Sir Robert Peel 177 



manner that he had advised the King to grant 

 me a pension of 200?. a year : 



LETTEB FROM SIB EOBEET PEEL TO MES. SOMEEVILLE. 



WHITEHALL GARDENS, 



March, 1835. 

 MADAM, 



In advising the Crown in respect to tie grant 

 of civil pensions, I have acted equally with a sense of 

 public duty and on the impulse of ray own private 

 feelings in recognising among the first claims on the 

 Royal favour those which are derived from eminence in 

 science and literature. 



In reviewing such claims, it is impossible that I ca i 

 overlook those which you have established by the 

 successful prosecution of studies of the highest order, 

 both from the importance of the objects to which the/ 

 relate, and from the faculties and acquirements which 

 they demand. 



As my object is a public one, to encourage others to 

 follow the bright example which you have set, and to 

 prove that great scientific attainments are recognised 

 among public claims, I prefer making a direct communi- 

 cation to you, to any private inquiries into your pecuniary 

 circumstances, or to any proposal through a third party. 

 I am enabled to advise His Majesty to grant to you a 

 pension on the civil list of two hundred pounds per 

 annum ; and if that provision will enable you to pursue 

 your labours with less of anxiety, either as to the present 

 or the future, I shall only be fulfilling a public duty, and 

 not imposing upon you the slightest obligation, by 



