Sir Nigel Kingscote. 
9 
Sir Nigel was a great stickler for order in debate, and 
the intrusion in discussions of matters extraneous to the 
particular issue was to him a source of discomfort and 
restlessness. Direct and precise himself, he expected others 
more diffuse and loquacious than he was to keep to the 
point — which . is always the difficulty in all deliberative 
assemblies. It would be unjust to say of a man so amiable 
in character that he glowered at opponents and interrupters ; 
but having a clear view himself of what he felt to be right, 
he could not enter sympathetically into opposite opinions 
expressed by others— probably with less opportunities for a 
correct judgment than he had. Yet always, even under the 
most trying conditions, he maintained his courtesy of manner, 
and never spoke with heat or recrimination. 
I recall especially one illustration of Sir Nigel’s simple and 
direct methods of thought and action. As it happened nearly 
twenty years ago, and all the leading actors in the matter are 
either dead or have retired from the service of the Society, 
there can be no harm in mentioning it. There was a particular 
matter in which the Finance Committee took up a strong line, 
but which was strenuously objected to by an individual Member 
of the Council with independent views, and a great facility 
and clearness in expressing them. After some preliminary 
skirmishes and a long set debate, this Member of the Council 
was handsomely beaten ; but he persevered in his opposition, 
taking advantage of various opportunities which occurred 
during the next few months to attempt to upset the previous 
decision by giving notice of amendments. 
In the hope of averting another complicated debate on this 
vexed question, efforts were made by correspondence to effect 
a compromise by meeting the objector half way. At one time 
there seemed hope of the negotiations being successful, but he 
finally adhered to his own views. In order that the Council 
might have the opportunity of expressing its opinion on 
the suggested compromise, notice of a further amendment 
embodying it was put on the agenda paper by another 
Member friendly to the Finance Committee. The day arrived 
for the decision. The Finance Committee held a preliminary 
meeting before the Council sat, when it was agreed that a 
proposed alteration in the By-laws, of which notice had 
already been given by Sir Nigel, should be formally moved 
in its original form, but that the discussion should proceed 
on the two amendments. If the Council thought well of the 
new principle embodied in these amendments, then support 
would be given by the Committee to the proposal contained in 
the compromise which the objector had refused to accept. But 
on his way upstairs to the Comicil Chamber, Sir Nigel met the 
