286 GEOEGE JOHN EOMANES i892 



health : ' You've made a bid for recovery,' he said in 

 his genial way. It was thought best that Mr. Eomanes 

 should spend the winter in a warm climate, and Ma- 

 deira was chosen. 



Then came the first Eomanes lecture, which was 

 a great success in every way. Mr. Gladstone called 

 it ' An Academic Sketch,' and nothing could have 

 been a happier inauguration of the series. It was a 

 memorable scene. The Prime Minister in his doctor's 

 robes, the crowded Sheldonian theatre, the eloquent 

 lecture, the inspiring words of which came hke a 

 trumpet call to Oxford's sons, ending with her motto, 

 ' Dominus illuminatio mea.' 



The few days of Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone's visit to 

 Oxford were days of real enjoyment to Mr. Eomanes. 

 The Journal notes : 'We had a pleasant luncheon party 

 for the Gladstones and Lord Acton, who was also in 

 Oxford; also a breakfast party on the morning after the 

 lecture, to which, among others, came the Principal 

 of St. Edmund's Hall.'- I put him next Mr. Gladstone, 

 and the consequence was a Dante talk, to Lady 

 Compton's great satisfaction. Mr. Gladstone's talk 

 was wonderful, and no one would have suspected that 

 he had any political cares whatsoever, or that the 

 Election of 1892 was only just over.' 



On the day of the lecture we had a delightful time 

 before lunch. Mary Paget and Lord Compton sang 

 for an hour, and put us in good humour. 



It was with real regret that good-bye was said to 

 the illustrious guests, with hopes of future meetings 

 never to be realised. 



Mr. Huxley accepted the invitation which the 

 Vice-Chancellor permitted Mr. Eomanes to give him 

 privately. The following delightful letter gives his 

 final decision : ^ 



1 The Eev. E. Moore, D.D. 



^ Since this letter has been in type the world has had to lament Mr. 

 Huxley's death. 



