226 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



existent. What England might have been, had we, 

 like Scotland, had similar schools and similar popular 

 Universities planted throughout the land for many 

 generations, it is hard to say. 



In the spring of 1882 I received an intimation 

 from the Vice-Chancellor that the University of Cam- 

 bridge proposed to offer to me the honorary degree 

 of LL.D., and the degree was conferred on me 

 on the 1 3th of July, 1883, the ceremony having been 

 postponed in consequence of the dreadful death of 

 Lord Frederic Cavendish. 



In November, 1883, I received a letter from Professor 

 Bonney, the General Secretary of the British Associa- 

 tion, informing me that the Council had nominated me 

 as President of Section B Chemistry at the Mon- 

 treal meeting of the British Association, to take place 

 the following year, and of which Lord Rayleigh was to 

 be the President, and shortly after I received the 

 following letter from Mr. Augustus Lowell, of Boston: 



BOSTON, ^th January, 84. 



Professor HENRY E. ROSCOE. 

 MY DEAR SIR, 



As it is definitely arranged that the British Association 

 shall meet in Montreal next autumn, may I not hope that 

 your long-deferred visit to this country will be made ; and 

 that in the month of November you will be able to give a 

 course of lectures before the Lowell Institute in this city ? 



I mention November because with that month usually begin 

 our courses of lectures for the winter, and because before that 

 time and after the meeting in Montreal there would be time 

 to travel and to see as much of the country as you would 

 probably care to do. 



I think I can promise you as intelligent and appreciative 

 an audience as you can desire, and one fully able to enjoy the 

 best effort you can make in their behalf far above a Royal 

 Academy [Royal Institution] audience in previous knowledge 

 and the habit of seeking instruction in this form and I am 



