CHAP. XII.] CAVENDISH LABOKATORY. 351 



were of his own invention. An account of the Labora- 

 tory itself will be found in Nature (vol. x. p. 139) ; 

 it is sufficient here to say that it would be difficult to 

 imagine a building better adapted to its purpose, or 

 one in the construction of which more provision should 

 be made for possible requirements. In no case was 

 convenience sacrificed to architectural effect, but in 

 both respects the building is a decided success. The 

 architect was Mr. W. M. Fawcett of Cambridge, who 

 appears to have fully appreciated and thoroughly 

 carried out all Professor Maxwell's suggestions. The 

 contract was given to Mr. Loveday of Kibworth, his 

 tender being recommended by the report of the 

 Syndicate appointed to superintend the building, 

 dated 1st March 1872. 



The work of arranging and furnishing the Caven- 

 dish Laboratory occupied a considerable time. It was 

 not completed until the spring of 1874, when the prac- 

 tical work of experimenting commenced, and on the 

 16th of June in that year, the Chancellor formally 

 presented his gift to the University. Sir Charles Lyell 

 and the French astronomer Leverrier were among 

 those who visited the Laboratory and received the 

 honorary degree of LL.D. from the University on 

 that occasion. 



The following draft of a letter from Maxwell to 

 the Vice-Chancellor in the previous year affords an 

 interesting illustration of the thorough and business- 

 like manner in which he had addressed himself to 

 these preliminary labours. 



