308 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



be tenable in any university, either at home or abroad, 

 or other approved institutions. This system has now 

 been at work for many years and with most satisfactory 

 results. Every year a grant of ,5,000 is distributed 

 among deserving candidates, who carry on original 

 investigations, and many of the scholars have already 

 obtained positions in industrial or manufacturing con- 

 cerns, as well as scientific teaching posts in universities 

 and colleges. 



In 1896 Lord Playfair resigned the chairmanship of 

 the Scholarships Committee, and I was appointed in 

 his place. In reference to this I may quote his kind 

 letter to me : 



68 ONSLOW GARDENS, 

 SOUTH KENSINGTON. 



June 2, 1896. 

 MY DEAR ROSCOE, 



At a Meeting at Marlborough House to-day, H.R.H. the 

 Prince of Wales in the Chair, of the Board of Management of 

 the 1851 Commission, it was agreed to propose your name 

 to the next Meeting of the Royal Commission as a Member 

 of the Board of Management, and to ask you to succeed 

 me as Chairman of the Committee on Scholarships. I will 

 still remain on the Committee, and Lord Rayleigh will take 

 Huxley's place as a Member. The Prince entirely approves 

 of the arrangement and proposed your name. 



I go down voluntarily from the throne, as I think younger 

 men should take up my work. I also resign the Deputy- 

 Chairmanship of the Board of Management (Prince Christian 

 is Chairman) and my successor will become " Chancellor 

 of the Exchequer" (probably Sir Henry Fowler), feeling 

 satisfied that I have paid off our debt of 180,000 and 

 converted an annual deficiency of 3,000 into an annual 

 clear revenue of 15,000. 



But my reign has been practically personal and it is no 

 longer required. You would have nothing to do with 

 finance. I hope you will like the proposed arrangement. 



Yours truly ever, 



PLAYFAIR. 



