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Note in pencil [in Nora Sidgwick's hand?]: 'By Henry Sidgwick according to [J] St Loe Strachey'.

Letters dated 15 Feb. [18--] - 27 Sept. [18--] from Greenwich Park.

Two letters.

Two letters concerning research into W. H. Thompson's ancestors.

Seventeen letters to his father and his sister Julia.

Invites Patterson to dine with him at the Midland Hotel the following day at 7.30pm.

Refers to [W.F.] Barrett's letter as 'a bore'. States that they must 'maintain the distinction between experimental work and collection of narratives, and between hypnotic and normal state'. Suggests that they appease Barrett by admitting 'the great advantage of having all the evidence set forth together from time to time by an able hand' and allow him to print his paper, provided it is not called a 'Report of the [ ] [ ] Committee.' States that he is writing to Gurney with this proposal. Adds that he intends to propose the Lord Rayleigh F.R.S. as Vice-President [of the Society for Psychical Research] at their next council meeting.

Informs Sidgwick that the holidays have given him time to read the E[ncyclopedia Britannica?], which he had sent to him. Remarks that his analysis of 'Public Morality' 'clears up several matters'. Discusses the principles on which a historian ought to judge the actions of a statesman, claims that Acton 'does not face the difference...between the principles on which a statesman may act and those aforementioned historian's principles', and warns against the critic introducing his own presuppositions. Remarks that Sidgwick had not touched on the moral influence on the historian's generation of a public war, and uses Bismarck to illustrate his point. Agrees with Sidgwick about 'clerical veracity', and remarks that it is 'curious how the moral sense of the community has practically ruled out Rashdall's view.' States that he is enjoying 'this place' very much.

RJ will come up on Thursday provided Smith or one of WW's men are nominated.

Writes to inform her that he shall come on the following Wednesday. Reports that he shall be staying with Mrs Clough from Monday to Wednesday if his cold does not get worse. Claims that he accepted her invitation gladly, as there is a new edition of Clough's Remains passing through the press, and he would like to talk to her about it. Intends to speak to his mother about Mr Horton and other matters on Wednesday evening, 'before Edward and Mary come'.

Asks if she has heard from William, and states that he has not found time to write to him yet. Asks her opinion on Noel's poems. Refers to the review of them in the Athenaeum, and states that Noel has told him that the two great critics of the age, M. Arnold and S[aint] Beuve, 'have both expressed themselves pleased by the book.' Reports that he has 'got rid of' his last pupil and is writing a paper for his philological journal. Reports that Patterson's book on Hungary is very nearly finished, and that he has seen most of it, and thinks that it will be both worth reading and readable.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey - Now has the bark from Mr Honey which looks like Erythrophloeum, but is still waiting on the specimens from the others; re: Mondjo, they have failed to trace this name and speculates that it is 'Datura fastuosa' collected by the Swiss missionary [Henri] Junod for [Hans] Schinz.

Asks Sidgwick to put his name down [as one who supports the setting up of a Syndicate to inquire into the issue of allowing of alternatives for one of the classical languages in the Previous Examination], and as agreeing with the letter signed by Sidgwick and others [see 101/99;102].

Apologises for what he feels to be 'an apparent intrusion into matters too private and personal.' Explains that he has read Henry Sidgwick's works, such as The Methods of Ethics, Outlines of the History of Ethics for English Readers and Philosophy, Its Scope and Relations as a student of philosophy at Queen's College in Belfast. States that the first result of studying The Methods of Ethics was to fill him 'with a reverence towards the moral and intellectual nature of its author', and claims that there is no man to whose opinion on any question which he investigated he would attach so much importance and authority. Claims that the works also inspired another feeling in him 'one of a purely emotional nature, something, perhaps, akin to love, if that were possible towards one whom one has never met.' States that as the feeling has grown stronger he has wished to know more about Henry's life and character, but has only been able to secure two short biographical sketches - 'one in Bryce's Contemporary Studies, and a short obituary notice in Frederic Myers Fragments of Prose and Poetry'. Wonders whether a memoir might have been printed for private circulation and if so suggests that she might send it to him.

Trinity College - WW is resolved to get away from Cambridge and visit RJ - 'if there is no other way of having a series of talks with you - I will then judge as well as I can about the matters speculative and practical that we have to do with'. There is so much electioneering and politics currently in Cambridge that he cannot think.

Woodend, Perth Road, Dundee - Congratulates the Frazers on their 25th wedding anniversary.

Describes the men in an enclosed photograph [no longer present].

Only heard of Henry's serious illness the previous day, when she was in Cambridge for the afternoon; would like to send her sympathy to Nora now. Hopes that his operation has proved successful. Is sorry for the Cambridge students who will miss Henry's university lectures; believes that he was the most just critic she has ever heard, and remarks that in Moral Science 'people seem particularly apt to be impatient of the opinions of others.' Is sure that she is only one of many Cambridge students who remember with gratitude the time and trouble which Henry spent upon his classes and the help which he was always ready to give to individuals. Will be eager for news of Henry's progress, but hopes that some Newnham students will keep her up to date.

Refers to a concept in Greek that they had been discussing, and states that 'there is a curious contrast between the [constant] mention of it as a danger, and the rarity of its actual occurrence'. Gives examples of some passages: the '[Heliactic] oath in Demosthenes against Aristocrates'; another passage [some Greek quoted], which 'specially alludes to it as a danger [about the middle of the speech]'. States that the case of Leontini is a practical case, 'but even here it was stopped'; 'points to the rest of argument used for it. New citizens were enrolled, and then came the demand.' Tells Sidgwick that he will inform him when he finds more. Refers to the death of the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin; 'a very leading public figure in Ireland. It is most fortunate that this govt. is not....' [Incomplete]

States that he has read Sidgwick's criticism of his book [The Science of Ethics], and expresses his satisfaction in having 'a candid and generous critic'. Observes that most of the points at issue between the two would require a treatise instead of a letter. Refers to pain and pleasure, and to how conduct is determined by one or the other. Admits that he 'could have obviated the criticism by a more careful articulation of the logical framework.' Refers to Sidgwick's contention that he exaggerates the novelty of the evolutionist theory 'and especially by overlooking Comte.' Clarifies that if he has done so, it was 'through carelessness of expression', and claims that he has learnt much from Comte, of whom he has a higher estimate than most people, especially scientific people, who object to his religion. States that he believes that [ ] happiness consists 'in the dramatic and friendly affections'. Hopes that they shall always remain friends.

Letters date from 4 May 1843 - 30 Oct. 1844.

Enclosing a copy of a letter from Theodore Preston to John Preston.

Two cards in different hands.