NOTES 



Professor Nathaniel Henry Alcock, M.D., D.Sc. 



Almost at the moment of going to press, news reaches us 

 of the death, in Montreal, at the early age of forty-two, of Dr. 

 Nathaniel Henry Alcock, Professor of Physiology at McGill 

 University, who was, with Mr. W. G. Freeman, one of the 

 Editors of Science Progress (New Series) at its start. His 

 work for science was considerable and valuable; but of that 

 it is impossible to speak adequately in this passing note. 

 Of his personal qualities and his eagerness for the success of 

 this periodical we can testify with cordial appreciation and 

 gratitude. He proved himself in those difficult pioneer years 

 keen and painstaking, genial and charming ; his death will be 

 regretted by all who have known him. 



The University of Bristol 



The affairs of this young University continue to receive 

 some attention in Parliament and in the press. Prima facte, 

 there would appear to be some division of opinion between the 

 business and academical elements of the University as to which 

 shall have the predominant voice in its administration. At an 

 early stage, the services of one of the professors who was 

 most active in the foundation of the University were, it is 

 alleged, dispensed with by some indirect procedure ; and, later, 

 the Council bestowed a number of honorary degrees, of which 

 a considerable proportion fell to the share of members of their 

 own body. Lastly, the services of another member of the staff 

 who objected to these and other proceedings have also, it is said, 

 been dispensed with. A memorial concerning the case of the 

 professor referred to, signed by a large number of men of 

 eminence, was forwarded to the Chancellor of the University, 

 but was, we understand, referred by him to the Visitor, who, 

 we also understand, has referred it again to the existing con- 

 stitutional machinery for dealing with such complaints ; but 

 it is doubted by some whether this machinery is competent to 

 conduct an independent and impartial inquiry. The case, 

 especially as regards the very generous distribution of honorary 

 degrees, appears to be a serious one ; and the progress of it 

 should receive close attention from all scientific workers. 

 Academic life is by no means too prosperous in this country; 

 and it will become even less so if it is not carefully protected 

 against such proceedings as those which are alleged to have 

 occurred in this University. 



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