io PETER GUTHRIE TAIT 



Tail's achievement was made the occasion of a special meeting of the 

 Gumming Club. It was (to quote from the Chronicles) 



" felt to be an honour conferred on the Academy, the Masters Gloag in particular 

 the Class, and the Club. Consequently they could do no less than offer to their 

 old friend and Dux a banquet specially designed to do him worship. And right 

 well they did it 



"For once the exclusive rule of the Club was broken through, and invitations 

 scattered with a lavish hand amongst those and they were many who beyond the 

 limits of the Class, held kindly memories of Tait and of the Academy 



" It was a high occasion for them all. Gloag could hardly divest himself of the 

 idea that he was the hero of the occasion, such credit did he take to himself. 



" Festive conversation was at fullest swing that is to say, many talkers, 

 few listeners when suddenly the scene of revelry was broken in upon by an 

 ominous 'boom.' Tongues were still for a moment, but only for a moment. 



" Then once again, clearer, deadlier than before, the ' boom ' is heard above the 

 clatter of tongues. 



" In a moment the mystery is solved. The President, Doyle Shaw, ever active 

 for good, or evil, from his end of the table as it approached the gallery, had 

 observed peeping over the edge of this gallery, at an inviting angle, the rim of a 

 big drum. Straightway the idea arose that by well directed vertical fire this tempting 

 object might be reached. The first orange discharged hit the mark unobserved by 

 the company, but the second ' boom ' discovered all. 



"The idea was hailed as a brilliant one that only needed development. The 

 entire dessert, oranges and apples, was soon expended. Then the thought occurred 

 to Doyle Money Shaw to improve on his original idea. While the practice was still 

 going on he managed cleverly to ' swarm ' up one of the pillars with the intention 

 of capturing the big drum. But on arriving at the spot and with a shout of ecstasy 

 he announced to those below that the entire band instruments were there. Without 

 a moment's loss of time these were handed down, and from hand to hand; and 

 nothing would serve these festive spirits but the ' Conquering Hero ' in Tait's 

 honour." 



Steele was evidently a man after Tait's own heart. They were close 

 friends throughout their College life, and when Fellows of the same college they 

 collaborated in the production of a treatise on the Dynamics of a Particle. 

 The book was planned and to some extent written during a holiday they 

 spent together after they took their degree. Unfortunately Steele's health 

 gave way, and his early death left his portion of the work unfinished. 

 With the true chivalry of his nature Tait issued the book in 1856 under the 

 joint names of Tait and Steele; and "Tait and Steele" is still its familiar 

 title. The character of the book will be discussed later. The MS was 

 presented to Peterhouse by Mrs Tait, and is now preserved in the College 



