'HE University at Cambridge was closed LITTLE 

 until October, 1667. Most of the interven- JOURNEYS 

 ing time Newton spent at the home of his 

 mother, but from his accounts we see that 

 the College people kept their eagle-eye 

 upon him, for they sent him remittances 

 regularly for " commons." 



When he returned to Cambridge he was assigned to 

 the "spiritual chamber," which was a room next to 

 the chapel, that had formerly been reserved as a guest 

 room for visiting dignitaries. 



In March, 1668, he was given the degree of Master of 

 Arts. His studies now were of a very varied kind. He 

 was required to give one lecture a week on any subject 

 of his own choosing. Needless to say his themes were 

 mathematical or scientific. Just what they were can 

 best be inferred by consulting his cash-book, since the 

 lectures themselves were not written out and all mem- 

 oranda concerning them has disappeared. This account- 

 book shows expenditures for Gunter's Book (he who 

 invented the Gunter's Chain) a magnet, compass, glue, 

 bulbs, putty, antimony, vinegar, white lead, salts of 

 tartar, and lenses. 



In addition there are a few interesting items such as 

 one sees in the Diary of George Washington " Lost 

 at cards, five shillings." " Treating at tavern, ten shil- 

 lings." "Binding my Bible, three shillings." "Spent 

 on my cousin, one pound, two." " Expenses for wetting 

 my degree, sixteen shillings." 



This last item shows that times have changed but little : 



v 85 



