IXXIV 



KINGSGATE CASTLE 141 



iance. I remember that some one asked him, 

 " Do you think the other insects see him hke 

 that ? " and Lord Avebury answered, with a 

 gentle, non-committal smile, "It is very likely 

 that they do." What a world of colour it 

 suggests for their habitation ! 



All this building of the Kingsgate Castle and 

 considerable change of residence came from the 

 delicacy of the boy Eric, who now, as I write, 

 is rowing " bow " in one of the Trial Eights at 

 Oxford, so successfully was this early delicacy 

 outgrown ! Of course, the High Elms house 

 was always kept on, as well as a house in London 

 for the season. Nor was it, as has been seen, 

 till three years from the date now under notice 

 that they began to inhabit the Castle. For 

 the time being Lord Avebury returned to his 

 duties in London. 



Appeal was made to him to exercise the pres- 

 sure of his influence on the authorities of the 

 London University to ensure the continued in- 

 clusion of science among the Matriculation sub- 

 jects. Some of the heads seem to have been 

 inclined to allow more latitude in the choice of 

 subjects, but it appears that he agreed with 

 those who deemed science essential, considering 

 the purposes of this University's existence, even 

 at the earliest stage of its educational course. 

 With that view he wrote : 



My dear Rucker — Some of us who are interested 

 in the progress of Science and the teaching of Modern 

 Languages in our schools are very much disturbed in 

 our minds at the Report of the Advisory Board now 

 under the consideration of the Senate of the University 



