LETTER TO COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL. 37 



of an expensive education, for the original outlay of which I 1831. 

 might buy fifty shares at the market price ; and even omitting 

 this, I have invested here my time, character, and prospects, all 

 and every one of which is as truly an investment of capital as 

 that made by any proprietor with this addition, that it is my all ; 

 whereas the portion of any proprietor is a very small part of his. 

 Can it be expected, then, that the Professor should be the only 

 person in the institution who has no interest. in it ? and that he, 

 merely on account of the important part he has to play, should 

 be placed in a situation not so respectable as that of a domestic 

 servant ? These are truths which cannot but have the greatest 

 weight with every person who shall hereafter think of embarking 

 his fortunes here ; and the only way to secure proper Professors 

 on the whole is to respect these truths, and not to let incidental 

 advantages, even supposing them such now, be considered of 

 more importance than general results. 



An institution such as ours is a machine meant to last for 

 centuries, but this it cannot do if those who manage it are content 

 to avail themselves of expediency, which is made for the day, 

 in preference to fixed principle, which will never wear out. 



I have written these sentiments because I feel no trouble too 

 great when the end proposed is so truly useful. Personally I 

 feel but slightly interested, for I cannot conceal from myself that 

 the chance of resuming my duties in the University is very small. 

 The opinions which I have here given will be the guide of my 

 conduct, and, I have reason to believe, of that of others also. 

 But should the result of the present proceedings be that a 

 Professor of the University of London need not hold down his 

 head for shame when he hears his situation mentioned, and the 

 terms on which he holds it, no one is more ready than myself to 

 stand or fall with this institution. This is, I fear, not an un- 

 meaning pledge, for past events have so fixed in the minds of 

 men an impression unfavourable to our prospects, that I fear our 

 number of pupils will be seriously diminished in the ensuing 

 session. 



In conclusion, gentlemen, I have to thank you for the polite 

 attention with which I was received by you when I took an 

 opportunity of laying these sentiments before you in person, and 

 I beg to subscribe myself, 



Your obedient servant, 



AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN. 



90 Guilford Street, July 15, 1831. 



