Göttingen, July 16th 1869
My Dear Mamma,
The wedding[2] combined with the arrival of a letter from Tait and Proof sheets of my paper has taken up my time so fully this week that I can’t I fear write a full description of my Harz journey save that it was very enjoyable that between Thursday evening and Saturday night[3] we walked 50 or 60 miles without being any the worse of it and were on top of the Brocken and in several fine valleys.
Tait if only he had known it had my address already; but I suppose thought I might have left. I had not written to him because I didn’t want to bother him till I had something real to say. The thing about Hegel has been printed complete but what inaccurate proof Sheets! I would have preferred certainly to have rewritten the paper which is crude and certainly would not have been accepted, I imagine, but for Tait’s good offices which would be exerted for any attack on Hegel. I don’t think Tait is angry at my not writing though I am sorry that it should be as it is. Of course I answered at once or almost so.
I once again took the meeting at Menzies on Sabbath evening and rather enjoyed it. But both times Black has suggested that my train of thought needs rather too close attention. I must try to be simpler. One feels that there is great need of skill and faithfulness in speaking before a family of which several members are clearly very moderate in their views.
I shall only add for the present that I am quite well though I feel very idle after all the distractions of the last days and more disposed to walk about than to set [about] working. I daresay you won’t think so badly of this disposition as I do.
I hope you are all picking up strength at Lossiemouth and that Sunday evening won’t hurt Papa.
In haste for the post.
Your loving son,
W.R. Smith