In the October term 1819, I went up to the University.  The works of Wood and Vince, which I have mentioned, still occupied the lecture-rooms.  But a great change was in preparation for the University Course of Mathematics.  During the great Continental war, the intercourse between men of science in England and in France had been most insignificant.  But in the autumn of 1819, three members of the Senate (John Herschel, George Peacock, and Charles Babbage) had entered into the mathematical society of Paris, and brought away some of the works on Pure Mathematics (especially those of Lacroix) and on Mechanics (principally Poisson’s).  In 1820 they made a translation of Lacroix’s Differential Calculus; and they prepared a volume of Examples of the Differential and Integral Calculus.  These were extensively studied:  but the form of the College Examinations or the University Examinations was not, I think, influenced by them in the winter 1820-1821 or the two following terms.  But in the winter 1821-1822 Peacock was one of the Moderators; and in the Senate-House Examination, January 1822, he boldly proposed a Paper of important questions entirely in the Differential Calculus.  This was considered as establishing the new system in the University.  In January 1823, I think the two systems were mingled.  Though I was myself subject to that examination, I grieve to say that I have forgotten much of the details, except that I well remember that some of the questions referred to Newton, Book III. on the Lunar Theory.  To these I have already alluded.

No other work occurs to me as worthy of mention, except Woodhouse’s Lunar Theory, entirely founded on the Differential Calculus.  The style of this book was not attractive, and it was very little read.

CHAPTER III.

At Trinity college, Cambridge, from his taking
his B.A.  Degree to his taking charge of the
Cambridge observatory as Plumian professor.

From January 18th, 1823, to March 15th, 1828.

“On Jan. 30th, 1823, I returned to Cambridge.  I had already heard that I had gained the 1st Smith’s Prize, and one of the first notifications to me on my return was that the Walker’s good-conduct prize of L10 was awarded to me.

“I remember that my return was not very pleasant, for our table in hall was half occupied by a set of irregular men who had lost terms and were obliged to reside somewhat longer in order to receive the B.A. degree.  But at the time of my completing the B.A. degree (which is not till some weeks after the examination and admission) I with the other complete bachelors was duly invited to the table of the B.A. scholars, and that annoyance ended.