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Photocopy of Benson's article in vol. LIV (1886) and Goodwin's article in vol. LV (1887).

W. H. Thompson, tutor at Trinity, to C. J. Vaughan, headmaster of Harrow about the admission of two boys: Cecil James Monro, and Montagu Butler.

Refers to Sidgwick's letter in the previous night's edition of the Pall Mall Gazette, and regrets that Sidgwick was annoyed by a passage in his letter in the Saturday Review. Explains that he was provoked by the form of the article to which his letter refers, and wrote the letter, of which he sends Sidgwick the original [not included]. Wishes to show that he had no intention of insinuating that Sidgwick was 'one of those who held no form of Christianity to be tenable.' Discusses the relation of reason to Scripture, and states that he has identified Sidgwick with those who think the Roman catholic religion synonymous with Church of England[ism]. Refers to the word 'Quixotic' in the Saturday Review, and to the 'obnoxious article'. Explains that he now regrets that he erased a paragraph from the proof, and believes that if Sidgwick had read it he might not have taken the same view of his letter. Claims that he only wished to show 'that there was no "cynicism" in thinking that [Sidgwick] and others might have retained [their] fellowships with [their] present views'.

Writes to inform Sidgwick that he has been elected Praelector in Moral Science by the Seniority.

He asks if Sidgwick will give him on paper the substance of his proposal in regard of Mr Ward. Says that there was no time to discuss the matter at the last [ ].

Writes to inform Sidgwick that 'at a special meeting of the Council at which all 13 members were present', he was unanimously elected to a Fellowship of the College. His day of admission is to be the following Monday at 10.45.

Understands that Sidgwick 'can give some account of the Lady alluded to in the enclosed epistola [ ]' [not included]. States that even if she is possessed of the '"[ ]" powers she professes, it seems doubtful whether she ought to be openly encouraged by inmates of [their] House.' Has no doubt that Sidgwick will give him 'a candid statement of the case' as it appears to him.

Sends Sidgwick 'another Epistle' he has received from Carb[respolis?]. Remarks that Sidgwick has 'very likely 'erlebt' some scenes of the kind', but that the manifestations accorded to him 'may have been quite different in character.'

Comments that Sidgwick's letter seem to him 'to meet the case very well', but suggests that one epithet at the end 'is perhaps a trifle too aggressive though perfectly just.' Recommends alternative adjectives to be used in place of those used by Sidgwick. Remarks that 'to check Furnivall is a feat hitherto unperformed, probably impossible', but that the threat of a general withdrawal may stop him for a time.

Thanks Sidgwick for his present of his new work on his 'favourite subject' [Outlines of the History of Ethics...?] Remarks that he hopes that the work, being historical, will be within the limits of his capacity. Announces that they are to leave Scarboro[ugh] for Harrowgate in a couple of days. Presumes that Sidgwick rejoices 'at the discomfitness of this most immoral of high-churchmen.' Sends their regards to Mrs Sidgwick.

Declares that he should be very sorry to throw any obstacle in the way of enquiries 'into the curious phenomena of "Spiritualism"' and predicts that if Sidgwick can prove that there is a scientific truth at the bottom of them, he will have made 'a highly interesting discovery.' Refers to an enclosed letter [not included], which shows 'how great a solidarité there is between resident members of one and the same College. Declares that it would be a pleasure to him if the scene of Sidgwick's experiments could be 'removed to some home in the town occupied by somebody interested in the investigations', and if they were to be presided over by a lady, 'so much the more satisfactory to Mr. G.'

Writes to tell Sidgwick that, on referring to the London Review, he finds that he had misinformed him about the authorship of the article on Tennyson, and states that it is by J.S. Mill. Mentions that he misses some criticisms 'which existed in the article [John] Sterling did write.' Suggests that this article may be found in Blackwood [it is in fact in the Quarterly Review of September 1842]. States that it is not in the 'Edinbro' [Edinburgh Review], 'but in the LXXXVIIth vol of the blue and yellow [ie the E. R.] there is a very good article by Spedding [on] the two vols. which appeared 1842.' Claims that he should recognise Sterling's 'fine Roman hand' if he saw it, but has no collection of Blackwoods of this kind. Reports that he 'ran down [Saint] Simeon Stylites with his usual vehemence, and rather scoffed at the Ode to Memory, comparing it, unfairly, and of course unfavorably, with Wordsworth's Platonic Ode'.

Asks if he may assume that Sidgwick would allow his name to be added to the list of Honorary Fellows, in accordance with 'the desire of the "Sixteen Fellows next on the Roll"'. States that he read Sidgwick's letter to the [Seniority]; that 'some discipline took place', and that further consideration was postponed until their next meeting.

Refers to a conversation they had some years previously [see 95/157] in relation to a review by John Sterling of Tennyson, which he had believed was to be found in the London Review, but on looking there, found that the article on Tennyson had been written by Mill. He did not find Sterling's article until the previous day, in Hare's collection of Sterling's pamphlets and other papers, where he had looked for and found his article on Carlyle. Reports that it purports to be taken from 'the Quarterly [Review] (of all organs of opinion) of 1842'. Remarks that the paper on Carlyle strikes him as poor, and that on Tennyson as 'Philistinish'. Comments that Starling 'had but a limited appreciation of poetry, and did not clearly know good from bad.' Congratulates Sidgwick 'on having passed through a 3rd edition.'

Letter (158/1) referring to the 'enclosed contributions' [158/2] to Sidgwick's paper as meagre, but as being representative of what he had found time to read and think about during the summer. Believes that the passage in Plato's Republic must stand, and states that the true ruler 'ought to know enough of the true statecraft to govern without the consent of mutinous inferiors.' Dicusses the difference between statecraft and statesmanship. Hopes that Sidgwick will have enough papers printed for Thompson to have half a dozen.

158/2: transcription of a passage from Plato's Republic relating to a steersman and his crew. Refers to notes made some years before, which discuss the passage in terms of its literal and grammatical content. Refers to 'Mr S.'s' [Sidgwick's?] view on the passage.

Two letters.