42 



JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. 



[CHAP. ii. 



ture. Master James is in the duck-pond, in a wash- 

 tub, having ousted the ducks, to the amusement of the 

 young " vassals," Bobby and Johnny, and is paddling 

 himself (with some implement from the dairy, belike), 

 out of reach of the tutor, who has fetched a rake, 

 and is trying forcibly to bring him in. Mr. Clerk 

 Maxwell has just arrived upon the scene, and is look- 

 ing on complacently, though not without concern. 

 Cousin Jemima has been aiding and abetting, and is 

 holding the leaping-pole, which has probably served 

 as a boat-hook in this case. 



The achievement of sailing in the tub was one in 

 which James gloried scarcely less than Wordsworth's 

 Blind Highland boy in his tortoise shell. It is 

 referred to in the following letter, written by the boy 

 of ten years old to his father, who had gone for a 

 short visit to St. Mary's Isle : 



