“2.—That, in the opinion of the Trustees, the resignation of Mr. Panizzi, at a period when great changes are contemplated in the administration of the British Museum, is to be peculiarly regretted.”[[I]]
“3.—The Trustees desire to state that the special services of Mr. Panizzi, over and above his ordinary duties, have been of such a nature as to entitle him to a special reward under the provisions of the 9th Section of the Superannuation Act, 1859. They would therefore urge that Mr. Panizzi possesses a just claim to a retiring allowance equal to the full amount of his salary and emoluments.”
“4.—That the Chairman of this meeting is requested to transmit the foregoing resolutions, together with Mr. Panizzi’s report and its accompanying enclosure, to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury.”
[I]. This resolution was added on the special suggestion of Mr. Disraeli.
The Trustees present on the occasion were:—The Speaker, in the Chair, the Duke of Somerset, Lord Eversley, Lord Taunton, The Right Hon. S. H. Walpole, The Right Hon. B. Disraeli, The Right Hon. R Lowe, Sir P. de M. Grey Egerton, Bart., Sir R. I. Murchison, Dr. Milman, Major-General Sabine, C. Towneley, Esq., and G. Grote, Esq.
On the 7th of July following, Sir George Grey wrote in answer:—
“... It is with sincere regret that I have learnt that you no longer feel yourself fully equal to the duties of an office which you have so long filled in a manner entirely satisfactory to the Trustees, and eminently conducive to the interests of the Museum.”
He then refers to the resolutions of the Trustees, and continues:—
“Under these circumstances it would afford H.M.’s Government much satisfaction if, without risk of injury to your health, you could continue your valuable services to the Museum, at least until early in the next year. I shall be obliged by your informing me whether you can concur in this arrangement, before I lay the tender of your resignation before Her Majesty.”
The amount of the retiring allowance was £1,400 per annum, a goodly solace for old age and infirmities, yet none too much for the unremitting zeal Panizzi had evinced in the exercise of his important duties.