XXXVI WORK IN THE UPPER HOUSE 177 



He was honorary member and fellow of an 

 extraordinarily large number of learned societies, 

 both home and foreign, and bearer of distinctions 

 as various as his talents. Some surprise has been 

 expressed at the conscientiousness with which 

 he gave at full length, after his name on the 

 title-pages of his books, the initial letters indicat- 

 ing these degrees, etc. Certainly Lord Avebury's 

 very simple character, without a touch of cyni- 

 cism in its composition, made him highly apprecia- 

 tive of the recognition of his fellows, but one 

 of his publishers has explained to me what he 

 believes to have been his real motive in inscribing 

 at full the initials signifying his dignities. Lord 

 Avebury, in his opinion, was influenced by the 

 feeling that if any letters of the kind were affixed 

 to a name, a certain slight was cast on the institu- 

 tion which had honoured him if the distinguishing 

 initials of that institution were omitted. His 

 idea was that all or none should be given, more 

 especially as many of the distinctions were of 

 foreign origin, and it was particularly imperative, 

 by all laws of courtesy, not to hurt foreign feelings. 

 It is a motive perfectly in accord with Lord 

 Avebury's peculiar kindliness and sensitive con- 

 sideration of other people. 



In the spring he was not very well, and was 

 doubtful of his ability to fulfil his engagements. 

 He had agreed to take the chair at a great 

 meeting in the Free Trade Hall at Manchester, 

 to commemorate the jubilee of the Manchester 

 Free Library. In the letter of invitation the 

 Lord Mayor had pointed out that Manchester 

 was the first important municipality to adopt 



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