Hereupon Panizzi overcame his scruples, and acquiesced in the proposal. Sir Roderick was very much gratified, a feeling shared by the Dean of St. Paul’s, as the words of the former show. He said he “was so fortunate as to meet the Dean of St. Paul’s, who joyfully became the seconder, saying that he never signed any document whatever with greater satisfaction.” An unforeseen difficulty, however, arose, which Sir Roderick thus communicated:— “February 6th, 1866. “My dear Panizzi, “My efforts have been frustrated, to my deep regret, and that of all those men of eminence in science, letters, and art, whose opinion you value. After I saw you, accident placed me in the position to ascertain that _no arguments_ of mine would or could change the resolve of one of the Committee to _veto_ your election, in case you obtained a majority of votes; and therefore, after giving the strongest reasons I could for thinking that you were singularly and highly qualified to be selected as one of our eminent nine, I withdrew your name. The reason assigned for this opposition was, that as you were unpopular with a certain number of men in the Club _at large_, the Committee ought not to go against their feelings. I protested against this doctrine on my own part; the more so as the gentleman, who acted in a frank and honourable manner in letting me know his resolve, had assured me that he had a high opinion of your capacity, acquirements, and character. The result has given me great pain; for though your selection as a member of the Athenæum could be of no real value to you, and could not have added an iota to your well-earned and high reputation, it would have been a true gratification to myself to have had the opportunity of meeting you more frequently, now that you have retired from the office in which you have so distinguished yourself. I may add that Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Stanhope both expressed their regret that the step I took was rendered imperative, and many others have since spoken to me in the same sense. I enclose the letters of the Dean of St. Paul’s and Mr. Grote, whose sentiments I expressed to the meeting; assuring my auditors that the Trustees of the British Museum would endorse those sentiments. Not a word was said by anyone against you, or against the terms in which I proposed you. Ever yours sincerely, ROD. I. MURCHISON.” Already Dean Milman had written the following letter, a short sentence from which has been quoted in a former chapter, and is now reproduced for the sake of the context:— “Deanery, St. Paul’s, February 5th, 1866. “My dear Sir Roderick,