CHAP. VI.] SCHOLAR OF TRINITY. 167 



ing stanza. The following letter, addressed (but per- 

 haps not sent) to the same personage, throws an 

 amusing light on the circumstances under which the 

 parody of " John Anderson" was written : 



To THE REV. JOHN ALEXANDER FRERE. 



Trin. Coll., 26th Feb. 1853. 



DEAE SIR Looking back on the past week I find I have 

 kept only seven chapels. I have no excuse to offer. The 

 reason, however, of the deficiency is this. Unaware that a 

 Saint's Day would occur in the course of the week I parted 

 with my surplice on Monday in order to have it washed. 

 I was thus prevented from appearing in chapel on the even- 

 ings of Wednesday and Thursday, as otherwise I would have 

 done. I might even after this have completed the requisite 

 number; but, unfortunately, reading till a late hour on Friday 

 night I found myself unable to attend chapel on Saturday 

 morning. 



I can but hope that more forethought on my part may 

 prevent the recurrence of such accidents. 



I have also to acknowledge the receipt of a small paper 

 from you relative to the observance of Sunday. I have 

 read it, and will keep it in mind. 



Trusting that my past and future regularity may atone 

 for my present negligence, I remain, yours sincerely, 



J. C. MAXWELL. 

 Rev. J. A. FRERE. 



It was while staying up at Easter in the spring of 3%. 21. 

 1853, and working " at high pressure," that his longing 

 for the untrammelled and reverent investigation of 

 Nature's secrets found rhythmical expression in the 

 most serious of his poems, the " Student's Evening 

 Hymn," in which religious and philosophical aspira- 

 tions are combined. Thus it was always with him ; 

 when most plunged in the minute investigation either 



