MEMOIR OF THE LATE PROF. E. HODGKINSON, F.R.S. 149 



languages under the immediate supervision of the head 

 master, Mr. Littler. This was done to meet the wish of 

 his uncle, the Rev. Henry Hodgkinson, Rector of Aber- 

 field, Berkshire, who was very anxious that his nephew 

 should be educated with a view of going to Oxford or 

 Cambridge, to prepare for the Church. The desire of his 

 uncle was, for a time, gratified, and the hope was strongly 

 indulged that one day Eaton Hodgkinson would be a 

 student of one of the universities; hence the study of 

 classics in his early youth was considered indispensable, 

 although it was not exactly in conformity with his tastes 

 and habits of thought, as at an early age he was naturally 

 more inclined to the study of mathematics than of lan- 

 guages. 



To the severe treatment which he here suffered, his 

 cousin, Mrs. Thompson, attributes the nervous tremor of 

 his hands and speech which continued with him through 

 life, and was a serious impediment to his success. The 

 Rev. Mr. Littler was a very severe disciplinarian ; and if a 

 boy could not learn, he tried to flog it into him ; and young 

 Hodgkinson, owing to his inaptitude for languages, having 

 received a sound thrashing for not having learned his lessons 

 perfectly, was removed from the grammar school and placed 

 in a private school in Northwich, of far less pretensions, 

 but more in unison with his aspirations. 



This private school, to which he was removed because 

 he did not show a decided taste for the study of languages, 

 was conducted by Mr. Shaw, a gentleman of superior 

 mathematical attainments, and possessing great tact in 

 teaching and in the general management of boys. It was 

 at this school that Mr. Hodgkinson finished his youthful 

 education. He obtained a good degree amongst his school- 

 fellows, and a distinguished position in the affections of his 

 master. The instructions of Mr. Shaw in mathematical 

 subjects were fully appreciated by Hodgkinson, and con- 



