132 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. [CHAP. V. 



T. 17. Called on Hugh Blackburn to talk about Cam- 

 bridge. 



W. 18. Called on Capt. Wemyss to talk of Cambridge, 

 and Prof. Forbes called on me and had a talk on James's 

 studies, etc. 



The only other document at my command which 

 bears upon the point is a journal kept by my mother, 

 then Mrs. Morrieson, in which she occasionally noted 

 matters relating to her sons' friends. She was herself 

 at this time (1850) making inquiries about Cambridge 

 for my brother Eobert. The following entries may be 

 quoted : 



1850. 1st April. James Clerk Maxwell came in full of 

 Forbes's recommendation of Trinity College above all others 

 at Cambridge, and that Peterhouse was less expensive than 

 Caius ; that the latter is too full to admit of rooms, and 

 freshmen are obliged to lodge out. 



28th October. I had a kind letter from Mr. C. M., from 

 Glenlair, after placing his son James at Peterhouse. He 

 has already distinguished himself at Edinburgh by papers 

 on the compression of solids, and other scientific subjects, 

 read for him at the Eoyal Society. His manners are very 

 peculiar ; but having good sense, sterling worth, and good 

 humour, the intercourse with a College world will rub off 

 his oddities. I doubt not of his becoming a distinguished 

 man. 



January 1851. James Clerk Maxwell often comes in. 

 He is full of genius. He went to Cambridge with Eobert in 

 October, E. to Caius, James to Peterhouse ; but he is 

 " migrating " to Trinity, and I have no doubt he will be a 

 distinguished Philosopher some day. 



In concluding the account of this period, I again 

 beg leave to quote from Professor Tait's excellent 

 paper : 



