CG JAMES CLERK MAXWELL 



October 13th, 1870, published " the following munifi- 

 cent offer of his grace the JHike of Devonshire, the 

 Chancellor of the University," who had been chairman 

 of the Commission on Scientific Education. 



"Holker Hall, 



Grange, Lancashire. 



"My DEAR MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR, I have the honour to 

 address you for the purpose of making an offer to the University, 

 which, if you see no objection, I shall be much obliged to you 

 to submit in such manner as you may think fit for the con- 

 sideration of the Council and the University. 



"I find in the report dated February :M)th, 1801), of the 

 Physical Science Syndicate, recommending the establishment 

 of a Professor and Demonstrator of Experimental Physics, that 

 the buildings and apparatus required for this department of 

 science are estimated to cost 6,300. 



"I am desirous to assist the University in carrying this 

 recommendation into effect, and shall accordingly be prepared 

 to provide the funds required for the building and apparatus 

 as soon as the University shall have in other respects completed 

 its arrangements for teaching Experimental Physics, and shall 

 have approved the plan of the building. 



" I remain, my dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor, 

 " Yours very faithfully, 



"DEVONSHIRE." 



By his generous action the University was relieved 

 from all expense connected with the building. A 

 Grace establishing a Professorship of Experimental 

 Physics was continued by the Senate February 9th, 

 1871, and March 8th was fixed for the election. 



Meanwhile who was to be Professor ? Sir W. 

 Thomson's name had been mentioned, but he, it was 

 known, would not accept the post. Maxwell was then 

 applied to, and at first he was unwilling to leavo 

 Glenlair. Professor Stokes, the lion. J. \V. Strutt 



