X 



life-long classical studies and associations left him free to appreciate 

 fully the great importance of science in education. In point of fact, however, 

 he combined with his own erudite pursuits an intense avidity for the physical 

 sciences, along with the metaphysical, and they formed a considerable 

 portion of his reading to the last. He uniformly resisted all proposals 

 to limit the study of logic and moral philosophy, or to lower its posi- 

 tion in the degrees where it had obtained a place ; and, generally, he 

 was an advocate for the breadth of culture maintained in the Matricu- 

 lation and Degree Examinations, as contrasted with the restricted number 

 of subjects required for the Oxford and Cambridge degrees. 

 He bequeathed his library to the University. 



On the death of Hallam, in 1859, Mr. Grote became a Trustee of the 

 British Museum, and, as in the case of University College and the 

 University of London, he gave unfailing attendance on the meetings of 

 the Trustees, and sat on the most laborious Committees. In 1864 he 

 was also elected a Trustee of the Hunterian Museum. His election to the 

 Royal Society was in 1857. 



He was pressed by Mr. Gladstone to accept a peerage, that he might 

 take part in the business of the House of Lords ; but he declined to 

 enlarge the sphere of his active duties. 



The disease that cut him off made its appearance last December. It 

 did not obscure his faculties or impair his usual tone of spirits, and he 

 received in his own house the Committees of the University of London, 

 transacted business, and conversed with his friends till the last three weeks 

 of his life. He died on the 18th of June, and on the 24th was interred 

 in Westminster iU>bey. 



Mr. Grote's published writings, coupled with the barest outline of his 

 life and work, reveal the lineaments of a great character, the intellectual 

 and the moral ingredients supporting each other. In his public career, and 

 in his wide literary research, a clear, powerful, and originating intellect 

 was guided by the purest aims and the most scrupulous arts. With scho- 

 larly resources of language, his rhetoric is the servant of truth. At all points 

 merging his own self-importance, he never passes by opposing considera- 

 tions, and does justice to every rival. The reverse of sanguine as to human 

 progress, he yet laboured for every good cause that satisfied his mind, — 

 science, education, and the self-acting judgment of the individual. Differing 

 in many points from the prevailing opinions of the time, he avoided giving 

 needless offence, and cooperated with men of all shades of doctrine, political 

 and religious. In the depths of his character there was a fund of sympathy, 

 generosity, and self-denial rarely equalled among men ; in the exterior, his 

 courtesy, affability, and delicate consideration of the feelings of others were 

 indelibly impressed upon every beholder ; yet this amiability of demeanour 

 was never used to mislead, and in no case relaxed his determination for 

 what he thought right. Punctual and exact in his engagements, he in- 

 spired a degree of confidence and respect which acted most beneficially on 



