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The letter states that the Council of the Senate of Cambridge University, 'acting on the recommendation of the General Board of Studies, have proposed the appointment of a Syndicate to consider the expediency of allowing more widely than at present an alternative for either Greek or Latin in the Previous Examination' and that a number of residents 'have appealed to non-resident Members of the Senate to aid them in resisting all enquiry into this question.'

Sets out 'one or two reasons against this very unusual step'. Refers to the report of a Syndicate of eleven years previously, whose members included Dr Kennedy, the Professor of Greek, and which proposed the removal of the obligation on candidates for honours of studying both Latin and Greek on the grounds that the obligation of students to study both languages tends to exclude from the University a number of able students, educated in schools in which Greek is not taught.

States that since that time, with the development and extension of 'the "modern" system', about half the boys educated in the schools represented at the previous Headmaster's Conference 'are now taught only one classical language. Argues that with the obligation still in place, the University is prevented 'from receiving a number of boys thoroughly capable of profiting by academic study and training', while the time spent by other boys on both classical languages could better be spent on other subjects.

Asserts that the removal of the obligation, would not, as those who are attempting to block this move claim, result in an end to the study of Greek in all but the leading schools. Acknowledges the charms of Greek literature, 'its historic prestige, and its established position in the education of Europe', and claims that the teachers at Cambridge who desire this change 'certainly do not aim at the extinction' of the language. Refutes the argument that ignorance of Greek would injure all professions.

Adds that it is not proposed that the above considerations be taken as grounds for an immediate decision in favour of the proposed change, but merely as food for thought. Appeals to 'all open-minded Members of the Senate to assist...in defeating this attempt [to stop the proposed change].' Announces that voting will take place in the Senate-House on the following Thursday, 29 October at 2pm. Adds the text of the Grace relating to the appointment of the Syndicate referred to in the letter. The names of those on behalf of whom the letter is written are included, and the name of Francis Darwin added in ink to the list of signatories.

Handwritten covering note by Henry Sidgwick stating that the letter has been sent to the London newspapers, and asking whom the fly-sheet is sent to send their signatures to the University Press if they agree with the arguments contained in the letter.

One of a set of eight testimonial letters printed when Frazer was an applicant for the Chair of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen: praises his scholarship, and says he has a 'vigorous and original mind'. Accompanied by a duplicate.

Windsor Avenue, Belfast [headed notepaper, with monogram]. - Thanks for prompt reply. They would be very glad if it were possible to 'secure even the first copy of revision' by any payments to the University Press; meanwhile sends 'acknowledgements for Dr [Benjamin Hall?] Kennedy's Psalter'.

Informs Sidgwick that Conington can give him a M[ ] nomination, which belongs to another life governor ['Albert's father']. Expresses his intention of being in Cambridge from Friday 11 [June] to Monday 14 [June], 'staying with Kennedy' and doesn't know if he will be able to meet up with any of his friends. Kennedy has mapped out his [Conington's] time to some extent; e.g., 'dining in Hall with [W.G.?] Clark on Sunday'. Reports that he had a letter the previous day from Munro, 'formally announcing himself.', and that [Henry?] Smith 'had brought back news from Cambridge that he might very possibly not stand after all. Refers to another candidate [Price]. Comments on Munro's article, which he has read. Refers to Sidgwick's paper and the possible reaction of Oxford ontologists to it. Comments on Sidgwick's new Tripos scheme, and admits that he does not know 'what the points' of it are. Refers to the reaction to Latin Verse [in the Spectator]. As regards 'the new Journal', he claims that he has no time for reviewing, and therefore does not undertake to work for it. Concludes by announcing that 'Horace is done, and going to be printed.' [J. Conington's verse translation of Horace's Satires, Epistles, and Ars Poetica, published posthumously].

Finds that he and Nora are unable to come to tea the following day, as it is the only time Nora can see her brother Gerald and his wife, as they are going to Paris on the following Thursday. Adds that they may have to go to Cambridge on Friday [12 Apr] for [Benjamin Hall] Kennedy's funeral. States that lunch-time on Thursday or any time on Saturday afternoon would suit them. Reports that they have just come from a Women's Suffrage meeting, at which Nora was speaking. Remarks that the question 'seems to be in a very thorny condition'.

Freshwater. Public school headmasters to meet at Winchester to discuss Kennedy's Revised Latin Grammar, description of holiday in Italy, suggestion for the extension of the franchise, offering to pay some money towards a curate for Hort.

Accompanied by a cutting of an obituary notice of Benjamin Hall Kennedy in The Saturday Review of 13 April 1889.

Believes that modern languages should be given 'a platform side by side with Latin and Greek' in university examinations. Refers to the diplomatic service, and foreign correspondents 'in large commercial houses'. Observes that much prejudice exists against the examination which is to supercede the Previous Examination at Cambridge. Refers to Dr Kennedy's suggestion that students should be able to secure 'a double training up to their 6th Term, after which they may read exclusively for either Tripos, or if they prefer it, for the Moral Science's Tripos.' Speaks of his desire to see men leaving the universities well-educated in every sense of the word, and of the importance of allowing 'a certain liberty of choice' in relation to subjects to be studied at university. Remarks that if classical scholars like Professor Kennedy and Lord Lyttelton are prepared to allow an alternative for Greek, he 'should regard it as mere destructiveness if [he] opposed French and German being substituted for it.' Suggests how the difficulty of making two examinations in the Gospel - English and Greek - of equal value might be overcome.

Refers to the M[oderation] Examination at Oxford, and its effect on classical study, and states that Professor Conington, with whom he examined some years previously for the Hertford Latin Scolarship, 'spoke in favour of the [working] of the recent system' [at Oxford]. Declares that he is wholly in favour the new scheme in relation to the Previous Examination, which the University of Cambridge now proposes to adopt, as it 'will act beneficially as a stimulus to industry in public schools and especially in those which, like Liverpool College, draw their pupils from the various grades of the Middle Class' and are obliged to make modern languages a part of their curriculum.

Items pasted in include printed letters relating to the fund; list of subscribers; notices of meetings; notice requesting applications for the professorship; handwritten copies of 'My Psalm' by John Greenleaf Whittier 'Sent from Acton by A. B. on Oct 22 1897', biblical references, and [Tennyson's] "The Death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale".

Asks her to try to locate a book, [Pneumatologie:] Des Esprits... by Mirville, which was lent to him by Miss Attersoll, and which he gave to his mother 'some time ago'. Explains that Attersoll has written to him asking for it. Wonders whether she is 'a favourable subject for a convert', and intends to try to instil 'a little "Spiritualism" into her by recommending her another book or two of the same kind.' Reports that they expect their Greek professor to be elected the following day [Benjamin Hall Kennedy was chosen]. Refers to the fact that William is to write one of the Reform essays, and that it is advertised in the Pall Mall Gazette. Informs her that Mr and Mrs Paul are to come 'some time in the week after Easter.' Recommends a vendor of Hungarian wines, and suggests three labels. Hopes that Mr Martin is getting better, and reports that he went to see him the previous day. Admits that he is quite worried about his friend Cowell, whose father has just died very suddenly.

The letter is 'addressed to the leading London newspapers' on behalf of various members of Cambridge University. Those to whom the fly-sheet is sent are requested to send their names at once to Henry Sidgwick if they concur the arguments set down in the letter. Explains that the Council of the Senate of Cambridge University, 'acting on the recommendation of the General Board of Studies, have proposed the appointment of a Syndicate to consider the expediency of allowing more widely than at present an alternative for either Greek or Latin in the Previous Examination' and that a number of residents 'have appealed to non-resident Members of the Senate to aid them in resisting all enquiry into this question.'

Sets out 'one or two reasons against this very unusual step'. Refers to the report of a Syndicate of eleven years previously, whose members included Dr Kennedy, the Professor of Greek, and which proposed the removal of the obligation on candidates for honours of studying both Latin and Greek on the grounds that the obligation of students to study both languages tends to exclude from the University a number of able students, educated in schools in which Greek is not taught.

States that since that time, with the development and extension of 'the "modern" system', about half the boys educated in the schools represented at the previous Headmaster's Conference 'are now taught only one classical language. Argues that with the obligation still in place, the University is prevented 'from receiving a number of boys thoroughly capable of profiting by academic study and training', while the time spent by other boys on both classical languages could better be spent on other subjects.

Asserts that the removal of the obligation, would not, as those who are attempting to block this move claim, result in an end to the study of Greek in all but the leading schools. Acknowledges the charms of Greek literature, 'its historic prestige, and its established position in the education of Europe', and claims that the teachers at Cambridge who desire this change 'certainly do not aim at the extinction' of the language. Refutes the argument that ignorance of Greek would injure all professions.

Adds that it is not proposed that the above considerations be taken as grounds for an immediate decision in favour of the proposed change, but merely as food for thought. Appeals to 'all open-minded Members of the Senate to assist...in defeating this attempt [to stop the proposed change].' Announces that voting will take place in the Senate-House on the following Thursday, 29 October at 2pm. The names of those on behalf of whom the letter is written are added at the end, added to which, in ink, appears the name of C.A.M. Fennell of Jesus College.

Accounts of the 'Kennedy Professorship Fund' with contributions at the beginning of the book and expenses at the back. Printed letter from E. Atkinson, Vice-Chancellor, to the Public Orator, Rev. W. G. Clark, expressing thanks to the subscribers for offering the fund to Cambridge University for the establishment of a Latin Professorship; a list of subscribers and their contributions is also printed.