CHAP. IV.] ADOLESCENCE 1844 TO 1847. 75 



in this subject. To write to me when he has fully con- 

 sidered the matter. 



Sa. 7. Eecd. note from Prof. Forbes : 



Edinburgh, 6th March 1846. 



MY DEAR SIR I have looked over your son's paper carefully, and 

 I think it very ingenious, certainly very remarkable for his years ; 

 and, I believe, substantially new. On the latter point I have referred 

 it to my friend, Professor Kelland, for his opinion. I remain, dear 

 Sir, yours sincerely, JAMES D. FORBES. 



W. 11. Eecd. note from Professor Forbes: 



3 Park Place, llth March 1846. 



MY DEAR SIR I am glad to find to-day, from Professor Kelland, 

 that his opinion of your son's paper agrees with mine ; namely, that 

 it is most ingenious, most creditable to him, and, we believe, a new 

 way of considering higher curves with reference to foci. Unfortu- 

 nately these ovals appear to be curves of a very high and intractable 

 order, so that possibly the elegant method of description may not lead 

 to a corresponding simplicity in investigating their properties. But 

 that is not the present point. If you wish it, 1 think that the sim- 

 plicity and elegance of the method would entitle it to be brought 

 before the Koyal Society. Believe me, my dear Sir, yours truly, 



JAMES D. FORBES. 



J. CLERK MAXWELL, Esq. 



Th. 12. Called for Prof. Forbes at the College and 

 conversed about the ovals. 



M. 16. Went with James to Eoyal Society. 



T. 17. Jas. at Prof. Forbes's House, 3 Park Place, to 

 Tea, and to discourse on the ovals. Came home at 10. A 

 successful visit. 



T. 24. Cut out pasteboard trainers for Curves for James. 



W. 25. Call at Adie's, 1 to see about Eeport on D. E. 

 Hay's paper on ovals. 



Th. 26. Eecd. D. E. Hay's paper and machine for 

 drawing ovals, etc. 



M. 30. Called on Prof. Forbes at College and saw 

 Mr. Adie about report on Mr. Hay's paper. Jas. ovals to 

 be at next meeting of E.S. 



1 The Optician's. 



