Lastly, as to the new codification committee, I think with you, _in strictest confidence_, that ---- was not a good choice; but he was chosen in the usual manner by a majority of votes: that your labours were not remunerated in the usual manner is an oversight, which, of course, must and shall be set right. There seems altogether, and your letter corroborates that impression, to have been much vagueness about the doings of the Committee _as a Committee_, though, as usual, much zealous work on your part. I do not gather that attendances were entered in a book, which is the machinery by which payment is generally regulated, and the Committee having lapsed without reporting to the Council on its labours (being a _sub-committee_ of the Council of 1878, it lapsed by a natural death with that Council), the whole thing had fallen out of notice. I hope that the old sub-committee will put in their claims, which will very certainly be satisfied. The codification has frequently been in my mind, for I consider it of very great importance, but as it is my impression that I am considered to drive the work of the Academy full hard as it is, I have hesitated to impose more labours on my colleagues, even though I am always ready to share them.--Sincerely yours,
[Illustration: "ELIJAH IN THE WILDERNESS." 1879]
[Illustration: SKETCH FOR "ELIJAH IN THE WILDERNESS." 1879 Leighton House Collection]
[Illustration: "NERUCCIA." 1879 By permission of Mrs. Lees]
[Illustration: "THE BATH OF PSYCHE." 1890 National Gallery of British Art (Tate Gallery)]
_Tuesday Morning_, 2 HOLLAND PARK ROAD, KENSINGTON, W., _March 18, 1884_.
DEAR WELLS,--Thank you for your letter received yesterday, which only lack of time prevented me from answering at once. I am happy to say that Richmond cheerfully acceded to my wish in regard to clauses 6 and 7. I do not think with Calderon, who has written to me, that the words of a man so high-minded as Richmond will indispose members in this matter, and, though I feel the importance of raising no prejudice against the proposal as keenly as ever, still wish him to initiate it. It is, I agree with you, a pity that the question of the retiring pensions must come off first; but that is, I fear, quite unavoidable, and it connects itself with the very first resolution. I assure you, my dear Wells, that I _see_ the bearing of all you say on this head as plainly as possible, and have done so all along; but it does not prevail with me, because it does not cover the whole ground, and because I do not anticipate the dangers for which you think it might be used as a precedent.