[55]. The letter, dated 23 September 1834, is printed in Letters of Bishop Thirlwall, p. 124; and by Mrs Stair Douglas, Life of Dr Whewell, p. 168. Dr Wordsworth’s action was noticed with disapproval beyond the limits of Trinity College, for Professor Babington records in his Diary:
Nov. 17 [1834]\. Attended a meeting at Mr Bowstead’s rooms at Corpus, to vote an address to Mr Connop Thirlwall expressive of our sorrow at his being prevented from acting as tutor, and of our disapprobation of the discussion of things not forming part of the duties of tuition being made a cause for depriving a tutor of his office.
Nov. 29. A meeting was called for 28th to take into consideration the address to Thirlwall. Laing, Henslow, and I supposed that it was this day, and went, and found that the meeting was over and the address, much to our sorrow burnt. (Memorials, etc. of Charles Cardale Babington, 8vo. Camb. 1897, p. 33). Professor Mayor (Ibid. 265) conjectures, with much probability, that the address was destroyed at Thirlwall’s own suggestion. It is curious that his friends should have deferred their action for so many months.
[56]. Life of Dr Whewell, by Mrs Stair Douglas, p. 211.
[57]. Letters to a Friend, p. 191.
[58]. The preface to the first edition of vol. i. is dated ‘Trinity College, June 12, 1835.’ He was instituted to Kirby Underdale, 13 February, 1835 (Letters, p. 136), but he did not take up his residence there till July following (Ibid. p. 137). The dates of the subsequent volumes are ii. iii., 1836; iv., 1837; v., 1838; vi., 1839; vii., 1840; viii., 1844.
[59]. Letters, &c. p. 138.
[60]. Preface to the second edition, dated ‘London, May 1845.’
[61]. Letters, &c. p. 194. The letter is dated April 9, 1846.
[62]. The Personal Life of George Grote. By Mrs Grote, p. 173.