XV 



appeared in the ranks of scientific men, and was rapidly forcing his 

 way to the front. 



In 1854, on the death of W. M. Christie, Sylvester was a candi- 

 date for the Professorship of Mathematics at the Royal Military 

 Academy at Woolwich. Christie had been professor since 1838, pre- 

 ceded by Gregory, 1821-38; Bonnycastle, 1807-21 ; Button, 1773- 

 1807; Cowley, 1761-1773; Simpson, 1743-1761. 



Leading mathematicians at home and abroad testified to his 

 eminence and fitness for the appointment, but, as shown by the 

 subjoined letter, he was not successful : 



"From Lieut.-Colonel Portlock, 



" Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, 



" 1st August, 1854. 

 " Sir, 



" I am directed by the Lieutenant- Governor, Major- General Lewis, 

 C.B., to notify to you that the Lieutenant- General of the Ordnance 

 has selected the Rev. Matthew O'Brien to succeed Mr. Christie as 

 Professor of Mathematics in this establishment. 



" In making this notification, I feel it due to you to state that the 

 great weight of your claim as a candidate was felt and recognised. 



" I have the honour to be, 



" Sir, 

 " Your obedient servant, 



" J. PORTLOCK, 

 " Lieut.-Col. Inspector." 

 " J. J. SYLVESTER, Esq." 



Owing to the destructive fire of 1873 there is now no record of 

 this letter in the archives of the academy. 



One cannot help recalling the rejection by the same establish- 

 ment, a century before, of the celebrated Benjamin Robins, Copley 

 medallist of the Royal Society, in favour of a Mr. Miiller. 



Mr. O'Brien was known as a fair mathematician, and had pre- 

 viously held the post of Lecturer on Physical Science. He did not 

 take up the appointment, as a few months after his election his 

 death occurred, when Sylvester was elected. In the interval, how- 

 ever, he sought, but did not obtain, election to the vacant Pro- 

 fessorship of Geometry in Gresham College, and delivered a pro- 

 bationary lecture on geometry before the Gresham Committee on 

 December 4, 1854. The lecture was printed, and in the preface 

 occur the following characteristic remarks : " The author will only 

 so far forestall the arrival of the period (quod longum absit !) 

 above alluded to by protesting against the use of the word 

 * practical ' as employed by an ingenious lecturer who succeeded him 

 at the desk. To discourse fluently on things of practice is no suffi- 



