32 JAMES CLKHK MAXWELL 



possible for that man to think incorrectly on physical ftubject*'; 

 and Hopkins, as you know, had had, perhaps, more experience 

 of mathematical minds than any man of his time." 



The hist chinso is part of a quotation from a diary 

 kept by Mr. Lawson at Cambridge, in which, under 

 the date July 15th, 18. r >:{ t he writes : 



"He (Hopkins) was talking to me this evening about 

 Maxwell. He says he is unquestionably the most extra- 

 ordinary man he has met with in the whole range of his 

 experience ; he Niys it ap|Hars ini|MUjsihlc for Maxwell to 

 think incorrectly on physical subjects ; that in his analysis, 

 however, he in far more deficient. Me looks upon him iw a 

 great genius with all its eccentricities, and [>ftfihe*fei that 

 one day he will shine Jis a light in physical science a prophecy 

 in which all his fellow-students strenuously unite." 



How many who have struggled through the 



"Electricity and Magnetism" have realised the 

 truth of the remark about the correctness of his 

 physical intuitions and the deficiency ut times of 

 his analysis! 



Dr. Butler, a friend of these early days, preached 

 the University sermon on November Kith, 1871), ten 

 clays after Maxwell's death, and spoke thus : 



44 It is a solemn thing even the lea>t thoughtful is touched 

 by it when a great intellect pusses away into the silence and 

 we sec it no more. Such a loss, such a void, is present, I feel 

 certain, to many here to-day. It is not often, even in this 

 great home of thought and knowledge, that so bright a light 

 is extinguished as that which is now mourned by many illus- 

 trious mourners, here chiefly, but also far beyond this place. I 

 ^hall be believed when I say in all simplicity that I wish it had 

 fallen to some more competent tongue to put into words those 

 feelings of reverent affection which are, I am persuaded, upper- 

 most in many hearts on this Sunday. My i>our words shall bo 



