Edinburgh, Tuesday,
28th Dec. 1869
My Dear Father,
After deliberation, we think you are quite at liberty to write on my behalf.[2]
I don’t feel sure of your getting Sturrock.[3] I think his brother is huffed at me somehow but it might be well to try. I believe McGregor has also secured a Paisley man[4]. I think Archibald[5] & Sutherland[6] are desirable [and] so would Traill[7] and Tulloch[8] be. It is well however that you should write only to men you know well I think. Moreover you need not simply ask them to propose me. We would be better of support from a man in any form and then only one man in each Presbytery could propose.
Might not something be done with White of Glasgow[9] — perhaps Mr Davidson of Rothesay[10] — Mr Leslie of Arbroath[11] or others. Mr Reid[12] of Banchory is a great supporter of Findlay[13]. Lumsden[14] it is thought will support Cameron[15].
Could not Campbell of the North[16] be got by you? I wonder if he or anyone else has influence with Kennedy of Dingwall,[17] who is so strong in the Highlands. Would Mr Ross of Bonaccord[18] be a likely man in this connection?
Then it is thought that you should write to the Aberdeen Professors. Rainnie proposes to see them when he goes North but you might write meantime.
The Principal[19], Thomson, Geddes, [20] prob. Fuller and I suppose Bain would be useful.[21] The certificates could be sent when you get them to Lindsay to put with the others.
Lindsay has organised a student’s Committee and Dr Brakenridge, Dr Gr. Stewart and others will join with him in forming a senior Committee.
He proposes to write you tomorrow and say what he is doing.
Wouldn’t Keith[22] who was at Alford be a possible supporter?
I have got capital certificates both from Thomson and Tait. Lindsay will get also from Fraser and Veitch,[23] we hope moreover for Stirling.
It is thought that in person I should apply only to the Germans who are otherwise inaccessible.
I have got a lot of my class certificates which I will send to Mr Nichol[24] before the New Year. Should he not get a hint before the Presbytery meets?
I am working at my article as time and other engagements allow.
All well! Nell I hope will write you a note herself about her doings. I was very glad to hear of your success at Rayne. Was Mr Leslie[25] in the Chair?
Your aff. Son,
Wm Robertson Smith
P.S. The girls went out in the afternoon to see Miss Macdonell[26] and are not home yet. So I must close.
[1] CUL ADD 7449 C130 TS
[2] “We” plainly refers to a support group of friends at New College in whom he had confided, with Tom Lindsay at their head. The letter goes on to discuss various individuals, both lay and clerical, who might either give testimonials (“certificates”) on his behalf or put his name forward to local presbyteries.
[3] Sturrock, James B. (b.1837): ministered at Kemnay from 1866 to 1869, when he moved to Paisley High Free Church. Educated at Aberdeen University and Aberdeen F.C.C., he would have known the Smith family well.
[4] James Macgregor had been minister at Paisley High before accepting the chair of Systematic Theology in New College in 1868.
[5] Archibald, George (1819–1887): ministered at Udny in Aberdeenshire and was Presbytery Clerk at Ellon from 1849 to 1881.
[6] Probably Dr James Sutherland (b.1823) who was Synodal clerk in Aberdeenshire from 1866.
[7] Probably William Traill (1819–1874); ordained 1843 at Skene and translated to Elgin South in 1867.
[8] Unidentified. AFC contains numerous individuals named Tulloch. Probably Charles Tulloch (b.1829): F.C. minister at Lossiemouth.
[9] WRS means Whyte, Alexander (1836–1921): born at Kirriemuir he became joint minister at Free St John’s Church, Glasgow, and then minister of Free St George’s, Edinburgh from 1870, where he succeeded R. S. Candlish. In 1909 he was appointed Principal of New College. See his biography by G. F. Barbour. which recounts the story of his support for WRS.
[10] Davidson, Joseph (1824–1877): was minister of Rothesay Free Parish Church from 1867.
[11] Leslie, Alexander: F.C. minister at Ladyloan Church in Arbroath from 1843.
[12] Reid, Robert (1811–1893): was F.C. minister at Banchory-Ternan from 1843.
[13] Findlay, Dr William (b.1830): F.C. minister at Larkhall, Lanarkshire. Nominated by Sir Henry Moncreiff he was one of the least favoured of the ten candidates for the Aberdeen Hebrew chair.
[14] Lumsden, James L. (1810–1875): Principal of the Aberdeen Free Church College from 1864 until his death.
[15] Cameron, Dr George: was one of the unsuccessful candidates in 1870 for the Aberdeen F.C. College Hebrew chair, although he had taken Sachs’ place briefly, following the latter’s death in 1868. In 1887, however, he was formally appointed to the Aberdeen post.
[16] Campbell, George C. (1833–1893): was minister of Aberdeen Free North Church from 1859 to 1873.
[17] Kennedy, John (1819–1884): was a noted Gaelic preacher and later proved to be one of Robertson Smith’s most virulent opponents.
[18] Ross, Charles (1826–1892): was minister of Bon-Accord Free Church in Aberdeen between 1854 and 1869.
[19] Campbell, Peter Colin (1810–1876): was Principal of Aberdeen University from 1860–76, having previously been Principal of King’s College before the fusion with Marischal College.
[20] Geddes, William Duguid (1828–1900): held the chair of Greek at Aberdeen University from 1855, having previously been rector of Aberdeen Grammar School. He became Principal of Aberdeen University in 1885 and was knighted in 1892.
[21] All those mentioned — former teachers of WRS at Aberdeen University — did indeed supply testimonials. The ambivalent reference to Bain is characteristic.
[22] Unidentified.
[23] Veitch, William “Grecian” (1794–1885): was an eminent classical scholar living in Edinburgh but secured no academic post, John Stuart Blackie having obtained the chair of Greek at Edinburgh University in 1851.
[24] Andrew Nichol was F.C. minister at Rhynie from 1835 to 1871.
[25] Possibly Dr Wm Leslie, a local landowner who was uncharacteristically favourable to the Free Church.
[26] Probably sister of John Macdonnell (cf. 1867-02-06 C064). Both Ellen and Alice were staying in Edinburgh with their brother at this time.