GENTLEMEN,
From J. K. Peck, Esq., Barrister at Law.
LINCOLN'S INN,
26 April, 1877.
I am requested by my friend Mr. EDWARD HUME—who is a candidate for the office of your Secretary—to state what I know of his qualifications for such an employment. I do this with sincere pleasure. Mr. HUME was a pupil in my Chambers before his call to the Bar, in 1867, and was very useful to me; and since that time I have occasionally had the benefit of his assistance as a conveyancer. I think him well adapted by his ability, steady business habits, and legal training, for fulfilling the duties—as described in your circular—of the vacant office. And I am sure that you could not select a man whose character and disposition would render him more universally and deservedly acceptable to all brought into business or social relations with him.
The Governing Body,
I am Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. K. PECK.
Winchester College.
P.S. The fact that Mr. Hume left the Bar for some time with the view of becoming a solicitor—whilst it has perhaps retarded his progress as a Barrister—may be considered to have increased his business capacities by the wider experience he must thus have gained.
GENTLEMEN,
From Messrs. Clabon and Fearon, Solicitors.
21, ST. GEORGE STREET, WESTMINSTER, 2nd May, 1877.
We have much pleasure in stating our belief that Mr. EDWARD HUME, of Lincoln's Inn, who is a candidate for the post of Secretary to Winchester College, would be a most fit person for the office.
From the fact that he has had professional experience both as a barrister and solicitor, in the former of which capacities we have had personal experience of his competency, we are satisfied that he will be found specially fitted to manage such of the business affairs of the College as will fall within the scope of his duties, if your choice falls on him.
To the Governing Body,
Winchester College.
We have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servants,
CLABON AND FEARON.
From Rev. G. G. Bradley, D.D., Master of University College, Oxford.
To the Governing Body of Winchester College,
GENTLEMEN,
From Rev. S. W. Wayte, M.A., President of Trinity College, Oxford.
TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, 26th April, 1877.
Mr. EDWARD HUME was well known to me while he was in residence at this college, at which he took his degree in 1864. I believe him to be well qualified to fulfil the duties of the office which he is now seeking to obtain. He is ready and intelligent, his manners and address are pleasing, and he is, as I believe, a man of sound and right principles. His ability is such as would enable him to discharge the duties of the office for which he is a candidate in a manner that would, I believe, give full satisfaction to those with whom he would be connected.
To the Governing Body,
Winchester College.
S. W. WAYTE.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
From F. T. Procter, Esq., Barrister-at-Law.
23, OLD SQUARE,
LINCOLN'S INN, May 7th, 1877.
I understand that my friend Mr. EDWARD HUME is a candidate for the post of Secretary to Winchester College, and as I have experienced the value of his services to me as a conveyancer, and the worth of his character as a man, I feel that I have had exceptional means of judging of his capabilities for any office in which a clear intellect, combined with methodical exactness and sterling moral qualities, are indispensable.
I have known Mr. Hume now for some 13 or 14 years, in fact since he commenced studying for the Bar, and from the assistance he has given me from time to time in my work, as well as from seeing him on business matters connected with a firm who were clients of mine when he was intending to be a Solicitor, with a view to entering that Firm, I have formed a very high opinion of his ability, perseverance, and powers of conscientious work.
I have read the paper showing what duties are expected from the Secretary, and I have no hesitation in expressing my opinion that if the Governing Body were to elect him, they would find him fully competent to perform them.
With regard to his moral and social qualities, which I assume will have some weight in the choice of the Governing Body, I cannot find words to express my sense of his goodness, his honour, and amiability of disposition, and I might also add, that I know of no one more universally popular with men, and more likely to be a favourite with every one with whom he may be brought into contact, whether they be men or boys, if he were to be chosen Secretary.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE,
OXFORD,
3rd May, 1877.
Mr. EDWARD HUME was educated at Marlborough, which he left two years after my own appointment to the Mastership.
He bore a very high character at School which he has fully maintained in after life, and from all that I know and have heard of his ability, high principle, and manner, I should strongly recommend him for the post for which he is a candidate.
G.G. BRADLEY.
To the Governing Body
of Winchester College,
I have the honour to be,
My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
Yours faithfully, FREDERICK TOWNSEND PROCTER.