“This morning, a copy of the scheme AS PUBLISHED has been sent to me. So the Commissioners have lost no time. In three months—that is, on the 7th or 8th Nov.—the scheme will be prepared for presentation to the Privy Council and then to Parliament. So that, humanly speaking, the whole scheme will be accomplished in a year’s time.
“It is curious how little elated one is, when fruition is so near!”
The next letter to me comes in the same strain, dated August 26—
“The Scheme is now advertised, and must wait three months, in order that opposition may be made. Then it goes to the Privy Council, and next year to Parliament. Altogether we may expect the twenty thousand (cash value, i.e. about eighteen thousand pounds) some time next year.
“I am most deeply grateful, but I am not elated. One’s elasticity gets sadly diminished as one grows older.”
After this a whole year elapses, filled with steady work in the schools, and brightened with gleams of help, such as are recorded on June 4, 1874—
“Within the last half-hour a note has come to me from Mr. Owen Roberts, clerk to the Clothworkers’ Company, to say they give us £105 per annum, during pleasure, for scholarships: 50 guineas to Girton, and two of 25 guineas for Merton. It is very pleasing.”
The reason for this prolonged delay was shown at the next date, November 18, 1874—
“Mr. Lee called at the office of Committee of Council a few days ago, to ascertain how our scheme was progressing.
“He found that the Vicar of Aldenham had been opposing it, and that practically not anything has been done. It will be again advertised, and then wait two months, and, if opposed again, must go before Parliament. So there is no chance of its passing for an indefinite period. Shall I say, if ever?