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1934, 1946–49. Letter of 1934 is from Birkbeck College Physical Society during Frisch's period in Blackett's laboratory.

Clovelly, Metung, Victoria. Dated 11 October, 1902 - Is sending a draft of a chapter on Medicine Men, and has two others ready to send [for his book 'Native Tribes of South East Australia']; [Baldwin] Spencer writes that he is troubled by the financial condition of the University [of Melbourne?]; comments on the economic crisis, which he has foreseen and is glad that it has come, that it may inaugurate a better system.

Cumloden, Newton-Stewart, Scotland. - Her friend Mr [Gordon] Bottomley has sent her Trevelyan's 'beautiful' translation of the "Oresteia", which she treasures even for the corrections in his own hand; very good of him to take such trouble for a 'complete stranger'. Expects he did it for Mr Bottomley'; hopes he will not mind her writing to let him know how much she appreciates and admires it. Afraid she is not a 'great scholar'. Has enjoyed 'the most delightful correspondence' with Mr Bottomley for several years, which has been 'quite an education in itself'; has gained much pleasure from his sharing of several of Trevelyan's books with her. Wishes there were more writers like Bottomley and Trevelyan. Feels the world is a 'horrid sort of travesty of what it should be' at the moment; wonders if and when it will improve; appreciates 'dignity & courtesy' where they may still be found.

10 Pelham Place, S.W.7. - Was 'very much moved' by Bob's poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: both to have been remembered by him and by many of the poems themselves. Is 'passing through a bad patch' of having to hold his 'nose... to the grindstone to produce funds', and Bob's poems 'soothed' him greatly. Is writing a 'most awful book' for Kodaks on 'Photography in Education'. Margaret has been ill and has been operated on for varicose veins in her leg, but she is better now and hopes to 'get home to the country and resume a normal life' this Friday. Has been lecturing on 'Visual Aids to Education' at 'a thing called "The Bath Academy of Art"'. Henriette Sturge Moore, who teaches Dramatic Art there, has spoke 'affectionately' of him to Bob and Bessie. Margaret sends love to them both.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Glad to hear Aunt Maria is generally better; hopes her health will continue to improve. Also glad that [Alphonse] Grandmont and Jan [Hubrecht] are recovering, and that Tuttie [Hubrecht] has 'come back so much stronger'. Thinks about Grandmont every morning when they eat his 'black-butter' at breakfast; they wonder why it is black since it comes from the 'juice of white apples'. Bessie is well, despite the bad weather; there has been much wind and rain and 'her violin strings squeak, for all that she can do'. She is going to have her second lesson with [Johann] Kruse next week, who was unfortunately away when they last went to London. Two of his friends, both poets, visited on Sunday; one of them [Thomas Sturge] Moore read a play yesterday ["Omphale and Heracles'; they thought it 'very good' and wished it could be put on, but 'they do not act good plays in England now, except Shakespeare, and that they usually do badly'; the actors too are 'bad'. Bessie thinks English coal fires create much 'dust and dirt even when they do not smoke badly'; admits they do in comparison to Dutch stoves, but he does like open fires; whoever invented a fireplace combining the advantages of the two styles would be a 'great benefactor to man'. Spent three 'very full days in Paris with the same two friends' [at the Paris Exhibition]; might have wished Bessie to be there too but she would not have enjoyed the 'fearful'' crowds; even they got tired. Thought the 'old French art... very fine'; the 'side-shows and sights at the Exhibition were very poor' and the 'buildings too florid and ornamental, and some of them hideous', but the 'general effect... was very splendid and brilliant'. Is interested in the Queen [Wilhelmina of the Netherlands]' marriage, and glad 'the Dutch are pleased'; Bessie was 'quite sympathetic' when [Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Queen's betrothed] 'had to say good-bye to her and go away to his country for a time] [as Robert had had to during their own courtship]. They have got an 'illustrated paper' about the royal couple. Next week, they are going to visit his aunt, Mrs Price, who gave them the piano, at her house in the Welsh borders; he has not been there since he was a boy, so is curious to see the place again. Bessie will write soon, but there is no time now as this has to catch the post; she sends love to all.

Lower Gatesgarth, Buttermere, Cockermouth (replies to be sent to 2 Cheyne Gardens). - Has written to Canon Rawnsley to discover what has 'really happened' [re the proposal to build a road over Sty Head Pass: see also 14/87 and 13/230]. Hopes that the 'Daily Nuisance' ["Daily News"] is wrong. He and his family will be in London from Monday and glad to see Bob when up in town. Is bringing out a book of essays ["Clio, a Muse and Other Essays"] in November.

The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking :- Apologises for not writing sooner [ee 12/71]: this is not 'due to indifference or to want of interest, still less to want of affection, but to carelessness and procrastination', to which he has always been 'very liable', and should therefore try especially 'to guard against'.

Will keep the Whitefriars Journal, since his father did not mention it, until Bessie returns at least. Liked his speech, and thought it 'admirably successful in saying some quite serious things lightly, and with grace'. Bessie is coming back soon, maybe on Thursday, but has not yet settled exactly when; Robert will probably come to London then and hopes they might see his parents. She has had a cold but is well now, and seems to have enjoyed her visit.

The 'difficulties about the house' seem to be finally settled, as the Vaughan Williamses have agreed to everything they asked; wishes they had done so several months ago, and saved Robert and Bessie 'this time and worry'. Building should begin this month if everything goes well. Will tell his father 'more about the terms' when they meet in London; their solicitor Withers is satisfied with the terms now.

Spent a week with some Cambridge friends at Woody Bay near Ilfracombe and left last Thursday, stopping to see Salisbury and Winchester on the way back; returned home yesterday. Much admired 'the outside of Salisbury Cathedral, and the close'; did not see Stonehenge, but left it 'for another time'.

Does 'not know how far Verrall has really proved his point about Tyrtaeus [see 12/73]', but remembers he fairly convinced Robert that the poems 'were at least very much rewritten in the Attic dialect, and probably added to, in the 6th century'; does not think Verrall suggested there was 'not an older form behind them', he supposes 'in the Spartan dialect'. Rather likes the 'old elegiac poets' such as Solon, Tyrtaeus and Theognis, who 'may not be very poetical or sublime' but 'can say what they want to quite clearly and with great force in a very difficult literary medium', and 'prepared the way for Simonides and the later epigrammatists'.

Sends love to his mother, and hopes to see her this week.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Had planned to write her next letter to Bessie, but will write instead to Bob as she wants to thank him for [the new edition of] "Windfalls"; has much enjoyed reading her 'old favourite, "Simple Pleasures"', with much else that is new. Geoffrey and Gillian are here, and they will read some of the book aloud after supper. Hopes Bob will be able to come to Wallington in either August or September, whichever suits him best. Phil [Morgan Philips Price] and Lisa will be here on 12 [August], though she believes there are no grouse; Kitty and her children go south on 9 August and will return early in September; Pauline and her children will be at Cambo all holidays; Marjorie will come for a week on 14 August then again on 28 August. Does hope Bessie will be able to come at some point.

52 Tavistock Square. - Has taken a long time to write about Bob's poem [in "Rimeless Numbers"?], though it 'delighted' her; summer in London is 'distracting'. Glad she 'let [Bob] off, partly at least, writing the "Epistola ad V.W."]; does not think she finds it 'so sympathetic' only because Bob 'uses so kind a word' about her; he is welcome to use the quotation, though if she had been 'writing more explicitly' she would have attempted to 'convey [her] respect and admiration for the de, as well as [her] slight distrust of their dominion over us. Thinks Bob's method allows him to be both 'personal and poetic', with a sense of the '[addressee's] influence, which breaks up the formality... very happily'. Likes the 'country part' in particular. As for the 'argument [of the poem]', supposes her 'plea for adventurous prose is not disinterested' and expects she would have been happy to leave prose alone had she been able to write poetry; in reading she sees 'quite plainly what poetry can do and prose can't', so the envy is not just on Bob's side. Comments on the 'lurid yellow light' of a thunderstorm in which she is writing.

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - Of course realised that she would not be writing letters 'for some time [after her husband's death on 21 Mar]; is 'very glad' to hear from her. Hopes she is 'feeling somewhat rested now...'; good that she has 'people to look after [her]', and that she is for the present staying 'as you are, and where you are. After these great changes, it is much better that one should wait - when it is possible to do so - and should let the future shape itself'.

Afraid that he will not be able to come and visit her in early June, as he will be 'so wound up in Aldeburgh and other matters'; would like to come later in the year. His 'pleurisy went off very easily, thanks to a new pill', so he was 'able to receive the King, Queen, and Princess Margaret fairly well, and able very well indeed to receive an Hon[orary] Degree at Nottingham'. This was a 'very pleasant experience. After the ceremony, we all processed through the city in our coloured bits and odds and ends, with the Mayor and the Mace in front, and held up the traffic'. Sebastian Sprott is now Public Orator, and made a 'charming' speech about him.

Sends love and hopes to see her later.

Craigtay, Dundee -Thanks him for his recollections of Robertson Smith, shares some of his own; doesn't know Burkitt, asks if he could get some notes from him; is working hard on a lecture on 'Expression in Greek Sculpture'. Accompanied by an envelope.

The Lodge, Eton College - [Enclosing a subscription?] with compliments, regrets for Sir James' eye trouble.

21 Tenison Avenue, Cambridge - Will look in tomorrow, not sure of any success in regard to the lectureship.

Ivy Holt, Dorking. - Thanks Trevelyan for his "Cecilia Gonzaga", which he thinks very nicely done; was glad to see the 'glowing' review in the "Times" which has brought round some dubious admirers. Missing salutation: incomplete?

AD's young friend Edward H. Ayrton has not heard anything since his examination at Trinity College. His mother 'fears there may be some mistake - if not...let her know the date of his admission'.

Papers

Refers to the letters from Henry Sidgwick to her father [A. J. Patterson], and states that her mother regrets having taken so long to finds them. Says that in all they number about sixty, and that 'almost all date since the year 1886.' Offers to send them to Nora. Adds that if her father kept the letters from years prior to 1886, these 'must be still in London, either at the Stores or at the Bank', and she regrets to say that they are not yet at her mother's disposal.

RS's views on University and Trinity College reform: 'I have always objected to the course of the commissioners [Commissioners on University Reform] in mixing up, in one report, matters so dissimilar on the university, and the private colleges. I have never had any doubt that the university belongs to the country, generally; and that when the state was opened to all religious sects, the university should have been opened too'. The university is the Senate and it is in the capacity of members of this body that the necessary arrangements must be made. RS feels with regard to the college 'that we have left the right path which were clearly marked out by our statutes. The teaching was originally by persons appointed by the master and seniors and paid by the college. This is the form to which I would return'. RS gives his scheme for reforming the standard of private tutors. He does not want the college 'having any more intimate relations or communication with the university'. The students should be more rigorously selected in the first instance: 'The college was not founded for general education, but for the best and highest kind of education, and indeed for that kind of education for which there never has been, and never will be, a money compensation'. The college should borrow at a low rate of interest and not a high one. RS's aim is 'to make the college what it ought to be, not merely the best of existing institutions, (which it is very nearly) but a 'ne plus ultra''. He thinks 'we should do a good deal (more than we do do, and that is a good deal) for our really clever men, who are slenderly provided for'. Concerning 'the present constitution of Trinity College we have succeeded so much better than any other institution, that I should not like to make any innovation, (I consider what I have said above to be merely renovations)'. RS thinks it is 'a fault in our schools and universities to draw a very tight rule, and then to wink at exceptions; just as it is the fault of almost all parents to spoil their children by seniority or indulgence, and to expect the college to cure all that'. Teaching and discipline should be in different hands.

John's prayers and poetry: Kirkby Lonsdale

Clifton - Thanks WW for his three works: 'One is above me, but I have read your remarks on Hegel [On Hegel's Criticism of Newton's Principia, 1849] and Mill [Of Induction, 1849] with much pleasure. The former you have well demolished; and I concur in much the greater part of your criticism of the latter, though not having his system of logic by me, I cannot go fully into it'. HH gives his comments on some of WW's remarks in his Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences (1840): 'I have no right to object to your definition of Induction, though it seems to me more limited than ever the modern use of the word'. HH's remark is primarily directed at what WW says of the ancient induction. HH situates his understanding of Aristotle in the debate.