External authority was necessary before the colleges would submit to taxation for University purposes, and it was left to the Royal Commission of 1877 to carry into effect many of the suggestions made by the Syndicate. Meanwhile they contented themselves with recommending means for raising an annual stipend of £660 for the professor, demonstrator, and assistant, and a capital sum of £5,000, or thereabouts, for the expenses of a building. The Syndicate’s Report was issued in an amended form in the May term of 1870, and before any decision was taken on it the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Atkinson, on October 13th, 1870, published “the following munificent offer of his grace the Duke of Devonshire, the Chancellor of the University,” who had been chairman of the Commission on Scientific Education. “Holker Hall, Grange, Lancashire. “MY DEAR MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR,--I have the honour to address you for the purpose of making an offer to the University, which, if you see no objection, I shall be much obliged to you to submit in such manner as you may think fit for the consideration of the Council and the University. “I find in the report dated February 29th, 1869, of the Physical Science Syndicate, recommending the establishment of a Professor and Demonstrator of Experimental Physics, that the buildings and apparatus required for this department of science are estimated to cost £6,300. “I am desirous to assist the University in carrying this recommendation into effect, and shall accordingly be prepared to provide the funds required for the building and apparatus as soon as the University shall have in other respects completed its arrangements for teaching Experimental Physics, and shall have approved the plan of the building. “I remain, my dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor, “Yours very faithfully, “DEVONSHIRE.” By his generous action the University was relieved from all expense connected with the building. A Grace establishing a Professorship of Experimental Physics was confirmed by the Senate February 9th, 1871, and March 8th was fixed for the election. Meanwhile who was to be Professor? Sir W. Thomson’s name had been mentioned, but he, it was known, would not accept the post. Maxwell was then applied to, and at first he was unwilling to leave Glenlair. Professor Stokes, the Hon. J. W. Strutt (Lord Rayleigh), Mr. Blore of Trinity, and others wrote to him. Lord Rayleigh’s letter[35] is as follows: “Cambridge, 14th February, 1871.