14 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. [CHAP. I. 



this way, which was very remarkable, and highly 

 cultivated for an amateur, was continued in Jane and 

 Kobert, and has been transmitted to the succeeding 

 generation. Miss Jane Cay was one of the warmest 

 hearted creatures in the world ; somewhat wayward 

 in her likes and dislikes, perhaps somewhat warm- 

 tempered also, but boundless in affectionate kindness 

 to those whom she loved. Mr. K. D. Cay, W.S., 

 married a sister of Dyce the artist, and, after acting 

 for some time as one of the Judges' clerks, proceeded 

 in 1844 to Hong-Kong, where he had an appointment. 

 His wife joined him there in 1845, and died in 1852. 

 In two of their sons, besides the artistic tastes which 

 they inherited through both parents, there was de- 

 veloped remarkable mathematical ability. It should 

 be also noticed that Mr. John Cay, the Sheriff of 

 Linlithgow, though not specially educated in mathe- 

 matics, was extremely skilful in arithmetic and fond 

 of calculation as a voluntary pursuit. He was a great 

 favourite in society, and full of general information. 

 We have already seen him assisting at experiments 

 which might have led to the invention of " blowing 

 fans," but seem to have produced no such profitable 

 result. And we shall find that his interest in practical 

 Science was continued late in after life. 1 



In speaking of the Cay family it has been necessary 

 to anticipate a little, in order to advert to some par- 

 ticulars which, although later in time, seemed proper 



1 It should be remembered that in the early years of the century 

 considerable interest in experimental science had been awakened in 

 Edinburgh through the teaching of Professors Playfair and Hope. 



