You seem to doubt whether, in the event of my resignation of office, you would be likely to succeed me in it. I cannot help thinking that you must be mistaken, although I have certainly heard that a candidate or two are either in the field, or intending to apply when the resignation becomes a reality. At the same time I must tell you I have heard no names.
I think it quite impossible that anybody who has not had experience in the Institution should be appointed.
Yours is, most unquestionably, the portion of the Museum which is not only the largest, but the most useful and extensive for public instruction; the time of life, the toil, and the power of mind which you have brought to bear upon it and upon its improvement convince me that no stranger, especially without the knowledge which the experience of a quarter of a century has given you in the view of general management of the place, ought to be allowed to compete with you on this occasion.
I myself felt all which you now feel in 1827, at the time my predecessor was approaching his end. I had aided him with all my power for some years; and I can show you various letters which are still precious to me, expressing his continuous gratitude.
A week or two before he died he said to me, ‘Well, Sir, I shall soon depart, and you will be my successor.’ I said, ‘O! My dear Sir, I doubt.’ He raised his voice and said, ‘Who are they to have but you?’
A stranger, you know, was put first, when the two names were presented to Lord Lansdowne to lay before the King. Mine was put second. Lord Lansdowne, from his own knowledge of the experience I had had in the Institution, powerfully seconded by the then Earl Spencer’s recommendation to the same effect, gave the palm to the second candidate; stating in his subsequent letter to me, that without any derogation to the merits of Mr. Clinton, His Majesty had been pleased to appoint me ‘Principal Librarian.’
I cannot help thinking your fears groundless. I cannot believe that any stranger, did he know the toil of mind to be encountered before experience can be obtained, would wish for such an appointment.
Ever truly yours,
Henry Ellis.”
Four days after the receipt of the above, Panizzi addressed the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other Principal Trustees, >mutatis mutandis, as follows:—