States that he and Nora are 'intensely interested' by Myers' letter. Claims that, taken in connection with their experience, 'the evidence for "spiritual [thoughtreading]" at least is strong in proportion to the improbability of unconscious self' on the part of both Nora and Myers. Does not think the evidence of identity strong, 'unless the statement about the M.S. turns out correct.' Claims that the long message seems 'vague; and the mention of Edward [ ] not very strong.' States that he has found it very difficult to think of questions to which Myers will not know the answers, but has put down some.
Explains that there is a question of her writing an article for the Pilot, 'which the Editor proposes to call - "Professor Sidgwick's theological position" '. Wishes to know if Nora would be agreeable to such an article being published. States that it would be 'an explanation of the last chapter of the Methods [of Ethics] by what Dr. Sidgwick said in class in answer to questions.' It has always been a great distress to her that the chapter has been so completely misunderstood, 'even by those whose mere knowledge of his meaning of words ought to have enabled them to understand it.' Adds that her own sense of personal loss 'seems only to go on increasing': she hardly ever saw him, 'but he was there', and adds that he was probably the only person in the world to whom she could at any time have talked with the most absolute freedom and confidence. Until she met him she never had the opportunity of talking with anyone whom she was not afraid of shocking if she said what she really thought. Says that 'it was like entering a new world when [she] first went to his lectures.' Hopes that she did not trouble or vex him when she used to ask him so many questions. States that he was her conscience in all religious difficulties at Newnham, and that it was a great help to her 'in those new conditions to consider what he would have said in any difficulty.' Reports that they were praying for him every day during his illness. Is glad to hear that Nora is going abroad. Tells her not to answer with more than a postcard, saying 'yes' or 'no' in relation to the article.
Mason, Frances Agnes (1849-1941) founder of the Community of the Holy FamilySends Vol III [not included] of 'The Life' [George Eliot's Life as related in her Letters and Journals] which he asks Sidgwick to read. Refers to 'the old association' between the latter and Eliot. Intends to send the volume off to press as soon as possible. States that no one outside his own family, aside from Lord Acton, has yet seen it. Claims that he shall feel it 'greatly strengthened by [Sidgwick's] revision' and does not know anyone 'whose judgment [his] wife wd. have trusted more.'
Cross, John Walter (1840-1924) bankerRefers to a conversation they had had the previous night about an opinion of his [Maine's], expressed in his Ancient Law, about '[Jus Gerrtium]'; believes he has 'found it at p. 59.' Quotes a sentence, which claims that the confusion between [Jus Gerrtium], or Law Common to all Nations, and International Law, is entirely modern. Mentions passages in Livy, to which Sidgwick had referred and continues discussion of the meaning of [Jus Gerrtium]. Refers to a statement in his book in relation to International Law, and to proceedings described in Livy I.22 and I.32. The latter, he claims, 'have some resemblance to the diplomacy of the 17th century in formality...' States that he cannot deny that 'if this later Roman law [Jus] had been under this [ ] of writing about a world like ours, they might possibly have used [Jus Gerrtium] for International law', but is somewhat uncertain of this, since he suspects that '[Jus Gerrtium], in the ear of a Roman lawyer had always a shade of special technical meaning, derived from association with the Edict of the Praetor Peregrinus, with Market law rather than with Public law.' Apologises for troubling Sidgwick.
Hotel Alwin, Gloucester Road, South Kensington [on mourning stationery] - Congratulates him on receiving the [Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur]; reminisces on their youth and her friend Tiny [Christina McCall Frazer]; describes her husband's [Charles'] sudden death.
Presenting a book on Central Asia written in Germany.
Reports that the letters [from various correspondents to Henry Sidgwick] have all arrived, and that the Myers file are the best he has read. Declares that the latter 'evoked more and had more to give than any other correspondent' he has yet read, and were more valuable autobiographically 'than even the highly valuable Dakyns letters'. Includes a list of letters, with information such as the addressees and dates. Also includes a note 'To be added...' in Nora's hand.
Sidgwick, Arthur (1840–1920), educationist and classical scholarTrinity College - WW sends RJ 'the first vol. of Wilks's India'. Coddington [Henry Coddington] 'who is a great admirer of yours was lamenting to me today that you had not invented names of your own for your various classes of rents instead of adopting names necessarily already laden with confusion and complexity'. WW thinks, however, that RJ should 'stick to historical names till it became inconvenient to keep them'. If RJ really wishes to begin printing immediately he will have to send WW some 'make-believe' manuscript of wages now: 'The Syndicate have got rules vey simple and reasonable and though they may not be of much real use it would be mere folly to incur spleen and perhaps rejection by asking them to violate their maxims for so assignable cause. The adoption of your second part will depend on the reputation of the first and not on what you send as a specimen'. WW is convinced that wages is more important than rent. His 'political economy paper is mighty swollen and I am rather pleased with it . In some parts Ricardo is wrong simply for want of a mathematical instrument of deduction'.
Writes to inform Sidgwick that he has written a review of his book for the Pall Mall Gazette [Fortnightly Review?]. Is unsure as to whether [Morley] will print it or not, as he 'could not manage to get it into a small space'. Claims, on the other hand, that he did not have enough space for a satisfactory review. States that some of Sidgwick's arguments do not quite satisfy him, and that he has written down his reasons, but could not put them into the review. Promises to send them on to Sidgwick if, on re-reading them, they seem worth notice. Claims that he is 'too rusty' in his political economy 'to feel very confident about them', and expresses his admiration for the quantity of hard thinking Sidgwick manages to turn out.
Stephen, Sir Leslie (1832-1904), knight, author and literary criticTwo letters.
Letters dated 30 Jan. 1906 and 23 Mar. 1918
Lists some 'problems to be solved' in relation to the memoir of Henry Sidgwick: dates of letters, articles etc. Some emendations in red ink.
Sidgwick, Arthur (1840–1920), educationist and classical scholarThanks Nora for her letter, and admits that she had felt that HS might be too busy for an introduction. Supposes that Nora must be very busy with all the work she has besides Newnham business. Has been watching for the announcement of a memoir of Henry, but presumes that it will take a long time to prepare. Of the notices of his life that she read, she liked best the one in the Pilot. Only attended four of Henry's' lectures, which were 'on some of the great names in French Literature for the Group B students in [her] first year at Newnham', but found his teaching inspirational, and has never forgotten the illuminating effect his lectures had on her.
Is not only at work at writing: she is 'Maths Mistress in the Brighton House High School', where she came five years previously to fill a gap, and stayed. Lives with one of her colleagues, who is a friend of hers. Has applied for most of the jobs that have become vacant in the 'Company's Schools', but has had no success so far. Undertakes to send Nora a copy of the [Story of] Arithmetic when it comes out. States that Mr [ ] 'is thinking of bringing out some County Readers', and, if so, she [Cunnington] may do Sussex; has asked George Allen to let her annotate Ruskin's Queen of the Air, 'in a way similar to the Emerson [Emerson's essay on beauty. A class study in English composition]', but has had no final decision yet.
Cunnington, Susan (1856-1950) mathematician, writer, and educationistRefers to having asked Sidgwick 'the other day' about the possibility of discussing a matter concerning himself [Maine], and declares that he has decided to write to him on the subject. Explains that at the funeral of the late Master of Trinity College [William Hepworth Thompson] he asked Vernon Harcourt whether he was going to lecture that term, and that Harcourt replied that 'he should very probably lecture in November; but that, if he did not, he should certainly resign.' November, he observes, is now over and Harcourt has not returned, so that he doubts 'but that he will resign at the end of the year.' He has decided to attempt to succeed Harcourt [as Whewell Professor of International Law], and to abandon his seat on the Indian Council. Acknowledges that this course of action 'will involve much sacrifice of income', but he has long felt that sooner or later he must make his choice between his Cambridge and his [ ] duties. With regard to International Law, claims that he has paid a good deal of attention to it, and used to lecture on it at the Middle Temple. Refers to his work on Ancient Law, and states that some propositions of his on the subject 'found their way into [his work] and have been generally accepted by modern writers.' Reports that since he returned from India, the Foreign Office offered him their Law Undersecretaryship, and that he was 'communicated with from Cambridge...when the Whewell Professorship was first filled up.' Acknowledges that some, who remember that he resigned a Cambridge professorship thirty years before, might think him too old to apply for the position. Mentions that Harcourt's deputy might also be intending to put himself forward. Claims that when he first decided to consult Sidgwick, he was not award that he was an elector, but he has made up his mind that this is not likely to affect his opinion one way or the other. Announces his intention to call on Saturday afternoon; states that he is returning to Cambridge the following evening. Acknowledges that Sidgwick may wish to speak to somebody else on the matter. Says that he has no objection to that, but asks him to try to keep what he may say 'treated as confidential'.
Paris, 16 R. Dupont des Loges - Has been ill, has three weeks before a kidney operation, has finished the first part of the translation of 'The Golden Bough' as [Léon?] Marillier told him to, Salomon Reinach will now write the preface, asks the meaning of some words.
Reports that Professor Conington, who is a Life Governor has placed a Marlborough nomination at his disposal, and that she may tell Mr Horton if she wishes. Advises her, however, that if the boy [Fred] does not do well enough to get the scholarship it will probably be not worth while for Horton to send him there. States that he intends the £30 annually for two years had better be spent in some other way, i.e., in giving the boy a decent education. With regard to Miss [Alice] Horton, suggests that she should be engaged in some employment 'less exhausting than governessing', such as being a companion to an elderly lady. States that he could enquire about such a position through Dr Symonds.
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.
Thanks him for sending him 'J'ai perdu..' [a translation of Alfred de Musset's poem Tristesse, which begins with these words], but claims that he is not altogether contented with it. Analyses parts of the poem in terms of its translation, and remarks, for example, that the second four lines do not seem to him 'to give Alfred's feeling.' Questions him in relation to 'the Translation of Faith [a poem by Myers] ', which he finds 'more than impressive.' Refers to 'the enclosed' [not included], which will show Myers how they have got on so far.
Thanks WW for his two letters - 'your analysis was excellent and made me pleased both with it and myself' [RJ's lectures]. RJ accepts WW's term of 'mechanical power. He has nothing but good to say about the Wiesbaden waters and expects to be home mid-September. RJ gives his observations of the local architecture, wines and history. There is a religious feud that has arisen and which 'is agitating the whole people from the Rhine to Poland. The new sect calling themselves Catholic and abusing the Pope is received with open arms by the Protestants who wish to give them the use of their churches. The government forbid - the people rage and riot and some lives have been lost at Leipsig - a fiercer struggle is expected. Will Austria interfere? If she does what is to follow in Germany and without. Will she not? The Catholics must give way and already the other party talk of getting rid of the Saxon Royal family - they have frightened the king of Prussia into neutrality'. WW 'may hear any day of a civil war of protestant Germany against Catholic Princes and their own too if they try and thwart them'.
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.