Pièce 124 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

6 pp

Dysart Cottage, Pitlochry, N.B. - JDF congratulates WW on his marriage to Lady Everina E. Affleck. 'Our university Bill lodges enormous powers in the hands of certain commissioners and courts. Thus far we think it a matter of some anxiety. But in Edinburgh the evil of town council domination and the absence of endowments have been so keenly felt, that we are nearly unanimous in favour of a change even although we cannot tell precisely how it is to work. We have much to gain and little to lose'. JDF agrees with WW's advice 'not to meddle with Dr Tyndall' [see JDF to WW, 1 April 1858]. In a recent lecture given by Tyndall at the Royal Institution, he 'has admitted the slender difference between his opinion and mine and on the whole has shown the wish to render me full justice'.