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Announces that he intends to be in Cambridge all the following week, and that he would very much like to see the letters of which she speaks. States that he had intended to send with this letter the notices of the College meetings for 1865, 1867 and 1868, and two notices for a meeting for the alteration of statutes in 1869, but hopes to go to the College library the following day to fill up the missing year, 1866, and undertakes to send all the documents together. Refers also to his intention to verify that Henry Sidgwick began to lecture on Moral Sciences in October 1867. States that he had not fully realised the extent of Henry's activity with regard to the College meetings etc. between 1865 and 1869. Refers to the Classical Tripos Syndicate, which led to the reforms that took effect in the examination of 1872. States that she would be able to get the date of 'the pamphlet from Mr Clark at the Registry, where, he claims, she would also find 'a very amusing fly-sheet, in which Henry describes Dr Guest, the Master of Caius, as "that dashing innovator".' Wishes that he had revised his notes before she copied them, as some of them were 'both hasty and rough.'

Returns the 'fragment' [not included], and asks her to let him know that it has reached her. Remarks that it is deeply interesting, and expresses the wish that there had been more of it. Queries a date in it in relation to the publication of Ecce Homo [by Seeley, of which Henry Sidgwick wrote a critique] and points out that the terms ' "classical lectureship" ' and ' "lectureship in moral sciences" ' are 'technically inexact', and goes on to explain the system of appointments and titles.

Reports that the 'N.P.P.' was returned to him the previous night, and he sends her a copy of it [not included]. Declares that he enjoyed very much seeing her the previous day. Remarks that it is such a comfort, 'on this Greek question, to be able to see and to say, without reservation, how foolish and ignorant everyone is who does not agree with oneself.' States that he is glad that she is making progress with the book, [Henry Sidgwick, a Memoir] and looks forward to its publication. Desires that, through it, Henry 'should speak to a wider circle than his letters and talk could do.' Refers to Henry's humility, sympathy and intellectual power.

Thanks her for sending back the letters from Henry Sidgwick. Undertakes to see if he can find any more from him, but doesn't think there are many, if any. Hopes that his uncle Arthur Sidgwick will cut back on some of his other work, of which he believes he does 'far too much', in order to devote himself to the writing of the memoir. Declares that '[t]he great desideration is that the writer should want to [write] more than anything else in the world - and everything is quickly and well done when that is behind.' Advises Nora to ask Maggie if she can find any letters, and states that there are a good many papers at [ ]. Undertakes to look there when he goes back there in August.

Thanks her for her letter. Claims that one of the letters that gave him 'more pleasure than almost any letter' he ever received in his life was one from Henry Sidgwick referring to an article Cross had written in January 1879 called 'American [ ]'. Remarks on Henry's 'uncommon generosity in dealing with another person's small work....' Explains that he has mislaid this letter, but undertakes to send Nora any others that he comes across.

Announces that she has at last found a letter to send to Nora, from Henry Sidgwick to her father [James Martineau], on the subject of the Free Christian Union. Explains that Dr Drummond found it, and that it is dated 22 February, but has no year on it. Undertakes to send on any more letters that turn up.

Sends her the letters from Henry Sidgwick to [John Addington] Symonds [not included], which he found among the latter's papers. Claims that he is sorry to part with them, but that she has every right to them. Confesses that he has kept back one, and offers to send her the original after he has taken a copy, but states that he would like to keep one original letter from Henry 'to Johnnie.' Referring to all of Henry' letter to him [Brown], claims that they were mostly about Symonds 'Life'. Remarks on the fact that in the letters he sends there are references to 'the Journal', and states that that really covered the larger part of their correspondence. Sends his mother's kindest regards. Note in Nora's hand refers to the letters accompanying this letter, and dates from 1881, 1889, and 1892, and states that she has compared copies with originals.

States that he forgot to mention in his last letter [Add.MS.b.71/27] that Henry Sidgwick signed a petition drawn up by him [Sully] and Leslie Stephen in 1883 to the Home Secretary [Sir William Harcourt] asking him 'to reduce the sentence of a year's imprisonment passed on a man P[ ], an avowed Atheist, for blasphemy.' States that some, including Sir F. Pollock, believed that the sentence was not excessive, but that he [Sully] and others thought that it was, and they 'mustered a fair number of good names, including Prof. Huxley, Rev. [ ] Davies, Mr C[ ] [ ], and others.' Adds that Home Secretary acknowledged in the House of Commons that he had received the petition, but stated that he did not intend to act upon it. States that some days previously he came across the empty envelope in which Henry Sidgwick had enclosed his signature [included with letter, Add.MS.b.71/27a].

States that he has read her enclosure 'with renewed interest', and states that he would read it again and again if it were possible for him to retain it. States that he has no objection 'to the publication [the memoir of Henry Sidgwick?]' Explains that, having been absent from Oxford he did not receive her letter 'in time to attend to it sooner'.

Expresses her happiness at having received a letter from Nora, and also at the news that the book is in progress. Tells Nora to do what she and Arthur please about Henry Sidgwick's letters to her [Cannan], and expresses regret that she destroyed the early ones, which were 'so full of playful, delicate humour....' Announces that the previous day was her eighty-sixth birthday, and refers to the various presents and good wishes she received. Reports that her nephew Edwin Cannan is with her and 'is a great comfort' to her in many ways. States that she is in good health still, but that 'strength is failing fast, as it is entitled to be.' Reports that they have had a glorious summer [in Westmoreland] and that the country 'has kept its verdure and coolness.' Declares that it was a pleasure to see Thomas and Miss Sharpley 'and to pick up the dropped stitches.'

Claims that he has been so busy of late that he has not had time to write to her on a subject that interests him deeply. Announces that he intends to write 'a conversational letter' on his thoughts about Henry Sidgwick, and will leave it to her to make whatever use of it she thinks fit. Refers to Henry's participation in the reorganisation of Classical Studies in Cambridge University and in England, and remarks on the fact that he was not a supporter of compulsory classics. States that they owe a great deal to Colvin and B[even] for their contribution, but states that besides them nobody has done more to fix and to develop Classical Archaeology in Cambridge than Bradshaw and HS. Recalls his the beginning of his own lecturing in Cambridge, and the r�le that HS played in it. Claims that, personally and professionally, HS was of great help to him for the entire period they knew each other, and declares that he 'selfishly' misses him, as he does Bradshaw. States that the memory of such men cannot die as long as those whom they have benefited live, and that it is the duty of the latter that the memory of their benefactors remain after they themselves have departed. Recalls two conversations he had with HS after his operation, and refers to the 'calm and serene way in which he talked about his past life and about death', which was 'in keeping with his lofty mind and character.' Refers to one of the talks, when James Bryce joined them, and HS was asked whether he had written an autobiography. Also recalls a conversation HS had with a learned German professor, in which the latter asked him whether they had a class of learned people in England, and HS replied that they did, and they were called Prigs. Hopes that the letter will be of use to NS.

Acknowledges receipt of the proofs of Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir. Claims that he began reading it at four o'clock that morning and read to the end of 1884. Declares that the account of Henry's work at Cambridge raised him greatly in his [Trevelyan's] esteem and admiration, and remarks on how little Henry said about his labours and self-sacrifices. Refers favourably to the 'Journal letters' also. Hopes that she will insert Henry's letter to Trevelyan of 29 May 1905 [sic], which, he claims, is 'one of the most touching and beautiful things in the world.' Gives her permission to show it to Arthur Sidgwick. Sends his wife's best love, and looks forward to Nora's visit.

Thanks her for her letter. States that he has read the proofs of Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir, which she sent to him, and has made marginal notes throughout. Declares that he likes the way Arthur Sidgwick has done the early chapter[s], and that he does not believe that 'anything in the [ ] of literature of this order' has moved him so much. Refers also to 'the faithful record of a man's last days on earth....' Declares that the book is one of the best biographies ever written. Adds, however, that he misses in the book the presentation of his marriage as a source of his contentedness and 'beatitude'. Predicts that Henry 'will continue to draw his future men into him not only by his published writings of all sorts - but now by his example....' Adds that he has a card for Arthur 'fixing Monday 18th [ ] at Cambridge. Not at Oxford [as he hoped]'. States that he will be there.

[Dictated to W. Berwick] Sends her his 'contribution to the Biography', i.e., notes about Henry Sidgwick [included]. States that he is not quite satisfied with it, but does not intend to make any further alterations until he sees it in type. States that he is very glad she was 'able to stay so long, and had such good weather.' Urges her not to overwork herself if she can help it, and adds that they shall probably meet in the late autumn.

Prefaces the account by explaining that his sister Nora has asked him, as one of the earliest of Henry Sidgwick's pupils in philosophy, to supplement, from his personal recollection, 'what has been so excellently said by Professor Maitland and others who came somewhat later...', but claims that he has, in fact, little to add to their statements, and nothing to correct in them. States that he was, as an undergraduate, a fellow commoner, which gave him more privileges than many of his contemporaries. Relates that he [Balfour] came up from Eton to Cambridge in 1866, 'with no academic ambitions, but with the highest expectations as to the gratifications which academic life had to offer...', and claims that Sidgwick was very instrumental in insuring that these expectations were not disappointed.

Declares that Sidgwick offered, in addition to his ordinary lectures, 'a small class for those specially interested in the metaphysical side of the "Moral Science" Tripos...', which consisted, he believes, of only one other student besides himself. Describes these classes, which took place in Sidgwick's room and consisted mainly of conversation and discussion. Refers favourably to Sidgwick's method of teaching, and states that they were 'allowed to forget that [they] were preparing for an examination...', which added to the pleasure of learning. Adds that Sidgwick did not force upon his students the historic method of studying philosophy, and states that altough the study of the history of is important, its importance is 'secondary and derivative', and is not likely to be appreciated by the 'youthful student'. States that he never drove his pupils 'into the arid regions of speculation....' Regrets that he is unable to recall the precise details of his method of teaching.

Claims that the relation between Sidgwick and himself of tutor and pupil 'rapidly ripened into a warm personal friendship....' Relates how Sidgwick was adept at encouraging students. Claims that of all the men he has known Sidgwick was the readiest to consider every controversy and every controversialist on them; that he never claimed authority, never sought to impose his views, never argued for victory, and never evaded an issue. Remarks on the influence HS had over the intellectual development of any who had 'the good fortune to be associated with him, whether as pupil or as friend', and claims that he [Balfour] was 'doubly happy' in that he was both. With amendments and emendations.