AND MODERN PHYSICS. 67 



(Lord Rayloigh), Mr. IHoro of Trinity, and others 

 wrote to him. Lord Raylcigh's letter * is as follows : 



"Cambridge, 14th February, 167L 



w When I camo here last Friday I found everyone talking 

 about the new professorship, and hoping that you would come. 

 Thomson, it seems, has definitely declined. . . . There is 

 no on6 here in the least fit for the post. What is wanted by 

 most who know anything about it is not so much a lecturer as 

 a mathematician who has actual experience in experimenting, 

 and who might direct the energies of the younger Fellows and 

 bachelors into a proper channel. There must be many who 

 would be willing to work under a competent man, and who, 

 while learning themselves, would materially assist him. . . . 

 I hope you may be induced to come ; if not, I don't know 

 who it is to be. Do not trouble to answer me about this, as I 

 believe others have written to you about it." 



On tho 15th of February, Maxwell wrote to Mr. 

 Blore: 



" I had no intention of applying for the post when I got 

 your letter, and I have none now, unless I come to see that I 

 can do some good by it. w The letter continues: 



* The class of Physical Investigations, which might be under- 

 taken with the help of men of Cambridge education, and which 

 would be creditable to the University, demand in general a 

 considerable amount of dull labour, which may or may not be 

 attractive to the pupiU." 



However, on the 24th of February, Mr. Blore wrote 

 to the Electoral Roll : 



" I am authorised to give notice that Mr. John (sic) 

 Clerk Maxwell, F.R.S., formerly Professor of Natural 

 Philosophy at Aberdeen, and at King's College, 

 London, is a candidate for the professorship of 

 Experimental Physics." 



* " Life of J. C. Maxwell/' p. 349. 

 E2 



