Item 163 - Letter from Mary Sidgwick to Henry Sidgwick

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Reports that she has written to [Sampson?] Mordan, asking him to send Henry two or three gold pens to try, and tells him to send back the rest when he has chosen one; Arthur has at last got one that suits him. Reports on her re-arrangement of books, and states that Arthur has 'the wee room over the kitchen as a small sanctum....' Reports that Arthur was very happy with the result of the Dresden expedition that he went on with [F.E.] Kitchener. Refers to the imminent weddings of two of their young masters [at Rugby School]: the marriage of Mr Potts and Miss B[owden] Smith, and Mr Bond and Miss Cram, the sister of Mrs Elsee.

Reports that Ada [Benson] is staying at Rugby, and claims that she is glad to have her and to know her better. Thinks that 'there is much good in her and a great deal of thought', but still believes 'that girls develop better under home influences until past 20....' Refers to Mr and Mrs [Jex-?] Blake and their feelings about Professor and Mrs Benfey and Göttingen.

Refers to Henry's last letter, and discusses the dangers of mental inactivity. Is glad that Henry is to see William, who will tell him about a plan for her to see Switzerland that year. Thinks that Arthur knows of Emilia in England [novel by Meredith, later renamed Sandra Belloni], but undertakes to tell him of it anyway. Asks whether he takes Macmillan's Magazine as he used to, and asks him to send them to her. Offers to send him some orange marmalade. Reports that all is well at Wellington College, and states that she shall be there about the end of May.

Announces that one of Henry's Stone Gappe cousins - Algernon - is preparing to emigrate to British Caffraria [the Cape Colony/South Africa] in a few weeks. Reports that Henry's Aunt is now in a private place 'called the "Retreat" near York, and that his Uncle and Aunt Crofts from Leeds are that week at Brighton.