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.