... I should very much like to see the legal opinion you have obtained upon the point of legal responsibility as incurred by the University Court in their pragmatic sanction of the lady students matriculating and passing their preliminary examination. A legal opinion depends so entirely upon the manner in which the matter is laid before counsel, and usually leaves so many loopholes for escape unperceived by a non-professional eye, that I am always jealous of such opinions unless the interpretation thereof is given by someone of good common sense and legal experience.... I shall be at home tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 7.40 p.m. when it will give me the greatest pleasure to see you, if that will suit your convenience. Is it true that Mrs. de Lacy Evans is engaged to Mr. Russel of the Scotsman?!!! Most faithfully yours, PATRICK HERON WATSON.” Here is a significant little letter, too, from the Secretary to the University: “Inveresk. Oct. 13. DEAR MISS JEX-BLAKE, I have instructed Mr. Gilbert[89] to receive the money [for the First Professional Examn.] and give the customary acknowledgments, so that you may be all right with the Dean. I am bound to call a meeting of Senatus upon a requisition signed by 3 Professors. Secure a day likely to suit your friends. Saturday is not a good day generally, and on Friday 2 or 3 are coming down here to dine,—at least they are asked to do so. How would Thursday or Monday do? Yours truly, JOHN WILSON.” Footnote 89: Clerk of the University. That afternoon, we are told, there was a “furious row” in the Medical Faculty, and a day or two later each of the women candidates for the First Professional Examination received a copy of the following letter: “University of Edinburgh, October 14th, 1871. MADAM, I am instructed by the Medical Faculty to inform you that your name and your fees have been received in error by the Clerk of the University as a candidate for the first professional examination during the present month, but that the Faculty cannot receive you for such examination without the sanction of the Senatus Academicus. I am, Madam, Your obedient servant, J. H. BALFOUR, Dean of the Medical Faculty.” Two days later S. J.-B. received the following letter with reference to the Preliminary Examination: “University of Edinburgh, Oct. 16. 1871. MADAM,