CHAP. XII.] PHYSICS AT CAMBRIDGE. 357 



bridge for some time before was, to say the least, one-sided, 

 and one-sided in a somewhat unproductive direction. There 

 were many complaints that Cambridge was behind the rest 

 of the scientific world, and that, whereas the students of so 

 many other Universities were introduced to the splendid 

 discoveries of such subjects as Electricity and Heat, the 

 Wranglers of Cambridge spent their time upon mathematical 

 trifles and problems, so-called, barren alike of practical 

 results and scientific interest. Maxwell's questions (as 

 Moderator in 1866) infused fresh life into the Cambridge 

 Tripos, and, therefore, into the University studies, by the 

 number of original ideas and new lines of thought opened 

 up by them, thus preparing for the change of system in 

 1873, when so many interesting subjects were added to the 

 Examination. 



Sir William Thomson gives the following important 

 testimony to the same effect : 



The University, Glasgow, 

 21st January 1882. 



The influence of Maxwell at Cambridge had undoubtedly 

 a great effect in directing mathematical studies into more 

 fruitful channels than those in which they had been running 

 for many years. His published scientific papers and books, 

 his action as an examiner at Cambridge, and his professorial 

 lectures, all contributed to this effect ; but above all, his 

 work in planning and carrying out the arrangements of the 

 Cavendish Laboratory. There is, indeed, nothing short of a 

 revival of Physical Science at Cambridge within the last 

 fifteen years, and this is largely due to Maxwell's influence. 



Evidence might easily be multiplied, but it is 

 enough to quote the weighty words of Lord Bayleigh 

 at a recent public meeting at Cambridge in support 

 of the proposed Devonshire Memorial : 



It was no little thing to have had Professor Maxwell so 



