“Mr. Lee called at the office of Committee of Council a few days ago, to ascertain how our scheme was progressing. “He found that the Vicar of Aldenham had been opposing it, and that practically not anything has been done. It will be again advertised, and then wait two months, and, if opposed again, must go before Parliament. So there is no chance of its passing for an indefinite period. Shall I say, if ever? “And the question now arises what are we to do about other matters? Are we to go on as we have been doing? What are we to do? Submit, I suppose, to the inevitable. But is it inevitable? “Altogether, I feel we are in an _impasse_.” A month later comes a little more hope— “Oct. 8, 1874. “I heard to-day (from a governor of that St. Martin’s School which carries off Miss Derrick) that he had met a Brewer who talked quite warmly of our school, and also of the plan to take up the North London Collegiate School for boys, but that the head wanted good money consideration for it. I am very glad to hear this in every way. This last certainly entitles _me_ to ‘good consideration,’ and not to lectures from—various persons!” The next step comes in a note from Mrs. Grey— “18, Cadogan Place, Jan. 18, 1875. “MY DEAR MISS BUSS, “I enclose a note I received on Saturday morning from Mr. Richmond, which please return. I congratulate you with all my heart on this crowning of your labours. “Mr. Holloway has given us no further sign. “Most sincerely yours, “M. G. GREY.” This news of course came in due form to the governing body, but it seems to have been known to various friends earlier, giving them the opportunity of expressing their sympathy, as, in sending me Mrs. Grey’s note, Miss Buss remarks— “Mrs. Grey’s note enclosed one from Mr. Richmond, secretary of Endowed Commission, saying that the Lord President of the Council—I suppose that means Education Department—‘had approved of the scheme for giving Miss Buss’ Schools the Platt Endowment’—or words to this effect. Curiously enough, I am not in the least elated, but have a sort of choking sensation when I stop to think. “Mr. Fitch wrote to me on Saturday somewhat to same effect, and Miss Davies, as I told you, gave me a message from him, on the 14th, Sep’s birthday, and Dr. and Mrs. Hodgson’s wedding-day. “Are you willing to beg a little for the foundation of a Chair of Education? The Scotch have JUST founded two, and the Government—Conservative too!—have given £10,000 to complete them. We might get some help from Government if we got £5000 before asking it.”