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Letter from Savoy Place nr. St. Neots.

The fifth of five boxes arranged A-Z by correspondent. This box includes 4 letters from William Whewell to two correspondents, William Hepworth Dixon (Items 72-73), and Caleb Sprague Henry (Items 74-75).

Thanks Sidgwick very much for offering to propose him as a member of the Dining Club, and asks clarification on some of the rules of membership. Encloses a letter from Tawney [not included]. He also received a letter from 'A. J. P.' [Patterson] Reports that he went with Payne to see Conklin, and has also seen Wilkinson, who gave him an introduction to [Home]. Asks Sidgwick how he is to return his two books to him. Refers to Sidgwick's 'prophecy about the Oriel fellowship' being fulfilled, and reports that his 'people' are due back the following week. In relation to the war he writes that he has heard that Francis Joseph Maximilian and Napoleon have agreed that Mexico is not to recognize the Confederate States; expresses regret at this news 'because it may prolong the war'. Declares that he is making 'a collection of tit-bits of atrocity for [his] future history' including Colonel Dahlgren's instructions, and also 'a choice morsel from New O.' Sends his love to Arthur.

The Clock House, Upper Halliford, Shepperton. Dated 8th May (1911) - Returns the proof of the letter [about substitutes for executions in China?], and encloses a letter from Edmund Backhouse, who knows more about Chinese manners and customs and history than any other European [not present].

North Lakhimpur, Assam, India - Heard him speak at Liverpool about how the tribes in the northeast of India needed observation, and was given his Anthropological Questions pamphlets; asks for more; Captain [G A?] Nevill, the Political officer of the district, is writing about these tribes. Encloses photos of some of the people from the Dakla Mountains, Greater Tibet [not present: these photographs are probably those housed in the Papers of Sir James George Frazer FRAZ/21/90-91].

34A Via Porta Pinciana, The Times, Roma - Apologises for not writing, Madame Rose has not had time; have been driven by [E. B.?] work, shan't be in England before August 15, leave them out of household calculations, they shall 'bohemianize' when they come.

The note accompanying this letter was written while RJ was in Brighton [see RJ to WW, 25 April 1844]: 'Ld. Jeffrey [Francis Jeffrey] is here and likes such subjects [presumably WW's 'On the Fundamental Antithesis of Philosophy', Trans. of the Cambridge Phil. Soc., 1844] - Bethune [John Drinkwater Bethune] and Ellis [Thomas F. Ellis] your old foes will read and object. Penrose [Charles T. Penrose] understands the points and beyond these I hardly know anyone who will try to understand them'. RJ gives his views: 'You and others speak of our ideas of space[,] time and number as of the same class and order. I demur as to number - putting time out of the question for the present our ideas of space are spontaneous and simultaneous with our conviction of a world without us - we can trace no process by which the mind works to or arrives at the idea. But in the case of number the idea does not appear to me to come spontaneously we work to it - we perceive individual things - unlike - we can abstract from the perceptions thus get all but individuality - by this power and effort of the mind we get at abstract and equal units and of such can predicate many things which are true to us because they spring necessarily from our own conventional abstraction. For in abstracting the mind forms a sort of convention with itself to use a strange phrase for want of a better and all things inconsistent with that convention must be untrue and all things consistent with it true much in the same manner as we get at logical truths in arguing with others by means of conventional definitions'. RJ thinks therefore that 'we get at our idea of number in a different manner from that in which we acquire instinctively the idea of space - animals have the last clearly - I doubt their having that of abstract number which it is a sort of prerogative of the human intellect to create for itself. In treating widely of the fundamental laws of human belief the logical force and necessity if we must have the phrase derived from the process of these internal abstractions or conventions which the mind makes to assist its otherwise imperfect process of keeping individual units in view appear to me and always have appeared to constitute a force and necessity very different from the force and necessity which impress on us a belief in the existence of space and if I was writing a book on logic I could shew I think that the distinction and the whole view of abstractions is of primary importance not only in cases where number is concerned but in very many others - but I am not going to write a book. I by no means regret the time I have spent in logical and metaphysical speculation but I have other vocations and I have done with them and so vent upon you what might otherwise have profited the world - I am afraid you will not think that they profit you'. Does WW 'think the house of commons can go any further in stultifying themselves only think of Ben Disraeli turning shewman to the Punchinellos and making the mob laugh at them'.

1950, 1953, 1969, 1970
1950 material is invitation from K. Bailey to contribute to Academic Press book on Proteins (declined).

One of a set of eight testimonial letters printed when Frazer was an applicant for the Chair of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen: praises his 'high capacity for scientifically mastering a language'. Accompanied by a duplicate.

Proof, corrected; with stamp of the University Press, Oxford dated 1 Nov. 1933. Enclosed in roughly fashioned stiff paper covers, the back cover made from part of an Heudebert biscottes box.

Typescript and two carbon copies of an essay about Frazer's 'Sir Roger de Coverley'.

39 Bedford Place, London - Cites the story of the serpent, cast skin, and immortality in Edward Topsell's 'History of Serpents', which doesn't appear in 'Folk-lore of the Old Testament'.

Postmarked Much Marcle.- Sorry he will miss Trevelyan, but looks forward to seeing him on the 13th. Hears Gordon [Bottomley] is very ill.

25 Cromwell Grove, (Hammersmith crossed through), Shepherds Bush Rd, W., addressed to Trevelyan at Roundhurst, Haslemere. - The Frys have returned [from Italy] having just escaped 'the fury of the revolution' and 'without any clothes to speak of'. Asks for the address of Trevelyan's tailor, says Helen will not let him see any other. Is very busy for lectures for next week.

Seatoller, Keswick, Borrowdale. - Is sending a cheque for six pounds thirteen shillings [for wedding expenses], which added to the ten he has already paid is not too much 'considering the happiness which [he] could not have attained without paying it'; would have been ready to pay 'sixteen millions... if [he] had had them'. They have had a 'very pleasant time here' [on honeymoon]; though the weather has been quite bad it is now 'perfect'. Went out for a while with the 'hounds' [on the Lake Man Hunt] and saw his brother George caught in a deep valley 'two thousand feet' below his own position; chased another hare himself though he could not catch him. Bessie would have liked to come but she has been in the Netherlands too recently 'for her legs to be well enough used to these high hills', though she is 'climbing the lower one quite well now, and the mountain air has done her a lot of good'. They are going to Grasmere on Saturday but Bessie thinks it best for letters to them to be sent to the Mill House, Westcott, Dorking to be forwarded on. Will be back in Dorking by the end of next week. Very glad to hear Aunt Maria is better; sure the countryside will do her good; hopes Uncle Paul himself is keeping well. Bessie meant to write a letter which would arrive last Monday, the 'fiftieth anniversary of [Paul's] Doctor's Degree' but presumably as she has 'so many other pleasant things to think of' she forgot and only remembered today. Asks to be remembered to anyone at the Prinsegracht [the Hubrechts' home] though he supposes only Tuttie will be there.

Contains: "Virginia Woolf" and "Seriousness" by R. C. Trevelyan; poem, "Briefly My Morning", by G. Rostrevor Hamilton; "Interview", by Ida Procter; an essay on "Nursery Rhymes" by M. E. Bosanquet; poem, "The Pause", by John Griffin; poem, "Segesta, Sicily", by S. S. [Sylvia Sprigge].

Request at the end of the "Chronicle" from the New York Public Library for the first two numbers to complete its set.

It 'snowed hard last Sunday, and no one could go out'. Has had a stiff neck and cold, but neither have been very bad. Sorry to hear Charlie has a bad cold and hopes he gets better soon; asks Caroline to thank him for his letter. They had a 'grand set out last Tuesday', which they had as half holiday instead of Wednesday. Mrs Lyell and Mrs Stirling came, and they had charades; will tell his mother 'all about it' in the holidays.

8, Grosvenor Crescent. - They have just arrived in London, in pouring rain. Glad Elizabeth and Robert continue to like La Croix [-Valmer?]. Expects it must be difficult to give a sense of period language in their translation work; sure that between them they will do well. The gathering at Welcombe was pleasant: Henry James, 'as delightful as ever', Miss [Lily] Noble who 'always brings an atmosphere of culture and friendliness', Sir Alfred Lyall, 'the agreeable man of the world'; Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green, earnest and serious, who 'occasionally treads on all our toes!'. There was lots of talk, and they managed some walks [despite the weather]. Yesterday and this morning she watched some flowering shrubs being planted in the garden at Welcombe; hopes they will flourish. Going to North Street [Charles and Mary's house] tomorrow, and will write and tell Elizabeth about it. Has had a letter from Mad[am]e Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan], who is pleased with the photographs Caroline sent her

As from 129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks her for her letter and news; does 'sympathise' with her over 'this miserable upheaval [the possibility of moving from the Shiffolds]. Sorrow in itself is wretched enough' and from it comes 'the necessity for choices and decisions - at a time when one longs to rest and drift'. She also does 'not have the haven Cambridge so miraculously opened for' him. Julian seems the 'obvious person' for advice, but Forster supposes he 'is not what is called "good" at it, and no amount of trying can produce that sort of "goodness".

Is writing partly as he is 'broadcasting on the Third Programme on the subject of the Third Programme on Saturday and Monday. Great solemnity - recording van sent specially to the Buckinghams in case my ankle [which he had recently broken] feels tired'. He 'got out of plaster earlier this month', and spent a 'pleasant week' in Aldeburgh. His ankle has been 'rather troublesome' since then, but he understands this is 'not unusual'. Has a 'most comfortable and genteel shoe', and is seeing the surgeon again next week. Is just about to leave for London now by car, partly so that he can pick up Agnes [Dowland] at Barnet.

Thinks 'the opera [Billy Budd, for which Forster had written the libretto] will be fine'; has now heard it all, and has been 'strumming at' a proof copy of the piano score this morning. They have still not found a singer to play Billy: he 'must look fine, so central European stomachs are unfortunately excluded'. The final possibility is 'a young man who cannot sing all the notes', as the part is a high baritone. Forster is 'all for having him. What do a few notes matter?'.

Has not seen Florence [Barger] since her return, but has spoken to her on the phone, she 'seemed most happy and prosperous'. Is using another sheet of paper to 'urge you, whatever you decide [about her home and future] not to be too unselfish, but to procure whatever money can provide towards the comfort of your body and mind'.

Occurs to him that she might like to see the enclosed piece [no longer present], written for 'a "Reader's Club" magazine in the States which has been founded by Auden, Trilling and Barzun', whom he respects: they have chosen his new book [Two Cheers for Democracy] for this October, and requested 'something for the magazine'; asks if she can return it.

Postcript: 'Unfinished novel [what was later published in short story form as The Open Boat?] in an awful mess I fear'.

Trinity College Cambridge - Would be pleased to have Mary Emma Cornford to keep house for him, chances of Cardiff job "not more than even", will send printed copies of his testimonials when available.