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had the pleasure of doing, + that he
has in a rare degree the faculty of
making the dryest subjects attractive,
without sacrifice of accuracy, his
public lectures + public writing
will show. But the scientific
teacher of the present day has a still
higher function. He is a rapidly
growing power in educational
affairs. His influence is already
distinctly manifest in the changes
going on in our methods of instruction,
in the new estimate conceening
the relative importance of different
subjects of study, + in the introduction
of better tests for truth.

In this way, through our higher
institutions of learning, he is
profoundly affecting the
education of the present time, + is likely to
have more and more to do with
shaping that of the future.

For this field of work and influence
I can think of no one better fitted
than Prof. Henderson. Conservative
by nature he could not readily
break with established views
while an earnest and abiding devotion
to the truth would equally secure him against
the opposite danger of resisting
scientific progress.

Trusting that my interest
in this matter may excuse the
liberty which I take in addressing
you.

I am

Very truly yours,

W. J. [ ? Coumans]