Item 8 - Letter from Andrew Clark to Frederick Pollock

1 folded sheet, 1 envelope

16 Cavendish Square, W.—Sends ‘the last touching record’ of Clifford’s death, and praises his character.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

16 Cavendish Square. W.
Sunday.

Dear Mr Pollock

Here is the last touching record of the death of poor Clifford—Whether Nature be all, or, as I humbly think, not all—whether, after life, there be conscious light, or only blank darkness, certainly this man with his exquisite sweetness & simplicity of character, with his rare intellectual capacities and gifts, with his moral strength & gentleness, & with that force of genius which carried him with increasing swiftness over the difficulties of abstract knowledge—was one of the noblest of her creations. And if the better part of religion be that which creates a life rather than a creed surely this life is an example which one need feel no shame in following.—

The memory of Clifford will long remain a precious possession to his friends of all classes & of all creeds; & when they think of him they will think also of you by whose devotion the days of his weakness & anxieties were covered with strength & comfort.

Sincerely yours
And[re]w Clark

[Direction on envelope:] Fred[eric]k Pollock Esq | 12 Bryanston Street | Portman Square W

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The envelope was postmarked at London, W., on 7 March 1879. Letters omitted from words abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.