2i8 MEMORIES OF MY LIFE 



The hospitality afforded during the visits of the 

 British Association is always great, but I fear often 

 onerous and unwelcome to the hosts, however care- 

 fully their courtesy may conceal such feelings. I 

 have to be grateful for many apparently cordial 

 receptions of this kind. One of the simplest and 

 yet most effective was given at Birmingham by 

 Charles Evans, afterwards Canon of Worcester, but 

 then Headmaster of King Edward's School, where 

 we had been schoolfellows. The building had 

 abundant accommodation, and he got together a very 

 distinguished party. The food provided was plain, 

 but well cooked and plenty of it. A large luncheon 

 table with cold meat was at the disposal of any of 

 the guests who wished to bring friends with him. 

 There was no display, but abundance everywhere, 

 and perfect freedom. Few, except masters of large 

 public schools, could have arranged and carried out 

 such a programme as well and easily as he did. 



I have been asked twice to act as President of the 

 Association. On the first occasion my name was 

 formally proposed by the officers of the Association 

 to the Council at which I was then sitting, but I was 

 conscious of my limitations in respect to health, and 

 with many thanks declined, even though some pressure 

 was kindly put on me. On the second occasion, and 

 much more lately, I was actually nominated in my 

 absence, with the offer of most thoughtful arrange- 

 ments to diminish fatigue, but I had again to decline 

 still more emphatically than before, as my powers 

 of work and endurance had in the meantime become 

 smaller and my deafness had increased. 



It is an office that affords an excellent stage from 



