Item 184 - Letter from Mary Sidgwick to Henry Sidgwick

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Reports on her and William's movements over the previous few weeks; their visit to Pattendale, where Henry's Uncle Robert had been, their journey by carriage to Penrith and to Skipton. She went on to Stone Gappe [home of her brother in law Francis Lace], while William went to the Raikes [Robert Sidgwick's home]. On 13 September she journeyed by carriage to Threshfield, on her way to [Arncliffe], where she was met by Mr Boyd's carriage, and found 'all the young Boyds assembled along with Mr Boyd's wife. Claims to have felt that the welcome afforded to her there was 'less hearty than of old' because of her Rugbean connections, and reports that she heard strong condemnation of Dr Temple.

Adds that Henry's Uncle Robert begged her to say that Henry's welcome there 'will be cordial as it ever was.' States that she did not speak to his Uncle Lace of either his or Arthur's resignation of their Fellowships, in order to avoid discussion of the matter. Relates that from Arncliffe she went to the Raikes for three days, and the previous Saturday came to Rugby. Announces that she goes to Leeds the following day for one night.

Reports that William believes that his Lake trip did his health a lot of good, and that he will be at Rugby by the end of the week. Adds that Arthur 'had a most prosperous voyage from Norway, and that his whole trip was a great success. Reports that Edward, Minnie and the children were a month at Whitby, and stayed at the Bishop. of Lincoln's 'for some days' on their way home. Claims to have had 'a good half day at Bolton'. Reports on Henry's Uncle Christopher's illness, and subsequent recovery, and relates that she saw him the previous Friday, 'looking ill and emaciated, but full of jokes as usual, and when grave, he talked of his favourite Millennial Theories just as he used to do....' Asks Henry what he thinks the difference between a ' "spiritual body" ' and a ' "natural body" ' is, and explains that the question refers to a biblical passage.