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Glaisdale, Yorks. - Provides a reference to the superstition about a newborn child.

A clipping sent by H. W. Underwood, from 'The Graphic' of September 9, 1905 depicting a rain-making rite.

(The handwritten title on the front cover is, ‘Chaucer | The Knight's Tale | Collation of ll. 1-116 | [printed heraldic design] | W. W. Greg’. The printed design included the date ‘1920’, which was altered by Greg to ‘1922’.)

Commonplace book with verses (including "Gray's Elegy parodied by W. Benwell") and epigrams (from Porson and Mansel). At the front of the book is A New Common-Place Book, in which the plan recommended and practised by John Locke, Esq. is enlarged and improved, by a Gentleman of the University of Cambridge, Second Edition. Cambridge, 1777.

Refers to the proposed memorial to Henry Sidgwick in the 17 January issue of the Nation, in which his interest in the cause of female education is given 'as a chief reason why American students should subscribe to the memorial fund'. Asserts that there are other reasons also, and refers to Sidgwick's published writings on philosophy, ethics and economic science, for which, he says, many students owe a great debt of gratitude. Refers also to Sidgwick's interest in American affairs, and his benevolent attitude to that country and to its scholars who came to study in Cambridge.

Copy in an unidentified hand.

Reports that he has just finished reading Arthur Sidgwick's biography of Henry Sidgwick, which, he claims, 'had a purifying and ennobling influence' on his heart. Explains that he is a Methodist preacher, and does not have the same attitude to Christianity as Henry Sidgwick had, but asserts that the latter 'found his abiding place on earth in it. Compares the effect of the book on him to that which he experience on reading, as a young man, the biography of Charles Kingsley. Adds that he lived in Oxford not long before, and claims to have known Arthur Sidgwick's face on the street, and so read the book for his sake.

Copy of letter in Nora Sidgwick's hand. Did not wish to write to her at once [after the death of Henry Sidgwick], but now as she has returned to England, writes to tell her how deeply he feels his loss. Since Henry first taught him thirty years previously he was a great influence to him both in intellectual matters and 'practical matters of conduct and wisdom, considerateness, unselfishness, and resolute impartiality....' Expresses his gratitude for having had so many opportunities of conversation 'with so noble a character.' Adds how entirely [his wife] Kathleen feels with him, and how deeply she has been sympathising with Nora throughout the period since Henry's death.

The Cambridge Teachers College. Dated Wednesday Night - Thanks him for the book [his 'Pausanias'?], which she wanted desperately to buy, and which had caused her to walk 'up and down my room for half an hour fighting against the temptation to buy it'. Carbon copy, gap in typescript not completed in manuscript.

Typewritten copy. Remarks on some aspects of an article Arthur is writing on [W.H?] Thompson. Gives his own impressions of Thompson: that, despite his 'illnatured sayings', he was a kind man; recalls the enjoyment he derived from conversing with him. SHas decided not to write an obituary notice for him, because, despite having a real admiration for the man, he has 'always regarded his life as a failure, 'because though the quality of his production was excellent, its quantity was so very meagre.' Believes that although he was not made to be a great thinker or 'epoch-making scholar', he might have done a great work 'in the way of mediating between ancient thought and the modern spirit.' Undertakes to send anything else he thinks worth saying on the subject, and expresses the desire to see Arthur's article.

Typewritten copy. The only other thing that occurs to him about Thompson is that he was 'an admirable writer of letters': he himself had several from him on various occasions, which were all good, 'in their different styles, [always] easy and delicate, saying just what was intended without apparent effort.' Suggests that Arthur look at the Athenaeum of the previous Saturday, 'where there is a notice by someone well informed (probably Jackson).' Believes that there are also two notices in the Saturday [Review, but has not had time to read them.

Refers to a letter from von Hügel some months previously on the subject of Sidgwick's' 'little book on the History of Ethics'. Explains that he did not reply because he miscalculated the time it would take him to finish his book on politics on which he was at that time working, and reports that he has only just sent it to the publisher. Explains that he is about to leave for a holiday in Switzerland, and assures von Hügel that his letter has not been discarded. States that the two points which von Hügel chiefly criticised in the book 'were both of much interest'; one of them being the contrast Sidgwick drew 'between Christian and pre-Christian civilisation in respect of religious persecution.' Assures him that he had no intention of making any charge against Christianity, and refers to Plato's advocacy of such persecution, as well as to the persecutions of the Roman Empire, and to Tacitus' thoughts on the subject. The other point to which von Hügel had referred was in relation to 'the vagaries of Luther and Calvin in sexual matters'. Admits that he ought to have said something about this, and explains that he did not mention it because he felt that he should 'maintain a severe reserve [on] the whole subject of sexual morality.' Claims that the relation of Christianity to this area of human life is a matter of extreme interest to him, and intends to add 'at least a few sentences' on the matter whenever another edition of his book is called for. Refers to another minor criticism, which von Hügel made in relation to the content of the book

Typewritten copy of letter. Her letter has just reached him at Var on their return from the island [the Île Roubaud]. Regrets that he and Nora will not be able to join her, as they have two necessary visits in Switzerland, and he must be in England again on 17 September. He and Nora are to attend two more 'experimental evenings' [involving Italian medium Eusapia Palladino and some prominent members of the Society for Psychical Research]. Wrote a letter to her husband, James Bryce, the previous morning, but fears that it will have just missed him. Their stay has been longer than had been previously anticipated, but believes that the prolongation has been of use. Refers to the Mediterranean island on which they have been staying, which is a delightful place to live, apart from the presence of mosquitoes. Wishes her and her husband a successful tour, and expresses his regret that he and Nora cannot join in it. Sends Nora's kindest remembrances.

Typewritten. Explains that this letter 'is a kind of postscript' to Nora's. Discusses whether or not Gladstone should go to work at an educational establishment for women at Holloway. Has always thought it desirable that Holloway 'should succeed and become a really effective part of the organisation of academic education for women', and refers to it as a place where experiment is desirable. Adds, however, that he does not think that it is interest of the movement for the promotion of women's education that Holloway 'should take the first place and put down Newnham and Girton and the Oxford Colleges into subordinate positions.' Believes that in the future it will be a successful institution for the purposes of examination preparation, but that at Oxford and Cambridge they aim to give to the élite of the students 'the interest in knowledge for its own sake and the independent grasp of the methods by which it is being advanced in different departments'. Believes that this 'can only be given in an institution where an active prosecution of original research and thought is being kept up', and does not think that this can be attained at Holloway. Discusses whether Gladstone's going to Holloway would be a gain to that institution 'sufficient to counterbalance the loss that it would undoubtedly be to Newnham', and finds it difficult to say. From a personal point of view wishes her to stay at Newnham, but urges her not to be influence by any sense of obligation.

Typewritten Gave Helen's sister 'as full and exact account of [his] views' as he could. After thinking over their conversation and re-reading her letter it occurred to him that there was one point on which he slightly disagreed with her phrase regarding her views on whether Holloway will or ought to be 'the leading college', and gives his views on this basis on the question of whether she should take a position at that institution. Believes that the prestige of her name does affect the matter somewhat, in that 'it inevitably makes [her] acceptance of the post imply a conviction in favour of Holloway, which would not be implied in the case of an ordinary professional person, naturally and legitimately aiming at professional advancement'.

Typewritten copy. Thanks Bryce for his comments [on part of Sidgwick's Elements of Politics?]; is particularly glad that he has 'drawn attention to the "ramblingness" of the chapter'. Explains that this effect is due to matter written at two different times, and the combination of two subjects. Is unsure whether he can make the chapter really coherent, but states that he can 'at any rate turn a halfunconscious digression into an avowed change of subject....' Hopes that Bryce had a successful visit to Cambridge the other day.

Typewritten copy. Thanks Bryce for his criticisms [of Sidgwick's Elements of Politics?]: will think over his advice in relation to the last chapter. If he does not take Bryce's advice, will introduce his '"questiuncules" with an apology'; he will also add a statement on his view of the question of sovereignty. Confesses that he despairs of the general reader, but undertakes to think over Bryce's suggestions. Says he has little to say of concrete interest, and that to conceal his 'barrenness of practical wisdom', he takes refuge in analysis. Sends the spare proof of chapter thirty-one [not included]. States that he is inclined to agree with him that the legal and practical questions have been confused in the discussion. Adds that he and Nora were sorry to miss the Bryces on the previous Sunday.

Typewritten copy. Believes that he is 'progressing in convalescence', but is having his 'ups and down '. Has read with much interest the report that Bryce sent, and thinks it to be 'decidedly improved' by the additions. Awaits the result with interest. Presumes that the report will be published at some stage, and asserts that 'even if the Council decides against action, it will be a good thing to have some discussion of the matter....' He and Nora return to London for a day or two on the following Monday or Tuesday, and then go to the Rayleighs for a few days, and then to Cambridge. Adds that 'it still seems very uncertain what degree of working faculty' he shall get back to when his convalescence is completed.

Typewritten copy. Wants Bryce's aid 'in reforming mankind - especially the University of Cambridge'. They have at present 'no examination in History', and he and others think they should, and that it should be incorporated into the Law Tripos, 'after the Oxford model.' As an examiner in his Law and Modern History school, he would like Bryce to write him a letter on the subject. Adds that they shall probably make International Law as prominent as they can, because they have just founded a professorship and several scholarships in this subject. Asks if he has seen [F. W. H. Myer's poem] St Paul, which, he remarks, is 'very fine poetical rhetoric - consummate except for excess of artifice, and occasional lapses into bad taste and into startling vulgarity...which reminds one of Ebenezer.' Does not think 'any man living could have written it except Myers'. Has heard that Conington 'is writing a "Numquamne reponam" on classical education in the Contemporary [Review]', and they 'expect to be withered.'

Typewritten copy. Sent Bryce's note to [Henry] Fawcett, being away from Cambridge; Fawcett had already sent his draught bill to [J. L.?] Hammond. Has always been in favour with 'Compromise with the Right Centre' in Cambridge, but Fawcett is opposed for several reasons, which Henry counters with the argument, amongst others, that Gladstone wants it. Lays out the concessions he would be willing to make to the Nonconformists, including the maintenance of Anglican service in chapels and of officers specially appointed to conduct it, restriction of official theological teaching in Colleges to clergy of the Church of England, and restrictions of headships. Intends to talk to [W. H.?] Bateson about the last concession. Asks Bryce what metropolitan liberals he represents, who are drawing up a bill, and what bill it is. Adds that the 'Right Centre' at present want tutorships, which they cannot grant.