| Description | Correspondence from Edward S. Talbot [1844-1934, bishop of Rochester 1895-1905, bishop of Southwark 1905-1911, bishop of Winchester 1911-1923], including copies of Lodge's replies. The file also contains a copy of a letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop Down (item /11).
/1 Letter from Edward Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from Bishop's House, Kennington Park, SE, dated 2 January 1911. Talbot sends thanks for copy of Lodge's book. He writes that he shares many of Lodge's beliefs but is not as hopeful about 'transcending our limitations'.
/2 Letter from Edward Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from Gale, Chelwood Gate, East Grinstead, dated 21 June 1925. Talbot comments on Lodge's book. He writes that it seems impossible that 'this overpoweringly amazing Universe' came together by chance.
/3 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from Hotel du Palmes, ?Lerici, dated 7 April 1926. Talbot thanks Lodge for sending his book and expresses amazement at the stretches of knowledge which science has opened up. He mentions Canon Wilson's paper in the Guardian. He asks questions about scientific subjects and terminology. He asks Lodge about immortality. He discusses the idea of discovery as a kind of revelation. With note written by Lodge: 'From Bishop Talbot. Keep carefully. To be ans[were]d some time'.
/4 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 29 November 1927. Talbot thanks Lodge for writing to Mr Hird about a book [by Rev J. Henry Best]. See also OJL/1/395/5-8
/5 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop Talbot, dated 28 November 1927. Lodge gives his opinion on the draft chapters of Mr Best's book. He will write to Mr Hird of Hodder and Stoughton to recommend the book for publication. (See reply above, OJL/1/395/4).
/6 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop Talbot, dated 21 November 1927. Lodge agrees to read draft chapters [of Rev Best's book] and proposes to send the book to Mr Hird of Hodder and Stoughton. There is a manuscript annotation written in shorthand at the bottom of the letter.
/7 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 25 November 1927. Talbot sends papers [draft chapters of Mr Best's book].
/8 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 17 November 1927. Talbot writes about Rev J. Henry Best's book on the compatibility of religious belief and science (particularly the theory of evolution). He asks Lodge to read draft chapters and send advice on finding a publisher.
/9 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 10 November 1927, with envelope. Talbot writes about Dr Barnes: 'I think his part in the controversy has given him nothing but self-satisfaction, while he has been towards others inconsiderate and [...] cruel'. He would like the Holy Sacrament to be treated as a mystery, as in the Eastern Church.
/10 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop Talbot, dated 9 November 1927. Further to his Oxford Address printed in the Guardian, Lodge writes that he sees the Holy Sacrament as symbolic.
/11 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop [Down], dated 9 November 1927. Lodge discusses his views on resurrection and life after death after reading the Bishop's article in Theology entitled 'The Risen Lord'. In a postscript he refers to sittings [séances] in which he talks to [his son] Raymond and [Frederick] Myers.
/12 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Bishop [Talbot], dated 17 December 1927. Lodge discusses his belief that God acts through human beings and nature, whose help is needed in the process of evolution. He discusses the rejection of the Prayer Book Measure. With item /13 attached, see below.
/13 Typescript statement written by Oliver Lodge recommending Rev John H. Best's book for publication.
/14 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 19 November 1929, with envelope. Talbot thanks Lodge for sending an inscribed copy of his book. He is grateful for Lodge's friendship.
/15 Letter from Bishop Talbot to Oliver Lodge, written from 45 Lexham Gardens, Cromwell Road, W8, dated 22 July 1933. Talbot thanks Lodge for his kind letter about the Commemoration and Edward's sermon. He spent a weekend with Cecil of Cheltenham whom he greatly admires. He proposes calling at Normanton in the summer.
/16 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Dr Talbot, dated 25 July 1933. Lodge writes that the Talbots would be welcome at Normanton and sends information about his availability.
/17 Letter from Lady Gwendolen Stephenson to Oliver Lodge, written from Friendly Green, Cowden, Eden Bridge, Kent, dated 3 October 1934. Stephenson asks permission to include a letter from Bishop Talbot to Lodge in her biography of Bishop Talbot. She asks Lodge for reminiscences. With letter from Lady Gwendolen Stephenson to Oliver Lodge, written from Friendly Green, Cowden, Eden Bridge, Kent, dated 8 October 1934. Stephenson thanks Lodge for sending information about Bishop Talbot.
/18 Copy of letter from Oliver Lodge to Lady Stephenson, dated 5 October 1934. Lodge gives Lady Stephenson permission to include a letter about 'Raymond' in her biography of Bishop Talbot. Lodge shares memories of Bishop Talbot in Italy and at the Synthetic Society, and offers to send other letters. |