AT THE UNIVERSITY 51 



in this candidature by the close connection that existed between 

 Glasgow University and Balliol College, of which Jowett was then 

 Master. Jowett was a member of the Council of Bristol College. 

 As was the practice in those days, Ramsay sought interviews 

 with the individual members of Council before the election 

 in plain words canvassed them. He went up to Oxford armed 

 with an introduction to Jowett from Professor Edward Caird. 

 He was graciously received and invited to one of the Master's 

 famous Sunday breakfast parties at which he met a distinguished 

 company. At that time Eamsay had seen more of the world 

 than most young men of his age. He was therefore well able 

 to hold his own at the great man's table, and no doubt the im- 

 pression he made was carefully noted by his host. As he was 

 leaving, Jowett took him aside for a moment and made an 

 appointment with him for the following day. When Ramsay 

 called at the time fixed, Jowett, as if he had never seen him before, 

 and without any other greeting, received him with a sharp 

 ' Well ? ' Ramsay's feelings may be imagined, but he grasped 

 the situation, stated his business as briefly as possible, and took 

 his leave. Jowett proved a good friend. He not only 

 supported Ramsay's candidature, but afterwards invited him 

 repeatedly to Balliol, and evidently formed a just estimate of his 

 character and intellectual powers. 



In the Glasgow laboratory Ramsay exhibited all the char- 

 acteristics which afterwards became so marked and so generally 

 known. He was a rapid worker ; came quickly to conclusions ; 

 was bold almost to audacity in the things he attempted ; and 

 worked with surprising energy and industry. The only relaxa- 

 tion he allowed himself during the day was an occasional cigarette. 

 As smoking was forbidden in the main laboratory where the 

 students were at work, he retired to the smaller or private labor- 

 atory where the professor's assistants and one or two senior 

 students, who occupied a privileged position, had their work 

 benches. There with his back against the radiator he would 



