AND MODERN PHYSICS. 61 



41 For some years previous to I860, when Maxwell returned 

 to Cambridge as Moderator in the Mathematical Tripos, the 

 studies in the University had lost touch with the great 

 scientific movements going on outside her walls. It was said 

 that some of the subjects most in vogue had but little interest 

 for the present generation, and loud complaints began to bo 

 heard that while such branches of knowledge as Heat, Electri- 

 city, and Magnetism were left out of the Tripos examination, 

 the candidates were wasting their time and er.ergy upon 

 mathematical trifles barren of scientific interest and of 

 practical results. Into the movement for reform Maxwell 

 entered warmly. By his questions in 18CO, and subsequent 

 yearn, he infused nexv life into the examination ; he took an 

 active part in drafting the new scheme introduced in 1873 ; 

 but modt of all by his writings he exerted a powerful influence 

 on the younger members of the University, and was largely 

 instrumental in bringing about the change which has been 

 now effected." 



But the University possessed no means of teaching 

 these subjects, and a Syndicate or Committee was 

 appointed, November 25th, 18G8, " to consider the 

 best means of giving instruction to students in 

 Physics, especially in Heat, Electricity and Mag- 

 netisin, and the methods of providing apparatus for 

 this purpose." 



l)r. Cookson, Master of St. Peter's College, took an 

 active part in the work of the Syndicate. Professor 

 Stokes, Professor Liveing, Professor Humphry, Dr. 

 Phear, and Dr. Routh were among the members. 

 Maxwell himself was in Cambridge that winter, as 

 Examiner for the Tripos, and his work as Moderator 

 and Examiner in the two previous years had done 

 much to show the necessity of alterations and to 

 indicate the direction which changes should take. 



