10 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. [CHAP. I. 



friend, might command from him any amount of 

 patient thought, and of pains given without stint 

 and without complaint. His " judiciosity " was used 

 as freely for them as for himself. 1 And where need 

 was he could be an effectual peacemaker. 



He was assiduous also in county business (road 

 meetings, prison boards, and the like), and in his own 

 quiet way took his share in political movements, on 

 the Conservative side. 



There was a deep unobtrusive tenderness in him, 

 which in later years gave a touching, almost femi- 

 nine, grace to his ample countenance, and his portly, 

 even somewhat unwieldy, frame. 2 He was a keen 

 sportsman (unlike his son in this), and an excellent shot; 

 but it was observed that he was above all careful never 

 to run the risk of wounding without killing his game. 



His temper was all but perfect .; yet, as " the best 

 laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley," the 

 minute care with which he formed his plans some- 

 times exposed him to occasions which showed that 

 his usual calm self-possession was not invulnerable. 

 At such times he would appear not angry, only some- 

 what discomposed or " vexed," and, after donning his 

 considering-cap for a little while, would soon resume 

 his benign equanimity. 



1 Mr. Colin Mackenzie says : " He was the confidential friend 

 of his widowed sister Mrs. Wedderburn's children, who were in the 

 habit of referring to him in all their difficulties in perfect confidence 

 that he would help them, and regarded him more as an elder brother 

 than anything else." This is abundantly confirmed by various entries 

 in the Diary. 



2 Entry in Diary, Nov. 9, 1 844. Weighed 1 5 at. 7 Ibs. 



