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Bentham's. Though the whole discussion, resulting in a strongly adverse conclusion that is only in words not equally directed against the Christian revelation, has now an antiquated air, it is hardly less subtly thought than vividly expressed; and J. S. Mill (Autobiography, pp. 69, 70) says that the reading 'contributed materially' to his mental development. Of a discourse on magic, recommended by James Mill in 1821 for insertion in the 'Encyclopædia Britannica' as 'truly philosophical' in character, the work of 'a young City banker … a very extraordinary person, in his circumstances, both for knowledge and clear vigorous thinking,' nothing more is known (, James Mill, p.193). Mrs. Grote, in 1823 (Posth. Papers,p. 29), reports fresh purchase of works of Kant, and speaks of him as 'prepared for a furious onset of Kantism,' which is remarkable enough at that time in a follower of James Mill. He does not appear to have been a member of the Utilitarian Society, founded by J. S. Mill in 1822-3; but when this gave place, after two or three years, to a new association for discussion on a basis of systematic readings, he lent the young men a room at the bank for their meetings, and before long joined them on their turning from political economy to logic. They met on two mornings of the week from 8.30 to 10 , before the regular business of the day, and Grote, then living at Stoke Newington (Paradise Place), had to be early astir to get to Threadneedle Street in time. The logical readings were in Aldrich, the Jesuit Du Trieu (whose 'Manuductio ad Logicam' the society reprinted in 1826 at James Mill's instance, in disgust at Aldrich's superficiality), Whately, and Hobbes; the psychology of Hartley was next studied; and, after an interval, meetings were resumed during the winter of 1829-30 for the reading of James Mill's 'Analysis,' then newly published. J. S. Mill, in his 'Autobiography,' testifies to the moulding influence of these readings upon his own works, and they were not less potent in helping to fix Grote's philosophical bent.

These were not, however, Grote's chief doings in the ten years from 1820. It is certain that as early as 1822 he was committed to the project of writing a 'History of Greece;' while from 1826 till 1830 he was one of the most untiring promoters of the new 'London University.' Mrs. Grote's claim (Personal Life, p. 49) to have first suggested the 'History' towards the autumn of 1823 is not borne out by contemporary letters. Some considerable progress had already been made with the writing in the spring of that year (Posth. Papers, p. 24), and the idea had been definitely conceived in 1822 at latest (p. 22). If any external prompting was necessary, there is reason to believe that it came from James Mill. All that Grote wrote in the succeeding years (till 1832) proved in the end to be merely preparatory; but in 1826 he contributed a powerful article on the tory Mitford's 'History of Greece' to the April number of the 'Westminster Review,' which shows that he had already attained his main positions regarding Greek life and thought.

Classical, joined with philosophical, culture helped to give Grote, still a young man, his great influence in determining the character of the new 'university,' of which Thomas Campbell, James Mill, and Henry Brougham were the first projectors. Grote was joined with them from the first nomination of a regular council at the end of 1825, and was forthwith placed on the committees for finance and education, to which fell the chief burden of organising the great seat of learning in Gower Street that began its public work in October 1828. It is difficult now to imagine the labour and anxiety undergone at that time by the pioneers of a movement that has had the effect of transforming the whole higher instruction of the country. The records of the self-styled 'university' prove the astonishing ardour displayed by the three men, Mill, Grote, and Brougham (Campbell very soon fell out), who took the lead in all that was done, with earnest helpers like Z. Macaulay, H. Warburton, W. Tooke, and others. Mill and Grote especially, in spite of the other claims on their time and energy, gave that unremitting attention to details which is necessary for practical result. Grote's business-experience contributed to the great success in raising money for the undertaking at its first start; while he ably seconded Mill, who led the education-committee, in planning a professoriate of unexampled width of range, and in securing men of real distinction to fill the numerous chairs. One only of the appointments led to a difference between master and disciple. There were to be two philosophical chairs, one of 'moral and political philosophy' and another of 'philosophy of mind and logic,' according to a scheme that bears evident traces of Mill's hand. Hopes of obtaining men of the general standing of Thomas Chalmers, Robert Hall, or Sir J. Mackintosh for morals, and of Whately for logic, were disappointed, The actual candidates, when the chairs were first advertised in the spring of 1827, were men of no mark. Dr. Southwood Smith, a Benthamite, recommended in committee for the chair of morals, was not elected. For the chair of mental philosophy and logic a