Untitled - Electric Scotland

1834-41] A GLASGOW PROFESSORSHIP? 65
Philosophy Chair in my old University. The subject of Moral
Philosophy is one to which I have devoted much of my time for
several years, and in which I have been engaged in lecturing
in this College for the last two years. I should therefore be
anxious to offer myself as a candidate if there were any reasonable
hope of success, provided I could do so without at all compromis
ing my duty to the Church of England, being, as I am, one of
her clergy, and warmly attached to her doctrine and discipline.
I am so ignorant on the point that I do not even know whether
it is lawful for a clergyman of the Church of England to hold a
Scotch Professorship, and I should feel very much obliged if
you could tell me what is the state of the case. Perhaps
you would be good enough to let me know what the declaration
or subscription is which a Professor is called upon to make, and
what is the meaning of the subscription as generally understood
by the body who impose it. I am very sorry to give you so
much trouble, but a Chair in my old University is a situation
which I should value so much that I trust you will forgive me
for trespassing on you, and will let me know what candidates
are already in the field, if any have as yet declared themselves.
... -
-Yours
very truly, A. C. TAIT."
This letter Sir Daniel Sandford never received. He
was stricken with fever on the very day it was written,
and a few days later Tait heard from his intimate friend
Mr. Swinton, who announced to him Sir Daniel s death,
and expressed his conviction that Tait ought now to
stand, not for the Chair of Moral Philosophy, but for the
still more important Professorship of Greek. Mr. Swinton
mentioned at the same time three gentlemen,
"
all bigoted
Episcopalians," who had found no difficulty in signing the
Confession. The Greek Professorship was worth at least
1500 a year, with a house, and his presence in Glasgow
would be required for only six months in each year.
Tait, who maintained the warmest affection for his old
University, determined at least to test the question of the
obligatory subscription by becoming a candidate. He
accordingly wrote as follows to his brother :
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