BRACERS Record Detail for 17909

To access the original letter, email the Russell Archives.

Collection code
RA3
Recent acquisition no.
69
Document no.
000775
Box no.
2.61
Source if not BR
Texas, U. of, HRC
Recipient(s)
Morrell, Ottoline
Sender(s)
BR
Date
1913/05/14*
Form of letter
ALS(DX)
Pieces
1E
BR's address code (if sender)
TC
Notes and topics

"Wednesday morning" Wittgenstein to tea. "(Wittgenstein has given me a climbing rose in a pot—most lovely.) Wittgenstein was shocked to hear I am writing on Theory of Knowledge—he thinks it will be like the Shilling Shocker, which he hates. He is a tyrant, if you like."

Reached p. 80 after working until midnight.

"... I have been thinking all morning about the difference between sensation and imagination, arriving at the conclusion that there is none, but only a difference between the sensed and the imagined."

Transcription

BR TO OTTOLINE MORRELL, [14 MAY 1913]
BRACERS 17909. ALS. Morrell papers #775, Texas
Proofread by K. Blackwell et al.


Wednesday mg.1, 2

My Darling Love

I was very glad of your dear letter this morning — glad to hear J. is better and you are less depressed. I wish I had had your Wed. letter from Paris. I long to see all those dear places with you in their spring beauty — the longing for you is driven underground by work, but it pops up its head whenever I give it the slightest opening. — Yesterday I went up to the Grantchester woods and bathed, which was delicious. Then I had Jourdain, McT and Wittgenstein to tea. (Wittgenstein has given me a climbing rose in a pot — most lovely.) Wittgenstein was shocked to hear I am writing on theory of knowledge — he thinks it will be like the shilling book, which he hates. He is a tyrant, if you like.

I worked till midnight, and reached p. 80 — ten pages ahead of my daily average — but I shall lose what I have gained tomorrow as I have a very full day. I invented an engagement so as to get out of seeing Mildred without hurting her feelings, and now I have been thinking all morning about the difference between sensation and imagination, arriving at last at the conclusion that there is none, but only a difference between the sensed and the imagined. The result of my doubts is that I have written nothing — but I have the whole day free, so I shall get something written later.

I ordered Midshipman Easy for J. I hope it will arrive in time. — What good phrases Conrad has — à propos of the Lake of Geneva he speaks of its “precise, orderly, and well-to-do beauty”. Isn’t it odd that our grandfathers thought it the type of all that is wild and romantic? — Lord Henry has been growing very progressive — one is always seeing his name as supporting some reform. I should have thought he went rather too much on philanthropic lines rather than economic ones, but he must be the best of the Tory members. Massingham is always getting enthusiasms — he used to swear by Winston for a long time. — My head is full of pre-occupation with work and I can’t write more. Goodbye Darling — I love you every moment, and the thought of you is always with me in all I do —

Your
B

  • 1

    [document] Document 000775. Proofread against a colour scan of the original.

  • 2

    [envelope] A circled “775”. The Lady Ottoline Morrell | Hôtel Riche-Mont | Lausanne | Switzerland. Pmk: CAMBRIDGE | 2.30 PM | 14 MAY 13

Permission
Everyone
Transcription Public Access
Yes
Record no.
17909
Record created
May 20, 2014
Record last modified
Jun 23, 2025
Created/last modified by
duncana