264 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. [CHAP. IX. 



won't have their heads turned with politics. I have all the 

 squibs regularly presented to me. They are not very good. 



I have had 13 special examinations, and the two last 

 have been the best answered of any. I send you my 

 paper for to-morrow to give it to Bob Campbell with my 

 profoundest esteem. 



We have been at the theory of Heat and the Steam 

 Engine this month, and on Monday we begin Optics. I have 

 a volunteer class who have been thro' astronomy, and we 

 are now at high Optics. Tuesday week I give a lecture to 

 operatives, etc., on the Eye. I have just been getting cods' 

 and bullocks' eyes, to refresh my memory and practise 

 dissection. The size of the cod and the ox eye is nearly 

 the same. As this was our last day of fluids, I finished off 

 with a splendid fountain in the sunlight. We were not 

 very wet. 



Out of College I have made the most of my time in 

 seeing the natives. I used to walk every day with Professor 

 Martin, but he was not well for some time, and we broke 

 that habit. I get on better with people of more decision 

 and less refinement, because they keep me in better order. 



I have been keeping up friendly relations with the 

 King's College men, and they seem to be very friendly too. 

 I have not received any rebukes yet from our men for 

 so doing, but I find that the families of some of our 

 professors have no dealings, and never had, with those 

 of the King's people. Theoretically we profess charity. 



I had a glorious solitary walk to-day in Kincardineshire 

 by the coast black cliffs and white breakers. I took my 

 second dip this season. I have found a splendid place, 

 sheltered and safe, with gymnastics on a pole afterwards. 



To THE EEV. LEWIS CAMPBELL. 



129 Union Street, 

 Aberdeen, 6th February 1857. 



I got your letter 1 this morning at breakfast. I was 

 somewhat seedy from being up late, but the perusal seemed 



1 Announcing our marriage engagement. 



