40 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



The enclosed has been signed, as you will see, by the 

 late Lord Mayor, the City Members, and the most 

 prominent men in the City of all parties — in fact, I 

 believe, there has not been a single refusal. The present 

 Lord Mayor has promised the Mansion House for a 

 Meeting, and will take the Chair. 



I enclose the rules, which, however, arc only pro- 

 visional, and have been asked to write and enquire if 

 you would accept the Presidency. 



The Chairman of the Council would preside at the 

 Council meetings, but we hope the President would 

 attend the Annual Meeting. 



If there are any other points, I should be very glad to 

 come and see you. 



It seems important that the Colonies should not 

 imagine that there is on our part any lukewarmness as 

 to the maintenance of the Union. Hoping that you 

 may see your way to accept. — I am, yours very sincerely, 



J . L. 



His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. 



The qualities of common sense and caution by 

 which the late Duke of Devonshire w^on the con- 

 fidence of the nation are thoroughly displayed in 

 his reply : 



Chatswobth, Chestebfield, 

 Dec. 21/94. 



My dear Lubbock — I should like to see you about 

 the new Federation League, but I am afraid I shall not 

 be in London for some little time. 



So far as I understand the constitution and rules of 

 the new League, it is proposed to drop all reference to 

 Federation, but the title is retained. The talk about 

 Federation has always seemed to be rather un-practical, 

 and it occurs to me that so long as the title is retained, 

 and the League consists of the same men, the speeches 

 at the General and other meetings would continue to be 

 of much the same character. 



However, I should not like to decline without having 

 a talk with you. How soon do you think that a decision 

 is required ? — Yours very truly, Devonshike. 



