Item 9 - Letter from W. K. Clifford to Frederick Pollock

1 folded sheet

9 Park Place, Hills Court, Exeter.—Has been to hear Sir John Bowring speak at a Unitarian chapel. Presents some humorous aphorisms on women, in French.

(Undated. Marked ‘circ. 1870’.)

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Transcript

9 Park Place, Hills Court, Exeter

I am so glad there is a good book to read: but it is sure to be in German, and too much trouble for me. This morning by stealth (asking the way of a policeman) to a chapel of the unitarians; where Sir John Bowring to a highly respectable audience (their only fault) held forth on religious progress beyond the Xtian pale. It was rather the old story: account of Confucius and Buddha and the Parsees, and how nice they all were, and what the King of Siam had said to him {1}. There was a great deal about progress, and expanding thought, and things; but the whole atmosphere was close with as strong a perfume of mystic devotion as any church I was ever in. The regular minister also looked a preeminent parson. Tennyson might be edified to know that they alter his “Strong Son of God, immortal Love” into “Eternal God, etc.,” and then sing it as a hymn. Sort of Old Hundredy kind of tune. What a row there will be when my people find out that I have been there; which they must in time.

My years of play being now over, I present my experience in the form of aphorisms (à la Balzac) to those who may come after me; these being (as he says) neatly written out, may have the air of thoughts.

I
Sous cette forme gracieuse que nous appelons femme, il y a ordinairement plusieures âmes, dont chacune renferme une femme complete, mais dont le plupart n’ont pas encore subi l’incarnation.

II
Chaque femme est vierge quant à celles de ses âmes qui ne sont pas encore nées.

III
Sous une femme feminine quelconque, il est possible de créer une femme parfaitement neuve, fraiche, et vierge; et d’agir en sorte qu’elle vous aime, et que cette âme à laquelle vous avez donné l’existence domine sur toutes les autres et devienne Elle. Alors elle ne peut être infidèle avec cette âme-ci. Celui qui veut se donner la peine pourra toujours faire ainsi.

IV.
Celui qui veut pas se donner la peine pourra faire autre chose.

V
Il ne faut pas laisser aimer la nouvelle âme avant qu’elle soit arrivé à l’age convenant. Rien ne supprime le dévellopement plus que l’amour précoce.

VI.
Qui s’attend, s’étend.

VII.
La Reine ne fait point du mal. Qui mal y pense a mal fait.

I hope to see you tomorrow. À la libertad. Thy

Willie

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{1} Bowring had negotiated a commercial treaty with King Mongkut of Siam in 1855.

• English
• French