GIFFORD LECTURES 35 



38 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH, 



22/2/90. 

 My dear v. Helmholtz 



I write to beg that you will give careful consideration to a formal document 

 which will reach you in a day or two. It is to request that you will accept the 

 post of Giffbrd Lecturer in the University of Edinburgh for the next two years. 



The duties are not onerous, as they consist in giving 10 lectures in each year; 

 and the remuneration is very handsome indeed. You would not require to spend more 

 than a month, each year, in Scotland ; and Glasgow is within such easy reach that 

 you might spend part of the time there. 



The terms of Lord Gifford's Will are such that the post may be held by any 

 one; and we are particularly anxious that you should accept it, as a representative 

 of so wide a range of thought. You have the inestimable advantage, over such men 

 as Stokes and Thomson, of profound knowledge of Physiology. Besides, it is only 

 a few years since Stokes occupied a somewhat similar (but more restricted) post in 

 Aberdeen : and we are of opinion that, at first at least, we should not appoint to 

 the Gifford Lectureship a Professor (such as Thomson) in a Scottish University. 



I can assure you of a most hearty welcome here ; and we are sure to profit 

 largely by your unfettered utterances. 



Helmholtz, however, did not accept the offer ; and Tait, who was 

 anxious to have as Gifford Lecturer a man of recognised scientific 

 reputation instead of the usual philosopher or theologian, prevailed 

 upon Sir George Stokes to take up the burden. During the delivery 

 of one of the second series in 1892 an amusing episode happened. 

 It was a warm close afternoon, and Kelvin had come through from 

 Glasgow to attend an evening meeting of the Royal Society. Wishing to 

 honour his friend he accompanied Stokes to the platform along with Tait, 

 Crum Brown, and other members of the Edinburgh University Senatus. 

 Sir George had occasion to refer in his lecture to some of the views of 

 Kelvin. When he came to the name he looked up with his beautiful smile 

 and said " I little dreamed when I wrote those words some months ago 

 that Lord Kelvin would be listening to me as I read them." The 

 audience applauded heartily ; and Kelvin who had been half dozing roused 

 himself and joined in the applause ! 



Tait was invited by the Glasgow University Senatus to give the 

 Gifford Lectures in that University ; but he declined on the ground that 

 so long as he had his Class Lectures to deliver he could not think of 

 undertaking extra lecturing duties. When his last grave illness compelled 

 him to resign he was no longer able for the task of preparing twenty 

 lectures on natural theology. His own religious beliefs may easily be 



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