Item 121 - Richard Jones to William Whewell

4 pp.

As soon as he can RJ will go into the City and ensure all is correct concerning WW's interest [see RJ to WW, 5 Dec. 1848]. WW must be joking about the lectures on modern history - RJ has not got any spare time: 'Besides let me tell you if you do not already know that there are two candidates for the professorship one or the other of whom are perfectly secure if the Whigs continue in'. One of them 'Stephen [James Stephen] late of the colonial office - he is wretched for want of occupation' [Stephen was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge, 1849-1859]. However William Smyth the current Professor of Modern History 'must not be disturbed on his death bed even for Alma Maters convenience'. RJ sends WW some suggestions for the commission [see RJ to WW, 7 December 1848]: 'with slight modifications there would be little difficulty in getting the commission to adopt them, but there are weaknesses and suspicions and I fear political schemes out of doors which constitute obstacle and difficulties. Before I tell you however of any objections or any answers to them do let me have your own impressions it is the only way I can learn what alarms and displeases third persons. They were printed by the order of the commission. The Archbishop approves of all with the exception of one point and has by letter and personally praised and thanked me very kindly and heartily. In about 40 years there would be a disposable surplus of more than 100,000 pounds and it would begin at once to shew itself'.