CHAP. V.] OPENING MANHOOD 1847 TO 1850. 



We came here on Wednesday by Caledonian. I intend 

 to open my classes next week after the business is over. I 

 have been reading Xenophon's Memorabilia after breakfast ; 

 also a French collection book. This from 9 to 11. Then 

 a game of the Devil, of whom there is a duality and a 

 quaternity of sticks, so that I can play either conjunctly or 

 severally. I can jump over him and bring him round with- 

 out leaving go the sticks. I can also keep him up behind 

 me. 



Then I go in again to science, of which I have only just 

 got the books by the carrier. Hitherto I have done a 

 prop on the slate on polarised light. Of props I have done 

 several. 



1. Found the equation to a square. 



2. The curve which Sir David Brewster sees when he 

 squints at a wall. 



3. A property of the parabola. . . . 



4. The same of the Ellipse and Hyperbola. . . . 



I can polarise light now by reflection or refraction in 4 

 ways, and get beautiful but evanescent figures in plate glass 

 by heating its edge. I have not yet unannealed any glass. . . . 



I don't understand hpw you mug x straight on. I suit 

 my muggery to my temper that day. When I am deep I 

 read Xenophon's defence of IW; when not I read Sw/e's 

 witty dialogues. If I do not do this, I always find myself 

 reading Greek, that is, reading the words with all their con- 

 tractions, as a Jew reads Hebrew. I get on very rapidly ; 

 but know nothing about the meaning, and do not even know 

 but that I am really translating. 



Please to write about your Prizes at College, and about 

 coming here to mug ? You must learn the D 1. 



Tatties is planting. Yours, etc. 



To THE SAME. 



Glenlair, 5\G July 1848. 



I was much glad of your letter, and will be thankful for 

 a repetition. I understand better about your not coming. 



1 i.e. Work. 



