ii EARLY LIFE IN LONDON 43 



Oxford and Cambridge ? But before considering such details 

 we had better have the report of the Commission before us 

 and see what is to be disposed of. 



who writes in this reforming spirit about the 



transference of colleges with their staff (i.e. with all the old 

 abuses tacked on to them) to some unnamed place (with a 

 good river for boating !) in the North of England, is really a 

 thorough supporter of all abuses as far as he dare and 

 would no doubt be willing to give up a few thousand pounds 

 if only all the rest were left intact and employed as at present. 



As to Pattison's observations : I do not wonder that you 

 should take offence at them. At the time I thought them 

 foolish, but they do not represent the opinion of anyone but 

 himself so far as I know. We cannot expect to agree with 

 all that is said on such occasions at our meeting. 



My conclusion is that I hope Manchester will not stand 

 aloof but that you will help in this work, in which I can 

 assure you all help will be needed. 



Sincerely yours, 



B. C. BRODIE. 



To explain the above, it may be well to state that 

 in 1872 a society was formed for the organisation of 

 academical study, and a meeting of the supporters, 

 among others Brodie, Rolleston, Burdon Sanderson, 

 and Lockyer, was held, at which the following 

 resolution was passed : " That to have a class of men 

 whose lives are devoted to research is a national 

 object." The movement came to an end in con- 

 sequence of the want of sympathy of the University 

 authorities. Its friends termed this "the endowment 

 of research"; its opponents, "the research for 

 endowments." 



