1876-1880] Honorary Degree at Cambridge 231 



dering what was to happen, but were not surprised to 

 see a monkey dangling down which caused shouts and 

 jokes about our ancestors, etc. A Proctor was foolish 

 enough to go up to capture it and at last it disappeared 

 I don't know how. Then came a sort of ring tied with 

 ribbons which we conjectured to be the ' Missing Link." 

 At last the Vice-Chancellor appeared, more bowing and 

 hand-shaking, and then F. was marched down the aisle 

 behind two men with silver maces, and the unfortunate 

 Public Orator came and stood by him and got thro' his 

 very tedious harangue as he could, constantly interrupted 

 by the most unmannerly shouts and jeers; and when he 

 had continued what seemed an enormous time, some one 

 called out in a cheerful tone ' Thank you kindly." At 

 last he got to the end with admirable nerve and temper, 

 and then they all marched back to the Vice-Chancellor in 

 scarlet and white fur, and F. joined his hands and did not 

 kneel but the Vice-Chancellor put his hands outside and 

 said a few Latin words, and then it was over, and everybody 

 came up and shook hands. 



Of all days in the year I had a baddish headache, but 

 managed to go and enjoyed it all. F. has been to Newton's 

 Museum to-day and seen many people also a brilliant 

 luncheon at George's. J. W. Clark did me a good turn, as I 

 followed his lead in tasting Galantine, which is very superior. 



I felt very grand walking about with my LL.D. in his 

 silk gown. 



After their return home my father wrote to his son George 

 (Nov. 21, 1877): "I enjoyed my stay at Cambridge to a 

 very unusual degree, owing chiefly to you good boys. 

 Cambridge newspaper publishes full account of LL.D. do 

 send me a copy." 



This June they made a round of visits a most unusual 



event. 



DOWN, Monday [June, 1878]. 



We have settled to go to Leith Hill Place on the 5th, 

 Abinger on 10th, and Barlaston on 15th. It is almost in- 



