Item 196 - Letter from William Whewell to Connop Thirlwall

9 pp.

WW wants to try and clear up a few matters concerning CT's interpretation of WW's pamphlet ['Additional Remarks on some parts of Mr Thirlwall's Two Letters on the Admission of Dissenters to Academical Degrees', 1834. See CT to WW, 1 Sept. 1834]: 'The part of my pamphlet of which I have especially to speak is that in which I refer to a difficulty which your publication of your opinions had thrown in the way of the useful continuance of our common labours'. WW's problem with CT arose not from CT's opinions but from him publishing them: 'I conceive that more good is done by retaining our college chapel service than would be done by abolishing it, but if I thought differently, I should think it utterly inconsistent with the retention of my office as tutor, to publish an opposite opinion. Those who look for good from such an institution, expect it to follow only so long as the institution is spoken of with respect at least, if not hope, by the managing part of the body. If we whose office it is to enforce observances of all existing rules, speak with disapprobation and slight of some of the principal ones, I conceive we are materially diminishing our chances of being useful as administrators of the system of which theses rules form a part'. WW thinks all assistant tutors should attend chapel to set an example - 'but the example would, in my eyes, have lost all its value, after the publication of such opinions as yours, on the tendency of this attendance on the undergraduates'. WW explains why he had wanted CT to retain his office, and gives an explanation of the language he used. The question of the value of college chapel was not foremost on WW's mind: 'It was indeed one which I was extremely grieved to have to discuss at all, and which I never attempted or pretended to treat, further than to shew that I was confident of being able to give good reasons for the system of which I considered myself the administrator'. WW hopes that he has not said anywhere that CT is a covert enemy of the church [see CT to WW, 1 Sept. 1834].