Royal Observatory Greenwich - Edward Sabine has given GA a letter from Francis Beaufort to pass to WW: 'It seems that the Admiralty of the present day are not so good men of business as some of their predecessors, and a little private action upon them is desirable'. It appears to be the opinion of all concerned that no formal application can be made: 'Therefore will you write at once privately to the Duke of Northumberland. - The Treasury have demanded the Annual Estimates earlier than usual, and there is no time to be lost'.
Lincoln - Thanks WW for his kindness towards his Botanical Papers and would like them returned. EB has read WW's new work [probably The History of the Inductive Sciences, from the Earliest to the Present Times, 3 vols., 1837]: 'there is a quiet beneficent tone about it which I like much'. EB has a problem with WW's philosophy of induction in classification: 'What Characters are to be deemed Physiological? No doubt large natural assemblages will be found to have important unities of structure, and the larger the more important - but this importance cannot be estimated a priori - Why is not the Root important?'
Thanks WW for his two letters - 'your analysis was excellent and made me pleased both with it and myself' [RJ's lectures]. RJ accepts WW's term of 'mechanical power. He has nothing but good to say about the Wiesbaden waters and expects to be home mid-September. RJ gives his observations of the local architecture, wines and history. There is a religious feud that has arisen and which 'is agitating the whole people from the Rhine to Poland. The new sect calling themselves Catholic and abusing the Pope is received with open arms by the Protestants who wish to give them the use of their churches. The government forbid - the people rage and riot and some lives have been lost at Leipsig - a fiercer struggle is expected. Will Austria interfere? If she does what is to follow in Germany and without. Will she not? The Catholics must give way and already the other party talk of getting rid of the Saxon Royal family - they have frightened the king of Prussia into neutrality'. WW 'may hear any day of a civil war of protestant Germany against Catholic Princes and their own too if they try and thwart them'.
Thanks him for sending him 'J'ai perdu..' [a translation of Alfred de Musset's poem Tristesse, which begins with these words], but claims that he is not altogether contented with it. Analyses parts of the poem in terms of its translation, and remarks, for example, that the second four lines do not seem to him 'to give Alfred's feeling.' Questions him in relation to 'the Translation of Faith [a poem by Myers] ', which he finds 'more than impressive.' Refers to 'the enclosed' [not included], which will show Myers how they have got on so far.
Expresses his happiness at the news that Sidgwick is recovering from his illness, and is convalescing at Margate, which, he claims, has 'the finest air in England.' Expresses wish that Sidgwick and his wife could be with him on [Minchin]hampton Common, which he describes, and also that some of the 'Children of light' could join himself, Mr and Mrs [ ] and his sister Mary there. States that they often talk of Sidgwick and Mrs Sidgwick, and have been anxious to know how they have been getting on. Expresses the affection and friendship he feels for Sidgwick.
Weymouth Street - Mrs Child has not found the missing wrist stud, Archbishop's motion about the Irish church was not successful
Hawick - missed him at Cambridge, loneliness, ideal translation for a Cambridge examination, translations should be modernised where accuracy will allow it, Kemble's sister, Milnes' "great disaster", concurs with Lee's views, Lady Canning's pamphlet
6 Clifford Street. - Invitation to meet Tennyson at dinner on Wednesday 28th. 'His Poetic Majesty names his own hour'.
Enclosing verse.
Papers
1934, 1947, 1949, 1950
Song from the Founders' Dinner, 31 October 1953.
Song 'Ex scientia salus', for ?Founder's Dinner, October 1956.
Anvers - Thanks her for 'Le Bouc émissaire', is not in charge of writing reviews of English books [for 'La Renaissance d'Occident'] but expects an exception can be made to this rule.
Paris, 7 Rue Lincoln VIIIe [on mourning stationery] - Is sorry to hear Frazer is unwell, but is cheered that she is there to support him; admires 'Aftermath'; is increasingly concerned about fanatics and armaments of Germany and hopes that when the catastrophe is unleashed that England will be strong and ready; if not there is much to fear next spring.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Will be glad to welcome Elizabeth and Robert on 13 August; they will see Aunt Annie [Philips], who comes on the 9th. Glad they will be there for the 'festivities'; there will be the Exhibition, the servants' party, and a garden party for the neighbours to introduce Mary, who must 'make dignified little bows, and not jump onto the arms of chairs!'; she is 'great fun', and Elizabeth will like her when she knows her. Interested to hear of Miss [Laetitia] Ede, who is sure to get on since she has 'real energy'. Sir George knows nothing about Gregorian chants; he liked the 'florid music at the Oratory' and is sorry it has stopped. Asks if she should find someone to accompany Elizabeth on her visit; Mr [Charles?] Orde of Nunnykirk gave Caroline a name, which she encloses; it will be a problem what to do with her in the evening 'if she is not a lady' so she may ask her to come for the day to see what she is like. Cannot put Elizabeth up at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent] on the 4th, as Maria [Springett] is taking her holiday and has put everything away; hopes it will not be inconvenient to go to a club or a hotel; believes the Great Northern Hotel is comfortable and would be convenient [this section of the letter crossed out] but Elizabeth is travelling by Euston. Hopes the weather is drier by Monday, when a group of hospital nurses are coming. Asks whether Mrs Salmonson [sic: Jeanne Salomonson Asser] will return to Holland when Elizabeth leaves Rottingdean.
Postmarked 'Exposition Coloniale Int[ernationa]le, Paris. - Main message in card in Suhrawardy's hand: they will be delighted to put Trevelyan up when he comes; Suhrawardy will meet him at the station. They are sitting at the Javanese restaurant drinking tea and milk; Rex [the dog] is drinking the milk. Maria Germanova, Aleksandre Kalitinsky, and Andrusha [their son Andrew] all sign their names.
Addressed to Trevelyan at the Friends War Victims Relief Committee, France. - His next chess move. Asks if he has a pawn in front of his king. Is not a candidate for a Provostship.
22 Willow Rd, Hampstead. - Writing on her brother Roger's behalf: apologises that he has no time this week to meet Trevelyan but would like very much to see him next week. Helen is sleeping and eating well; she was very restless on Sunday but quieter now, though more depressed. Roger visited yesterday but did not see her. Her doctor seems to have encouraged him to be hopeful, but he evidently expects a long period of recovery.
requests payment of John Cornford 's share of guarantee of the "Air Display Special" of The Cambridge Anti-War Council