^ET. 67.] COLLEGES FOB WOMEN. 305 



on for a time, but passed away before the close of the 

 year. 



To turn to the life at Oxford. Prestwich's appoint- 

 ment had been at a fortunate time, when science was 

 no longer looked upon with disfavour, when the heav- 

 ings and heartburnings of the Tractarian movement 

 had died away or quieted down, and when perhaps to 

 his own surprise the great-souled Benjamin Jowett 

 reigned at Balliol. Among movements indicative of 

 broader views and a widened outlook was the estab- 

 lishment in the two old Universities of Halls of Resi- 

 dence or Colleges for Women. Cambridge had led the 

 way with " Girton " and " Newnham," Oxford follow- 

 ing later in 1879 (amid misgivings at such an innova- 

 tion) with the foundation of " Lady Margaret Hall," 

 which was almost immediately succeeded by that of 

 " Somerville Hall." The result of the admirable 

 management and irreproachable conduct of the women- 

 students at Oxford has been, that passive resistance 

 has gradually been withdrawn, and a generous appreci- 

 ation is felt to have taken its place. From small 

 beginnings these two Halls have become a signal suc- 

 cess, while one or two others on a smaller scale have 

 been found to supply an acknowledged want. It was 

 only natural that Prestwich's sympathies should go out 

 to " Somerville Hall," now " Somerville College," whose 

 doors from the beginning had been thrown wide open 

 to bid welcome among others to women students of 

 varied race and creed, who, like their English sisters, 

 hungered for the bread of knowledge. 



Easter fell early, and a trip to the south coast was 

 organised by Professor Prestwich, on which he was 

 accompanied by Mr John Evans, Mr Warington 

 Smyth, and Professor T. M'Kenny Hughes. But, alas ! 



u 



