Pièce 53 - William Whewell to Julius Charles Hare

7 pp.

WW has received JCH's published Charge: 'I should perhaps differ with you on one or two points...But almost every page contains opinions which I am rejoiced to have exprest'. WW is 'especially pleased with your note about the terms of union with the National Society'. WW wants JCH's advice as to whether he should take a college living or become a country clergyman (Masham has become vacant on Waddington's appointment to the Deanery of Durham). WW believes his 'task in college is well-nigh ended'. He has tried to improve the mathematical studies, written his History and Philosophy of Science, introduced the philosophy into the Fellowship examination. Further his friends depart or become distant through change of habits and he does not like the idea of growing old in college: 'The examples we have seen, and see, of such a close of life are not such as we should wish to follow'. Neither does he wish to end up Vice-Master and be confined to hall. However is he 'fit to take a cure of souls?' since he wants to continue with his literary occupations and pave the way for an improved system of Ethics: 'Am I not too averse to business? too unsympathizing with common people?'. He has seen JCH give up much of his his literary labours and does not want to do the same: 'If I can do anything, it is that I can systematize portions of knowledge which the consent of opinions has brought into readiness for such a process. I think I can do this in some important branches of morals, perhaps of other subjects. I cannot give up the design'.