Item 130 - Letter from Janet Catherine Symonds to Henry Sidgwick

Claims that she cannot help writing, after reading Sidgwick's last letter to H.F. B[rown]. Says that she has thought of him and Nora much since she saw them in London. Glad that they are 'able to move about among [their] fellow-men even at Margate'. Reports that the weather is persistently bad in the High Alps, and remarks that it is well that Horatio has the History of [Venice] 'to employ his mind, for his walking boots won't sit idle on the shelf on such a day as this.' Reports that her sister [in law] Charlotte - Mrs Green - is there, and that Lina Duff Gordon and 'Charles Furse's nice sister' went off to England that day. Refers to Katharine's happiness, and confesses that it is infectious, but expresses her concern as to whether it can last. Reports that Charles writes to Katharine that he has eight portraits to finish and two large decorative p[ ]s for Liverpool 'before he can possibly find time for marrying her'. States that 'Madge's letters are all agog about the prospect of Sedbergh' [her husband William may have been in the running for a position there] and that the elections are to be settled by the twentieth of the month. Declares his testimonials to be excellent, and says that she is glad that Sidgwick saw him. States that she loves him best of her sons-in-law. Sends her love to both Sidgwick and his wife.