358 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



that some proposals were on foot for a presentation to 

 myself, at which my presence would be necessary. 

 This afterwards resolved itself into a delightful 

 gathering of a large number of former pupils, my 

 colleagues and friends, in the Whitworth Hall of the 

 Manchester University on April 22nd, 1904. The 

 function consisted of the presentation of a large 

 number of addresses and congratulatory letters and 

 telegrams from universities, university colleges, scientific 

 societies, and friends from all the world over. The 

 kind and far too appreciative expressions which these 

 various documents contained were almost overwhelming. 

 The moving spirit in the whole business was my friend 

 Thorpe, aided by a committee consisting of Drs. 

 Bailey and Harden, together with others of my former 

 students. 



The Hall was filled with pupils and friends from all 

 parts, and on the platform were ranged representatives 

 of the universities and scientific societies who personally 

 presented their addresses. 



My feelings on entering the Hall may be more easily 

 imagined than described. My thoughts ran rapidly 

 through the thirty years which I had spent in Man- 

 chester. I saw the small beginnings of Owens 

 College in the house in Quay Street, and the gradual 

 increase through years and years until it culminated 

 in the magnificent buildings of the University of 

 Manchester in which I stood. I recalled the faces 

 of my old students and of my valued colleagues, 

 many present before me and some who had taken 

 the long journey. I thought of the scientific and 

 educational work which we had together accomplished, 

 and of the many happy hours which I had spent in 

 the old laboratory and lecture-room, and in the new 

 ones which I had designed. I remembered, with 



