Pièce 186 - Letter from Mary Sidgwick to Henry Sidgwick

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Sends birthday wishes to Henry, and remarks on the fact that by the same time the following year she will have no child under thirty years of age. Reports that she returned from Brighton a week previously, where she had stayed for ten days with Henry's Aunt [Henrietta?] after leaving Minnie.

Relates that while at Brighton she saw Alice Horton, with whom she had a long conversation about herself and her family. Remarks that she found her to be 'an interesting girl', and relates that she is 'now teaching the little girls of a Captain and Mrs Grimshaw at Brighton', who are very kind, but have no sympathy with her 'in her literary yearnings'. Asks Henry to read two of her poems, Low Flying and Renunciation, in the September number of Fraser['s Magazine]. Mentions also 'a somewhat encouraging letter of Mr. Froude's to her', two or three from Mr Grove, the editor of Macmillan's Magazine, and a note from Mrs Gatty.

Refers to Mr Horton also, whose health varies, and to Mrs Horton's plans to publish some book of his by subscription. Refers also to the Horton's eldest son, who Alice claims 'has very good abilities and would gladly get more education if he could combine it with helping his mother.' Announces that she has invited Alice to stay with her in July, and hopes that Henry could come and give her some advice, and perhaps criticise her poems. Adds that she also intends to ask Frank Horton, so that Henry 'may see them both and talk of their future.' Remarks that Mr Boyd can do nothing, but will probably help with money when it is needed, and asks Henry to return to her the p[iece] of his letter.

Reports that William hopes to be in London on the following Thursday, and refers to his account in one of his letters of his ascent of Et[ ]. Asks Henry to send her the bill for his box. Refers also to his' 'scholarships for the Ladies'.