was my first printed Memoir.  Before this time however I had arranged to try the scheme practically.  Mr Peacock had engaged to bear the expense, but I had no occasion to ask him.  Partly (I think) through Drinkwater, I communicated with an optician named Bancks, in the Strand, who constructed the optical part.  I subsequently tried my telescope, but it would not do.  The fault, as I had not and have not the smallest doubt, depends in some way on the crystallization of the mercury silvering.  It must have been about this time that I was introduced to Mr (afterwards Sir James) South, at a party at Mr Peacock’s rooms.  He advised me to write to Tulley, a well-known practical optician, who made me some new reflectors, &c. (so that I had two specimens, one Gregorian, the other Cassegrainian).  However the thing failed practically, and I was too busy ever after to try it again.

“During the October term I had no pupils.  I kept my second Act on Nov. 6 (opponents Hamilton, Rusby, Field), and an Opponency against Jeffries on Nov. 7.  I attended the Questionists’ Examinations.  I seem to have lived a very comfortable idle life.  The Commemoration Day was Dec. 18th, when I received a Prize, and the next day I walked to Bury.  On Jan. 4th, 1823, I returned to Cambridge, and until the B.A.  Examination I read novels and played cards more than at any other time in College.

“On Thursday, Jan. 9th, 1823, the preliminary classes, for arrangement of details of the B.A.  Examination, were published.  The first class, Airy, Drinkwater, Jeffries, Mason.  As far as I remember, the rule was then, that on certain days the classes were grouped (in regard to identity of questions given to each group) thus:  1st, {2nd/3rd}, {4th/5th} &c., and on certain other days thus:  {1st/2nd}, {3rd/4th}, &c.  On Saturday, Jan. 11th, I paid fees.  On Monday, Jan. 13th, the proceedings of examination began by a breakfast in the Combination Room.  After this, Gibson gave me breakfast every day, and Buckle gave me and some others a glass of wine after dinner.  The hours were sharp, the season a cold one, and no fire was allowed in the Senate House where the Examination was carried on (my place was in the East gallery), and altogether it was a severe time.

“The course of Examination was as follows: 

“Monday, Jan. 13th. 8 to 9, printed paper of questions by Mr Hind (moderator); half-past 9 to 11, questions given orally; 1 to 3, ditto; 6 to 9, paper of problems at Mr Higman’s rooms.

“Tuesday, Jan. 14th. 8 to 9, Higman’s paper; half-past 9 to 11, questions given orally; 1 to 3, ditto; 6 to 9, paper of problems in Sidney College Hall.

“Wednesday, Jan. 15th.  Questions given orally 8 to 9 and 1 to 3, with paper of questions on Paley and Locke (one question only in each was answered).

“Thursday, Jan. 16th.  We went in at 9 and 1, but there seems to have been little serious examination.

“Friday, Jan. 17.  On this day the brackets or classes as resulting from the examination were published, 1st bracket Airy, 2nd bracket Jeffries, 3rd bracket Drinkwater, Fisher, Foley, Mason, Myers.