1859- ASSISTS PROFESSOR KELLAND. 355 



kind people in the world : that everybody had been kind 

 to him. 



" When I came back from Aberdeen, I wrote him an 

 account of matters there to amuse him, and added, that if I 

 could do anything for him I should be glad. It never, 

 however, entered my head that he would ask such a non- 

 mathematician as myself to open his classes for him. When 

 he did I could not refuse, and I am glad I did not, for the 

 lecture was graciously received by a crammed class-room, 

 and the class has not fallen off in numbers. Neither has 

 my own class suffered. To get all ready I have, indeed, 

 had a battle, which would only have exhilarated me had it 

 not overtasked me physically, and ended in giving me so 

 scattered a series of domains, that I am constantly pro- 

 viding what an Irishman loves so much, i.e. an alibi. My 

 laboratory is in two places ; my lecture-room in a third ; 

 my Museum in a fourth. Nevertheless, the lecture-room 

 within the University is a great matter, and old students 

 have returned, and new ones have come, till I have enrolled 

 eighty-three as pupils the biggest class I have had, and 

 considering that it is not imperative, very creditable to all 

 concerned* 



" When the Friday came I could have gone to bed, but 

 instead I had to travel to Glasgow in most inclement 

 weather, and thereafter to drive five miles out, through 

 darkness and rain. Next day I was up before breakfast, 

 and at work from about six onwards in connexion with a 

 patent-infringement, affecting a very kind friend. 



" The result was a terrible cough, cold, &c. which blisters 

 I hope are dispelling ; but I lost last Saturday with election 

 for Rector by the students, at which we all had to be present. 

 What a row in the quadrangle ! I could scarcely reach the 

 Senatus Room, but fortunately had on my gown and cap 



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