Chapter XXIV: Letters to Professor Wallace on the Ll.d. of the University of Edinburgh

Announcement of the Honorary LL.D. to be conferred—Preliminary personal
arrangements—Miss Ormerod’s feelings of appreciation and of
anxiety—Letters of congratulation.

This chapter is unlike any of the foregoing chapters of correspondence in its purely personal character. Interested readers will not fail to recognise in it the genuine feminine feeling of anxiety at the approach of a trying public ordeal to one so unaccustomed as Miss Ormerod to the pageantry of academic functions. Nor will they fail to appreciate the resolution with which she bore the physical strain put upon one whose strength had been well-nigh spent in the cause of science under a load of years and bodily infirmities.

_To Miss E. A. Ormerod._

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH,
_February 24, 1900_.

DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—I hasten to announce to you without a
moment’s delay that the Senatus of this University have only a
minute ago agreed to do our University the distinguished honour
of asking you to accept the honorary degree of LL.D. of the
University. I may tell you without breaking any confidence that
you are not only the first lady who has ever been asked to
accept the degree, but it was in view of the necessity of
recognising the great and distinguished labours which you have
done for Science that regulations were made by which it became
possible for us to confer the degree upon a lady. Any little
share I had in this matter is more than rewarded by the great
gratification which I feel in connection with this proposed act
of the Senatus, of which I believe you will most probably hear
by the same post from the Principal. Should the announcement
come a day later this will serve as a private intimation to
yourself. It will be a still further triumph if you feel
physically able to come to receive the degree in the presence of
an assembly of about 3,000 people—the number who usually attend
our graduations. If you are not able to come, of course the
degree will be conferred all the same, but personally I would
rejoice, if it can be without your running a serious risk, to
see you among us and to get your name enrolled among the many
distinguished men—all men but yourself—who have distinguished
themselves in Science and Literature, and been pleased to accept
our degree.—I am, dear Miss Ormerod, yours very sincerely,

ROBERT WALLACE.

Dr. Fream, “Steven” lecturer on Agricultural Entomology in Edinburgh University, wrote as follows:—

DOWNTON, _February 26, 1900_.

MY DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—As I have to catch a train I have only
time to write you my very warmest congratulations on the LL.D.
It was really settled a month ago, but had to be confirmed on
Friday. Of course the secret “burnt” a little, but I was pledged
to say nothing about it! It will appear in the University
Intelligence shortly. The honour was never better won, and long
may you enjoy it is the earnest wish of, in haste,—Yours very
sincerely,

W. FREAM.

_To Professor Robert Wallace, University, Edinburgh._

TORRINGTON HOUSE, ST. ALBANS,
_February 25, 1900_.

DEAR PROFESSOR WALLACE,—I feel wholly unable to express my
respectful and sincere gratitude to the Senatus for such a high
honour, and to yourself I am greatly indebted for your kind
friendship and also letting me hear so soon. I value the honour
exceedingly—the seal of approval of this highly scientific body.
When the letter arrives which you tell me is coming I will
endeavour to express myself to some degree adequately. To
yourself just quietly I may say it is a pleasure, and such an
unexampled honour that I am delighted. But still I feel that the
great point of my work always is utilising the exceedingly kind
help which is so cordially given me by my good, kind, scientific
friends, and the practical observations to sift into shape that
are given me as the foundation. If you were here I should like
to say so much, but I do not know how to write more at present
than that I am deeply grateful.

P.S.—I wish very much indeed to come, as you kindly suggest, but
my very great and painful difficulty in walking movement from
arthritis makes me fear that the risk would be too great, but
anyway I am going to ask my doctor.

_February 27, 1900._

Your exceedingly kind letter and the subject of it were such a
surprise to me that in all the ideas suddenly arising I hardly
know how to reply coherently. Now at least I can say I am
deeply, respectfully grateful for such an honour to be granted
me. I have written in reply to the formal notification from the
Senatus what I hope may be a proper reply. I also mentioned that
I trusted to be able to attend in person to receive this great
honour. But now I hope you will be so good as to allow me to ask
your help in arrangements. [Here followed a list of queries
which are not of general interest.] Of course on such, to me,
very great occasion I do not in the least mind expense.

The other matter is, Will you please tell me am I to wear Doctor
of Laws’ dress? and if so, will you kindly say to whom I should
write to order it? When I come I am hoping you will instruct me
in what to do, for unless you are good enough to help me with a
little (or a great deal) of instruction I am afraid I am likely
to be quite out of order.

Yours very sincerely,
ELEANOR A. ORMEROD.

UNIVERSITY, EDINBURGH,
_March 1, 1900_.

DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—I am delighted to see from your letter
received this morning that you are going to be able to come to
the graduation function, and that you have arranged to be well
cared for on the way up. I shall take full responsibility for
all necessary arrangements at this end. I should have done a lot
to-day and reported progress to you, but unfortunately I have to
go out of town to give a lecture on South Africa at Cauvin’s
Hospital, but I may tell you that I can easily secure the
accommodation you mention for yourself, Miss Hartwell, and the
doctor. You will wear a black cloak or graduation gown thrown
over your ordinary dress very much like a Minister’s robe. This
is hired for a few shillings from a man who supplies them
regularly to Honorary Graduates, and I shall arrange all about
that. A silk hood goes round the neck and hangs down the back.
It is put on by the head Servitor after you have been officially
capped by the Principal. It is part of the public function. You
must not feel the least anxious about the event, as you will be
surrounded by a host of people to whom your name is a household
word, who know well the value which your work has been to this
country, and who appreciate you accordingly. I shall be only too
pleased to answer any question of detail you may write and help
you in every way.

Yours very sincerely,
ROBERT WALLACE.

_March 2, 1900._

DEAR PROFESSOR WALLACE,—I am very glad to know some part of what
the form is on this great occasion. I hope that by following
whatever directions you give me quite exactly that all will be
right, _i.e._, that I may do all I ought to do! But I cannot
help being a little nervous; I feel the honour so very great
indeed, and also the kindness I am receiving. Your account of
the ceremony itself has made my mind much clearer. Walking
upstairs is a great difficulty to me, but on flat ground, with
my light ebony stick, I do not think my lameness is more than a
very little observable. I am as near as possible 5 feet 6
inches. This is relative to the graduation gown. My head really
is so full of this unprecedented distinction I am afraid I
trouble you too much.

_March 7, 1900._

I am very much obliged to you indeed for all the care that you
have been so kindly taking for me, and for making everything so
clear to me—amongst other points, your little note about
convenience of cheques. I think you have arranged everything as
nicely as possible for me. All matters for the journey I expect
my doctor will look after nicely. But when you write again,—I
suppose on the great occasion, as the cap is to be put on, that
I appear without a bonnet? I have now read your letter over
again that I may be quite sure that I thoroughly understand
everything.

P.S.—There is yet one more inquiry I am venturing to trouble you
with. My doctor [Dr. Eustace Lipscomb] is an M.B. (Cambridge);
on such a special occasion, should he wear his hood?

_March 3, 1900._

I shall be very much obliged if you would secure me rooms at the
Balmoral Hotel, as you mention. Namely, a sitting-room and two
bedrooms with doors opening one from the other, on the first
floor to the front, for Miss Hartwell [Private Secretary] and
myself, likewise a room for the doctor—from the evening (8 p.m.)
on Wednesday the 11th until about nine on the following Sunday
evening. I should like to be at the Balmoral; I have heard of it
as such a good hotel. I can manage, though the operation is
painful, to walk up just a few steps with the help of my stick
(I have been trying five at my door), if somebody be by me in
case I should slip, without, I think, attracting attention; and
if I were too lame after the long journey to manage nicely, then
I must be humble, and be thankful to be carried in a chair.

I feel greatly obliged to Sir Ludovic Grant for his kind
intention of asking me to stay at his house. It would have been
very pleasant, for thus, also, I should have doubtless seen many
kind friends; but besides the great difficulty of the stairs, I
am obliged to lie down a little each day, and I think after the
long journey I had best keep quiet to fit me for the great day
on Saturday.

But if the thing be possible without intruding on valuable time,
might I not hope to see some of my kind friends at the
hotel—yourself, of course, and I shall also be delighted to see
Dr. MacDougall. Could you arrange some time? I should not myself
see anything wrong in seeing friends on the afternoon of Good
Friday, but pray do not let me do anything that might be thought
not right. You and I will have a good deal to say at your best
convenience.

P.S.—I was greatly gratified to learn that my letter to Sir L.
Grant met with his approval. It was a matter of no small anxiety
to me to try at least to express my appreciation rightly.

_March 14, 1900._

I got a friend here to let me try on the square college cap
“mortar board,” and it fitted so nicely over my bow that I do
not think I should be at all troubled by ideas of anything
unusual being on my head; and I can take it off without trouble.
Through your kind help I think all these arrangements are in
perfect order, and I am looking forward much (preliminarily) to
our meeting at Balmoral Hotel.

_March 27, 1900._

I should have liked to beg a ticket besides the two which you
kindly mention for my nephew, Arthur Ormerod, who has just taken
his M.D., so I wired off to him at Oxford, but, to his great
regret, he cannot come. I hope the weather will be better, but
we have a good bright sunshine between the occasional light snow
showers, and both Miss Hartwell and myself have good furred
mantles, and with the snug small carriage all our own way, I
think we shall do very well.

What a sight the hall will be! also your small flock of aspirant
doctors; may be as anxious in their minds as some one I know of.
But I am really not alarmed. I am sure you will keep me right.
What time of day does the ceremony begin? And what happens
after?—do we retire respectively like rabbits to our own
burrows?

_March 29, 1900._

The pamphlet on the McEwan Hall [the number of the “Student”
describing the opening of the Hall] is a great boon to me, and
what a noble building!

While in Edinburgh my idea is to have lunch at one o’clock, my
usual time, and a sort of miscellaneous meal at 6.30, and rest
in the evening after it, and I shall think it a great compliment
and a very great pleasure if friends may do me the favour to
look in after, say, about two o’clock. It will be much safer for
me, under present circumstances of wanting to keep fresh and
strong for the day, not to go out, so I should be on the spot.
Sir Wm. Muir and his daughter, Mrs. Arbuthnot, kindly wrote that
they meant to look in, but it would be only a pleasure to me to
see any friends. Please to consider me as quite under your
guidance for this, to me, so very great occasion, and wholly
thankful so to be, excepting in the feeling of the great trouble
that you are kindly taking.

Yours very sincerely,
ELEANOR A. ORMEROD.

P.S.—Dr. E. L. thought it would be best for me to return by the
Sunday night sleeping train, and the Midland manager has given
permission for it to stop here on Monday morning.

_Professor Wallace to Miss E. A. Ormerod._

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH,
_March 29, 1900_.

DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—The box containing your most valuable
contribution to the library arrived safely from Wesley & Son,
and the ten volumes, [of her own works] all in excellent order,
are standing on the Senate Hall table so that they may be seen.
The Principal, Sir Wm. Muir, and the Secretary, Sir L. Grant,
were the first, along with Professor Patrick and me, to inspect
them in their present position, and all the others excepting
myself were astounded at the magnitude of your work. I carried
the books first into the library and had them entered in the
catalogue before they went to the Senate Hall. They will have a
shelf for themselves, so that they can be kept together as the
“Ormerod Collection,” or rather “presentation.” I sent you a
“Student” giving details of the Hall in which you will be
capped. The capping is at 10 a.m., and after that, if you feel
able, you will go on to St. Giles’ Cathedral. I enclose one of
the ordinary tickets to give you an idea as to how the general
public are admitted.—(R. W.)

_March 30, 1900._

DEAR PROFESSOR WALLACE,—What can I say? I am very much used to
work just quietly in the hope of being of some service, but this
kind commendation from those whose opinions I hold in such
respect as those of the chiefs, whether the high officials or
professors in your great University, is indeed a gratification,
a comfort for troubles sometimes not light, and an encouragement
which I gratefully and deeply appreciate.

I should like, of all things, if you will take charge of me, to
attend the Commemoration Service after the capping. It will
delight me to be there, and if I am tired I can rest after. [The
graduation ceremonial was found to be quite enough for Miss
Ormerod’s strength, and no attempt was made to go to St. Giles’
Cathedral to the service.] I usually breakfast at 8.15, so that
I should be all ready at 10 o’clock. It seems to me that if the
“low-hung carriage” which you have kindly secured use of for me
were in attendance to convey us to the McEwan Hall, and when
wanted at intervals onward, this would be exceedingly
comfortable for me. But in everything of the arrangements I am
hoping that all I have to do is to quite precisely obey as well
as benefit by most thankfully all that you are good enough to
arrange for me, and will instruct me about presently.

BALMORAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH,
_April 12, 1900_.

I earnestly hope that Dr. E. Lipscomb will find you better. It
is a real grief to me that you should be going through such a
painful illness [an influenza cold which developed at a most
inopportune moment]. And, secondarily, not having all your kind
advice and help and your companionship in all, does take away
much of the pleasure of my honour.

We find the gown, hood, and trencher cap fit very nicely. This
cap suits me much better than the soft velvet one, and I am sure
that I should much prefer the black gown to the amazing
splendours of scarlet faced with blue. I think on formal
occasions, if desirable, I could get up my courage to wearing
the quiet black gown, but I should be terrified about the
brilliant garment. Dr. Lipscomb is going to tell you that, as
matters have progressed, I do not feel as if it were at all
necessary for me to have the convenience of a room in the Hall
you kindly procured for me, and if it were permissible for me to
“robe” here, and drive robed to the McEwan Hall, it would save
me a world of anxiety. I might, I think, carry my cap in my hand
until time for capping came. It is so exceptional a case that I
do not see any impropriety in being bare-headed for a while. But
I am truly anxious that I should appear before all the august
body preliminarily under your wing, or, if there was risk for
you, under the care of some other member of the University (if
they will adopt me).

[The graduation ceremonial (p. 95) passed off without a hitch of
any kind, and the students gave the first honorary woman
graduate a magnificent reception.]

TORRINGTON HOUSE, ST. ALBANS,
_April 17, 1900_.

DEAR PROFESSOR WALLACE,—I really do not know how to begin my
letter. There is so very much I want to say and to thank you
most heartily for. But first I should exceedingly like to know
that you are recovering, and were not seriously the worse for
your kindness in really and truly coming from your bed to look
after me. It would have taken greatly from my downright pleasure
if you had not been there. I was much impressed by the
ceremonial. I had not connected an idea of the perfect order,
and in some respects solemnity, with the function of graduation.
It is an impression never to be forgotten, any more than the
exceeding kindness with which I was received. “Dr. Ormerod” also
begs her best thanks for the most liberal supply of “Edinburgh
Evening Dispatch” and “Scotsman” received this morning
[containing accounts of the University function]. I am putting
your letter, the very first with address of “Doctorate,”
carefully away amongst the special treasures of my Academic
honour. I am trying to get, so to say, “into harness” again
amongst the consignments of boxes waiting.

Now I hope you will not think me absolutely carried away by the
feeling of the importance of the honour to myself, but amongst
letters of congratulation I have one from Dr. L. O. Howard, the
Entomologist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which
pleases me very much. He says:—

Dating WASHINGTON, D.C., _April 7, 1900_.

“The receipt of your letter of 21st March and of your
admirable twenty-third Annual Report reminds me that I
have been remiss in fulfilling a strong intention to
write you at my earliest convenience and congratulate
you most warmly on the well-deserved honour which you
are to receive from the University of Edinburgh. You are
right; not only is it an honour to yourself, but it is
an honour to Economic Entomology, the force of which
cannot be over-estimated. I congratulate you very
warmly. An LL.D. from Edinburgh has always seemed to me
to be one of the highest honours which an Englishman (or
woman now) could gain.”

L. O. HOWARD.

Dr. R. Stewart MacDougall wrote:—

SCOTTISH LIBERAL CLUB, EDINBURGH, _Saturday_.

A telegram received in the morning made it impossible for me to
get to the McEwan Hall in time for my seat on the platform.
Among the audience, however, I had an excellent opportunity of
getting acquainted with “popular” opinion, and I only wished you
could have heard all the kind things that were said about you.
Somebody has said, “Beware when all men (and all women) speak
well of you.” Really I know no one so exposed to this temptation
(if temptation it be) as yourself. The honouring of our various
distinguished men naturally appeals most strongly to different
groups, but there is in addition about this latest honour to
yourself something which has touched the general imagination.

May you be long spared to wear the honour worthily.

I hope that on your return you will find yourself none the worse
for your plucky journey north and all the attendant fatigue.

R. STEWART MACDOUGALL.

Dr. Ritzema Bos wrote:—

AMSTERDAM, _March 16, 1900_.

DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—I was very much enjoyed to read in your kind
letter of 12th March that the Senatus of the Edinburgh
University will confer on you the Honorary Degree of Doctor of
Laws, as an acknowledgment of the great merits you have for the
advancement of Economic Entomology. I am glad to hear that the
important work you have done since so long years for Science and
for Agriculture will be recompensed in this way. I hope that you
may remain still for many years, what you have been already for
so long time, the first Economic Entomologist of your country
and one of the most famous Economic Entomologists of the world.
My wife asks me to offer also her kind congratulations to you.
December 19, 1899, it was twenty-five years since I received the
Degree of Doctor of Natural Philosophy. On this day a deputation
of representatives of our Dutch Agriculture and Horticulture
came to me and offered me a statue of bronze—the genius of
Science, with the subscription, “Ad lumen.” It was presented to
me in the name of many agriculturists and horticulturists in
Holland and in Dutch India. The General Director of Agriculture
came also to me, and told me that H.M. our Queen offered me the
grade of Knight of the Dutch Lion (Ridder in de Orde von den
Nederlandsche Leeuwen). It was a beautiful day for us indeed.
With many kind regards, believe me, yours very truly,

RITZEMA BOS.

Lord Grimthorpe wrote:—

ST. ALBANS, _Ash Wednesday, 1900_.

DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—“I lose not a moment” (as the story is) in
congratulating you, or myself, on the honour of our becoming a
brother and sister in _Laws_, as one of my nieces points out in
a newspaper. The Princess of Wales has only the inferior
position of a sister in Music, and those in Medicine are quite
common now. I am sorry that we, neither of us, dare venture to
go out and pay our duty in person in this weather—as unique as
your new position—and I was sorry to miss you the last time you
came here. My dear wife, who has been worse than I am though
more capable of recovery, is slowly doing so. She was in an
alarming state for some time under the abominable influence of
the general pest, influenza.

Though I write badly and with difficulty, I am better in general
strength, but shall never be well. However, I am thankful to be
no worse, and to have a nice series of benevolent relations of
two generations here, and to be here instead of London or Bath.
Tea generally goes on at 4½ now, and we shall hope not to be
disappointed if you look in again, wearing your _red hood_ when
you have acquired it. With very kind regards and rejoicings from
all our ladies.

I am, yours ever,
GRIMTHORPE.

N.B.—I hope you are duly elated at the prospect of a Dean and
Chapter here. I defied the late Archdeacon Grant who agitated
for it, to tell us definitely any single practical bit of good
it could do, and he declined to try.

Mr. L. O. Howard wrote again on:—

_May 10, 1900._

MY DEAR MISS ORMEROD,—I am greatly pleased to receive your
letter of April 30th with the newspaper clippings. I had read
substantially the same account in American newspapers, but did
not know, of course, of your pleasant meeting with Mr. Choate.
He is a man who is highly esteemed on this side of the Atlantic,
not only for his legal ability but for his tact and other good
qualities. I do not know him personally, but he is a national
character. His name is known from one end of the country to the
other, and his clever sayings are repeated from Seattle to Key
West, and from Portland to San Diego. In March I attended the
annual banquet of the trustees of the Shaw Botanic Gardens in
St. Louis, and responded to the toast of Henry Shaw. The man who
sat at my right, a distinguished college president, told me many
Choate stories, and succeeded in filling my mind so full of Mr.
Choate that when I was called upon to speak I had almost
forgotten what I had intended to say. We are all of us here
delighted about your doctorate. Entomology and Economic
Entomology have been steadily assuming a higher place in the
minds of the people during the past twenty years, and this
honour which has come to you is the culmination of our advance
up to the present time. Wishing you many more years of work and
happiness (work must mean happiness to you), believe me, my dear
Miss Ormerod, sincerely yours,

L. O. HOWARD.

_April 21, 1900._

DEAR PROFESSOR WALLACE,—It is a bright day when I see your
handwriting outside the envelope, and I am truly glad your cold
is better; it was no slight matter that wanted mending. My
journey was not so successful as I hoped. The wind was very cold
on St. Albans’ platform and I got a chill, but I was up again
yesterday, and hope to be just as usual in a day or two. I shall
be so very glad to see you. Please fix your own time, and if you
would tell me a little beforehand, I would try to get General
and Mrs. Bigge to come to lunch. He I think knew Sir Wm. Muir in
India, when he (General Bigge) was in military command. He would
of all things enjoy a talk with you about horses.

One day (if you please that is) we would drive over to Batch
Wood to tea, and Lord Grimthorpe will certainly come in and have
a chat if he be well enough. In a parenthesis, would you care to
drive over to Rothamsted? I know Sir Henry and Lady Gilbert and
Mr. Warington.

I shall so like to be able to have a good quiet talk with you
about various of my plans. I feel (may I be forgiven if I am too
presumptuous) that now I have a real scientific home, and though
I would not for the world intrude, I may I think ask my good
colleague’s advice. As you will be here so soon I think I had
best not write to Sir W. Muir, as he kindly gave me leave to do,
about my father’s set of volumes of drawings. When you come you
will guide my views as to whether they would be what might be
liked for acceptance.

_April 23, 1900._

I am doing just as you bid me, and after a little look at Mr.
Garton’s paper,[100] which I am sure must contain a deal of
solidly valuable information, I have laid it aside to wait your
helpful guidance. I have a letter just now from Dr. Fream saying
he would like very much to come to meet you (as I begged him),
but cannot manage it. I am looking forward exceedingly to much
useful and pleasant talk. I generally go to church at St.
Michael’s (where Lord Bacon is buried) in the morning, but there
is much good music at the Abbey close by, and you would do
everything I hope just exactly as you like best. Yours very
sincerely,

ELEANOR A. ORMEROD.

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