| Description | Correspondence with Harold Begbie [1871-1929, journalist, Salvationist, and political and social reformer].
/1 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 40 St James's Place, dated 18 November [c1914-1918]. Begbie sends a copy of his verses. He refers to his recent 'mission in America'. He describes meeting wounded British soldiers and hopes for 'a great reconstruction of life' after the war.
/2 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 28 March [c1904-1907]. Begbie asks for Lodge's views on the value of sport for his series in C. B. Fry's Magazine.
/3 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 4 May 1904. Begbie sends a proof of his interview with Lodge for approval before it appears in the Westminster Gazette. He discusses scientific and religious attitudes toward sin, referring to Lodge's recent article in the Hibbert Journal. He closes by saying: 'It is the great joy of my life to have known you [...] of all the great men I have met you are the completest & infinitely the greatest'.
/4 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 8 May [1904?]. Begbie offers to help Lodge identify appropriate magazines for publication of his articles. He assures Lodge that their correspondence is private.
/5 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 25 September 1904. Begbie writes that MPs' ignorance of science is a barrier to the alleviation of the suffering of the poor. He asks Lodge to give an interview on social matters such as education, prisons and housing in the hopes of promoting social reform. He writes admiringly of Oliver Junior. He praises Lodge's reponse to Rochester.
/6 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 2 October 1904. Begbie hopes that Lodge will make poverty and social reform the subject of his lecture. He writes that the various sectors of the working class must be persuaded to unite to secure better conditions for the poorest, whilst those with power and influence should provide honest work rather than charity. He asks whether the Envelope will help to convince men of immortal life as a decline in religious faith is leading to vice.
/7 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, dated 4 October 1904, with envelope. Begbie recommends an article in the Times. He writes about the increase in male prostitution ('the police do not interfere because aristocracy is so hopelessly involved in the matter') and 'Sapphic vices' in England.
/8 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, dated 22 October [1904?]. Begbie is going to Berlin for three weeks for work. He admires the manner in which Lodge dealt with the 'coarse brute' Ray Lankester.
/9 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, undated. Begbie thanks Lodge for the photograph. He hopes to arrange a lunch with Lodge and Campbell of the City Temple, who is a great admirer and a member the S.P.R. [Society for Psychical Research]. He writes that W. T. Stead has not forgiven Lodge for 'that letter'.
/10 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, undated [1904]. Begbie looks forward to meeting Lodge's son. His interview with Chamberlain has been postponed due to Chamberlain's ill-health. He hopes to be able to report on the opening of the Envelope. He admires Lodge's articles in the Hibbert Journal and encourages Lodge to publish more widely.
/11 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from 9 Tanza Road, Hampstead, undated. Begbie promises that he will reveal nothing about the opening of the envelope without Lodge's consent but fears someone else will let the secret out. He writes that London is depressing him.
/12 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from Rose Hill, Orford, RSO, Suffolk, dated 13 October 1908. Begbie writes that his criticism was intended for the world, not for Lodge. He believes that science is the key to making the church and politics more effective, but it will take stronger language to urge the church towards 'a more courageous and scientific socialism'. He hopes Lodge will write an article on Leighton's book 'The Greatest Life'.
/13 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from Spyways, Hartfield, Sussex, dated 1 November 1908. Begbie asks Lodge about his fee for writing an article on Leighton's book. He believes that fanatics tend to write letters whilst the multitude of satisfied readers say nothing.
/14 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from Spyways, Hartfield, Sussex, dated 18 April 1914. Begbie discusses books and authors and tells Lodge that is writing novels and plays as well as the official biography of William Booth. He invites the Lodges to lunch.
/15 Letter to Oliver Lodge, written from Spyways, Hartfield, Sussex, dated 21 October [19--]. Begbie tells Lodge that Mrs Mott wishes to meet him. He draws Lodge's attention to a curious case of psychology mentioned in the Nation. He writes that after seven or eight years he has begun to write verse again.
/16 Letter from Harold Begbie to Oliver Lodge, written from Garden Court, Swanage, dated 8 September 1925. Begbie asks Lodge to read his script. He thanks Lodge for the books and praises him as 'Poet & Physicist'. He thanks Lady Lodge for her hospitality and hopes the Lodges will come to Swanage.
/17 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Harold Begbie [November 1925]. Lodge expresses his view that the church Ordination Service should be remodelled. |