seemed to see the near attainment of what had so long been desired, and the hope even that the scheme might be made retrospective in effect was freely indulged in by the most sanguine. How they were doomed to disappointment the sequel will show. But so great then was the confidence assumed in the influence possessed by the President of the College of Physicians that the Charter was considered as good as granted. Memorials in support of the action of the Colleges were forwarded to these bodies by the students of the London, Charing Cross and Westminster Hospitals.

Nor were the professors and teachers in the metropolitan medical schools behind in according their support to the scheme of the Royal Colleges. In February, 1887, a petition to the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and of Surgeons was drawn up, and forwarded in the following May to these institutions in these terms :-

We, the undersigned, earnestly hope that the two Royal Colleges will

use their best endeavours to obtain the power of granting a degree in medicine. If this power be obtained, it will offer to students of the metropolitan schools an advantage already possessed by students of most of the educational centres in this country.

A. We think that the degree should be granted only to those who have received some portion of their medical education in London.

B. We think that some addition should be made to the present examinations in Arts.

C. We think that some addition should be made to the present examinations in Science.

D. We think that some addition should be made to the present

examinations in professional subjects.

Then followed the names of the members of the teaching staffs of the medical schools of Charing Cross Hospital, Guy's Hospital, King's College Hospital, the London Hospital, the Middlesex Hospital, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, St. George's Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Thomas's Hospital, University College Hospital. Each of the signatories appended to his name the letters corresponding to those of the above four suggestions with which he was in accord. The teaching staff of the Westminster Hospital took no part in the preparation of the petition, nor did they support it; and

the teachers of the Women's Medical School were apparently not consulted.

Inasmuch as a considerable number of those teachers who signed this petition were members of the Association for Promoting a Teaching University of London, which had expressed itself strongly against the scheme of the Royal Colleges (p. 79), there may be said to have been a good deal of inconsistency in their action. Possibly, however, it may have been that clearly recognising the urgent demand that there was for an accessible degree for the London medical student, and deeming the proposals of the Association as unlikely of realisation, they turned the weight of their support to the Royal Colleges which then appeared to many as on the high road to the attainment of their object.

A letter was received from the Secretaries of the Association of General Practitioners enclosing copies of Resolutions in favour of the Scheme of the Colleges passed at a meeting of that body at Exeter Hall on 19th January, 1887. The approval by this Association of the action of the Royal Colleges was, however, in a great measure dependent on the constitutions of the Colleges being so altered as to allow of representatives of general practitioners—members and licentiates— on the governing bodies of these Institutions. It was indeed to effect this purpose that the Association had been called into existence (v. Lancet, 29th January, 1887, p. 224).

The most important however of the communications addressed to the Royal Colleges was one from the Councils of University and King's Colleges, suggesting a conference with the Royal Colleges to make combined application to the Crown for power to grant degrees in accordance with the following resolution that had been adopted by the Councils of both University and King's Colleges.

"That a petition be presented to the Crown praying that a Charter to confer degrees in Arts, Science and Medicine with power to include other Faculties may be granted to a suitably constituted Body in and for London; attendance on an improved course of study in this or other recognised Institutions in the Metropolis to be a condition of obtaining such degrees. And an adequate representation of the Colleges to be incorporated in the Govern ing Body."

Among the members selected by the Council of the Colleges to confer with the Royal Colleges, should the proposal be agreed to by these bodies, were: Lord Grimthorpe, the Dean of Llandaff (Dr. Vaughan), Sir H. Acland, Dr. Priestley and the Principal (Dr. Wace) for King's College; and Professors. Erichsen, Croom Robertson and Berkeley Hill, Mr. Rotton and Sir George Young for University College. How it came about that this proposal was made will be presently referred to; here it suffices to say that along with all the above-mentioned communications it was referred to the consideration of the Committee of Delegates.

On 2nd April, 1887, the Committee of Delegates agreed on their final Report, which set forth that

"In pursuance of resolutions adopted by the two Colleges, the Committee have taken into consideration the following subjects referred to them, viz. :

"1. The communication from the Councils of King's College and University College, London, inviting the two Royal Colleges to confer with Committees of those Councils, in order to combine, if possible the objects of all four Colleges, and to make a united application to the Crown for power to grant Degrees in Arts, Science and Medicine. "2. The mode in which 'Application should be made to the Crown by the Royal College of Physicians of London, and the Royal College of Surgeons of England for power to confer Degrees in Medicine and Surgery,'

and have agreed to the following Report thereon, viz. :

"The Committee, in reference to the communication from the Councils of King's College and University College, London, recommend to the two Colleges the adoption of the following resolution, viz. :

"That it is desirable that the two Colleges proceed, conjointly and independently of other Bodies, with their endeavour to obtain the right to confer Degrees in Medicine and Surgery; and that, therefore, it is at present inexpedient to hold a conference with the University and King's Colleges for the purpose of procuring further powers to grant Degrees in Arts and Sciences.

"With reference to the mode in which application should be made to the Crown by the two Colleges, acting conjointly, for power to confer Degrees in Medicine and Surgery, the Committee recommend that a Body be constituted by twenty-four of the Governing Body of the Royal College of Physicians of London, and the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, to confer Degrees in Medicine and Surgery on those who have passed such Conjoint Examinations as shall hereafter be from time to time determined, and, with a view to give effect to the recommendation, the Committee submit

to the two Colleges for approval the following Drafts of a Petition and Charter prepared by the legal advisers of the two Colleges :-"

At an extraordinary meeting of the College of Physicians held on 27th June, 1887, the Report was adopted, the Council of the College of Surgeons having accepted the same a month previously; and the Committee of Delegates were further charged to give effect to the provisions embodied therein.

THE SCHEME OF THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY.

It now becomes necessary to return to the consideration of the action taken by the Senate of the University, by whom, it will be remembered (p. 78), a strong Committee had been appointed on 14th April, 1886, on the motion of Sir Edward Fry to consider the proposals that had been submitted to them by the Association for Promoting a Teaching University for London. To this same Committee was also remitted the Scheme that was adopted by Convocation on 29th June, 1886 (p. 117). Conferences took place between this Committee and deputations from the Executive Committee of the Association, and with the Special Committee of Convocation as already recorded (pp. 78 and 122), and, after numerous meetings, a Report was presented to the Senate at their meeting on 16th March, 1887 (see Minutes of Senate 1887, p. 66), as follows:"That in the opinion of this Committee it is expedient to introduce

changes into the Constitution of the University of the character shown in the following Scheme, which the Committee beg to submit to the Senate for its consideration.

"That so far as this Scheme adopts the proposals of the Association for Promoting a Teaching University for London, and the provisions of the Scheme approved by Convocation on the 29th June, 1886, it is expedient to adopt the said proposals and provisions respectively, but that except as aforesaid it is not expedient to adopt the same."

THE SCHEME.

I.-Objects of Incorporation.

1. The purposes of the incorporation of the University to be so defined as to include, in addition to the existing purposes, the promotion of regular and liberal education throughout Her Majesty's Dominions, and especially in the metropolis and its neighbourhood.

II. Constitution, etc.

2. The University to consist of

i. Senate,

ii. Convocation,

iii. Associated Colleges,

iv. Faculties,

v. Boards of Studies,

with the Queen as Visitor.

III.-Senate.

3. To consist (in its final form) of

(i.) A Chancellor,

(ii.) Thirty-seven Fellows, of whom one shall be elected ViceChancellor, as at present.

4. The thirty-seven Fellows shall be appointed as follows:-
Sixteen shall be nominated by the Crown,

One shall be the Chairman of Convocation ex officio,
Twelve shall be elected by Convocation,

Eight shall be elected by the four Faculties.

5. Of the twelve Fellows to be elected by Convocation, three shall be elected by the members of Convocation who are Graduates in Arts, who shall vote as such accordingly; three in like manner by the Graduates in Laws, in Science, and in Medicine, respectively.

6. Members of Convocation holding degrees in two or more of the said four subjects to be entitled to a vote in respect of each of such subjects.

7. Of the eight Fellows to be elected by the four Faculties, two shall be elected by each Faculty.

8. The Fellows, other than the Chairman of Convocation, shall retire in periods of eight years, as follows:

9. The Fellows of each group to retire on each occasion shall be those who, at the time of retirement, have been longest in office under their then