70 SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY 



Lady Ramsay on 24th July, 1916, explains the cir- 

 cumstances : 



"You will be overwhelmed with letters from far and near, 

 which speak with better knowledge than mine of the terrible 

 loss that has befallen the world's science : my only claim to 

 speak of him is that he rendered me the greatest of all services. 

 In the autumn of 1880 I was rapidly dwindling. I knew that 

 each month of my stay at Bristol materially lessened my chance 

 of living to do any considerable part of the work on which I had 

 set my heart. The Council of University College, Bristol, de- 

 clared that the condition of their finances prohibited their adver- 

 tising for a new Principal. The new Professor of Chemistry 

 began his work in late September, by the middle of November 

 I knew I was free. For a true strong MAN had come to the 

 College, and young as he was I knew that the destinies of the 

 College were safe in his hands. They turned out to be much 

 more than safe." 



The following extract from a letter sent by the Council 

 of the College to Professor Ramsay, 28th September, 

 1881, shows the conditions of the appointment : 



" That Professor Ramsay be appointed Principal of the College, 

 and that he receive as Principal, in addition to his present remun- 

 eration as Professor, one-eighth of all the fees, other than entrance 

 fees, with a guarantee that his share of such fees shall not be 

 less than Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds per annum (250), 

 and that the engagement be terminable by either party on three 

 months' written notice." 



To a young man under thirty years of age, and just 

 married, the temptation of a substantial increase of 

 income was no doubt irresistible. But it can easily 

 be understood that the additional burden of duties 



