58 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. [CHAP. III. 



if you mean the Greek jokes, I have another for you. A 

 simpleton wishing to swim was nearly drowned. As soon 

 as he got out he swore that he would never touch water 

 till he had learned to swim ; but if you mean the curious 

 letters on the last page, they are at Glenlair. Your aff. 

 Nephew, JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. 



I have cut a puggy l nut, and some of the oil came upon 

 my fingers, and it smelt like linseed Oil, but it did not hurt. 

 There was a boy that brought Sea fyke 2 to the school, and 

 put it down the boys' backs, for which he was condemned 

 to learn 12 lines for 3 days. Talking about places, I am 

 14 to-day, but I hope to get up. Ovid prophesies very 

 well when the thing is over, but lately he has prophesied a 

 victory which never came to pass. I send you a Bag- 

 piper to astonish the natives with. 3 I have got a jumping 

 paddock and a boortree gun. 4 When are you coming ? 

 Your most obedient Sarvent, 



JAS. ALEX. M'MERKWELL. 5 



Envelope ofZkth June 1843 



MR. JOHN CLERK MAXWELL, 

 Postyknowswere, 



Kirkpatrick Durham, 



Dumfries. 



1 i.e. Cashew nut. This is characteristic. Compare the description 

 of the boy-genius in Fo'c's'le Yarns : ; 



" Bless ye ! the pisons was just like mate 

 To Tommy, that liked to feel the strong 

 They were, and rowlin' them on his tongue." 



2 A substance often found on the sea-shore. It is of a honey-combed 

 structure, and consists, in fact, of the egg-capsules of the common 

 whelk (Buccinum undatum). When dried and pulverised, it has an 

 irritating effect upon the skin. Hence the local name : " Fyke "= 

 fidget. See Jamieson's Dictionary. 



3 This fantastic and elaborately-coloured illustration is certainly 

 sufficiently astonishing. 4 i.e. A pop-gun of elder- wood. 



5 Anagram of James Clerk Maxwell. 



