should not have complained of the stage at which it was offered.'

Strongly objects however to the argument that if the suggested change were to be adopted, it would result in the extinction or abandonment of Greek. As a counter-argument he points out that 'the experienced headmasters - mostly classical scholars - who are foremost in advocating the change, consider such predictions groundless.' Suggests that there is a strong case for further inquiry into the matter, and that the opinions of schoolmasters on the subject 'might be obtained and laid before the University.'

States that 'the list of residents who have declared themselves in favour of the appointment of a Syndicate includes 18 of the University professors', and that to these may be added the name of Lord Rayleigh, formerly Professor of Experimental Physics. Adds that he has been authorised to state 'that Mr. Arthur Balfour has telegraphed from Dublin to a friend in Cambridge expressing his regret that he cannot be present to vote, as he is strongly in favour of the Grace.'

Sends Sidgwick 'a fuller version' of a paper sent to him on 8 March [not included: see 93/108], and asks him to give his opinion as to the soundness of the reasoning.

Hopes 'to be back in 80 days'. Asks about the possibility of postponing his lecture from May to the following October, but states that if Sidgwick has any difficulty in procuring a substitute, he will fulfil the original engagement. Claims that he pleased to hear of another edition of Sidgwick's book. States that although he doesn't agree with it on many points, he owes a great deal to it. Wishes that Sidgwick 'could get the freewill problem fairly put in a box!' Reports that he has given Sidgwick's message to Symonds, who 'seems to be going on with remarkable steadiness and to be for him in good health.'

Re Edwin Atherstone. Printed copy of letter, 9 Feb. 1855, with copy reply, 13 Feb [1855].

20 pp. ms. draft.

Thomson's ms. notes.
Ms. draft of lecture.

61 Ripon St., Calcutta. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter: thinks the changes have improved the lines [of a poem?]. Berenson is right about the pronunciation of Yudhishthira. Is very grateful to Trevelyan for having spoken to C.A. [Clifford Allen]. Is finding life hard in India, faced with the 'Victorian dogmatism' which most of the intellectuals affect, with a 'kind of religious mysticism for the sake of the reputation of the country'; human beings are not valued as human beings. Finds the country itself very beautiful though: has been to Ajunta, Ellora, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow; likes Hyderabad best. Is currently with the Singhs at Bahagalpur, since his father is away from Calcutta. Sees the League [of Nations] as his 'only salvation'; supposes that Allen is right and after the Reparations Conference there will be less economic tension and more posts available. Was nearly appointed to a post in the Information Department of the Secretariat in 1929, supported by Lord Lytton and Harold Williams of the "Times", a close friend because of 'shared Moscow experiences'; Williams' untimely death meant that the High Commissioner's brother got the post. Since then every post has gone to Indians in Geneva, even if they are less well qualified. Feels he will have to stay in India and get some temporary post, to lift cares from his friends in Paris [the Germanova / Kalitinsky household]; hears Julian is going to paint a fresco in their rooms, 'with Osny as the background and Rex [the dog] as the chief motif'; is so glad he visits them.

Larchfield School, Helensburgh N.B. - Sends a subscription from 52 small boys; the school had gone down in numbers under his predecessor but they are now going up; has forwarded her letter to the Larchfield Club.

(London Hospital, Whitechapel?)—Asks to borrow his motor tomorrow, and asks if he is enjoying Walmer.

(Dated Sunday.)

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Transcript

Sunday.

I wonder if you’d like to let me have the motor tomorrow, if you did I would pick you up at a few minutes after 5 if you really felt you could face the Whitechaple† road again.

Let me know when you want to be picked up.

Are you having fun at Walmer, be very nice to Margot so that she asks you again on the 11th. The P.M doesnt dare ask Diana tho’ he longs to.

Venetia {2}

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Probably written at the London Hospital, Whitechapel.

{1} ‘Margot disapproved of the “Coterie” in which Lady Diana Manners was prominent’ (H. H. Asquith: Letters to Venetia Stanley, p. 496, note).

{2} A postscript consisting of two sentences has been struck through and is illegible.

† Sic.