From James Heywood   11 December 1855

My Dear Sir,

You will, I think, be interested to hear, that I am on a deputation to see the Lord Chancellor, on Thursday next, the 13 ^th instant, about a good Cambridge University Reform bill.—The deputation had an interview, today with Lord Palmerston, but as the Lord Chancellor is the person, who has, especially charge of the measure, he is the practical authority about modifications.—

We consider that there ought to be a good commission with reference to the bill, with plenty of power, and that Masters of Arts should be allowed to be on the Senate, without religious tests.—The principal difficulty, I find, is the arrangement of a separate divinity board for the instruction of candidates for holy orders.—The chapel service ought to be reviewed by a Commission, so as to make it suitable for students of different religious denominations. I hope you still retain your good reforming views about Cambridge.

yours very sincerely |James Heywood