“February 26th, 1856; 123, Park street.
“Dear Panizzi,
I shall be most anxious until I hear that you have succeeded to the office in the B. M., for which of all men you are the best suited. Indeed, if you take the place of Sir Henry Ellis, it will be the most fortunate event for the Museum that has ever happened. Pray, as soon as anything definitively is known, give us the great pleasure of writing me a line. I hear, also, that your bust is to be made by Marocchetti; he will model a fine thing from your massy forehead, into which so much brain and intelligence are stored away. Is the subscription confined to the employés in the Museum? I should indeed delight in adding my name to a memorial destined to do honour to so old and valued a friend. The new Reading-Room would indeed be incomplete if the effigy of him who projected the scheme, and who has carried it out, did not occupy the niche of honour.
Ever yours truly,
Rich. Ford.”
Before the announcement of the appointment reached Panizzi, he received two epistles, one from Lord Lansdowne, and the other from Sir George Grey:—
“Dear Panizzi,
Though I believe your appointment to succeed Sir H. Ellis at the Museum has been mentioned in the newspapers before it was made,—for it was only yesterday afternoon that Sir George Grey brought it under the notice finally of the Cabinet,—it is now certain, and I cannot refrain from wishing you joy.
I had before felt it difficult to speak to you about it with the confidence I felt, lest your expectations and mine might not be realized by some untoward chance; but I am sure you will believe that there are none of the Trustees to whom it gives greater pleasure than myself.
I remain,