220 MEMORIES OF MY LIFE 



I have heard elsewhere, was that not a single Patent 

 case was brought into his Court. Presumably he 

 was dreaded by both sides on account of his searching 

 questions. 



It was his practice to rent a large house and 

 shooting during the autumn vacation, and he most 

 hospitably asked my wife and myself to make long 

 visits to him during three autumns. On the first 

 of these an incident occurred which might have 

 ended, but which confirmed, his friendship ; namely, 

 the sudden and most severe illness of my wife. The 

 prompt and continuous care shown to her by every 

 member of the family at that time in the house, called 

 for my warmest gratitude. Sir William's second son, 

 who was then a young man, but now a highly dis- 

 tinguished officer, rode several miles to the nearest 

 town, summoned the doctor, and brought back a bag 

 of ice on horseback. Sir William's daughter, Mrs. 

 Hills, nursed her with every possible care for some 

 weeks, until she was sufficiently convalescent to bear 

 removal. Recovery at length ensued, but serious 

 weakness remained, which continued up to her death, 

 nearly forty years later. 



One of Sir William Grove's achievements was that 

 of being the main agent, in 1847, of changing the 

 character of the governing body of the Royal Society. 

 It had become too aristocratic, dating from the long 

 presidency of Sir Joseph Banks, and its elections 

 were guided by favour. The struggle between 

 two opposed principles became one between the 

 supporters of different candidates. It was a near 

 contest, but the reform party gained the day. They 

 signalised the memory of their triumph by founding 



