Letter from Robert Flint, Edinburgh, to William Angus Knight, 1888 January 10 : autograph manuscript signed.

Discussing a candidacy for the Gifford Lectureship; saying "Dr. Hutchison Stirling is considered by some of us here as the best man we could elect for Gifford Lecturer, but in the Gifford Lectureship Committee, and still more outside of it opinion is very divided, and to me it seems not at all unlikely that he may not be elected. I trust, therefore, that if the St. Andrews election takes place first you may succeed in carrying him as it would be a terrible misfortune if he were not to be chosen either by St. Andrews or Edinburgh. I feel deeply obliged to you for thinking of me in connection with the Lectureship. It is a kindness which I shall always gratefully remember. I cannot, however, think of the position. It seems to me that in this first election at any rate it would be well to choose lecturers from those outside the Scottish Universities. I have no doubt that ere long in justice to the Lectureship we shall be forced to make elections from amongst the members of the Scottish professoriate, and then I should have no hesitation in accepting the honour of an appointment of the kind. To do so at present, however, might seem as if Scottish professors were too eager for honours and emoluments, and might reflect injuriously on their reputations as patrons of the Gifford Trust. I am none the less extremely gratified by your good opinion of me."