TC-AJS, 25 May. MS: Berg. Hitherto unpbd.

1. Scott was applying for the chair of logic at Edinburgh Univ.; for the other candidates, see TC to AJS, 5 Aug.; which others had applied to TC is not known.

2. TC had written a reference in 1848 for Scott for the chair of English literature, University Coll., London (see 23:115–16), and wrote another in 1850 for Owen's Coll., Manchester, of which Scott became the first principal, 1851–57; see 25:78. Scott's 1850 testimonials had included one from Sir William Hamilton, whose chair of logic was now vacant.

3. On 27 May, Scott forwarded to Edinburgh his previous 1848 and 1850 testimonials, including those from Maurice, TC, and John Carlyle. For this application, Scott's references were to include letters from Thomas Erskine, Maurice (as chaplain of Lincoln's Inn), Rev. Robert Story of Roseneath (see 19:163), James Mackenzie (see 27:4), and the trustees of Owen's College. See Testimonials to Alexander J. Scott, M.A. Principal of, and Professor of Logic and Mental Philosophy in, the Owens College, Manchester … Candidate for the Chair of Logic and Metaphysics (Edinburgh, 1856).

4. Alan Ker wrote, 10 May, from the West Indies: “Do you ever hear of the Scotts? I am afraid the Manchester scheme is not answering, the people there rather taking offence that Mr Scott is not more regular at church. I should not wonder if he had to shut up shop altogether soon. It made me quite melancholy to hear of his want of success. No man I know has found life a painfuller struggle than he has.”