52 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



ments of Deluc, to which Biot has absurdly applied 

 arbitrary formulae ; the capacities for heat, the disturbing 

 causes in meteorological observations, of which I have 

 given a sketch in the above-mentioned article, and the 

 Theory of Hygrometry. The method I adopted during 

 the past year of copying the daily observations of the 

 barometer into five columns of hours has succeeded to 

 admiration, and saved me much time and trouble. Since 

 May 7th, I have likewise daily inserted my miscellaneous 

 observations in a regular quarter sheet. I mean, in con- 

 tinuation, to get my rain gauge into better order and 

 placed on the top of the house, and to observe the 

 radiating thermometer more frequently.' 



The following extract from his journal expresses the 

 feelings with which he closed what was virtually his last 

 student session at college : 



1 FETTERCAIBN, April 25th, 1830. 



' The College session which has now passed, the last 

 probably which I shall seriously be engaged in, has been 

 less distinguished than the two preceding ones by much 

 excitement. I attended Bell's lectures on " Scot's Law " 

 with extraordinarily little satisfaction, even less than I 

 expected. Dr. Hope I r^-attended (along with John 

 Buchanan) with renewed pleasure, and Leslie 1 also took 

 another course of, though chiefly useful in directing my 

 mind to problems I had not before studied. I easily 

 carried off his prize, and, as T got a medal last year, I am 

 going to have a copy of Newton's *' Principia " this time. 

 I cannot look back upon my College education but with 

 peculiar satisfaction, as comprising the happiest period 

 of my life. Towards the University of Edinburgh, and 

 the valuable friends I have acquired in several of its 

 professors, I feel the warmest attachment. Of the pro- 

 fessors, I would particularize especially Mr. Wilson and 

 Mr. Janiieson ; and as to Professor Leslie, he has been 

 as kind to me, I believe, as his singular nature would 

 permit ; and I have had frequent, though slight, proofs 

 of his good opinion. At the Royal Society I have 



