ADVERTISEMENT. 



IN the spring of 1864 I was honoured with a request 

 from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cam- 

 bridge to deliver the Lecture on Sir Robert Rede's 

 foundation : and in my Address in the Senate House 

 on 1864 May 10, in speaking of the advantages which 

 might be expected to follow the establishment of that 

 Lecture, I took occasion to point out what appeared to 

 be defects in the system of education in the University 

 as connected with Mathematical Physics. I followed 

 up this oral remark by a letter to the Vice-Chancellor ; 

 and the subject by degrees attracted the attention of 

 the University. 



Remarking that, in addition to excellent works 

 on Spherical and Gravitational Astronomy, General 

 Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, and common 

 Optics, a treatise on Physical Optics existed in the 

 University; it appeared desirable to provide for the 

 subjects of Tides, Waves, Sound, Electricity, and Mag- 

 netism: as well as for some of the modifications of 



