Item 13 - Letter from W. K. Clifford to William and Mary F. Clifford

1 folded sheet

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Thanks them for a dressing-gown. Is feeling better, and got through his Whewell lecture without ill effects. There is concern that the Tests Bill will be shelved again, but the evidence presented by the Master and Appleton is good. Maxwell comes to see him and gives him ideas. Hopes they are both better.

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Transcript

Trinity College, Cambridge
Saturday
May 6

Dear Papa & Mama

How very kind of you to send me such a lovely thing. I have been wearing it nearly ever since. The only thing I regret is that I cannot go out of doors in it—I should look so swell if I walked around the paddock plunged in deep thought and a dressing gown. I am very much better, and have been nearly free from pain for several days: on Thursday I went for quite a long walk with Cayley, and yesterday I went out while it was sunny without being muffled up. Also I got through the Whewell lecture (one of a course that Sidgwick has organized) without ill effects. It rather frightened me, being much harder than my ordinary lectures; viz:, an hour and a half of steady talk about philosophical subjects where one had to be very careful of one’s terms. We are in a great state of mind about the Tests Bill, lest if the Lords should adopt the recommendations of the committee and stick to them, they may gain time enough to get it shelved again. The evidence of our master before the committee is very good; and Appleton’s is lovely. {1} I am so sorry you can’t come up. The sun is quite bright today, and it looks so tempting—on the other hand I burn to be at some equations which I know only want shaking to give lots of Theorems. Maxwell comes often to see me and gives me ideas. Good bye. I hope you are both better. Give my love to Eliza. Kate is to stay with you when I am at home.

your most loving son
Willie.

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{1} The House of Lords went into committee to discuss the University Tests Bill some time before 9 May 1871. The evidence presented to the committee by C. E. Appleton is referred to in The Times of that day (p. 5).