xxxii LIGHTENING HIS BURDENS 117 



appointed Governor of Bombay. A vacancy was 

 thus created in the Presidency of the Association 

 of Chambers of Commerce. 



25 St. James's Plack, 

 Nov. 2, 1899. 



Dear Sir John — The Associated Chambers of Com- 

 merce are extremely anxious to secure you as their 

 President, in succession to myself. 



They have asked me to ascertain if you would favour- 

 ably consider such a request if unanimously made to you. 



They would meet your convenience in every way, 

 relieve you of all routine work, such as our monthly 

 sessional meetings, etc. 



They would ask you to preside at our annual meeting 

 in March, to represent them on the Paris Exhibition 

 Committee, if you are not already a member, and at 

 next year's meeting in London of the Chambers of 

 Commerce of the Empire ; and, lastly, at the autumnal 

 gathering next year, especially, if, as is likely, it is held 

 at Paris. 



The Association is growing in importance, and we are 

 very anxious to have an influential M.P. at its head. 



We are on very friendly terms with the Executive 

 Depts., and Ritchie told me he would much like to see 

 you President. The Chambers need a cool head. 



Much hoping you will agree. — Believe me, yours very 

 truly, H. Stafford Northcote. 



We may note the expression " a cool head " 

 used in this letter. It is singularly apt, and 

 indicates one among the qualities which made 

 Sir John of such great value in a position of this 

 kind. 



He accepted the request and was elected 

 unanimously. 



About the same time Mrs. Waller, a daughter 

 of Professor Huxley, writes asking him to open 

 the new Free Library at Gloucester. She says 

 that she does not apologise for asking such a busy 

 man to come, knowing well, from the experience 



