Janus: Papers of William Kingdon Clifford

Trinity/CLIF contains:
<-- See earlier
A4	Correspondence between W. K. and Lucy Clifford and Frederick and Georgina Pollock.
A5	Final letters, etc.
A6	Letters to Lucy Clifford regarding W. K. Clifford.
A7	Letters to Frederick Pollock regarding W. K. Clifford
A8	Letters to Frederick Pollock regarding W. K. Clifford
A9	Letters from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock regarding W. K. Clifford.
B1	Scrapbook
C1	Newspapers and journals containing obituaries and other articles relating to W. K. Clifford.
D1	Notebooks.
D2	Photographs.
E1	Notes on light and electricity, with related correspondence.
See later -->

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Papers of William Kingdon Clifford

Title	Letters from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock regarding W. K. Clifford.
Reference	A9
Covering Dates	1879–1881
Extent and Medium	1 file

Content and context

Trinity/CLIF/A9 contains:

Sketch of a house by W. K. Clifford, with an envelope marked by Lucy Clifford 'The sketch Willi made of Cathedine'.
1 doc.

[Summer 1877]

Letter from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock. (11 Portsea Place, Connaught Square, [London].) Has sent for a copy of Little People. Will copy out the 'lily song' for him from the MS copy [A2/7?], as it has a note which is not in the book. Keeps thinking of different sides of her husband's personality which she is anxious for Pollock to 'bring out'. Has been thinking of how merry he was, and how he liked to arrange 'little dinners' and parties. Recalls his customary glee on returning from the Metaph[ysical Society]; the last time he went he had to borrow money from Lord Arthur Russell to get home. 'I have been thinking such wild things lately and - supposing for a moment there is after consciousness - wondering if it could be possible for many forms of intellect & beauty to take refuge in one physical frame until they made up a perfect whole worthy of standing alone; so that Willi represented the former consciousness of many & is after all living still or carrying on in some other world what is first going on in this-the survival of the fittest.' Discusses the benefits of such a 'new religion'. 'Of course I know it's all nonsense . . . but one tries to comfort oneself with any madness.' Mrs Deffell has received a charming letter from Georgie, but is concerned that they [Fred, Georgie, and the children] are not having an enjoyable holiday [at Ascot]. 'Now I will take my chloral . . . & go to bed.'. (With envelope.) .
1 doc.

16 Apr. 1879

Note by Lucy Clifford. (11 Portsea Place, Connaught Square, [London].) Wishes to write down a dream she had about her husband. At Madeira, a few hours after his death, she heard a voice at her side say 'Darling' (Miss Emma Stead, who was there, will confirm this); but she regarded this only as an outcome of her overstrung state of mind. Last week, she went to bed-sleeping, as usual, with Ethel-and dreamt three dreams about her husband: first that she was with him at Madeira; secondly, in a field; and thirdly that he stood by her side and spoke to her, telling her that he could not visit her again and that she was 'among the Middle Shadows'. Is not certain of the order of the dreams, nor whether she was awake or asleep. (With envelope, marked 'If I die give this to F. Pollock | July 79.') .
1 doc.

17 May 1879

Letter from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock. (26 Colville Road, Bayswater.) Has considered his letter [regarding the offer expressed in A7/10]. Expects only that people should like and admire Willi, not that they should necessarily agree with him; indeed, she suspects that many of those who contributed to the testimonial did not. She herself finds his philosophy 'torture'. Would be willing to accept a gift given to the testimonial, but not one to her only, since the giver is a stranger and she has already received a fair amount of help. Reflects on her good fortune on having had nearly six years of 'perfect companionship' with her husband. Sends a letter from John Morley regarding a MS she sent him. . (With envelope. Dated Saturday. Postmarked 2 April 1881.) .
1 doc.

[2 Apr. 1881]

Letter from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock. (26 Colville Road, Bayswater.) Emphasizes her gratitude for the generosity of her 'would-be helper' [W. H. Thompson; cf. A7/10], but calculates that, including testimonial, pension, books, and literary fund, she has £216 a year. . (With envelope. No date. Postmarked 2 April 1881.) .
1 doc.

[2 Apr. 1881]

Letter from Lucy Clifford to Frederick Pollock. (26 Colville Road, Bayswater, W.) Thanks him, and asks him to thank his friend [W. H. Thompson]. Refers to a pension form he filled out for her. Has been taking Mrs Crawford to studios today and has heard that the R[oyal] A[cademy] have accepted Jack Collier's Hudson picture [The Last Voyage of Henry Hudson] and Rady's[?] too. . (With envelope. No date. Postmarked 5 April 1881.) .
1 doc.

[5 Apr. 1881]