96 SIE WILLIAM EAMSAY 



Wednesday eveg. we had an introductory meeting and on 

 Thursday the Conference took place, followed by a lunch. I 

 spoke at the Conference for about a quarter of an hour, I think 

 pretty decently." 



At this time Ramsay was a candidate for the Chemistry 

 Chair at University College, London, about to become 

 vacant by reason of the retirement of Dr. Williamson. 

 To this post Ramsay was appointed at the end of May. 

 He did not, however, slacken his efforts in the cause of 

 the colleges, but rather took advantage of the more 

 frequent opportunities afforded by residence in London 

 of meeting members of parliament and other influential 

 people. 



The meeting in Birmingham held on 26th May, 1887, 

 was presided over by the Mayor, Sir Thomas Martineau, 

 and there was a very large attendance. Professor 

 Tilden officiating as secretary read among many others 

 a letter from Mr. Joseph Chamberlain expressing very 

 deep sympathy with the movement. The first resolu- 

 tion was moved by the famous nonconformist minister, 

 the Rev. Dr. Dale, and seconded by Professor Tilden. 

 One point which was brought out in the speeches was 

 the fact that in consequence of the assistance given to 

 the Welsh colleges they were able to reduce their fees 

 to such a low figure that students from Birmingham were 

 attracted away from the college in their own town. It 

 was also shown that the annual deficit on the accounts 

 of the college amounted to about 1500, which included 

 about 500 paid in rates. The college at that time 



