xii POLITICAL LIFE 309 



The fact that a large number of the nominating 

 institutions are situated in the Colonies, and that the 

 scholars from these institutions come to the mother- 

 country to carry out their scientific work, must exert 

 an important influence in strengthening the relations 

 between the different parts of the Empire. The value 

 of this system is fully appreciated by the authorities at 

 home and abroad, and many are the instances in which 

 men of ability who would otherwise have been unable 

 to follow a scientific career, or to assist the progress of 

 our national industries, are now coming to the front in 

 both respects. It has been well remarked that if in 

 the course of a century even one Faraday should have 

 been discovered, the sum spent would have been amply 

 repaid. Although this, perhaps, cannot yet be said to 

 have been accomplished, yet the Commissioners may 

 point with satisfaction to many of their scholars who 

 have already done epoch-making work for science. In 

 proof of this I need only mention the name of Ruther- 

 ford of New Zealand, now of McGill University. 



In the year 1891-1892 I served as President of the 

 Manchester Reform Club, and perhaps the pleasantest 

 among other pleasant duties was that of entertaining 

 Mr. John Morley at dinner. I applied to him the 

 fitting words which Lord Derby, some little time before, 

 had used when unveiling the statue of John Bright, 

 which stands opposite the Town Hall in Manchester. 

 Like John Bright the name of John Morley is known 

 and honoured among all English-speaking people. But 

 we in Lancashire claim him especially, not only because 

 he is a Lancashire man, but because he embodied those 

 qualities which are characteristic of Lancashire, namely, 

 strong and clear opinion, determined purpose and plain, 

 uncompromising speech. I welcomed him not only as 



