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Typescript. First page missing. With letter of enclosure, 16 May 1911, S.K. Ratcliffe to Patrick Geddes.

Acknowledges receipt of letter of 27 July 1918. References Anna Geddes' death and philosophy. Discusses travel plans to Bahamas. Describes character and work of Dr C.S. Dolley, chemist & botanist. Requests Geddes' assistance in finding him a position in India. Discusses J.G. Mukerji [sic, should be D. G.]; recommends Geddes look up the man's father in Calcutta. Mention of Rabindranath Tagore (poet). Comparison of Hindu an Greek pantheons. Discusses social circle including Paul Crompton, George & Berta family (12 Bruton St), Albert, David & Fanny.

Personal. Recommends Bryant Fleming (an American town planner). Also mentions Mrs. Coonley-Ward, Dhan Gopal Mukerji and Charles Kellog.

Post-war re-adjustment, including food shortages. President Wilson visiting Europe. Mr. Whitmarsh and the U.S. Food Administration Europe. Opportunity to get countries self reliant. Visit to Bahamas with Dr. Dolley. Mentions [ ] Hoover, Albert and Stephen Harris. Some personal news.

Urges the recipient to advertise in Indian illustrated newspaper. Reference made to Mrs. Simpson at Calcutta, a daughter of Norman MacLeod. Incomplete.

Asks for articles for a new magazine. Reference to positivism.

Her enthusiasm for Positivism. Mention of Miss Ball; J.H. Bridges's 'General View of Positivism'; Professor [Jagadis Chandra] Bose; 'The Ideals of the East' by [ ] Okakura.

Refers to one of the monks, Swami Sadananda, who wishes to write to Geddes (referred to as Mr. Soil) to thank him for all the thoughts that he has sent. Requests a photograph of Geddes on behalf of Swami Sadananda. Discusses the concept that 'soil and race give the real basis for work'. Remarks that Geddes worships the 'synthesis of knowledge' as she worships that of the 'common weal'. Refers to Chinese philosophy. 'Can you not smash your Tower and come to Japan to China to India ... you have not yet understood the whole of life. Why do you not understand and take your true place and breaking all symbols create and preach the Idea...?'

Requests Patrick Geddes' opinion on her book which she had sent to him. Mentions Mrs Hudson, in relation to the programme of Geddes' forthcoming London lectures: 'it sounds as if you have really formulated your gospel'. Asks him to formulate a scheme for the study of "the Virgins of India" suggested for Tata University. Discusses Geddes' concepts of synthesis and asks about the role of 'ought' and where it should be placed. Discusses sociology, and formulating a method 'for getting at Indian History', which involves sociology. Mention of Geddes' scheme of 'Primitive - Matriarch - Patriarch' and a review of Asiatic Empires as a foundation. Asks Geddes' advice or help in writing a book on this topic. Mention of Herbert Spencer; 'The Arctic Home in the Vedas' by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Arthur Geddes. Placing studies in primary education and higher research. Questions the concept of 'India as nation'.

Refers to Swamigi's death and her increased workload. Discusses the Nile Dam and how it may affect India, Indian flora and fauna; the enclosure of forests to the detriment of village communities, and in South India deforestation and replacement of coffee plantation which have serious effects on irrigation; fishing communities; polygamy in the North West provinces; equality of the sexes in India. Mention of Dr. Bose; [ ] Ramsay and a scheme to have Geddes as Principal of the [Tata] Institute; Miss Ball, who is in Boston.

Letter of introduction for [ ] Bose, nephew of Dr. Jagadis C. Bose. Requests that Patrick Geddes teaches Bose all that he has taught to her. Describes her desires for the development of Bose's character. Mentions the pending publication of her book.

Personal news. Mention of Theodore Whitmarsh, Herbert Hoover and Stephen Harris; also Dhan Gopal Mukerji and his new play Dream of Kalidasa at the Princes Theatre, New York. Asks for a Scot to help establish home-spun weaving in the Catskills. Attributes Alberta's sudden good health to Christian Science.

Note on reverse from HGM