THE LATE HENRY SIDGWICK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 142, 16 June 1906, Page 11

THE LATE HENRY SIDGWICK.

Macmillans have published an appreciative memoir of the lato Henry Sidgwidc, with selections from his letters. Ho was an honest searcher for truth, a philosopher, sceptical as to revelation, who looked to psychical research for the solution of the deeper problems ; and withal a man of sociablo and genia 1 disposition and kindly tsict. His interest in tho higher problems of existence, according to St. James's Budget, did not prevent him from enjoying the lighter literature His stock of English ?octry was immense. He could quoto or homo on end. Novels were another source of delight. Judging from tho criticisms and recommendations contained in these letters, few good stories escaped him. Ho was a delicato connoisseur in fiction. Ibo last chapter of the book is deeply pathetic in its restrained feeling. Sidgwick learned suddenly that ho was suffering from an incurable disease. Under the shock ho bore himself like tho gallant man ho was, thinking of tho trouble to others rather than tho tragedy to himself. Tho few letters written during that trying period aro fall of a noble cheerfulness. "When I came away from tho last interview with him," said Dr. Gore (now' Bishop of Birmingham) — "after the operation from which reprieve was hoped, but which in tho event proved to be not much more than tho prelude to the end — after that last inksrvlow, when ho had talked with his habitual graco and vigour and cheerfulness, and with a most moving courage in tho face of death, there was only one thought which came to my mind, in which I seemed in the least degree able to sum up and express tho impression which was loft upon mo, and it was that most sacred of all promises — 'Blessed aro the pure in heart ; for they shall sco God.' " Here was a man whoso Hfo was worth writing. , Wo aro fortunate (adds tho reviewer) in having it bo well written.