Autograph letter signed : Edinburgh, to William Angus Knight, 1889 April 22.

Discussing the "Summer Gathering" as part of the University Extension Lectures; saying "When the proposal for the 'Summer Gathering' was laid before the Extension Lectures Committee, we were unanimous in thinking that the scheme was premature, & on that ground we declined to take it up. It turned out, however, that the promoters had already decided to carry it out, whether under our auspices or their own, & that money had been guaranteed for the purpose. Not wishing to discourage a well-meant effort the Committee said that they w'd give informal aid or advice, if it were asked, but that they w'd in no way be responsible for it. I had not seen the claptrap announcement which you quote. I only trust this will not represent the spirit of the gathering. For my own part the only good I regard as possible to result from a ten day meeting, is that a certain stir & stimulus may be given to people who will afterwards take up a systematic course of study. If these show lectures are meant as the equivalent of genuine teaching & supervision, the whole thing w'd be utter imposture. I cannot believe that any one will be inclined to take the summer [Greek word] for more than it is worth;" adding, in a postscript, that he still has difficulty writing "...though a course of rubbing has done my arm much good."