38 



JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. 



[CHAP. II. 



ingenuity of the young Clerk Maxwell. There are 

 also intricate coloured patterns, of which the hues 

 shift and open and close as in a kaleidoscope. I would 

 not venture to affirm that all these belong to the very 

 earliest period. 1 But I believe that the magic disc was 

 in full operation before 1839, and that it has a real 

 connection not only with the " wheel of life," but also 

 with the " colour- top " of after years. 



Another playmate and partaker of his whims must 

 be remembered here. This was a terrier of the 

 " Mustard" kind, called Toby, Tobin, Tobs, or Tobit, 

 according to the moment's humour. Toby was always 



1 As late as Feb. 27, 1847, on a Saturday half -holiday, when kept 

 in by weather, he was employed with his father in making a magic disc 

 for a young cousin. 



