JuLy 6, 1899] 
present Institute buildings. If the result of the discussion is 
to show that no suitable arrangement is practicable, the 
University will be in no way prejudiced by having shown its 
readiness to discuss the project in a friendly spirit. It will be 
quite open to the Senate to make an express reservation in the 
above sense a condition of sending its representatives to sit on 
the Committee. 
“The answer to the first and second questions is yes. 
“* As regards the third, the answers are— 
sai(@)iWes, 
“*(6) I am not sure that I quite understand the meaning of 
the words ‘ the first use,’ but if the following definition will meet 
the views of the Senate, I can answer the question in the affirm- 
ative, viz. ‘Full and exclusive use and control at all times at 
which the said halls are required for the purposes of 
examination.’ 
“The regulations for giving effect to this condition will be 
drawn up by the Treasury, who will be responsible for seeing 
that they are carried out. 
‘*(c) The representatives of the Institute have assured me that 
the entertainments and concerts will not again take place, but it 
will be quite open to the Senate to safeguard themselves by 
making the discontinuance of such things a condition of their 
presence on the Committee. 
‘* The answers to (d), (e) and (/) are in the affirmative.” 
The views of Convocation upon the proposals are contained in 
the following letter from the Clerk of Convocation to the 
Registrar, read at the meeting of the Senate :— 
““T am directed by the Special Committee of Convocation, 
appointed to communicate with the Statutory Commission and 
the Senate, to request you to inform the Senate that the Committee 
having had their attention directed to the subject of the proposed 
transference of the University to the Imperial Institute, adopted 
the following resolution :— 
‘That, in the opinion of this Committee, the Imperial Insti- 
tute would furnish an adequate and dignified home for the 
University, provided that the exclusive and permanent control 
of the whole or a distinct and sufficient portion, with an 
adequate entrance, and with security of tenure, be vested in 
the University.” 
On the motion of the Vice-Chancellor, seconded by Lord 
Kimberley, it was then resolved : 
“That with reference to the correspondence between the 
Vice-Chancellor and Sir Francis Mowatt, the Senate do agree 
to join in the Conference therein mentioned upon the terms 
generally set forth in the correspondence, and without prejudice 
to the ultimate action of the Senate, and that accordingly three 
Fellows be nominated as a Special Committee of the Senate to 
serve on the Conference, and to report to the Senate the result 
of the Conference.” 
The following Fellows were nominated Members of the Special 
Committee :—The Vice-Chancellor, Lord Kimberley, and Sir 
Joshua Fitch. 
At the next meeting of the Senate, on February 22, further 
correspondence was presented. It was announced that the 
Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury had selected 
the undermentioned gentlemen to represent them at the Con- 
ference :— 
Sir F. Mowatt and Mr. S. E. Spring Rice, both of the 
Treasury, and Mr. Almeric Fitzroy, Clerk of the Council. 
The following Treasury Minute, dated February 16, 1899, 
was read :— 
“*The First Lord and the Chancellor of the Exchequer state 
to the Board that Her Majesty’s Government have had under 
consideration the possibility of an arrangement with the 
authorities of the Imperial Institute whereby a dignified and 
suitable home may be provided in the Institute buildings at 
South Kensington for the University of London, as reconsti- 
tuted by the Act of last Session. The accommodation would 
include the sole occupation and control of rooms and offices fully 
equal in number and dimension to those now in the possession 
of the Senate at Burlington Gardens; examination rooms and 
laboratories either in or immediately adjoining the existing 
building ; and also such provision as may hereafter be needed 
for the full extension and development of the University under 
the statutes and regulations made by the Commissioners 
appointed by the Act. 
‘*The First Lord and the Chancellor of the Exchequer state 
that, as the result of negotiations which have taken place between 
representatives of the University, the Institute and the Treasury, 
NO. 1549, VOL. 60] 
NATURE 
233 
there is reason to hope that an arrangement meeting all the re- 
quirements of the several interests is now possible ; and they 
recommend to the Board that the authorities of the University 
and the Institute should be invited to nominate representatives, 
who will consider and report in conference with persons selected 
by the Treasury— 
‘**T, Whether such an arrangement is in fact practicable. 
‘TI. What is the amount and nature of the accommodation 
to be transferred. 
“TIT. What alterations or adaptations are necessary to 
render it in all respects suitable to the needs of the University, 
““TV, Under what conditions it should be held from Her 
Majesty's Government by the Senate. 
“*The object of the Conference would be expressly limited to 
furnishing Her Majesty’s Government with fullinformation upon 
the several points indicated above; and the consent of the 
several parties to enter the Conference would not pledge them 
to accept any recommendation which the representatives, or a 
majority of them, may make. 
“*My Lords approve the course recommended by the First 
Lord and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.” 
The representatives of the Council of the Institute appointed 
to take part in this Conference were Lord James of Hereford, 
the Right Hon. Sir Henry Fowler, M.P., and Sir Frederick 
Abel. 
The Conference thus constituted held several meetings at the 
Treasury and at the Institute, and the Committee paid repeated 
visits to South Kensington with a view to ascertain the exact 
extent and capabilities of the building, particularly of that por- 
tion of it which it is proposed to assign to the University. 
On the first of these occasions the Prince of Wales inet the 
Committee and accompanied the members through the various 
rooms of the Institute. His Royal Highness evinced much 
interest in the proposed arrangement, and expressed a strong 
wish to meet the requirements of the Senate and to facilitate 
the work and due development of the University. 
At a subsequent meeting the representatives of the University 
were requested to draw up, for the information of their col- 
leagues, a statement showing the nature of the accommodation 
needed by the University, and also the way in which the eastern 
portion of the building might be adapted to the use and to the 
future requirements of the University. In conformity with this 
wish the Committee prepared a memorandum, which became 
the basis of discussion at subsequent meetings of the Conference. 
Among the points referred to in this document are the future 
requirements of the University. Upon this subject the repre- 
sentatives of the University remark : 
“In considering the proposal to exchange the present build- 
ing in Burlington Gardens for a portion of that now occupied 
by the Imperial Institute, it is necessary not only to take into 
account the means of supplying these serious deficiencies, but 
also to forecast the probable requirements of the University 
under its new constitution. The details of that constitution are 
now being settled by the Statutory Commission appointed under 
the provisions of the University of London Act of 1898. 
““The new statutes will certainly provide for a large ex- 
tension in the work and usefulness of the University, will 
invest it with new teaching powers, will bring it into closer 
relations with the principal colleges and medical schools of the 
metropolis, and will, without encroaching on the ordinary 
functions of those institutions, probably do much to encourage 
the development of post-graduate study and of research, under 
the direction of the governing body of the University, and in 
its central building.” 
With regard to the central portion of the building, the 
memorandum states :-— 
“Tt is evident that joint user of this neutral territory, 
on the part of the Institute and the University, would be for 
many reasons inconvenient unless the relations and claims of the 
two bodies are clearly defined. Otherwise frequent references 
to the Treasury would become necessary. 
‘* Moreover. it is essential for the credit and for the usefulness 
of the metropolitan University that it should not be regarded as, 
in any sense, a department of another institution. It would 
cause grave disappointment to the Senate and to the Graduates 
if we were unable to report to them that the Government were 
sensible of the importance of this consideration, and able to give 
effect to it. 
‘*Tt is obviously desirable that the building to be known as 
the University of London should have a separate entrance.” 
