Affichage de 16 résultats

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Hopes his parents had a good time at Welcombe. He and Bessie were 'very glad' to see his mother in London: they had a 'pleasant evening with her, and at George's the next day'. They are going to London again tomorrow, and Robert will 'arrange about the publishing of [his] new play [The Birth of Parsival]'; in the afternoon, they will see Marlowe's Faustus, performed by the Elizabethan Stage Society. Bessie is well, and they are enjoying the weather and countryside, 'which is very beautiful this autumn'.

The situation with Russia [the Dogger Bank incident] 'seems very bad, especially this morning'; however, he thinks the two governments [Russian and British] will find a way to 'settle the matter, especially as the French government seems very anxious for peace'. Thanks his father for returning Dmitri Roudine, and is glad he found it interesting; perhaps it is 'not a perfect novel', but Robert thinks he likes it 'almost as much as any of Turgeneff's'.

They went last week to stay for two nights with Aunt Meg [Price] at Pen Moel, and had a 'very pleasant visit'; Robin was there 'and seemed much improved, though still very shy'. A 'young Trinity man' is there as his tutor, whom they liked. Also staying was 'Lady Macdonald, the wife of the Canadian "Dizzy" [Sir John Macdonald]'; she was 'rather amusing for a little, but not for long, as she is really very vulgar, though quite a kind good-natured person'. Reminded him of 'characters in Dizzy's novels. Perhaps she modelled upon them'.

Bertie Russell has been staying for two days and was 'very cheerful, as he is getting on now quite well with his work which is to revolutionize mathematics'; he 'got stuck' for almost a year and 'could not get on at all, which together with the Fiscal controversy depressed his spirits very much'. Sends love from both himself and Bessie to both his parents; Bessie thanks his mother for her letter.

Reports that he has been very busy. Remarks on 'Edward's boy [a student from Edward Benson's school, Wellington College?]' having been elected for a minor scholarship at Trinity College, and that he had written to Bradley to tell him of the faults of a boy of his who had been elected minor scholar. Observes that Bradley and Temple 'continue banging affectionately at each other in the Times.' Looks forward to vacation, but is sure that hard work is good for him on the whole. Reports that the weather is splendid. Wonders whether their 'usual concourse of May visitors will go on increasing' as it has in the previous few years. Predicts that the typical Cambridge man 'will be an antiquarian personage who knows about the history of the colleges and is devoted to "Culture des ruines"as the French pamphleteer said.' Refers to his friend Mozley having produced his article on Modern Poets in the Quarterly Review, and fears that it is dull. Believes that he ranks Clough high, and is glad 'as it will astonish the old-fashioned readers of the Quarterly. They will regard the editor as a literary Disraeli marching with his age'. States that he enquired about Christ's Hospital for 'young [Fred] Horton', but found that he was much too old.

Writes to ask her to inform William of certain developments; that 'W.A. Wright [new member of the Ad Eundem] cannot come'; that he himself will come if his hayfever is not too bad; and that he has not yet heard from the other new member. States that he is glad to hear that he [William?] is going on so well. Expresses his regret at the news of 'the calamity', involving Dr Meyer. States that he has never met the latter, but that he has heard a good deal from Mary about a Miss Meyer. Reports that [in Cambridge] they are all 'quiet and prosperous', and that he is 'rather hard at work with a variety of teachings.' Asks whether she has got any subscriptions for him for the ladies' lectures. Reports that he has read the greater part of Disraeli's novel [Lothair?], and does not think it equal to the best of his earlier ones, but states that 'it is very light and amusing reading.' Does not think that he has read anything else lately except Rossetti's poems, some of which he judges to be 'splendid', but he would not recommend the whole book.

[Sent from Whittingehame, A. Balfour's house in Lothian]:- He and Nora were very busy up to the end of the previous year, until they escaped to Prestonkirk on New Year's Eve. They arrived in Cambridge on 26 December, on Thursday morning they were completing their arrangements for the Conference of Schoolmistresses on the following day, and their friends arrived that evening 'and educational talk began lasting without intermission till Friday evening...' On Saturday he began to prepare his answers for the Cambridge University Commissioners, and finished them on Monday morning, before his journey to Scotland.

Reports on the conference itself, which 'made up a compact and business-like meeting at the Townhall.' States that he was impressed with the schoolmistresses, who 'said what they had to say in a clear, short, practical way'. They 'fixed a limit of ten minutes for the speeches, but the only speaker who showed the least desire to exceed it was a Man..' Mentions that among the speeches made was one by Professor John Mayor. A short paragraph about the conference was sent to the newspapers, and got into the Times. Among those who came were James Wilson from Rugby with his sister Annie, who is head of a school at Grantham; Annie Marshall from Leeds, Professor Green from Oxford 'with his professorial honours fresh upon him', and Eve 'who used to be at Wellington College. States that Arthur was not able to come because Charlotte was not well enough to be left.

Reports that they have 'delightful weather' there in Prestonkirk, and that his brothers-in-law are all assembled. Claims that he has got the burden of his article pretty much off his mind. Describes the 'lovely winter view' from his window. Sends on Nora's love. Adds that they did not hear any political secrets at Hatfield, but reports that Myers, whom they had seen in London 'had seen Dizzy at Windsor Castle and reports that he bore a remarkably swaggering and triumphant aspect', and they are afraid that 'that Hebrew has been brewing some ill for his step-native land!'

Announces his return [from accompanying his sister Minnie to Wiesbaden], having read all of Myers' books. Claims to be very glad to have 'attained s[ ] views on Paul de Kock'. Asks Myers if he knows what other of his works are worth reading, and states that he quite understands Disraeli's praise of him, and sees his influence on 'D.' a little. Remarks that Taine is 'a clever man', but does not like his work. Reports that the Venns have just returned, but that he hasn't seen them.

Asks Myers if he thinks that [Mandell?] Creighton and Laing would correspond with women [as part of an educational correspondence programme] in English literature. Discusses the need for more money to subsidise 'impecunious governesses', and asks him if he thinks any wealthy person sympathetic to the project would subscribe. The plan is to 'make the poor girls pay for one course, and then give them two more if they like'; a 'certificate of poverty from a clergyman' is always obtained. Refers briefly to the troubles at Rugby [with Henry Hayman].

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for sending back the Maupassants [see 46/338], and also for the Saturday Review. He and Bessie were very much interested in his father's letter 'as a delightful bit of biography and autobiography', as was his 'chapter in the Life of Dr Butler [The Harrow Life of Henry Montagu Butler]'. Wonders where the quote about 'Gladstone rising to make his reply to Disraeli' came from;: 'perhaps from Morley's Life [of Gladstone]'.

The only time he himself 'ever saw or heard Disraeli' was when his mother took him, he thinks 'as a boy of seven or eight... into the Ladies' Gallery [at the House of Commons]'; of course he has 'only a very dim recollection of him', especially since his short-sightedness meant he 'could not see him distinctly'.

'[B]eautiful Spring weather here today', with the leaves 'coming out everywhere, though not on the oaks yet'. Has 'just been assisting Julian to shave himself'; he now has to shave 'twice or even three times a week'.

B[awtr]y. - Uncertain visiting arrangements for Easter; possible inclusion of Mr Disraeli - 'Whatever be his morale, I find both a use & an enjoyment in the occasional society of a man of rare intellectual accomplishment - & this undeniably he is'; continual rain; Galway rowing over his estate; poor prospects for Oxford crew [in University Boat Race] in flimsy racing boat]. Railway dealings with Cooke and others; Bill now less likely to pass this year.

66, 67, and 69 are addressed to Robert Pemberton Milnes.

Grosvenor Gate. - On the death of Robert Pemberton Milnes. Signed 'D'.

Gros[veno]r Gate. - Regrets they must decline invitation to Fryston owing to continuation of business; his wife's forthcoming reception in 'the wilds of Germany'; perhaps Milnes can attend her 'Monster Déjeuner' in honour of the High Dutch Review.

Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb[e]. - Probable economic effects of local taxation or a sinking fund; necessity of interim measures; 'A well considered protection to the land will be more facile of adoption by the generality when the discussion, & stir, of a year or two, have taught them, that the land has its grievances, as well as its privileges, wh. they have assailed & abrogated. Milnes' other hints excellent and will be used when possible. First meeting of the Buckinghamshire Association for the Relief of Real Property is on 31st October.

Hughenden Manor. - Must decline invitation to Fryston with regret; had hoped to visit after Burghley but must return to Town on the 27th; sorry to miss seeing Milnes and his wife.