by Hayek
[Front Matter and Errata]: Front matter for the 1951 edition of Hayek's work on the correspondence between John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor. Includes a detailed errata list correcting specific page and line references in the original printing. [Title Page and Table of Contents]: Title page and table of contents outlining the chronological structure of the book, from Harriet Taylor's early circle in 1830 through her marriage to Mill and her eventual death in 1858. [Illustrations and Acknowledgements]: List of illustrations and acknowledgements detailing the archival sources for the letters and portraits, specifically citing the Yale University Library and the British Library of Political and Economic Science. [Abbreviations and Symbols Used]: A guide to the abbreviations and symbols used throughout the text, including shorthand for John Stuart Mill (J.S.M.) and Harriet Taylor (H.T.), and references to major published editions of Mill's works. [Introduction: The Character and Influence of Harriet Taylor]: Hayek introduces the historical puzzle of Harriet Taylor's intellect and her influence on John Stuart Mill. He contrasts Mill's extravagant praise in his 'Autobiography'—comparing her to Shelley and a great orator—with the skepticism of contemporaries like Carlyle. Hayek argues that Taylor's influence was primarily rationalist rather than sentimental, shaping Mill's transition toward radical rationalism. [Introduction: Editorial Method and Source History]: Hayek explains the provenance of the Mill-Taylor papers, tracing them from Helen Taylor to Mary Taylor and their eventual dispersal at auction. He outlines his editorial principles, noting that he has selected letters to focus on their intellectual relationship while omitting mundane domestic details, and describes the challenges of transcribing Mill's and Taylor's idiosyncratic manuscripts. [Chapter I: Harriet Taylor and Her Circle (1830)]: This chapter details Harriet Taylor's early life, her marriage to John Taylor, and her social circle in 1830. It describes the influence of the Unitarian minister W. J. Fox and the Flower sisters. Hayek explores Taylor's early feminist leanings and her involvement with the 'Monthly Repository', setting the stage for her meeting with Mill. It also provides a physical description of Taylor and her husband. [Chapter I: John Stuart Mill at Twenty-Four]: Hayek provides a portrait of John Stuart Mill at age 24, shortly before meeting Harriet Taylor. He discusses Mill's rigorous education under James Mill, his subsequent 'mental crisis,' and his feelings of emotional isolation. The segment includes a suppressed passage from Mill's 'Autobiography' regarding his lack of affection for his father and the 'stunting' of his moral growth, contrasting this with other contemporary accounts of his domestic life. [Mill's Intellectual Isolation and Correspondence with John Sterling]: A detailed letter from John Stuart Mill to John Sterling in April 1829 describing his profound sense of loneliness and the absence of a 'common object' shared with others. Mill reflects on his past tendencies toward misanthropy and defines perfect friendship as requiring a shared purpose in the 'great objects of life'. [Mill's Period of Greatest Productivity (1829–1830)]: An analysis of Mill's intellectual output following his recovery from depression, noting the origins of his work on Logic, his 'Essays on Some Unsettled Questions of Political Economy', and his deep interest in French politics and the history of the French Revolution. [Chapter Two: Acquaintance and Early Crises (1830–1833)]: This section details the introduction of Mill to Harriet Taylor by W. J. Fox and the early years of their acquaintance. It examines evidence of their growing intimacy through correspondence involving Eliza Flower and M. Desainteville, and discusses a brief period in 1832 where Harriet attempted to end the relationship. [The New Forest Incident and French Republican Contacts]: Mill reacts to a letter from Harriet Taylor in 1832 suggesting an 'eternal adieu' following his tour of the New Forest. The section also includes Mill's correspondence with John Taylor regarding the introduction of French republicans Jules Bastide and Hippolyte Dussard to English political circles. [Literary Collaboration and the Monthly Repository]: An account of Mill and Harriet Taylor's contributions to W. J. Fox's 'Monthly Repository'. It reviews Harriet's essays and book reviews, including her thoughts on American manners and French politics, and marks Mill's transition into poetic criticism under Harriet's influence. [Poetic Culture and the Influence of Shelley]: Mill describes the early years of his friendship with Harriet Taylor as years of 'poetic culture'. He discusses their shared enthusiasm for Shelley, their mutual dislike of Byron, and how Harriet helped cultivate his taste for the arts, which had previously been neglected. [Mill's Critique of Robert Browning's Pauline]: A detailed record of Mill's (and likely Harriet Taylor's) critical reaction to Robert Browning's poem 'Pauline'. Mill's harsh assessment of the author's 'morbid self-consciousness' and 'unlovable state' famously influenced Browning's future approach to publication and poetic distance. [Tennyson, Kent Terrace, and Spiritual Intimacy]: Mill's recognition of Alfred Tennyson's genius and the increasing frequency of his visits to the Taylor home at Kent Terrace. The section concludes with a fragment of a letter from Harriet to Mill expressing the spiritual satisfaction and happiness she finds in their relationship. [Correspondence of 1833: The Crisis of Confidence and the Paris Separation]: This segment details the intensifying relationship between Mill and Harriet Taylor in late 1833. It includes letters discussing a 'crisis' in their confidence, Mill's decision to visit Paris instead of Carlyle at Craigenputtock, and the subsequent experimental separation agreed upon by Harriet and her husband, John Taylor. Mill's long letter to W. J. Fox from Paris describes their deepening intimacy and the complexities of Harriet's affection for both men, emphasizing her determination not to cause her husband's 'breaking up' while maintaining her bond with Mill. [Return to London and the Compromise of 1834]: Covers Mill's return to London in November 1833 and the eventual compromise reached regarding Harriet Taylor's living situation. Harriet returned to England earlier than planned, establishing a domestic arrangement where external appearances of marriage were preserved while she lived primarily in the country. The segment introduces the term 'Seelenfreundin' (soul-friend) to describe her relationship with Mill and her husband during this period. [Chapter Three: On Marriage and Divorce (Mill's Essay)]: A substantial early essay by Mill (c. 1832) regarding the reform of marriage laws and the status of women. Mill argues that the indissolubility of marriage was designed by and for 'sensualists' and that true equality requires women to be educated for economic independence. He posits that marriage should be a voluntary union between equals, easily dissoluble if it no longer serves the happiness of the parties, while acknowledging the complexities regarding children and social opinion. [Harriet Taylor's Essay on Marriage and Divorce]: Harriet Taylor's companion essay to Mill's, likely written around 1832. She argues for the total removal of legislative interference in matters of affection and the abolition of marriage laws. She critiques the contemporary education of women as being solely for the purpose of 'marrying to gain a living' and suggests that in a fully educated society, marriage laws would be disregarded in favor of genuine affection and equality. [Chapter Four: Friends and Gossip (1834–1842)]: This chapter examines the social repercussions of the Mill-Taylor relationship through the eyes of their contemporaries. It details John Roebuck's failed attempt to intervene, which ended his friendship with Mill, and provides extensive excerpts from the Carlyles' letters. The segment concludes with the famous incident of the accidental burning of Carlyle's 'French Revolution' manuscript while in Mill's possession, and the subsequent (unfounded) suspicions the Carlyles harbored toward Harriet Taylor regarding the event. [The Deterioration of the Mill-Carlyle Friendship]: This segment details the cooling relationship between John Stuart Mill and Thomas Carlyle following the destruction of the French Revolution manuscript. It includes Carlyle's harsh private descriptions of Mill's physical and mental state in 1836, Jane Welsh Carlyle's observations on Mill's subjection to her husband, and the growing social scandal surrounding Mill's relationship with Harriet Taylor. The text highlights Carlyle's tendency to gossip about the couple, which eventually led to a permanent estrangement. [The Trust Dispute and Final Break with Carlyle]: Covers a specific interaction in 1842 where Harriet Taylor asked Thomas Carlyle to serve as a trustee for her marriage settlement, which he declined. It describes the final break in 1846 when Mill rebuffed Carlyle in the street. The segment concludes by identifying the cause of the estrangement as Carlyle's indiscreet talk about Mill and Mrs. Taylor, and notes Mill's subsequent withdrawal from society and his lifelong resentment toward those he suspected of gossiping, including Sarah Austin and Harriet Martineau. [Chapter Five: The Years of Friendship 1834–1847]: Beginning Chapter Five, this section returns to the period immediately following Harriet Taylor's return from Paris in 1834. It features a profound letter from Harriet to Mill reflecting on the nature of happiness, emotion, and the artificiality of human affection. It also includes Mill's correspondence with W. J. Fox regarding the 'unsatisfactory state' of his affairs and his efforts to reconcile radical differences in feelings and beliefs with Harriet Taylor. [Correspondence between Harriet Taylor and John Stuart Mill (1835-1836)]: A collection of letters from Harriet Taylor to John Stuart Mill discussing their emotional connection, the 'poetic principle', and the tension between acting on one's principles versus conforming to social expectations. Taylor challenges Mill's fears regarding social 'insignificance' and critiques the idea of 'thinking with the wise and acting with the vulgar' as a form of insincerity. [Harriet Taylor on Personal Feeling and Life Choices]: Harriet Taylor reflects on her character, the paramount importance of 'personal feeling' over ambition or intellect, and the potential consequences of their relationship. She weighs the certainty of their mutual happiness against her 'earthly opportunity of usefulness' and the risk of injuring others' lives, while dismissing Mill's fears of becoming 'obscure and insignificant' as a 'mesquin feeling' or commonplace vanity. [Health Declines and the European Tour of 1836]: Hayek documents the simultaneous decline in health of both Mill and Taylor starting in 1835-36. It details Mill's nervous head complaint, the death of his father James Mill, and the subsequent three-month tour of France and Italy. The segment includes a letter from Mill to his sister Clara and notes on his promotion at the India House following his father's death. [The London and Westminster Review and Italian Refugees]: This section covers Mill's editorship of the London and Westminster Review and the influence Harriet Taylor was rumored to have over its policy. It includes correspondence regarding Italian exiles like Mazzini and Usilio, and Taylor's role as an intermediary between Mill and her husband, John Taylor, concerning the publication of their articles. [Correspondence and Health Concerns (Late 1838)]: Harriet Taylor writes to Mill regarding her health and their upcoming separation before a planned trip. The narrative then describes their mutual health struggles in late 1838, including Mill's suspected consumption and Taylor's ailments, leading to their decision to travel to Italy while maintaining secrecy about their joint departure. [Mill's Journey to Italy: Letters to Mrs. James Mill]: Mill writes to his mother detailing his difficult journey through France to Italy, mentioning severe sea-sickness and his travel itinerary. He later reports from Rome on his health, noting a slight improvement after adopting a diet consisting primarily of macaroni and avoiding animal food, though he remains realistic about his long-term recovery. [Observations on Italy and Return through Germany]: Harriet Taylor records her impressions of Florence, Bologna, and Venice in her notebook, while Mill writes to his mother about his botanical collections and his assessment of the Italian climate. They travel back through the Tyrol and Germany, with Taylor noting her preference for German culture and music over Italian. [The Quiet Years and Intellectual Labor (1840-1847)]: A period of relative obscurity in the public record of Mill and Taylor's relationship is described. During these years, Mill focused on his major works, 'A System of Logic' and 'Principles of Political Economy', while facing financial difficulties and health issues. The couple established a routine of visits at Walton on Thames and avoided general society due to scandalous rumors. [Harriet Taylor's Literary Activity and Helen Taylor's Education]: The text explores Harriet Taylor's minor literary activities and her chronic health issues, including a spinal injury. It also details the upbringing of her daughter, Helen Taylor, whose education was unconventional and self-directed, focusing on drama, history, and German thought, as recorded in Helen's childhood diaries. [Critique of Auguste Comte and Personal Notes]: Harriet Taylor critiques Mill's correspondence with Auguste Comte, particularly regarding the status of women. She expresses disappointment in Mill's apologetic tone and challenges Comte's prejudices. The segment also includes a brief, affectionate note from Taylor to Mill regarding a visit to see 'Rhino' and her domestic activities. [Chapter Six: A Joint Production (1847-1849)]: This chapter details the collaborative nature of Mill's 'Principles of Political Economy'. Mill credits Harriet Taylor with the essential 'human element' of the book, specifically the chapter on the 'Probable Future of the Labouring Classes'. The text describes the rapid composition of the work between 1845 and 1847, interrupted by Mill's journalistic focus on the Irish Famine. [The Publication and Dedication of the Principles of Political Economy]: This segment details the final stages of the publication of Mill's 'Principles of Political Economy' in early 1848. It includes correspondence regarding a potential business venture with the Morning Chronicle and a significant disagreement between Harriet Taylor and her husband, John Taylor, over Mill's proposal to dedicate the book to her. Despite John Taylor's strong objections regarding social propriety and 'bad taste,' a limited number of 'Gift Copies' were eventually printed with a dedication acknowledging Harriet's intellectual contributions. [Harriet Taylor on Women's Rights and Social Reform]: A collection of letters from Harriet Taylor to W. J. Fox and J. S. Mill discussing her radical views on social justice. She argues passionately for the emancipation of women, critiquing the 'degraded slavery' of marriage and the exclusion of women from professions and politics. She also critiques contemporary reformers and publications like 'The Reasoner' for their perceived intellectual weakness and intolerance, while expressing interest in the 'labor question' and the revolutionary events in France. [Political Commentary and Mill's Health Crisis]: Harriet Taylor provides sharp critiques of English and French politics in 1848, attacking the 'Daily News' and Joseph Hume's views on property and labor. The segment also records a serious health breakdown for Mill following an accident in Hyde Park and a reaction to a belladonna treatment. It concludes with Harriet's decision to travel to Pau in the South of France for her health and to avoid family complications, despite her husband's illness and disapproval. [Correspondence on Health, Austin, and Macaulay]: Mill writes to Harriet Taylor regarding his emotional state, his lingering lameness, and a visit from John Austin. He discusses Austin's plan for a new edition on jurisprudence and his defense of socialism against Guizot. Mill also provides a critical assessment of Macaulay's history, describing him as a man without genius who mimics the style of people of genius to appeal to shallow readers. [Family Correspondence and Mill's Physical Condition]: A letter from Mill's mother to his siblings in Madeira details his poor health, specifically his bad eyes caused by medicine for his hip, which prevents him from walking or working at the India House. Despite these ailments, she notes he is preparing a second edition of his book and spends evenings playing his own compositions on the piano. [Revising the Political Economy: The Shift Toward Socialism]: Mill discusses the urgent need for a second edition of 'Principles of Political Economy' following the 1848 revolution. He explains how his and Harriet's views shifted toward a more favorable view of socialism, leading to significant revisions in the chapter 'On Property'. The correspondence highlights their debate over the practical difficulties of communism versus the potential of Fourierism, and the influence of Harriet's specific feedback on his prose. [Refining Objections to Communism and Political Observations]: Mill updates Harriet on his revisions to the objections against Communism, attempting to make them more explicit and moderate. He reflects on the state of French republicanism, criticizes contemporary views on the nature of women, and encourages Harriet to finish her own work on the subject. He also comments on the 'meanness' of Lord John Russell's Jew Bill and the 'vulgar bigotry' in English newspapers regarding religious infidelity. [Harriet Taylor's Economic and Family Correspondence]: Letters from Harriet Taylor to her husband and son show her engagement with economic trends, such as the California gold rush's impact on currency value. She also provides medical advice regarding George Mill's consumption (tuberculosis) and critiques George Grote's 'History of Greece' for its 'extreme timidity' in expressing radical opinions. [Publishing Frustrations and Intellectual Scandals]: Mill expresses frustration with the technical aspects of printing the second edition of his book, specifically the typography. He mentions receiving lectures from W. J. Fox and discusses the public scandal surrounding J. A. Froude's 'infidelity'. He also dismisses Emerson's views on the English as 'bete & vulgar' and reflects on the prevailing religious bigotry in England. [Correspondence on Political Economy and Athenian Progress]: Mill discusses the publication details of 'Principles of Political Economy' with Harriet Taylor, crediting her for the favorable terms with Parker and the book's core content. He defends his enthusiastic views on the Athenians as relative to their era and discusses his political articles for the Daily News regarding the Jews Bill and Lord Russell. The segment also touches on Mill's physical health and his interactions with various acquaintances like Fleming and Crowe. [Debates on Communism, Fourierism, and the Sterling Club]: Mill and Taylor exchange views on the feasibility of communism and the necessity of unselfishness, with Mill expressing skepticism about the availability of 'fit instruments' for such a social change. Mill critiques the systems of Fourier and Proudhon, specifically the Fourierist reliance on spontaneous passion over moral duty. The segment also details the controversy surrounding the 'Sterling Club' and the attacks by the 'Record' newspaper on church dignitaries associated with the 'infidel' John Sterling. [Harriet Taylor's Return and John Taylor's Terminal Illness]: Harriet Taylor writes to her husband John Taylor from Pau, explaining her delayed return due to Mill's failing health and eyesight. Upon her return to London, she discovers John is dying of cancer. The segment includes her emotional notes to Mill describing the physical and mental toll of nursing her husband, her indignation at his suffering, and her eventual resignation as his death approaches. [Social Criticism and the Death of John Taylor]: Harriet Taylor and Mill collaborate on a Daily News article protesting corporal punishment and the class biases of the legal system. Harriet expresses her disdain for the 'gentility class' and critiques G. J. Holyoake and Antony Sterling. The segment concludes with the death of John Taylor on July 18, 1849, and Harriet's subsequent letters regarding funeral arrangements and the social implications of Mill's attendance. [Correspondence on Intellect and the Women's Rights Convention]: Mill expresses his deep intellectual admiration for Harriet Taylor, describing her as a 'real majestic intellect' while positioning himself as merely a 'wheel in an engine.' The correspondence shifts to the 1850 Women's Rights Convention in Massachusetts, which Mill praises for its lack of compromise and its potential to achieve decisive practical results for gender equality. [The Enfranchisement of Women and the Marriage Protest]: Details the publication history of the article 'Enfranchisement of Women' in the Westminster Review, which Mill attributed primarily to Harriet Taylor. It also includes Mill's formal written protest against the contemporary marriage laws, in which he explicitly disclaims the legal powers and control over property and personhood that the law would grant him upon their union. [The Marriage Ceremony and the Registry Error]: Mill informs his family of his impending marriage, which leads to immediate social friction. The wedding takes place on April 21, 1851, at Melcombe Regis. A later letter from Mill to Harriet explains a clerical concern regarding his signature on the marriage register, where he initially signed 'J. S. Mill' before being corrected to provide his full name. [The Family Break: Mary Colman's Remonstrance]: Mill's marriage causes a permanent rupture with his mother and sisters. His sister Mary Colman writes a lengthy, pained letter accusing him of cruelty and 'iciness' toward his family, particularly his sister Clara. She defends their mother's failure to call on Harriet as a matter of etiquette and criticizes Mill's perceived arrogance and secrecy regarding his personal life. [Conflict with George Grote Mill]: The estrangement extends to Mill's brother George in Madeira. After George writes a letter questioning the 'mystery' of the marriage and Mill's career choices, both Harriet and John Stuart Mill respond with sharp, defensive letters. Mill rebukes George for his 'arrogant assumption' and 'insolence,' asserting his right to privacy and independence from family interference. [Family Conflict and the Final Break with George and Clara Mill]: This segment details the deteriorating relationship between John Stuart Mill and his siblings following his marriage to Harriet Taylor. It includes correspondence from George Mill and Clara Mill expressing their confusion and resentment over Mill's accusations of incivility toward his new wife, leading to a formal cessation of their personal intercourse. [Correspondence with Mrs. James Mill regarding Family Gossip]: Mill writes to his mother to refute accusations made by his sisters Clara and Harriet regarding his alleged complaints about their incivility. He clarifies the source of a report concerning his wife's health to prove he was not engaging in 'idle gossip'. [Chapter Nine: Illness (1851–1854) - Life at Blackheath Park]: The Mills establish their household at Blackheath Park, living a secluded life away from London society. The segment describes their daily routine, Mill's habit of musical improvisation on the piano as recalled by Algernon Taylor, and their limited social circle which included only a few close friends like W. J. Fox. [Collaborative Works and the Onset of Consumption]: Mill and Harriet collaborate on various publications, including a revision of 'Principles of Political Economy' which moved toward more socialist views. Both suffer from declining health due to consumption, leading to a period of separation as Harriet seeks recovery in Sidmouth while Mill continues his work at India House. [Health Crisis at Nice and Mill's Return to London]: The Mills travel to Nice for their health, where Harriet suffers a severe hemorrhage. Mill returns to London alone in early 1854, reporting on his difficult journey and his interactions with friends like George Grote, while expressing his disdain for Mrs. Grote's 'conceit'. [Mill's Diary and Intellectual Reflections on Comte and Reform]: Mill begins a daily diary during his wife's absence, reflecting on the emotional protection her love provides. He discusses contemporary political writings by W. R. Greg and debates whether to review Auguste Comte's work, weighing his objections to Harriet Martineau and the constraints of the Westminster Review regarding Comte's atheism. [Correspondence on Mrs. Grote and Auguste Comte]: Mill discusses his strained relationship with Mrs. Grote, noting her attempt at an 'amende' but remaining skeptical of her intentions. He also addresses a request from Chapman to review Auguste Comte, expressing a desire to publicly correct his previous overpraise of Comte while ultimately deciding to refuse the connection due to Harriet's objections. [The Sacred Duty of Writing and the Essay on Nature]: Mill reflects in his diary on the 'sacred duty' of recording his thoughts to combat prejudice and acknowledges Harriet's superior intellect. He reports progress on rewriting his 'Essay on Nature' and emphasizes the importance of completing their joint works while time permits. [Plans for Posthumous Publication and Mental Pemmican]: As Mill's health declines, he expresses an urgent desire to prepare their thoughts for publication, describing them as 'mental pemmican' for future thinkers. He outlines a plan for posthumous volumes containing essays and their 'Life' (Autobiography), focusing on finishing the paper on Nature and incorporating Harriet's specific sentences on 'disorder'. [List of Future Subjects and Health Concerns]: Mill lists potential subjects for future essays, including Liberty, Socialism, and the Utility of Religion. He reports a medical consultation with Dr. Clark regarding blood in his expectoration, which the doctor dismisses as non-organic, though Mill remains conscious of the uncertainty of his life. [Revising the Autobiography and Harriet's Advice]: Mill and Harriet discuss the revision of his Autobiography, specifically how to describe their relationship to prevent 'scandalous suspicions' and 'stop the mouths of enemies.' Harriet suggests a summary of their relationship since 1830 and proposes an essay on the Utility of Religion, arguing that morality should supersede superstition. [Financial Status and Final Reflections on Collaboration]: Mill reviews his financial situation, including income from book sales and investments, while considering retirement from India House due to health. He reiterates that his faculties are inadequate for the 'highest subjects' without Harriet's prompting and mentions working on parliamentary reform and the reconstruction of the Civil Service. [Correspondence on Civil Service Reform and Parliamentary Plans]: Mill and Harriet discuss the Trevelyan-Northcote report on Civil Service reform, which proposes competitive examinations to replace patronage. Mill expresses strong support for the plan's meritocratic principles while noting the hostility it faces from those who fear it will admit 'low people' into government offices. The segment includes Mill's formal response to Trevelyan and his praise for the ministry's willingness to sacrifice 'jobbing' power for the public good. [Revision of Political Economy and the Enfranchisement of Women]: Mill works on revising the chapter 'Futurity of the Labouring Classes' for a reprint requested by F. J. Furnival, specifically defending the principle of competition against Christian Socialist critiques. He also discusses John Chapman's proposal to reprint the 'Enfranchisement of Women' article, while maintaining a collaborative editing process with Harriet, who provides specific additions and 'saving clauses' for his economic texts. [Mill's Health Crisis and Philosophical Reflections on Death]: Mill faces a severe health crisis as he is diagnosed with organic lung disease (consumption). The segment includes poignant diary entries where Mill reflects on the 'irony of life,' the potential for human progress to serve as a secular religion, and the instinctive conservatism prompted by the prospect of death. He eventually breaks the news of his terminal diagnosis to Harriet while seeking alternative treatments from Dr. Ramadge. [The Illness and Death of Jane Mill]: Mill receives news of his mother's (Jane Mill) terminal illness involving a liver tumor. Despite the strained family relations, he exchanges formal correspondence regarding her health and her will. The segment details his final visit to her and a very formal parting letter written just before he departs for the Continent, shortly before her death in June 1854. [Tour of Brittany and Reflections on the Ballot]: While touring Brittany for his health, Mill encounters a barrister named Pope and tests his radical opinions on him. He engages in a substantive debate with Harriet via letter regarding the secret ballot and Lord Palmerston's opposition to it. Mill argues against the ballot from a radical perspective, asserting that the suffrage is a trust and that he must focus his remaining time on unique philosophical contributions, such as his developing 'Essay on Justice.' [Correspondence on Mother's Death and Inheritance]: Mill writes to Harriet regarding the death of his mother and the subsequent inheritance. He initially expresses a desire to decline his share of the estate to avoid any obligation to his siblings, but ultimately defers to Harriet's contrary view. The segment concludes with Mill's formal instructions for the distribution of his mother's furniture and plate among his sisters. [Chapter Ten: Italy and Sicily 1854–1855]: Mill embarks on an extensive eight-month tour of France, Italy, and Greece for his health, separated from Harriet. His letters detail his physical condition, his impressions of Italian and Greek art and architecture, and his evolving intellectual projects, most notably the conception of his work 'On Liberty'. He reflects on the state of British politics, the Crimean War, and critiques the works of Macaulay and Goethe while traveling through Sicily and Rome. [Chapter Eleven: Greece 1855]: Mill travels through the Ionian Islands and mainland Greece, where he is offered a residency post in the islands, which he and Harriet ultimately decline. He provides detailed descriptions of the Greek landscape, comparing it favorably to Switzerland and Sicily, while expressing a low opinion of the contemporary Greek character. The segment follows his return journey through Italy, where his health declines again with renewed pulmonary hemorrhages in Florence. [Chapter Twelve: Last Years and Death of Mrs. Mill 1856–1858]: This introductory segment for Chapter Twelve notes the lack of documentation for the winter of 1855-56 and describes a subsequent family trip to Switzerland and Mill's solo walking tour in the French Jura. It highlights Mill's continued physical vigor despite his underlying illness. [Mill's Jura Walking Tour and Helen Taylor's Stage Career]: This segment contains correspondence from John Stuart Mill's 1855 walking tour in the French Jura, detailing his physical stamina and descriptions of the landscape. It also documents the beginning of Helen Taylor's stage career in 1856, which she pursued under the pseudonym 'Miss Trevor' despite her mother's initial opposition, and the subsequent strain this placed on their relationship. [Correspondence Regarding Helen Taylor's Independence and Mill's Dreams]: A collection of letters from late 1856 and early 1857 focusing on Harriet Taylor's insistence on Helen's independence and Mill's personal reflections during a trip to Scotland. Mill recounts several vivid and unusual dreams to Harriet, including philosophical speculations on animal nature and social interactions, while traveling to Edinburgh. [Revision of Political Economy and Harriet's Illness]: Mill discusses his work on the fourth edition of 'Principles of Political Economy', specifically his difficulty in characterizing the English working class. The segment also covers Harriet Taylor's serious illness in Glasgow/Edinburgh in early 1857 and Mill's professional duties at India House during the Indian Mutiny. [Travels in the Lake District and the Death of Auguste Comte]: Letters from September 1857 describing separate travels: Harriet and Helen in Blackpool and Leamington, and Mill walking in the Lake District. Mill describes ascending Helvellyn and searching for rare plants. The segment concludes with Mill's reaction to the news of Auguste Comte's death and his thoughts on the lack of remaining thinkers in the world. [Letters from Settle and the Peak District (1857-1858)]: A collection of letters between John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill during their separate travels in 1857 and 1858. J.S. Mill describes his walking tours in Settle and the Peak District, while Harriet comments on social scandals, such as the institutionalization of Bulwer-Lytton's wife, and expresses concern for Mill's health and comfort during his excursions. [Retirement from East India House and the Final Journey]: Details Mill's retirement from the East India House in 1858 and the couple's subsequent journey to the South of France for their health. The narrative follows their progress through Paris, Dijon, and Lyons, where Harriet's health rapidly declined due to severe lung congestion. It culminates in her death at Avignon on November 3, 1858. [Aftermath of Harriet's Death and Correspondence from Avignon]: Mill expresses his profound grief following Harriet's death in letters to W. T. Thornton and the Mayor of Avignon. He describes Harriet as the 'spring of my life' and makes a charitable donation of one thousand francs to the poor of Avignon in her name as a tribute to her character. [The Death of Harriet Mill: Correspondence and Aftermath]: This segment details the sudden illness and death of Harriet Mill in Avignon in November 1858. It includes a letter from John Stuart Mill to Arthur Hardy describing the medical circumstances and his profound grief. The text outlines Mill's subsequent actions: purchasing a house near her grave, publishing 'On Liberty' with its famous dedication to her, and his growing intellectual reliance on his stepdaughter, Helen Taylor, whom he eventually placed on an equal intellectual pedestal with Harriet. [Appendix I: Poems by Harriet Taylor]: A collection of three poems written by Harriet Taylor: 'Written at Daybreak', 'To the Summer Wind', and 'Nature'. The poems explore themes of mortality, the sublime in nature, and the relationship between the human spirit and the divine or natural world. [Appendix II: An Early Essay by Harriet Taylor]: An early essay by Harriet Taylor critiquing social conformity and the 'phantom power' of public opinion. She argues for the cultivation of individual character, genuine toleration, and self-dependence. Taylor explores the subjective nature of truth, the importance of sympathy between minds, and the destructive nature of competition and emulation in education and society, predicting a future where moral paradoxes will be resolved by clearer intellects. [Appendix III: Family Trees]: Detailed genealogical tables for the Mill, Hardy, and Taylor families, including birth, marriage, and death dates for John Stuart Mill's siblings and Harriet Taylor's children. [Notes: Introduction and Chapter I]: Annotated references for the Introduction and Chapter I, covering Mill's first meeting with Harriet Taylor, his mental crisis, his relationship with his father James Mill, and descriptions of his character by contemporaries like Henry Taylor and Thomas Carlyle. [Notes: Chapters II to V]: Notes for Chapters II through V, detailing the early acquaintance of Mill and Harriet Taylor, their views on marriage and divorce, the burning of Carlyle's French Revolution manuscript, and Mill's health-related travels to Italy and Malta. [Notes: Chapters V (cont.) and VI]: Notes regarding the joint production of 'Principles of Political Economy', Harriet Taylor's influence on Mill's views on Socialism, and their shared interest in the 1848 French Revolution and women's enfranchisement. [Notes: Chapters VII to XI]: Final set of notes covering John Taylor's death, Mill's marriage to Harriet, the subsequent estrangement from his family, his health crisis, and his extensive travels through Italy, Sicily, and Greece, including the conception of 'On Liberty'. [Notes to Chapter XII: Last Years and Death of Mrs. Mill]: Detailed scholarly notes and citations for Chapter XII, documenting the final years and death of Harriet Taylor Mill. Includes references to correspondence held at Yale and the London School of Economics (MTColl), fragments of letters regarding Mill's devotion to his wife's health, and commentary on the publication history of Mill's Autobiography. Notable entries include Alexander Bain's advice to Helen Taylor regarding Mill's 'extravagant' praise of his wife and Charles Eliot Norton's critical observations on Helen Taylor's influence over Mill. [Appendices and Addendum]: Appendices listing source materials from the Monthly Repository and manuscript collections, followed by an addendum. The addendum notes the publication of Jane Welsh Carlyle's letters and its implications for understanding the Mill-Taylor-Carlyle circle, and references recent scholarship on Mill's articles regarding art and poetry. [Index of Names and Subjects]: A comprehensive alphabetical index for the volume, covering key individuals (Carlyle, Grote, Roebuck, etc.), locations (Avignon, Athens, India House), and specific works or concepts (Principles of Political Economy, On Liberty, Socialism, Women's Rights) discussed throughout the correspondence and biographical narrative. [Library Circulation Records]: Library administrative data including due dates, reserve status, and barcode information for the physical copy of the book.
Front matter for the 1951 edition of Hayek's work on the correspondence between John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor. Includes a detailed errata list correcting specific page and line references in the original printing.
Read full textTitle page and table of contents outlining the chronological structure of the book, from Harriet Taylor's early circle in 1830 through her marriage to Mill and her eventual death in 1858.
Read full textList of illustrations and acknowledgements detailing the archival sources for the letters and portraits, specifically citing the Yale University Library and the British Library of Political and Economic Science.
Read full textA guide to the abbreviations and symbols used throughout the text, including shorthand for John Stuart Mill (J.S.M.) and Harriet Taylor (H.T.), and references to major published editions of Mill's works.
Read full textHayek introduces the historical puzzle of Harriet Taylor's intellect and her influence on John Stuart Mill. He contrasts Mill's extravagant praise in his 'Autobiography'—comparing her to Shelley and a great orator—with the skepticism of contemporaries like Carlyle. Hayek argues that Taylor's influence was primarily rationalist rather than sentimental, shaping Mill's transition toward radical rationalism.
Read full textHayek explains the provenance of the Mill-Taylor papers, tracing them from Helen Taylor to Mary Taylor and their eventual dispersal at auction. He outlines his editorial principles, noting that he has selected letters to focus on their intellectual relationship while omitting mundane domestic details, and describes the challenges of transcribing Mill's and Taylor's idiosyncratic manuscripts.
Read full textThis chapter details Harriet Taylor's early life, her marriage to John Taylor, and her social circle in 1830. It describes the influence of the Unitarian minister W. J. Fox and the Flower sisters. Hayek explores Taylor's early feminist leanings and her involvement with the 'Monthly Repository', setting the stage for her meeting with Mill. It also provides a physical description of Taylor and her husband.
Read full textHayek provides a portrait of John Stuart Mill at age 24, shortly before meeting Harriet Taylor. He discusses Mill's rigorous education under James Mill, his subsequent 'mental crisis,' and his feelings of emotional isolation. The segment includes a suppressed passage from Mill's 'Autobiography' regarding his lack of affection for his father and the 'stunting' of his moral growth, contrasting this with other contemporary accounts of his domestic life.
Read full textA detailed letter from John Stuart Mill to John Sterling in April 1829 describing his profound sense of loneliness and the absence of a 'common object' shared with others. Mill reflects on his past tendencies toward misanthropy and defines perfect friendship as requiring a shared purpose in the 'great objects of life'.
Read full textAn analysis of Mill's intellectual output following his recovery from depression, noting the origins of his work on Logic, his 'Essays on Some Unsettled Questions of Political Economy', and his deep interest in French politics and the history of the French Revolution.
Read full textThis section details the introduction of Mill to Harriet Taylor by W. J. Fox and the early years of their acquaintance. It examines evidence of their growing intimacy through correspondence involving Eliza Flower and M. Desainteville, and discusses a brief period in 1832 where Harriet attempted to end the relationship.
Read full textMill reacts to a letter from Harriet Taylor in 1832 suggesting an 'eternal adieu' following his tour of the New Forest. The section also includes Mill's correspondence with John Taylor regarding the introduction of French republicans Jules Bastide and Hippolyte Dussard to English political circles.
Read full textAn account of Mill and Harriet Taylor's contributions to W. J. Fox's 'Monthly Repository'. It reviews Harriet's essays and book reviews, including her thoughts on American manners and French politics, and marks Mill's transition into poetic criticism under Harriet's influence.
Read full textMill describes the early years of his friendship with Harriet Taylor as years of 'poetic culture'. He discusses their shared enthusiasm for Shelley, their mutual dislike of Byron, and how Harriet helped cultivate his taste for the arts, which had previously been neglected.
Read full textA detailed record of Mill's (and likely Harriet Taylor's) critical reaction to Robert Browning's poem 'Pauline'. Mill's harsh assessment of the author's 'morbid self-consciousness' and 'unlovable state' famously influenced Browning's future approach to publication and poetic distance.
Read full textMill's recognition of Alfred Tennyson's genius and the increasing frequency of his visits to the Taylor home at Kent Terrace. The section concludes with a fragment of a letter from Harriet to Mill expressing the spiritual satisfaction and happiness she finds in their relationship.
Read full textThis segment details the intensifying relationship between Mill and Harriet Taylor in late 1833. It includes letters discussing a 'crisis' in their confidence, Mill's decision to visit Paris instead of Carlyle at Craigenputtock, and the subsequent experimental separation agreed upon by Harriet and her husband, John Taylor. Mill's long letter to W. J. Fox from Paris describes their deepening intimacy and the complexities of Harriet's affection for both men, emphasizing her determination not to cause her husband's 'breaking up' while maintaining her bond with Mill.
Read full textCovers Mill's return to London in November 1833 and the eventual compromise reached regarding Harriet Taylor's living situation. Harriet returned to England earlier than planned, establishing a domestic arrangement where external appearances of marriage were preserved while she lived primarily in the country. The segment introduces the term 'Seelenfreundin' (soul-friend) to describe her relationship with Mill and her husband during this period.
Read full textA substantial early essay by Mill (c. 1832) regarding the reform of marriage laws and the status of women. Mill argues that the indissolubility of marriage was designed by and for 'sensualists' and that true equality requires women to be educated for economic independence. He posits that marriage should be a voluntary union between equals, easily dissoluble if it no longer serves the happiness of the parties, while acknowledging the complexities regarding children and social opinion.
Read full textHarriet Taylor's companion essay to Mill's, likely written around 1832. She argues for the total removal of legislative interference in matters of affection and the abolition of marriage laws. She critiques the contemporary education of women as being solely for the purpose of 'marrying to gain a living' and suggests that in a fully educated society, marriage laws would be disregarded in favor of genuine affection and equality.
Read full textThis chapter examines the social repercussions of the Mill-Taylor relationship through the eyes of their contemporaries. It details John Roebuck's failed attempt to intervene, which ended his friendship with Mill, and provides extensive excerpts from the Carlyles' letters. The segment concludes with the famous incident of the accidental burning of Carlyle's 'French Revolution' manuscript while in Mill's possession, and the subsequent (unfounded) suspicions the Carlyles harbored toward Harriet Taylor regarding the event.
Read full textThis segment details the cooling relationship between John Stuart Mill and Thomas Carlyle following the destruction of the French Revolution manuscript. It includes Carlyle's harsh private descriptions of Mill's physical and mental state in 1836, Jane Welsh Carlyle's observations on Mill's subjection to her husband, and the growing social scandal surrounding Mill's relationship with Harriet Taylor. The text highlights Carlyle's tendency to gossip about the couple, which eventually led to a permanent estrangement.
Read full textCovers a specific interaction in 1842 where Harriet Taylor asked Thomas Carlyle to serve as a trustee for her marriage settlement, which he declined. It describes the final break in 1846 when Mill rebuffed Carlyle in the street. The segment concludes by identifying the cause of the estrangement as Carlyle's indiscreet talk about Mill and Mrs. Taylor, and notes Mill's subsequent withdrawal from society and his lifelong resentment toward those he suspected of gossiping, including Sarah Austin and Harriet Martineau.
Read full textBeginning Chapter Five, this section returns to the period immediately following Harriet Taylor's return from Paris in 1834. It features a profound letter from Harriet to Mill reflecting on the nature of happiness, emotion, and the artificiality of human affection. It also includes Mill's correspondence with W. J. Fox regarding the 'unsatisfactory state' of his affairs and his efforts to reconcile radical differences in feelings and beliefs with Harriet Taylor.
Read full textA collection of letters from Harriet Taylor to John Stuart Mill discussing their emotional connection, the 'poetic principle', and the tension between acting on one's principles versus conforming to social expectations. Taylor challenges Mill's fears regarding social 'insignificance' and critiques the idea of 'thinking with the wise and acting with the vulgar' as a form of insincerity.
Read full textHarriet Taylor reflects on her character, the paramount importance of 'personal feeling' over ambition or intellect, and the potential consequences of their relationship. She weighs the certainty of their mutual happiness against her 'earthly opportunity of usefulness' and the risk of injuring others' lives, while dismissing Mill's fears of becoming 'obscure and insignificant' as a 'mesquin feeling' or commonplace vanity.
Read full textHayek documents the simultaneous decline in health of both Mill and Taylor starting in 1835-36. It details Mill's nervous head complaint, the death of his father James Mill, and the subsequent three-month tour of France and Italy. The segment includes a letter from Mill to his sister Clara and notes on his promotion at the India House following his father's death.
Read full textThis section covers Mill's editorship of the London and Westminster Review and the influence Harriet Taylor was rumored to have over its policy. It includes correspondence regarding Italian exiles like Mazzini and Usilio, and Taylor's role as an intermediary between Mill and her husband, John Taylor, concerning the publication of their articles.
Read full textHarriet Taylor writes to Mill regarding her health and their upcoming separation before a planned trip. The narrative then describes their mutual health struggles in late 1838, including Mill's suspected consumption and Taylor's ailments, leading to their decision to travel to Italy while maintaining secrecy about their joint departure.
Read full textMill writes to his mother detailing his difficult journey through France to Italy, mentioning severe sea-sickness and his travel itinerary. He later reports from Rome on his health, noting a slight improvement after adopting a diet consisting primarily of macaroni and avoiding animal food, though he remains realistic about his long-term recovery.
Read full textHarriet Taylor records her impressions of Florence, Bologna, and Venice in her notebook, while Mill writes to his mother about his botanical collections and his assessment of the Italian climate. They travel back through the Tyrol and Germany, with Taylor noting her preference for German culture and music over Italian.
Read full textA period of relative obscurity in the public record of Mill and Taylor's relationship is described. During these years, Mill focused on his major works, 'A System of Logic' and 'Principles of Political Economy', while facing financial difficulties and health issues. The couple established a routine of visits at Walton on Thames and avoided general society due to scandalous rumors.
Read full textThe text explores Harriet Taylor's minor literary activities and her chronic health issues, including a spinal injury. It also details the upbringing of her daughter, Helen Taylor, whose education was unconventional and self-directed, focusing on drama, history, and German thought, as recorded in Helen's childhood diaries.
Read full textHarriet Taylor critiques Mill's correspondence with Auguste Comte, particularly regarding the status of women. She expresses disappointment in Mill's apologetic tone and challenges Comte's prejudices. The segment also includes a brief, affectionate note from Taylor to Mill regarding a visit to see 'Rhino' and her domestic activities.
Read full textThis chapter details the collaborative nature of Mill's 'Principles of Political Economy'. Mill credits Harriet Taylor with the essential 'human element' of the book, specifically the chapter on the 'Probable Future of the Labouring Classes'. The text describes the rapid composition of the work between 1845 and 1847, interrupted by Mill's journalistic focus on the Irish Famine.
Read full textThis segment details the final stages of the publication of Mill's 'Principles of Political Economy' in early 1848. It includes correspondence regarding a potential business venture with the Morning Chronicle and a significant disagreement between Harriet Taylor and her husband, John Taylor, over Mill's proposal to dedicate the book to her. Despite John Taylor's strong objections regarding social propriety and 'bad taste,' a limited number of 'Gift Copies' were eventually printed with a dedication acknowledging Harriet's intellectual contributions.
Read full textA collection of letters from Harriet Taylor to W. J. Fox and J. S. Mill discussing her radical views on social justice. She argues passionately for the emancipation of women, critiquing the 'degraded slavery' of marriage and the exclusion of women from professions and politics. She also critiques contemporary reformers and publications like 'The Reasoner' for their perceived intellectual weakness and intolerance, while expressing interest in the 'labor question' and the revolutionary events in France.
Read full textHarriet Taylor provides sharp critiques of English and French politics in 1848, attacking the 'Daily News' and Joseph Hume's views on property and labor. The segment also records a serious health breakdown for Mill following an accident in Hyde Park and a reaction to a belladonna treatment. It concludes with Harriet's decision to travel to Pau in the South of France for her health and to avoid family complications, despite her husband's illness and disapproval.
Read full textMill writes to Harriet Taylor regarding his emotional state, his lingering lameness, and a visit from John Austin. He discusses Austin's plan for a new edition on jurisprudence and his defense of socialism against Guizot. Mill also provides a critical assessment of Macaulay's history, describing him as a man without genius who mimics the style of people of genius to appeal to shallow readers.
Read full textA letter from Mill's mother to his siblings in Madeira details his poor health, specifically his bad eyes caused by medicine for his hip, which prevents him from walking or working at the India House. Despite these ailments, she notes he is preparing a second edition of his book and spends evenings playing his own compositions on the piano.
Read full textMill discusses the urgent need for a second edition of 'Principles of Political Economy' following the 1848 revolution. He explains how his and Harriet's views shifted toward a more favorable view of socialism, leading to significant revisions in the chapter 'On Property'. The correspondence highlights their debate over the practical difficulties of communism versus the potential of Fourierism, and the influence of Harriet's specific feedback on his prose.
Read full textMill updates Harriet on his revisions to the objections against Communism, attempting to make them more explicit and moderate. He reflects on the state of French republicanism, criticizes contemporary views on the nature of women, and encourages Harriet to finish her own work on the subject. He also comments on the 'meanness' of Lord John Russell's Jew Bill and the 'vulgar bigotry' in English newspapers regarding religious infidelity.
Read full textLetters from Harriet Taylor to her husband and son show her engagement with economic trends, such as the California gold rush's impact on currency value. She also provides medical advice regarding George Mill's consumption (tuberculosis) and critiques George Grote's 'History of Greece' for its 'extreme timidity' in expressing radical opinions.
Read full textMill expresses frustration with the technical aspects of printing the second edition of his book, specifically the typography. He mentions receiving lectures from W. J. Fox and discusses the public scandal surrounding J. A. Froude's 'infidelity'. He also dismisses Emerson's views on the English as 'bete & vulgar' and reflects on the prevailing religious bigotry in England.
Read full textMill discusses the publication details of 'Principles of Political Economy' with Harriet Taylor, crediting her for the favorable terms with Parker and the book's core content. He defends his enthusiastic views on the Athenians as relative to their era and discusses his political articles for the Daily News regarding the Jews Bill and Lord Russell. The segment also touches on Mill's physical health and his interactions with various acquaintances like Fleming and Crowe.
Read full textMill and Taylor exchange views on the feasibility of communism and the necessity of unselfishness, with Mill expressing skepticism about the availability of 'fit instruments' for such a social change. Mill critiques the systems of Fourier and Proudhon, specifically the Fourierist reliance on spontaneous passion over moral duty. The segment also details the controversy surrounding the 'Sterling Club' and the attacks by the 'Record' newspaper on church dignitaries associated with the 'infidel' John Sterling.
Read full textHarriet Taylor writes to her husband John Taylor from Pau, explaining her delayed return due to Mill's failing health and eyesight. Upon her return to London, she discovers John is dying of cancer. The segment includes her emotional notes to Mill describing the physical and mental toll of nursing her husband, her indignation at his suffering, and her eventual resignation as his death approaches.
Read full textHarriet Taylor and Mill collaborate on a Daily News article protesting corporal punishment and the class biases of the legal system. Harriet expresses her disdain for the 'gentility class' and critiques G. J. Holyoake and Antony Sterling. The segment concludes with the death of John Taylor on July 18, 1849, and Harriet's subsequent letters regarding funeral arrangements and the social implications of Mill's attendance.
Read full textMill expresses his deep intellectual admiration for Harriet Taylor, describing her as a 'real majestic intellect' while positioning himself as merely a 'wheel in an engine.' The correspondence shifts to the 1850 Women's Rights Convention in Massachusetts, which Mill praises for its lack of compromise and its potential to achieve decisive practical results for gender equality.
Read full textDetails the publication history of the article 'Enfranchisement of Women' in the Westminster Review, which Mill attributed primarily to Harriet Taylor. It also includes Mill's formal written protest against the contemporary marriage laws, in which he explicitly disclaims the legal powers and control over property and personhood that the law would grant him upon their union.
Read full textMill informs his family of his impending marriage, which leads to immediate social friction. The wedding takes place on April 21, 1851, at Melcombe Regis. A later letter from Mill to Harriet explains a clerical concern regarding his signature on the marriage register, where he initially signed 'J. S. Mill' before being corrected to provide his full name.
Read full textMill's marriage causes a permanent rupture with his mother and sisters. His sister Mary Colman writes a lengthy, pained letter accusing him of cruelty and 'iciness' toward his family, particularly his sister Clara. She defends their mother's failure to call on Harriet as a matter of etiquette and criticizes Mill's perceived arrogance and secrecy regarding his personal life.
Read full textThe estrangement extends to Mill's brother George in Madeira. After George writes a letter questioning the 'mystery' of the marriage and Mill's career choices, both Harriet and John Stuart Mill respond with sharp, defensive letters. Mill rebukes George for his 'arrogant assumption' and 'insolence,' asserting his right to privacy and independence from family interference.
Read full textThis segment details the deteriorating relationship between John Stuart Mill and his siblings following his marriage to Harriet Taylor. It includes correspondence from George Mill and Clara Mill expressing their confusion and resentment over Mill's accusations of incivility toward his new wife, leading to a formal cessation of their personal intercourse.
Read full textMill writes to his mother to refute accusations made by his sisters Clara and Harriet regarding his alleged complaints about their incivility. He clarifies the source of a report concerning his wife's health to prove he was not engaging in 'idle gossip'.
Read full textThe Mills establish their household at Blackheath Park, living a secluded life away from London society. The segment describes their daily routine, Mill's habit of musical improvisation on the piano as recalled by Algernon Taylor, and their limited social circle which included only a few close friends like W. J. Fox.
Read full textMill and Harriet collaborate on various publications, including a revision of 'Principles of Political Economy' which moved toward more socialist views. Both suffer from declining health due to consumption, leading to a period of separation as Harriet seeks recovery in Sidmouth while Mill continues his work at India House.
Read full textThe Mills travel to Nice for their health, where Harriet suffers a severe hemorrhage. Mill returns to London alone in early 1854, reporting on his difficult journey and his interactions with friends like George Grote, while expressing his disdain for Mrs. Grote's 'conceit'.
Read full textMill begins a daily diary during his wife's absence, reflecting on the emotional protection her love provides. He discusses contemporary political writings by W. R. Greg and debates whether to review Auguste Comte's work, weighing his objections to Harriet Martineau and the constraints of the Westminster Review regarding Comte's atheism.
Read full textMill discusses his strained relationship with Mrs. Grote, noting her attempt at an 'amende' but remaining skeptical of her intentions. He also addresses a request from Chapman to review Auguste Comte, expressing a desire to publicly correct his previous overpraise of Comte while ultimately deciding to refuse the connection due to Harriet's objections.
Read full textMill reflects in his diary on the 'sacred duty' of recording his thoughts to combat prejudice and acknowledges Harriet's superior intellect. He reports progress on rewriting his 'Essay on Nature' and emphasizes the importance of completing their joint works while time permits.
Read full textAs Mill's health declines, he expresses an urgent desire to prepare their thoughts for publication, describing them as 'mental pemmican' for future thinkers. He outlines a plan for posthumous volumes containing essays and their 'Life' (Autobiography), focusing on finishing the paper on Nature and incorporating Harriet's specific sentences on 'disorder'.
Read full textMill lists potential subjects for future essays, including Liberty, Socialism, and the Utility of Religion. He reports a medical consultation with Dr. Clark regarding blood in his expectoration, which the doctor dismisses as non-organic, though Mill remains conscious of the uncertainty of his life.
Read full textMill and Harriet discuss the revision of his Autobiography, specifically how to describe their relationship to prevent 'scandalous suspicions' and 'stop the mouths of enemies.' Harriet suggests a summary of their relationship since 1830 and proposes an essay on the Utility of Religion, arguing that morality should supersede superstition.
Read full textMill reviews his financial situation, including income from book sales and investments, while considering retirement from India House due to health. He reiterates that his faculties are inadequate for the 'highest subjects' without Harriet's prompting and mentions working on parliamentary reform and the reconstruction of the Civil Service.
Read full textMill and Harriet discuss the Trevelyan-Northcote report on Civil Service reform, which proposes competitive examinations to replace patronage. Mill expresses strong support for the plan's meritocratic principles while noting the hostility it faces from those who fear it will admit 'low people' into government offices. The segment includes Mill's formal response to Trevelyan and his praise for the ministry's willingness to sacrifice 'jobbing' power for the public good.
Read full textMill works on revising the chapter 'Futurity of the Labouring Classes' for a reprint requested by F. J. Furnival, specifically defending the principle of competition against Christian Socialist critiques. He also discusses John Chapman's proposal to reprint the 'Enfranchisement of Women' article, while maintaining a collaborative editing process with Harriet, who provides specific additions and 'saving clauses' for his economic texts.
Read full textMill faces a severe health crisis as he is diagnosed with organic lung disease (consumption). The segment includes poignant diary entries where Mill reflects on the 'irony of life,' the potential for human progress to serve as a secular religion, and the instinctive conservatism prompted by the prospect of death. He eventually breaks the news of his terminal diagnosis to Harriet while seeking alternative treatments from Dr. Ramadge.
Read full textMill receives news of his mother's (Jane Mill) terminal illness involving a liver tumor. Despite the strained family relations, he exchanges formal correspondence regarding her health and her will. The segment details his final visit to her and a very formal parting letter written just before he departs for the Continent, shortly before her death in June 1854.
Read full textWhile touring Brittany for his health, Mill encounters a barrister named Pope and tests his radical opinions on him. He engages in a substantive debate with Harriet via letter regarding the secret ballot and Lord Palmerston's opposition to it. Mill argues against the ballot from a radical perspective, asserting that the suffrage is a trust and that he must focus his remaining time on unique philosophical contributions, such as his developing 'Essay on Justice.'
Read full textMill writes to Harriet regarding the death of his mother and the subsequent inheritance. He initially expresses a desire to decline his share of the estate to avoid any obligation to his siblings, but ultimately defers to Harriet's contrary view. The segment concludes with Mill's formal instructions for the distribution of his mother's furniture and plate among his sisters.
Read full textMill embarks on an extensive eight-month tour of France, Italy, and Greece for his health, separated from Harriet. His letters detail his physical condition, his impressions of Italian and Greek art and architecture, and his evolving intellectual projects, most notably the conception of his work 'On Liberty'. He reflects on the state of British politics, the Crimean War, and critiques the works of Macaulay and Goethe while traveling through Sicily and Rome.
Read full textMill travels through the Ionian Islands and mainland Greece, where he is offered a residency post in the islands, which he and Harriet ultimately decline. He provides detailed descriptions of the Greek landscape, comparing it favorably to Switzerland and Sicily, while expressing a low opinion of the contemporary Greek character. The segment follows his return journey through Italy, where his health declines again with renewed pulmonary hemorrhages in Florence.
Read full textThis introductory segment for Chapter Twelve notes the lack of documentation for the winter of 1855-56 and describes a subsequent family trip to Switzerland and Mill's solo walking tour in the French Jura. It highlights Mill's continued physical vigor despite his underlying illness.
Read full textThis segment contains correspondence from John Stuart Mill's 1855 walking tour in the French Jura, detailing his physical stamina and descriptions of the landscape. It also documents the beginning of Helen Taylor's stage career in 1856, which she pursued under the pseudonym 'Miss Trevor' despite her mother's initial opposition, and the subsequent strain this placed on their relationship.
Read full textA collection of letters from late 1856 and early 1857 focusing on Harriet Taylor's insistence on Helen's independence and Mill's personal reflections during a trip to Scotland. Mill recounts several vivid and unusual dreams to Harriet, including philosophical speculations on animal nature and social interactions, while traveling to Edinburgh.
Read full textMill discusses his work on the fourth edition of 'Principles of Political Economy', specifically his difficulty in characterizing the English working class. The segment also covers Harriet Taylor's serious illness in Glasgow/Edinburgh in early 1857 and Mill's professional duties at India House during the Indian Mutiny.
Read full textLetters from September 1857 describing separate travels: Harriet and Helen in Blackpool and Leamington, and Mill walking in the Lake District. Mill describes ascending Helvellyn and searching for rare plants. The segment concludes with Mill's reaction to the news of Auguste Comte's death and his thoughts on the lack of remaining thinkers in the world.
Read full textA collection of letters between John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill during their separate travels in 1857 and 1858. J.S. Mill describes his walking tours in Settle and the Peak District, while Harriet comments on social scandals, such as the institutionalization of Bulwer-Lytton's wife, and expresses concern for Mill's health and comfort during his excursions.
Read full textDetails Mill's retirement from the East India House in 1858 and the couple's subsequent journey to the South of France for their health. The narrative follows their progress through Paris, Dijon, and Lyons, where Harriet's health rapidly declined due to severe lung congestion. It culminates in her death at Avignon on November 3, 1858.
Read full textMill expresses his profound grief following Harriet's death in letters to W. T. Thornton and the Mayor of Avignon. He describes Harriet as the 'spring of my life' and makes a charitable donation of one thousand francs to the poor of Avignon in her name as a tribute to her character.
Read full textThis segment details the sudden illness and death of Harriet Mill in Avignon in November 1858. It includes a letter from John Stuart Mill to Arthur Hardy describing the medical circumstances and his profound grief. The text outlines Mill's subsequent actions: purchasing a house near her grave, publishing 'On Liberty' with its famous dedication to her, and his growing intellectual reliance on his stepdaughter, Helen Taylor, whom he eventually placed on an equal intellectual pedestal with Harriet.
Read full textA collection of three poems written by Harriet Taylor: 'Written at Daybreak', 'To the Summer Wind', and 'Nature'. The poems explore themes of mortality, the sublime in nature, and the relationship between the human spirit and the divine or natural world.
Read full textAn early essay by Harriet Taylor critiquing social conformity and the 'phantom power' of public opinion. She argues for the cultivation of individual character, genuine toleration, and self-dependence. Taylor explores the subjective nature of truth, the importance of sympathy between minds, and the destructive nature of competition and emulation in education and society, predicting a future where moral paradoxes will be resolved by clearer intellects.
Read full textDetailed genealogical tables for the Mill, Hardy, and Taylor families, including birth, marriage, and death dates for John Stuart Mill's siblings and Harriet Taylor's children.
Read full textAnnotated references for the Introduction and Chapter I, covering Mill's first meeting with Harriet Taylor, his mental crisis, his relationship with his father James Mill, and descriptions of his character by contemporaries like Henry Taylor and Thomas Carlyle.
Read full textNotes for Chapters II through V, detailing the early acquaintance of Mill and Harriet Taylor, their views on marriage and divorce, the burning of Carlyle's French Revolution manuscript, and Mill's health-related travels to Italy and Malta.
Read full textNotes regarding the joint production of 'Principles of Political Economy', Harriet Taylor's influence on Mill's views on Socialism, and their shared interest in the 1848 French Revolution and women's enfranchisement.
Read full textFinal set of notes covering John Taylor's death, Mill's marriage to Harriet, the subsequent estrangement from his family, his health crisis, and his extensive travels through Italy, Sicily, and Greece, including the conception of 'On Liberty'.
Read full textDetailed scholarly notes and citations for Chapter XII, documenting the final years and death of Harriet Taylor Mill. Includes references to correspondence held at Yale and the London School of Economics (MTColl), fragments of letters regarding Mill's devotion to his wife's health, and commentary on the publication history of Mill's Autobiography. Notable entries include Alexander Bain's advice to Helen Taylor regarding Mill's 'extravagant' praise of his wife and Charles Eliot Norton's critical observations on Helen Taylor's influence over Mill.
Read full textAppendices listing source materials from the Monthly Repository and manuscript collections, followed by an addendum. The addendum notes the publication of Jane Welsh Carlyle's letters and its implications for understanding the Mill-Taylor-Carlyle circle, and references recent scholarship on Mill's articles regarding art and poetry.
Read full textA comprehensive alphabetical index for the volume, covering key individuals (Carlyle, Grote, Roebuck, etc.), locations (Avignon, Athens, India House), and specific works or concepts (Principles of Political Economy, On Liberty, Socialism, Women's Rights) discussed throughout the correspondence and biographical narrative.
Read full textLibrary administrative data including due dates, reserve status, and barcode information for the physical copy of the book.
Read full text