Mil 



at times during the discussions that led to the new statutes, both 

 parties included his name among their lists of nominations an ade- 

 quate proof that he possessed the confidence of the Senate. He was 

 free from party bias, and he became established in his position of 

 strength by his fairmindedness, his sound judgment, and his calm 

 temperament. He would listen to a discussion, speaking only when 

 he had something of importance to add ; when speaking he was 

 listened to with full attention. More frequently he would take no 

 part in the discussion until his opinion was asked, as was usually the 

 case in difficult questions ; his opinion was always valued and some- 

 times final. Similarly, on syndicates, his co-operation was much 

 sought, and in particular the services which he rendered to the 

 Library Syndicate and the Press Syndicate were of substantial im- 

 portance. He also took great interest in the movement for the 

 higher education of women. In the early days of Girton College he 

 gave direct help in teaching, and for some years he was Chairman of 

 the Council of Newnham College, in the progress of which he took 

 the keenest interest even to the last. 



But, with all his general aptitude for business, he was perhaps 

 most specially helpful by his legal knowledge. The training he had 

 undergone and the knowledge he had acquired at the bar ultimately 

 proved invaluable. His opinion on legal matters was sought by the 

 University, by his own college, and by the scientific societies with 

 which he was connected; when given, it frequently had the effect of 

 a judicial decision. His powers of drafting were constantly being 

 called into requisition ; he responded to the calls upon him and, with 

 unstinted generosity, placed his time and skill at the disposal of these 

 bodies, so that the new statutes of Trinity College, and not a few of 

 the statutes and ordinances of the University, owe much to him. 



One other illustration, at once of his general business capacity and 

 of the confidence reposed in him, may be given. The elections for 

 representatives of the Universities in the House of Commons are 

 still conducted openly and by means of voting papers, delivered 

 either by the elector himself or by another elector whom he has 

 nominated ; objections may be raised against any voting paper, but 

 they must be decided at once. In Cambridge the Vice- Chancellor, 

 being the returning officer, nominates a number of assessors to act 

 with him in the case of a contested election. At a bye-election in 

 1882, when the candidates were Mr. H. C. Raikes and Professor 

 James Stuart, Cayley was nominated as presiding officer at one of 

 the polling places. His imperturbable firmness, his culm courtesy, 

 and the justice of his decisions secured for his effectiveness in this 

 capacity the admiration of the University. 



This brief account of his participation in business affairs is neces- 

 sary ; without some such indication a proper estimate of his position 



