Item 175 - Letter from Mary Sidgwick to Henry Sidgwick

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Informs him of what she knows of Edward [Benson']s plans, including the fact that he wishes to be chiefly at home during the holidays, and that on 1 August he goes to London to marry [Mr] Sp[ierling]. Suggests that if Henry comes [to Wellington College] early in August he may see Arthur, who will be coming after a week's stay with Mr Myers at the Lakes, and will be on his way to Switzerland. Announces that she will probably be at Wellington College longer than she had first intended, as 'the expected event [the birth of Minnie and Edward's baby]' has not yet come to pass. Reports that Minnie and the children are very well, and that Edward has bought a horse. Reports that Mr Hales from Cambridge and Mr Mitchell from Oxford are coming to Wellington College to examine the following week, and claims that she is anxious to see Henry's friend [Hales?].

Asks him to give her the name of his article which is to appear in the following month's Macmillan's Magazine, and also to tell her for what volume is his essay. Is glad that he is enjoying himself in London, and sympathises with his inability to sleep, and refers to the air at Wellington College being 'unusually soporific....' Wonders if he has seen any royal fêtes, and claims that she would have enjoyed 'a sight of the agricultural hall', and remarks that the Naval Exhibition 'must be considered a failure.'

22 July: Reports that Minnie has still not yet given birth. Lucy Brown has stayed at Rugby with her brother and a friend, and has gone to London to see an oculist on account of being threatened with blindness. Reports that there has been no further news of William, and hopes that he is well, 'and resting from glacier climbing for a while at Pontresina....' Refers to his having had, with Mr Esson, 'a successful ascent of the Wetterhorn...' [Incomplete?]