40 DOVER STREET, W., _May 31, 1870_ DEAR SIR HENRY--The University of Oxford propose to confer upon you, if it should be agreeable to you to receive it, an honorary degree at the approaching Commemoration, in recognition of your distinguished services to the country as a naval officer. It is very pleasant to me to be associated as Chancellor in this expression of their respect. If you should accept the degree, it will be necessary that you should be present in the Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford on Wednesday, June 22. The ceremony will be over by one o’clock.--Believe me yours very truly, (Signed) SALISBURY. Sir H. Keppel, K.C.B. [Sidenote: June 21.] By 2.20 train to Oxford. Wife and Georgie West in lodgings at Muir’s in High Street, I to Richard’s snug quarters in Christchurch. The good Tom Garnier, Fellow of All Souls, undertaking to provide for our party at his rooms. Dined with the Vice-Chancellor Leighton in the magnificent library of All Souls, meeting Lord Salisbury, Bishops, Judges, Canons, Ex-Ministers, and all those about to be made D.C.L.’s. Excellent dinner and some good speeches. [Sidenote: June 22.] Accoutred in full uniform, surmounted by a college cap, and a doctor’s crimson silk hood and cloth robe. Assembled, according to arrangements published in the _Oxford Gazette_, in the Library of All Souls, thence to the Sheldonian Theatre. The Chancellor, heads of houses go in, leaving us who are about to receive the distinction outside until summoned. After waiting an hour and a half in the outer hall, we went in, single file, through a crowd, I following Robert Lowe. Cheering more or less loud announced the entrance of the forty candidates. Difficult to describe one’s sensation on entering this magnificent amphitheatre; rendered still more beautiful by tier above tier of lovely women, each armed with a bouquet, such as the season produces to perfection. Above the ladies, in an upper gallery, were the undergraduates, who loudly expressed their approval, or otherwise, of the different persons as they appeared below to receive the distinguished degree about to be conferred. In front of the entrance, on a throne raised to the level of the lower gallery, which contained the ladies, sat the Marquess of Salisbury, as Chancellor, at a desk; supported on either side by the great dignitaries, as well as by those who had preceded us and had already received the D.C.L.: an imposing sight. My place was next behind Lowe, Chancellor of the Exchequer.