52 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



we venture to express our regret at some of the opinions 

 you have put forward in your election address. 



You state that you would " do your best to secure, 

 that the scheme (for the re-organisation of the University) 

 when arranged should be submitted to Convocation 

 for their approval, to be signified as at a Senatorial 

 Election, and would oppose the Bill unless this were 

 conceded." 



You must allow us to point out that this proposal 

 would confer upon Convocation a right which is with- 

 out precedent, to supervise the Acts of a Commission 

 entrusted with the re-organisation of the University 

 of which Convocation itself is a part. 



The scheme of the " Gresham Commissioners " has 

 been approved not only by all the institutions concerned 

 but by the great body of educated public opinion. It 

 is, however, certain that very great difficulties will 

 arise if the ultimate fate of the scheme is to depend upon 

 the voting papers of Convocation. 



We, therefore, believe that the proposal you support, 

 if adopted, will result in the failure of another attempt 

 to establish a teaching University in London, and will 

 indefinitely postpone the solution of a question which 

 after prolonged discussion seemed to be on the eve of 

 settlement. — We are, yours faithfully, 



Kelvin, P., R.S. 



John Evans, Treas., R.S. 



M. Foster, Sec, R.S. 



Joseph Lister. 



Rayleigh. 



Douglas Galton. 



T. G. Bonney. 



T. E. Thorpe. 



Horace Lamb. 



j. h. poynting. 



Arthur W. Rucker. 



E. Frankland. 



N. Story Maskelyne. 



Henry E. Roscoe. 



P. H. Pye Smith. 



j. norman-lockyer. 



John Eric Erichsen. 



William Ramsay. 



G. Carey Foster. 



