Notebook continuation of 110
Keppel Street - The instruments [for the Magnetic Observatory] are likely to be ready by the end of October. CB has made some enquiries for an assistant to Mr. Glaisher, the superintendent of the Magnetic department at Greenwich Observatory. A respectable assistant will not be got for much less than £120 per year. Glaisher 'observed that at that salary, they seldom kept long those who were worth keeping; and if they did remain there, it was only for the sake of retaining the name of 'Assistant at the Royal Observatory' as a stepping stone to something better'. Some final details to consider before the plan of the building is finally settled.
Brook Street - Thanks WW for the 3rd volume of his Platonic Dialogues. HH thinks WW should undertake a similar project for Aristotle: 'The fame of his logic etc, in the scholastic ages obscured the higher merits of his writings, - and hardly until Cuvier's appeal to his books...did we know any thing in this country of his marvellous prowess in Natural History'. Obviously WW knows a great deal about these things as he frequently displays in his works on the Inductive Sciences: 'But I feel desirous to press the suggestion I have ventured to offer; finding from intercourse even with men of science, that they are far less aware than they might to be of those remarkable anticipations of the knowledge of our time'.
Canvassing WW's support for his 'Course of Lectures on the Science and Practice of Elocution which I have solicited the permission of the Vice Chancellor to deliver at Cambridge'. JT has 'devoted a considerable portion of the last thirty years to the purpose of establishing the Theory and Accomplishment of oral utterance upon Scientific Principles, deducible from the laws, or necessities of organic structure and action, and the consequent inherent principles of prosodial harmonics'. He wants to bring his findings - 'I may say discoveries' - to the attention of men of science like WW.
States that she would be happy to see Mr Myers with him any Sunday. Claims that Sidgwick's judgment about what she does will always be a matter of interest to her. Maintains that she finds it difficult to undertake to represent 'the actions of those small but potent social conditions which have hitherto been most neglected by art.'
Cross, Marian (1819-1880), née Evans, author, pseudonym George EliotThanks Mallet for his long letter [94/111]. Contends that the latter exaggerates the extent of their disagreement in relation to various aspects of political and economic theory, with regard to, e.g., dispensing distributive justice, private capital employed in production. Refers also to what he [Sidgwick] says in chapter seven [of his book] on 'the "increasing inequalities" ', and acknowledges that the statement should be further explained, as Mallet 'understood it to contradict the conclusions of Giffen.' Claims that there is 'no such contradiction', and outlines what he believes Giffen attempted to prove in relation to the income of manual labourers, referring to the increasing difference between the highest and the lowest class of that group. Denies that he 'has "ignored the international point of view" in what [he says] of the nationalisation of the land.' Claims that '[t]he claim of the rest of the human race on the land now held by Englishmen is not in any way implicitly denied by the agreement of Englishmen to hold their land in common', and that it would only be affected by the prevention of immigration into England. Refers to his own paper read at the Political Economy Club. [Incomplete].
Sidgwick, Henry (1838-1900), philosopher1 Marloes Road, Kensington, W. Dated April 15 - Wonders if he should add a chapter on myths and the origin of death to an unidentified work.
No. 5 Sion Row, Twickenham, Middlesex - Suggests that the sacred fires mentioned in 'The Golden Bough' are related to the ritual of Holy Week ceremonies.
Reporting research on mesons.
Miscellaneous early correspondence, mainly cards, letters, greetings from Frisch's parents.
2 pp. typescript dated 11 June 1942 and signed J.H. Manley and J.R. Oppenheimer, with 6 pp. MS and typescript comments by Frisch.
Re Refereeing.
Metelliano. - Received Trevelyan's gift of verse from the Shiffolds with pleasure; had also recently read a letter of Trevelyan's to Nicky [Mariano] with good news. Will be back in Rome for New Year's eve, might perhaps come to England in May. Asks if Trevelyan is likely to come to Italy. Tonino and Ebe ask to be remembered.
Postmarked Englefield Green. - Would like to leave out a line in the 'Alas for thee, Theseus' chorus [in Act I of "The Bride of Dionysus"].
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Has not yet transferred the second fifty pounds to Bob's account since the lawyers have not yet 'transferred the personalty' [personal property of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan, which has come to George and Bob on the death of her husband Salvatore Trevelyan]. Mary is going to the Netherlands again in the first week of October, to work. He and Janet are going to Cambridge on Monday to look for a house; he will take up 'residence and full work there [as Regius Professor of History] in January'. Their mother was taken 'seriously ill' a few days ago; she has a nurse, but the doctor thinks she is over the immediate danger. George thinks it 'unlikely she will live more than another year' and that she will get to Welcombe again, though the plan was for her and Sir George to go in about three weeks. Their father 'seems fairly well, though on a permanently lower level than last year'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad to hear Elizabeth is comfortably settled at Florence; hopes she and Bob are enjoying their time with the Berensons; supposes they will reach Ravello around Christmas. Charles and Mary are back from 'ten days in their constituency with meetings every night'. There was a Women's Liberal Association meeting at Cambo on Wednesday; Charles chaired and Miss [Florence?] Balgarnie spoke, and it was an excellent meeting. Charles is now 'first rate' at public speaking, and Mary also can speak 'quite nicely'. Had a letter from Miss Somerville about the Westminster bazaar, which made forty pounds; she said the 'very nice things' which Elizabeth had sent sold quickly. Good to hear that Elizabeth and Robert's [new] house has got on so well; probably good for her to have a quiet time before she has to start thinking about moving, though it is possible to have so much. Caroline herself sometimes feels that at Wallington if she sees no one but Sir George for a week, though he - and Robert - are the 'best of company'. Hopes Elizabeth will come to Welcombe for Easter, when Robert is with his friends [on George Moore's reading holiday]. George is coming to them next week, and they go to Welcombe on 27 December. There is a 'great fuss' at the Grosvenor Cr[escen]t Club: the proprietress seems 'unsatisfactory', while the food and management have been 'very bad'; Caroline had decided to leave before she hear about the row. Julia seems to be the 'centre of it'; Caroline will send Elizabeth her letter. Julia is not 'very delightful or interesting, but she is perfectly respectable & not at all fast!'. Caroline paid Elizabeth's subscription on 17 January, so she had better write a resignation letter before then if she does not want to carry on; it is a great pity, as it 'was really a nice club at one time'. There will be a 'school treat' on Thursday, so she is hoping the mild weather will last. Is reading 'such a pleasant life of Burne Jones by his wife' ["Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones"]. Calls the Pre-Raphaelites 'an innocent high minded set, with all their absurdities'.
La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - He and Bessie are 'comfortably settled in this castle' which is a real one: he is not mistaking a hotel for a castle like Don Quixote. Describes the surrounding countryside. The Waterfields have been here for almost a year; gives details of the building and its history. He and Bessie are well, though have had bad colds recently. Hopes his parents are enjoying their time in Rome; had thought they would return for the election; everything seems to be going well [for the Liberal Party] so far. Hopes Charles may still get an appointment; is sure he would deserve it. Haldane at the War Office is 'rather comic', but he 'may just be the right man for the job'.
Jebb's death is 'very sad'; Robert had little opportunity to see him, but the one time he heard him talking at length, he thought him 'delightful'. Bessie sends love and will write soon. Robert is 'well started' on his work again; thinks this place will be as good for wriring as Ravello.
5 St Mary's Passage, Cambridge - timetable of Wagner cycle.
Brixton Prison.—Is glad to hear she is getting on well. Duval and Evelyn Sharp have visited, and he has started learning Italian. Looks forward to seeing her on Thursday.
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Transcript
Brixton Prison
9th March 1912
Dearest
Thank you for sending me news that you are getting on all right, I hope by this time you have had your letters, this is the third I have written to you {1}. I am very well indeed & feel sure when you see me on Thursday you will think so too. I had a very pleasant visit from Duval yesterday aft[er]noon and from Evelyn Sharp this morning.
I have just started learning Italian, I have not got far enough yet to be able to say how I like it. I thought when I came here I should get through an immense mass of reading, but somehow there are so many things which take up time, that I do very little & of that a good deal goes in reading the newspapers.
We had a hymn practice this morning in chapel which I thought was good; some of the hymns & tunes were inspiring & refreshing.
I had my second exercise indoors yesterday afternoon as it was wet but today is lovely and I expect we shall get both outside.
It will be jolly to see you on Thursday {2} but mind! you have got to look as well as I do!
your loving
Husband.
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At the head is printed, ‘In replying to this letter, please write on the enve-lope:— Number 3408 Name Lawrence F. P.’, the name and number being filled in by hand. The word ‘Prison’ of the address and the first two digits of the year are also printed, and the letter is marked with the reference ‘C1/12’ and some initials. Strokes of letters omitted either deliber-ately or in haste have been supplied silently.
{1} Only one of the previous letters (PETH 6/110) has survived.
{2} 14th.
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Hopes his mother is not badly ill. Is unable to come to London tomorrow, but wants to see him on Friday.
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Transcript
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Darling one line to catch the post, I am so sorry about yr mother, I hope she’s not bad. I cant manage London tomorrow partly because I’m wanted as a bridge 4th & chiefly because I couldnt be seen as I’m a monster with a sty† in my eye. I’ll write by the early post tomorrow
I do want you Friday.
I think I’ve got masses to say to you.
Love
Venetia
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Written in pencil.
† Sic.