Refers to a conversation they had had the previous night about an opinion of his [Maine's], expressed in his Ancient Law, about '[Jus Gerrtium]'; believes he has 'found it at p. 59.' Quotes a sentence, which claims that the confusion between [Jus Gerrtium], or Law Common to all Nations, and International Law, is entirely modern. Mentions passages in Livy, to which Sidgwick had referred and continues discussion of the meaning of [Jus Gerrtium]. Refers to a statement in his book in relation to International Law, and to proceedings described in Livy I.22 and I.32. The latter, he claims, 'have some resemblance to the diplomacy of the 17th century in formality...' States that he cannot deny that 'if this later Roman law [Jus] had been under this [ ] of writing about a world like ours, they might possibly have used [Jus Gerrtium] for International law', but is somewhat uncertain of this, since he suspects that '[Jus Gerrtium], in the ear of a Roman lawyer had always a shade of special technical meaning, derived from association with the Edict of the Praetor Peregrinus, with Market law rather than with Public law.' Apologises for troubling Sidgwick.
Ore Place, Hastings. Postmark 24 June 1911 - Is writing an article and would like a list of the reviewed and re-edited versions of 'The Golden Bough' and those articles that represent his views the best; he does not promise to agree with all of his theories. At top is a MS note in R. A. Downie's hand giving the postmark date.
Ben Wyvis Hotel, Strathpeffer Spa. Dated 12 July 1915 - Describes their long holiday, in Cirencester, Edinburgh, Kenmore, and Strathpeffer; mentions that the Cambridge University Press has published a school edition of his wife's book 'La Maison aux Panonceaux'; mentions [James Hope] Moulton's loss [his wife Eliza's death] and Moulton's plan to spend a year with the Parsees in India; Macmillan is publishing a book by [Robert] Russell, ['The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India'] which will be valuable; wonders if he has seen [W. H. R.] Rivers' work 'The History of Melanesian Society' he has not read it yet; has improved his Hebrew on holiday.
Concerns Of the Plurality of Worlds.
Explains that there is a question of her writing an article for the Pilot, 'which the Editor proposes to call - "Professor Sidgwick's theological position" '. Wishes to know if Nora would be agreeable to such an article being published. States that it would be 'an explanation of the last chapter of the Methods [of Ethics] by what Dr. Sidgwick said in class in answer to questions.' It has always been a great distress to her that the chapter has been so completely misunderstood, 'even by those whose mere knowledge of his meaning of words ought to have enabled them to understand it.' Adds that her own sense of personal loss 'seems only to go on increasing': she hardly ever saw him, 'but he was there', and adds that he was probably the only person in the world to whom she could at any time have talked with the most absolute freedom and confidence. Until she met him she never had the opportunity of talking with anyone whom she was not afraid of shocking if she said what she really thought. Says that 'it was like entering a new world when [she] first went to his lectures.' Hopes that she did not trouble or vex him when she used to ask him so many questions. States that he was her conscience in all religious difficulties at Newnham, and that it was a great help to her 'in those new conditions to consider what he would have said in any difficulty.' Reports that they were praying for him every day during his illness. Is glad to hear that Nora is going abroad. Tells her not to answer with more than a postcard, saying 'yes' or 'no' in relation to the article.
Mason, Frances Agnes (1849-1941) founder of the Community of the Holy Family(Bibliog. 108).
24pp. paginated draft.
8 pp. notes.
11 pp. typescript version.
Letter from J. Thomson (son) enclosing comments and revisions.
Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Has been 'out composing verses in a tempest'. Glad she is having happy dreams; suggests analyses for her one about the cicalas [9/26]. Quotes from Moore on sleep [Thomas Sturge Moore, "To An Early Spring Day"]. Sorry that her aunt's recovery is not speedier. Will send a letter to her tomorrow. Does not like Mrs Costelloe 'in many ways', but does not condemn her for 'refusing to live with Costelloe' who seems to have been 'almost impossible to live with', though she should not have been 'taken in' by him; thinks her and [Bernard] Berenson's relationship is 'as nice as those sort of relations can be'; discusses her influence on him. Supposes he will see Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] at Florence; explains the nature of their friendship further. He and Lina are on 'very good terms' again, and she likes his poem about her pet bat ["The Lady's Bat"], though it is not yet finished.
Continues the letter next day; has read most of the editor's letter in the paper sent by Bessie's uncle [in a Dutch paper, to the Duke of Devonshire, see 9/26]; thinks he is 'in the main right' but knows 'little of the facts, except what he has gathered from English writers who disapprove of the [Second Boer] war' such as Bryce, Hobson, Lecky and Courtney; since he has 'ornamented his columns with many not very apt quotations' Bob as a poet ought not to be too hard on him. Thinks he will spend two days with Berenson at Florence, since it is unlikely Mrs Costelloe will be back; has not yet heard from his mother about crossing with Bessie and the letter may not have reached her. Asks him his plans suit Bessie. Is torn between Venus and Apollo, and 'Apollo has all the nine young ladies [the Muses] on his side'.
I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - First page begins with a list of passages or words from G.M. Trevelyan's "English Social History" which are unclear to Morra; the letter follows with an opening apology for sending them. Had a good journey back from England, arriving on Christmas Eve and finding B.B. [Berenson] and the household well; is going to Cortona tomorrow then on to Rome, where Trevelyan should send his reply. Was delighted to spend two days with the Trevelyans. They are expecting a visit at I Tatti, but Trevelyan must let them know when he plans to come, as they may be moving in the spring. Has been reading the "Journal" of Charles Du Bos for 1921-1923, which is fascinating, sometimes deep and sometimes exasperating; Trevelyan appears more than once.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Weather also 'vile' here; hopes it will clear before the shoot on Saturday. When the shooting party leaves, will get his book ["The American Revolution"] finished. Also thinks that the Lords will try to pass the Education Bill and the Trades Disputes Bill (which will be harder), and 'throw out the Plural Voting Bill' which will make a row. Doubts whether the Unionist leaders can prevent their men from voting against the government. Will be pleased to see Robert's poem. Macaulay thinks the "Rhesus" to be older than Euripides.
22 Sussex Villas, W. - Would be very grateful if she and Bob can do anything to persuade their friends to subscribe to the "Independent [Review]"; can send 'as many more of these circulars' as they can 'usefully dispose of'. Calls the news about Charles and Molly [their engagement] 'a good job'.
difficulties with political work in a new place, finds teaching dull, feels her energy is wasted
Witham, Somerset. - Has been a 'shamefully long time' replying to Trevelyan's letter, and apologises: the letter reached him just before his exams, when he was working very hard and all his spare time was taken up with rehearsals [for the Balliol Players' tour of the "Curse of the House of Atreus", using Trevelyan's translation of the "Oresteia". Now has time for the first time to write, on the way from Wells to Corfe. Hopes that Trevelyan will be able to come and see them at Winchester; thinks they will be performing in the Warden's Garden; does not know the name of the agent, but if Trevelyan is in Winchester he will be sure to see their posters up. The performance in Wadham College, which he regrets was the only one in Oxford, was 'excellent'; they then travelled to Bath a week later. The lorry they had hired broke down at Chippenham, with three of the company: the others had already arrived in Bath and got everything ready, and it was not until the performance time had arrived and they were 'insane with anxiety & fury' that they received a telephone message letting them know what had happened. Explains how they managed to cut the play to perform it 'in flannel trousers and shirt sleeves'; coming on ;again & again in different parts, male & female'. The "Agamemnon" was 'most comic' since the 'poor man who was leading the chorus' could only remember 'about one speech in three' from when he had taken the part last year. The audience were very kind; some of them even came to Wells last night to see the performance done properly. It went very well there and at Glastonbury; the audience at Wells was over 300, though they had been told it was 'impossible' to get an audience there for anything, and the setting in the Bishop's Palace garden was 'perfect'. Is not playing Agamemnon this year as he is 'wanted in the chorus', but is still the lead Choephore as well as Apollo, which was 'thrust' on him at the last moment. The costumes are 'perfectly lovely', and the whole thing is 'infinitely better than last year'. The breeches arrived safely; thanks Trevelyan for sending them.
Headland, Mount Park, Harrow-on-the-Hill; sent to Trevelyan at the Shiffolds, forwarded to 8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Comments on the 'cheek' [of casting him as?] Klingsor [a reference to Trevelyan's "The New Parsifal"? See also 21/104-105]. Forgives him, as he 'seem[s] to be in (fairly) good company'.
The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W.1. - Glad that Bob thinks well of "Manin [and the Venetian Revolution of 1848]": his judgments are among those George really values; 'very jolly' of him to read it aloud, and George is glad it stood the test. Agrees that there is 'much to be said and thought about the "federal question"', especially since 'United Italy is in many ways a disappointment with the break down of free government'. Is however sure that the south and centre of Italy could not have 'established and maintained free government, or even civilised government' without the north, and thinks that union was inevitable since there was 'no real provincial patriotism', apart from among the Piedmontese. In the same way, he believes that if Germany is now 'broken up into States' it will come together again some day.
Asks if Julian and Ursula would mind if he [dedicated] his play "Fand" to them both [in his forthcoming "Collected Works"]; Julian will remember that it was acted at Boars Hill, Oxford, and Bob wanted him to paint a yew-tree for it but John Masefield preferred there to be no scenery. The previous play, the "Pearl Tree", is dedicated to [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy, and "Sulla" to Gordon Luce. Is dedicating his first book of poems ["Mallow and Asphodel"] to Bessie since he is not reprinting his first play ["Cecilia Gonzaga"], 'which was hers'. Hoping to see Julian on Saturday; Desmond [MacCarthy] should be there.
Thanks his mother for her letter. Gave Mr A[rnold] the 'photograph of G[eorgie?], and he 'liked it very much. Mr Arnold says that it will be 'very convenient' for her to come on Saturday the 30th [May?]. Hopes that 'Papa will soon get well, and Grandpapa [Sir Charles Trevelyan?] too'. Georgie is very well, but 'has a slight cold'. Asks his mother when Molly is coming. There was a thunderstorm this afternoon. Has 'hardly seen a single butterfly yet'. There is going to be a [cricket] match against Bracknell on Thursday, and soon one against Mortimer; has got a new bat, which is 'a beauty'; it 'drives like anything, and is very light'.
Sketch under the signature, showing two people standing opposite each other, perhaps fencing [?].
Woodhill Cottage, Shamley Green, Guildford. - Very sorry for not writing before to thank Bob for his Christmas greetings and poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?]. which they both appreciate; they enjoyed reading the poems together. Is much looking forward to re-reading. Sends best wishes for a 'better New Year' to all at the Shiffolds.
Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes he is well, and that he will not have to return to Caracas. Invites him to visit. Asks whether he has seen Hamson yet.
Peterborough Deanery. Marriage of Dr Vaughan, the reading of Thirlwall will have improved his chances in the English verse prize as the subject is "Pericles", advice for reading to improve H M Butler's Latin.