Seatoller. - Thanks his mother for her letters, and for the Times [Literary] Supplement. The article on Petrarch was interesting; he is a 'gentleman' Robert knows little about, and though the article was good it does not make him 'particularly anxious to be further acquainted with him, at least with his poetry'. The weather has generally been good, and he has got on 'fairly' with his work. Was 'very sorry about Searle [his death] though... expected it'.
Sent on his mother's letter to [Roger] Fry: 'unfortunate that it is a pastille', as they are 'rather difficult to deal with' and he doubts 'travelling improves them; if Fry thought he could do anything Robert could possibly take it with him when he goes South [see also 13/21]. Supposes George does not want him to read more proofs [of England under the Stuarts]; of course if he does, Robert would have time and willingness to go through more at Wallington. Hears Aunt Annie will be there, which will be nice.
Has little to say, as 'nothing happens here'; Bessie will arrive on Friday, and seems well. Hopes both his mother and father are well.
8 Heath Villas, Halifax.—Has kept two days free (for their meeting at the House of Lords).
Royal Observatory Greenwich - WW's memorial on the tides 'was duly read by me and approved to the best of my judgement, and reserved for the intended meeting of the B.A. Council'. A Council was called without informing GA: 'Imagine a Seniority Meeting without notice to the Master - so I have pronounced said meeting null and void, and we will have another soon, as soon as I have screwed Henslow and Hooker into shape, who are the most unpractical dogs that I ever met with. The business of the Association will, in fact, be somewhat advanced by this apparent contretemps'. GA has had a letter from 'Madeira yesterday. My party seem to be posited comfortably; but with regard to the ultimate success in the main object of the voyage, I have little hope' [see GA to WW, 20 Nov. 1851].
Athenaeum - While WB was in Mainz last year armed with WW's treatise on German architecture ['Architectural Notes on German Churches', new edn., 1835], he became acquainted with the architect Mr Wetter. He was very impressed with WW's treatise and 'begged me to present you with his work on the History of printing'. WB has also given a work by Wetter on theatre buildings to the Institute of British Architects: Wetter is anxious that the above works get reviewed - can WW help out.
5 Upper Gower Street - There are very few on the [Royal Astronomical] Society's Council competent to judge George Airy's paper on the new inequality of the sun and Venus. Normally Airy would adjudicate but he sits on the Council. Would WW examine the paper and if he thinks it deserves the medal would he allow his opinion to be known to the Council. Thanks WW for his treatise on the first principles of Mechanics. 'I think it highly calculated to do good: especially among the lower species of Wranglers. However might it not be useful to enter a little into what becomes of the motion lost by friction and other resistances, so as to shew that we have no reason to believe in the absolute loss of momentum?'.
Concerns Of the Plurality of Worlds.
Announces that they 'have just settled the [examination results of, and prizes to be awarded to] the women', and that it has been decided that Miss Larmer should get the scholarship. Claims to be somewhat disappointed in her work. States that she was 'clearly head' in Political Economy and second by two marks in Logic. Adds that they only gave out two firsts in Group D, and no distinction. States that he got Venn to fix the standard for passing level with that of '[Poll men] in June.' Refers to Miss M. Kennedy's work, which 'agreeably surprised' him. States that his plans of lecturing the following term are still rather vague, 'on account of Miss L's uncertainty'.
In relation to Evolution, claims to have understood the view Marshall expressed the previous term, but does not think he agrees with him, and is quite sure that he does not agree with Karl Marx. Declares that '[t]his Spiessbürger is after all only our friend the "Bourgeois" for whose wicked selfishness Political Economy is supposed to have been invented...' Claims that when he first read socialistic tracts he was much impressed with the breadth of view implied 'in this contemptuous term', but, on reflection, believes that 'the Bourgeois after all appeared to [him] the heir of the ages...and so of Bentham's Normal Man.' Declares that he does not quite understand Marshall's position on Benthamism. States that he does not think it the special function of the Philosophy of Jurisprudence to develop dynamical conception, and that he believes that a grasp of the Utilitarian method of determining rules would have been of the greatest value to himself. States that he had 'worked out principles of constitutional Jus[tice] - for B[entham]'s Normal Mensche in two or three lectures', and is consequently biased in favour of the method. Claims that it is too hot to work in Cambridge, and that he is reading novels.
Acknowledges receipt of Sidgwick's letter the previous day, and expresses regret that he would not see him that day as he has 'some very important and interesting news to tell [him]'. Tells Sidgwick to inform him as soon as he is settled in Cambridge. States that he only had seven days at Clifton as he was summoned back the previous Monday because his father was ill. Asks Sidgwick to find a Spiritist book that he lent to him entitled Le Docteur Houat, and asks him to write on it 'Henry Sidgwick 1865', and to send it on to him. Refers to 'Southern Independence' and owns to be 'full of pity and admiration; and of horror and burning indignation against the most wicked and hypocritical tyrants' who destroyed 'thirteen sovereign republics and subjugate[d] 8 millions of civilized men.'
Foxlease, Southbourne, Bournemouth - Admires 'Folk-Lore in the Old Testament', finds it 'wonderfully confirmatory of one's faith in the inner validity of the Holy Scripture'.
Meeting No.20
Minutes.
Meeting No.21, 7 November 1957.
Notice of meeting (with Thomson's ms. notes on verso), Minutes.
Typescript draft; transcript of programme as broadcast.
Barton Cottage, Cambridge - Thanks her for 'Trésor légendaire de l'humanité', has been reading it while at home with a cold; is interested to hear 'The Golden Bough' is to be translated into German, sends regards.