Pièce 49 - Richard Jones to William Whewell

Herbert Mayo, an old friend of RJ's at King's College (London), has informed him that Nassau Senior has resigned his professorship there. Mayo thinks RJ would be elected to replace Senior if he stood as a candidate. Does WW think the post would be a good move for him. For one thing RJ is happy where he lives. He would also like to pursue his career in the church: 'Now would not my taking the professorship be throwing away this favourite chance - such as it is - and be considered as an abandonment of the clerical line?' Further, is RJ 'not better employed in speculating upon or rather exploring a portion of the field than I should be in the more shewy task of throwing new light upon the whole'. Would RJ's speculations make good lectures? - 'you know full well that with my views I could not honestly dogmatize'. He does not think his views are suited for beginners. RJ attaches an extract from Mayo's letter. RJ met Herr Von Schlegel [Augustus Wilhelm von Schlegel] at Jacob's [William Jacob] and was very impressed with the 'great man'.