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EDDN/A/4/1 · Item · 11 Mar. 1919
Part of Papers of Sir Arthur Eddington

Transcript

R.M.S: Anselm
Tuesday, March 11 | 1919

My very dear Mother

We are now approaching Lisbon and expect to arrive soon after daylight tomorrow morning. The weather has been pretty good; it was warmest on Sunday, which was a beautiful sunny day, and one could sit out on deck chairs without an overcoat. Yesterday and today, there was more wind and occasional showers. It has not been very rough, but there was sufficient motion to make a good many of the passengers unhappy. Of our party, Crommelin & Cottingham succumbed for a time, but they both seem much better today.

We all arrived at Euston an hour-and a half before the train started; but it took a good while to deal with our bulky luggage. We were charged 30/– excess, but most of that was for the object-glasses which being labelled “glass” were charged at a higher rate. We got to Liverpool at 3∙45 and then difficulties began. The Hotels were full and there were scarcely any porters at the station. At last we found a porter of a baggage agency, and put all except our handbags in his charge to deliver to the Steamer. Then we set off in a taxi to hunt for a Hotel. After 3 or 4 attempts we got in at quite a comfortable commercial hotel. I think we were probably very lucky. It was a pouring wet night, so we did not go out.

The next day we got down to the dock about 10 a.m. Our luggage was promised for 10∙30 a.m.; but did not arrive. Soon after 11 we had to go on board, because the emigration officer was only there for a short time. He just looked at the passports and did not worry about anything else. We were not very anxious about the luggage because we soon found about a dozen other passengers were in the same plight as ourselves having entrusted their luggage to the same firm. Ultimately about 12∙30 it all turned up, and we went down to lunch, much relieved.

The Anselm is a very nice boat, and seems much roomier than I expected. I should think there are at least sixty first-class passengers on board. Our cabin is nicely placed, a good height above the water, and is very quiet. Davidson & Crommelin are next door. It seems curious to have done with rationing entirely—unlimited sugar, and large slices of meat, puddings with pre-war quantity of raisins & currants in them, new white rolls, and so on.

We left at about 2 p.m. and went slowly through a chain of docks to the Mersey. One of the Directors of the Booth Line was on board at the start and saw us for a few minutes. We saw the lights of Holyhead about 9 p.m. and stopped a few minutes to drop the pilot. Since then we have seen no land whatever, and have had only very vague ideas as to our position; there is still a war-regulation which forbids them letting us know where we are & what our course is.

Davidson & Crommelin had to sit at the Captain’s table, so our party was broken up. It is supposed to be a special favour to be asked to sit there; but as they are too far from the Captain to get to know him, it does not seem much good. There is one other passenger whom I knew through correspondence, Mr. Walkey an amateur astronomer. He is going out for the Bible Society to live on a house-boat on the Amazon travelling up and down the various tributaries. He expects to be out there most of his life.

I have had a few games of chess with Crommelin and also with a Frenchman, have read a bit, and passed the time very comfortably. I am quite glad to be having a long steamer trip again.

With very dear love from
your affectionate son
Stanley

—————

Numbered ‘1st’ at the head. Two passages have been marked off in pencil by a later hand.

EDDN/A/5/1 · Item · 9 Nov. 1909
Part of Papers of Sir Arthur Eddington

Transcript

Victoria Park, Manchester
Novr 9. 1909

Dear Mr Eddington,

May I ask you—in confidence—whether you consider yourself definitely fixed to “Astronomy” or whether you would at all consider a return to Physics as possible.—I am not at liberty to go into details but the question arises whether in case a chair of Theoretical Physics were founded here or elsewhere and suitable conditions were offered you would be prepared to accept the chair.—Also in that case it might help matters if you wd let me know what conditions you would consider acceptable.

You may take it for granted that the duties wd leave you plenty of time for private work and that nothing wd prevent you continuing to prosecute the line of research on which you have entered with such success

I remain
Yours sincerely
Arthur Schuster.

Letter from Kendell Kardt
SHAF/A/1/K/1 · Item · 18 Aug. 1997
Part of Papers of Sir Peter Shaffer

Is working as a ballet accompanist, asks if PS is still teaching in England, is in touch with Joseph Chaikin, who is still busy despite the stroke that impaired his speech.

SHAF/A/1/T/1 · Item · 24 June [1975?]
Part of Papers of Sir Peter Shaffer

He misses Peter, and describes his experience of heat as a tactile experience and as close as he'll get to communion; wonders if most Catholic countries are hot and if the weather explains Scottish Presbyterianism; discusses the effects of budget restrictions, the need to define mental illness and ethical guidelines for behavior modification treatments; discusses 'No Man's Land', admires John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson; Elizabeth [Cavendish?] is back and rested, and he deems regular breaks necessary for her; reacts to Peter's story of a group therapy session.

SHAF/A/1/Z/1 · Item · 1944-1945
Part of Papers of Sir Peter Shaffer

Letters tipped into a paper-bound notebook labelled ‘Letters Book I’ on front:
Undated, ‘My dear Peter. What a pleasant surprise!’ 4 sheets. A lengthy narrative describes how Peter's gift reminds him of climbing Moricelli in Italy and finding shells there in a pool, similar to those Peter has sent; writes at length about his own story about an anchorite.
[1 Aug. 1944?], ‘Well Peter; here in London and finding it most exciting too’ 2 sheets. Life in London during bombing [Doodlebug Summer], and the attitude to death and reaction to bombing raids, lunchtime bombing of Kensington High St. Disagrees that modern war is not romantic.
Undated, ‘Saturday 1944’ 4 sheets. He meant Peter to understand that he was parodying Peter's style in his last letter, and is disappointed that Peter did not see this; has seen Ernest Milton in Macbeth, and discusses Wolfit in 3 Shakespeare plays; finds it is easy to be Shylockian; is disappointed in his (Denis') story, thinks he is too young yet, will put it away until he is older.
Envelope dated 23 Mar. 1945
Undated, Friday: 11th: 1944 1 sheet. Sends a volume of Italian short stories.
Undated, ‘Thursday. I feel very vicious this morning’ 1 sheet, with two pen-and-ink drawing of himself looking irate on verso. Asks him to write.
Undated, ‘Yes you are right!’ 5 sheets. Reflections on a quarrel they've had; has also been called up, asks for information on his medical, and hopes they can get assigned to the same camp.
11 Nov. 1944 79 Brook Green, London, W.6. 2 sheets, with pen-and-ink drawing at top and tail of letter. Has nothing to write, encloses a book by Forester which will teach Peter to write economically; praises Richard Goolden and Helen Pollack [Ellen Pollock?] in "To True To Be Good".
Rest blank