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Regrets to hear of the unfavourable circumstances under which she made her visit to London [see Mary Sidgwick's letter, ADD.MS.c/101/179]. Reports that he has made himself rather ill 'by knocking about to Oxford and London from 13th to 15th' and has been keeping very quiet in Cambridge ever since. Intends to go to London for a few days before he goes to Rugby.

Reports that he just saw the Royal Academy, referring to the work of Leighton, Millais and Brett, and declaring it on the whole to be a bad exhibition. Announces that his friend Charles Bernard and his wife are now in England, and asks his mother if she would like him to ask him 'to run down to Rugby' while Henry is there and stay for a day or so. Reports that he saw William in Oxford on 13 June, and that he seemed very well. Indicates that they may meet in Switzerland. States that he is working now, and is very well. Tells her to keep the MSS as long as she likes; does not know if they will interest her, though he finds them interesting 'as all details of one's own mental life are. One grows old in Cambridge very fast...' Comments on the fact that [Jex]-Blake has been elected principle of Cheltenham [College]. Remarks that he will prosper, and states that he does not feel quite sure that Farrar would, although he would have felt more interested in trying the experiment with Farrar.

Refers to the proposed memorial to Henry Sidgwick in the 17 January issue of the Nation, in which his interest in the cause of female education is given 'as a chief reason why American students should subscribe to the memorial fund'. Asserts that there are other reasons also, and refers to Sidgwick's published writings on philosophy, ethics and economic science, for which, he says, many students owe a great debt of gratitude. Refers also to Sidgwick's interest in American affairs, and his benevolent attitude to that country and to its scholars who came to study in Cambridge.

West Derby, L[iver]pool. - Thanks King for the gems, which came back safely, Gives the thoughts of his friend Simonides, 'a man by the bye, hated by your college, especially by Mr W. A. Wright, though as I think without reason] on the gems. The gnostic tricephalous gem Simonides believes has an Egyptian inscription on the reverse, not Coptic; the other gnostic gem he thinks shows a leach and an owl, and translates the inscription as from Egyptian. Discussion of who cut the gems. Simonides can 'make nothing' of the inscription on the zodiacal gem.

14, Brookside, Cambridge [on mourning stationery] - Would like more copies of the article ['Howit and Fison' in 'Folk-Lore'] for Fison's daughters; asks permission to have it printed privately.

RJ is well as can be expected after his illness [see RJ to WW, 2 Oct. 1844]. He thinks a 'good selection of Scandinavian details and a good view of the early interior history of the neighbouring Slavonic nations are much wanted to throw light on the institutions of Europe up to 900 but it would torture the labor of a life to get at the languages and the matter so as to put it in any useful form and who will give it us? The exclusive attachment to physical science which is a characteristic of England just now will I think deter any Englishman fit for such tasks from attempting them and we shall have perhaps for another century societies and associations collecting specimens of birds[,] beasts and stones and magnifying and strengthening the chances of pursuits harmless always - often useful but which I regret to see forming the exclusive characteristics of the national intellect. The monster association is only a large vent for the peoples passion when said vent dies away some other will break out - and so much for a groan for the public - I need not say I can escape together as much Scandinavian love as I want myself but if Mr Grundtvig [Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig] has sent over anything not too formidable I will get it and read it . Go on writing metaphysics and morals the very attempt is patriotic just now'.

Regrets he must decline eagerly accepted invitation as he forgot he was already engaged to the Molesworths; invites recipient to dine on Friday 30th; dare not invite ladies as Lady Shelburne's confinement is imminent.

USA

Papers

Miscellaneous ms. notes and calculations. Created while working at Cambridge University, 1958-1969.

Presented to Thomson by the University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the American Philosophical Society and the National Academy of Sciences, USA, for his work on the Physics of the electron'

One of a set of eight testimonial letters printed when Frazer was an applicant for the Chair of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen: Frazer is not just able but has a mental grasp, intellectual strength and extensive acquaintance with Classical Literature. Accompanied by a duplicate.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge; addressed to Trevelyan c/o Mrs Pepper, Seatoller, Borrowdale, Keswick. - A pastiche of Wordsworth's "A slumber did my spirit seal", referring to 'Miss Bartlett' [from "A Room With A View"].

The 'elections must be getting exciting now, for they are so near'. Sorry to hear 'Uncle Harry' [Holland] is ill, and hopes he recovers soon. The Eton match is tomorrow. Robert is doing the same Greek and Latin work as before. [Sackville?] West beat Robert in Greek, but Robert beat him in Latin and thinks he can do so in Greek next half term if he tries hard. Thinks he gets on worst with his Greek Prose [composition], and does not always find Latin Prose easy though he 'like[s] it on the whole'. Sends thanks to his mother for her letter. Hopes it will be a 'hard winter', as he wants to learn how to skate properly. Finds the translation of the Odyssey which Mr A[rnold] lent him 'very interesting'; has read four books, and would have read more but does not have much time. G[eorgie] is 'getting on very well', and seems to have done well last half term.

Barrytown N. Y. - Has just finished reading the "Bride of Dionysus"; thinks it 'must have been good as an opera... as it is all extremely effective from the stage point of view' [it had in fact not yet been put on stage]. Finds the 'verse forms are peculiar to read', but thinks they would work well in performance, while the language is vital and fitting, sometimes beautiful. Discusses what he sees as a lack of 'unity' in the drama, but does not think this would matter on stage, and that the sudden appearance of Dionysus echoes the 'artificial solutions in Greek Tragedies' and the "Book of Job". Thinks the 'reminiscence of Browning''s "Mesmerism" which he perceives in the incantation a 'very good idea'; the evocation of the Homeric hymns and Ovid is also 'delightful'; expects there are many other references but his 'classical scholarship is nil'. Congratulates Trevelyan 'heartily'. Adds a long postscript clarifying his point about the lack of unity.