its philosophy. He turned for a time to historical inquiry, and in 1862 passed some weeks at Dresden to initiate himself in the study of Arabic. He worked at Arabic and Hebrew for some time with a view to a comparative study of Semitic religions. Becoming convinced that he could not give the time necessary for researches which would after all not answer the fundamental problems, he again returned to purely philosophical questions. He was a member of a little society which used to meet at the house of John Grote, then Knightbridge professor, to read and discuss philosophical papers. His companions were attempting to improve the Cambridge course by a more liberal encouragement of such studies. The moral sciences tripos, founded in 1851, was admitted as a qualification fora degree in 1860. Sidgwick examined in 1865 and 1866, and prepared himself by careful study for the task. In 1869 he exchanged his classical lectureship for a lectureship in moral philosophy, and resolved to devote himself to the foundation of a philosophical school in Cambridge. The agitation for the removal of religious testshad been for some time occupying university reformers. Sidgwick had taken part in the movement. He now became doubtful as to his own position. The declaration which he had made sincerely at the time had ceased to represent his belief. He decided that he was bound to resign the position for which it had qualified him. He gave up his fellowship in October 1869, and his action had a marked effect in stimulating the agitation for the abolition of tests. The measure was finally carried in 1871. His colleagues showed their respect for Sidgwick by permitting him to retain his lectureship, and from this time till his death he continued to lecture in various capacities. In 1872 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Knightbridge professorship on the death of F. D. Maurice. In 1875 he was appointed to a 'prelectorship on moral and political philosophy' in Trinity College. In 1883 he resigned this post on being elected to the Knightbridge professorship, vacant by the death of Professor Birks, Maurice's successor. Sidgwick's fitness for the post had been established by the publication of his treatise upon ethics in 1874. He was elected to an honorary fellowship of his college in 1881,
and "re-elected to an ordinary fellowship in 1885.
Sidgwick had meanwhile taken up other duties. He had felt that his devotion to speculative inquiries did not absolve him from the discharge of practical functions. He had been interested from an early period in the question of female education. The admission of girls to local examinations showed the importance of providing a system of lectures. In 1869 Sidgwick had devised and made known a scheme for this purpose. It was taken up warmly, and its success suggested that a house should be provided at Cambridge for the students. Sidgwick made himself responsible for the rent, and in 1871 invited Miss Ann Jemima Clough [q. v.] to become superintendent. In 1874 a company was formed to place the scheme on a solid foundation. Sidgwick subscribed and energetically supported the scheme, which was carried out by the opening of Newnham Hall in 1876. In the same year Sidgwick married Miss Eleanor Mildred Balfour, sister of the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour. The Sidgwicks took a most important part in the later development of the new system. In 1880 the North Hall was added to Newnham, and Mrs. Sidgwick became vice-president under Miss Clough. The Sidgwicks resided in North Hall for two years, when Mrs. Sidgwick resigned her post. In 1892, upon Miss Clough's death, Mrs. Sidgwick became president of the college, and she and her husband resided there during the remainder of Sidgwick's life. Throughout the whole period Sidgwick took a most active part in the whole movement. He successfully advocated the admission of women to university examinations in 1881. He was always a member of the college council, and was also for a time on the council of the women's college at Girton. Besides advising Miss Clough at every point of the new movement, he interested himself in the details of management ; he made himself beloved by students and teachers, and he contributed most liberally to the funds required for the extension of the college. No one deserves a larger share of the credit for initiating and carrying out successfully a scheme which has had so great an eft'ect upon the education of Englishwomen.
Sidgwick in later years had also to discharge many duties of academical administration. His absence from the governing body prevented him from taking any direct part in the changes made in his college under the commission of 1877. He had, however, the influence due to the recognition of his high qualities of mind and character, both in his own college and in the university generally. When the new university statutes came into force in 1882 he was appointed member of the general board of studies ; he was for some time secretary to the board, and remained a member till 1899. He was also on the council of the senate from 1890 to 1898. The unanimous testi-
