xii.] LIFE IN ST. ANDREWS. 421 



' The dinner scheme may yet be revived at any time ; 

 but the benefit of the change would go much farther. 

 The cloister is universally regarded as a useless deformity. 

 It is a cold, shivering, miserable place. By inclosing 

 and heating it at a moderate expense, a common room 

 would be obtained for the resort of students between 

 class hours, and it might be furnished with books and 

 periodicals. It would be available for their debating 

 society, which at present meets in a room far too con- 

 fined, and urgently required for other purposes. For 

 these and other objects the conversion of the cloisters 

 would be hailed as a great boon to the College, and as it 

 was quite understood by Mr. Matheson that it was to go 

 into this year's estimates, I hope that your Grace will 

 use your always friendly influence in having it retained 

 there/ 



To SIR CHARLES LYELL. 



'Si. ANDREWS, July 19*A, 1864. 



'I was exceedingly gratified by the proposal made 

 to me through you by the office-bearers of the British 

 Association, that I should consent to be nominated as 

 President of the meeting intended to be held next year 

 at Dundee. 



' It is with unfeigned regret that I feel it my duty to 

 relinquish the hope of holding so honourable a position. 

 The objection arises solely from the uncertain state of my 

 health. This acts in two ways. In the first place because 

 with every precaution the personal risk would be con- 

 siderable ; and secondly I feel that, even under the most 

 favourable conditions, my powers of endeavour would 

 fall short of what would justly be considered necessary 

 by those most interested to be the President's duties. 



' I therefore beg most respectfully to decline the 

 nomination which you so kindly propose, and which 

 under other circumstances would have been so congenial 

 to my wishes. 



' Allow me to add that the office-bearers of the Asso- 

 on could not have made their proposal through a 

 channel more gratifying to me than through yourself.' 



