Item 37 - Letter from William Whewell

It is not out of 'zeal for "the sitting members" but from a certain knowledge of what passed this morning that I assure you that no such communication as you mention from Lord Palmerston had anything to do with it or was in any way referred to by any person. The object of the meeting was to counteract the false impression wh. all parties had agreed in receiving that something had taken place which was intended and must be interpreted as an expression of dissatisfaction with the ministry & their measure, and that the university had taken a part in such an expression'. WW 'will not attempt now to tell of the prospects of the county - by no means encouraging - and all that is encouraging requires much development & much hope. But I perpetually come to this result that I see in the course we are now following a position of equilibrium if we are lucky enough to find it in any other course & see no hope or comfort'.