338 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



chemistry at an elementary school would display such 

 ignorance. 



During the time that I had a seat in the House 

 of Commons I was asked to join the Senate of the 

 University of London, but I declined in consequence 

 of Parliamentary work. After retiring from Parlia- 

 ment I consented to act on the Senate, to which I 

 was duly elected. When Sir James Paget vacated 

 the Vice-Chancellorship in 1895, ne was succeeded by 

 Sir Julian Goldsmid, who served for a short period 

 only, as he died soon afterwards. 



On February iQth, 1896, I was elected in Sir Julian 

 Goldsmid's place and served as Vice-Chancellor for six 

 years. 



Sir James Paget was one of the most charming of 

 men. His biography by his son Stephen is as instruc- 

 tive as it is interesting. There one learns what trials 

 and self-sacrifices a surgeon may have to go through 

 before he rises to the head of his profession. I con- 

 sider myself fortunate in reckoning him among my 

 friends. He came down on one occasion to Owens 

 College to deliver an address and to distribute the 

 prizes to the medical students. I presided at a dinner 

 given in his honour, and I remember vividly the perfect 

 finish and delicate flavour of his speech. 



Many years ago I noticed a little swelling on the tip 

 of my tongue. I suppose everybody has at one time 

 or another fancied they have a cancer ; at any rate 

 I did, so I went to see Paget it was about the time 

 of the Emperor Frederick's illness. " No, my dear 

 man," he kindly said, " cancer of the tongue does not 

 begin there ; if it bothers you get your colleague 

 W. C. Williamson to cut it off with a pair of scissors." 



A lady patient of Paget's told my wife that it was 

 worth while being ill to be attended by such a man. 



