Showing 259 results

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Sends some lithographed notes on analytical geometry. Has been told that they cannot become Masters of Arts till next term. Jokes about Pollock's hat, and refers to Auerbach’s Spinoza, the new [edition of] Shelley, and Sidgwick's interpretation of one of Myers's poems.

(Marked 'Jan. 1870'.)

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Discusses various mathematical and philosophical topics. He and Crotch went see Body [speak], and were impressed by his ‘mystic earnestness and apostleship’.

[Cambridge.]—Cautions him against being transported by the grandeur of Greece, and refers to Geldart’s book on modern Greek. Is irritated that he has to give lessons for the ‘Little-go’.

(Postmarked at Cambridge, 19 Oct. 1870.)

[Cambridge.]—Cannot get away from Cambridge before Friday. Alludes to various theological doctrines relating to the body of Christ.

(Marked ‘1869’.)

St John’s College, Cambridge.—Discusses Pollock’s review of Morris [The Earthly Paradise, Part III]. Huxley has been at Cambridge, stirring up the young Christian men. The Society voted against the extension of the ‘Cont. dis.’[?] Acts last night. Suggests that divorce should be made as easy as marriage, and that polyandry should be made respectable.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Prefixes a poem about the grief of a mother for her dead son [in response to an actual event]. Has not yet sent in his Royal Institution abstract. Is going to London for the funeral today. Responds to Pollock’s comments on various mathematical and philosophical ideas [i.e. those discussed in A3/4].

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Has been working with Lockyer on molecules and talking metaphysics with Huxley. Refers to his ‘sermon’ [perhaps ‘Right and Wrong’ or ‘The Ethics of Belief’] on ‘the right and wrong of admitting the results of the scientific method in certain ground which it has already occupied’.

9 Park Place, Hills Court, Exeter.—Has been ‘by stealth’ to a Unitarian chapel, where Sir John Bowring spoke on the subject of religious progress beyond Christianity. Presents some humorous aphorisms on women [in French].

(Marked ‘circ. 1870’.)

Devon and Exeter Institution.—Commends Hullett's intellectual and teaching abilities and his character.

(The initial greeting is ‘Gentlemen’. Hullett passed the Mathematics Tripos in 1867. This letter appears to have been written not long afterwards.)

14 Maryland Road, Harrow Road, W.—Discusses Cotterill’s paper on polygons.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Explains remarks he made at the Union on the subject of heads of houses.

Hôtel Central, 12 Rue des Feuillants, [Marseilles].—The city is noisy but amusing. He liked Bordeaux and would like to see more of Lyons, but they were driven from Avignon by the bugs. Has just recovered from an attack of constipation. Describes a climbing expedition with Lucy. Is thinking of learning some Arabic and visiting Algeria.

(With envelope.)

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Pollock should certainly consult his fiancée about the length of their engagement. Sends some lines, ‘about three years old’, which were meant to begin his play Lassalle, and explains why he is thinking of taking it up again. States the terms of business of the Birkbeck Bank. Has been to see Le Roi Carotte [by Offenbach] with Moulton.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Refers to the subject of marriage. Is annoyed at having to write testimonials. Presents a Latin credo in honour of the goddess Liberty.

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Is delighted [by the news of Pollock’s engagement]. Is studying energy and reading Kant, Aristotle, and Noah Porter [The Human Intellect]. Croom Robertson is going to marry Miss Crompton. Refers to the mathematical volume published in commemoration of the marriage of Camilla Brioschi.

Belfast.—Before he came to the British Association meeting he and Lucy went to see her parents at Worthing. Refers humorously to the way in which he raised the subject of their marriage with her father. Tyndall, Spencer, and Huxley were delighted with Fred’s letter. Has been with Corfield and Atchison to hear Jellett lecture. Sends sympathies to Fred's legs.

(With envelope.)

Exeter.—Asks about his legs, and responds to his remarks on the ‘Green Grosery’ [Green and Grose’s edition of Hume’s Treatise on Human Nature]. Lucy has been to Aberdeen to try to save her sister [Isabel] from going into an Anglican convent.

26 Colville Road, [Bayswater].—Discusses a paper relating to rectilinear motion. Has nearly finished enumerating the types of compound statement with four terms. Huxley is preparing to lecture on Spinoza. Suggests that the law against contracts to find treasure by magic should be applicable to mediums.

26 Colville Road, [Bayswater].—It would do him more harm than good to give up his college work next term. He has already improved under Andrew Clark’s treatment, and is about to take a fortnight's holiday. They [he and Lucy] will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

Algiers.—Asks after the baby and her mother, and commends the choice of name. Outlines a scheme for the education of children, which he has partly communicated to Macmillan [the publishers]. Will write to Milady [Lady Pollock].

[Algiers.]—They leave on Thursday for Oran, Gibraltar, Malaga, and Granada. Willi will write to Lady Pollock.

Malaga.—Lucy has been seasick. Discusses the religious situation in France, and deplores the effect of the Church on the character of the Spanish people. They have no definite news about the war.

Algiers.—They are delighted by the news [of the birth of Isabel Alice Pollock]. Is eager to see the baby and hear more about her. Approves the choice of name.

(With envelope.)

Hotel Washington Irving, Granada.—On the 15th they leave for Cordova, Alicante, and Barcelona. They are ‘quite mad about everything Moorish’. Refers to the Pollocks’ forthcoming visit to Exeter, and discusses their children.

24 Bryanston Street, W.—Discusses the Cliffords’ health and movements. The doctors do not think that Willi should return to England yet. She and Fred think of coming to join them, perhaps with the children. Gives news of their present activities and engagements.

Monte Generoso, [Mendrisio, Switzerland].—It is very cold. Gives an account of their travels since they left Malta. Refers to a review by [P. G.] Tait. Hopes that the news from Belgium ‘has given all the cardinals the stom-ach-ache’.