RECTORSHIP

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The document is possibly a draft, as it contains a couple of emendations. Describing himself as 'an old Lord Rector of 20 years' standing' (he held the post from 1905 to 1908), he praises the University's 'great traditions, which have been maintained & enriched by many generations of their predecessors'. He urges them to 'carry on the torch which has been handed down to them, and to keep their famous University in its place in the forefront of the vangard of the <?> of Culture & Science, to which Scotland & the Empire owe so much'.

1p., 4to. On aged and browned paper, chipped at extremities, but with the 30 lines of text intact.

8vo: 2 pp. Fifty lines. Text clear and complete, on two pieces of aged and spotted paper, with rust spots from paperclip. Untitled. Begins: 'I should like to see Chesterton as Lord Rector of a university which stands for Liberal thought. Some people, limited in imagination and hostile to unconventional character, would as soon give their votes to a modern Don Quixote who by some miracle has acquired the corporeal structure of his own Sancho Panza.

4to, 1 p. Text clear and complete. On lightly-aged paper with minor spotting to extremities. He thanks him for his letter. 'The main drawback to my accepting your most interesting invitation is that my political views are not those of Mr G. K. Chesterton, so I am very much afraid that a literary contribution from me might prove more of a hindrance than a help. I am so sorry.' Murdoch edited the magazine 'G.K.C.' which campaigned on behalf of Chesterton's unsuccessful candidacy. (Sir Austen Chamberlain was elected Rector.)

12mo, 1 p. Twelve lines. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He has had Murdoch's letter 'lying by me in the hope that I might meet someone here who knew G.K.C., or knew his work well enough to tell me something of interest - for, alas, I must confess to ignorance'. As he has not been 'fortunate', he abandons 'hope of contributing to your Rectorial Magazine'. Murdoch edited the magazine 'G.K.C.' in support of Chesterton's unsuccessful candidacy.

Two foolscap (32.5 x 20.5 cm) pages. Seventy-three lines of text. On two pieces of aged paper, with wear at head and foot. Text clear and complete. A witty and light-hearted endorsement of Chesterton's candidacy, beginning 'Rumour reaches me that my name & my past misdeeds h[ave]. b[ee]n astonishingly flung into the Rectorial arena. Things that I said in my haste or my leisure long years ago about the candidates [Chesterton, Chamberlain and Webb] h[ave]. b[ee]n. dragged into the light to exalt this one & prejudice that. [...] Mr. Chamberlain's presence is sufficient & Mr.