“I shewed Mr Peacock a manuscript book which contained a number of original Propositions which I had investigated.  These much increased my reputation (I really had sense enough to set no particular value on it) and I was soon known by sight to almost everybody in the University.  A ridiculous little circumstance aided in this.  The former rule of the University (strictly enforced) had been that all students should wear drab knee-breeches:  and I, at Mr Clarkson’s recommendation, was so fitted up.  The struggle between the old dress and the trowsers customary in society was still going on but almost terminated, and I was one of the very few freshmen who retained the old habiliments.  This made me in some measure distinguishable:  however at the end of my first three terms I laid these aside.

“The College Lectures began on Oct. 22:  Mr Evans at 9 on the Hippolytus, and Mr Peacock at 10 on Euclid (these being the Assistant Tutors on Mr Hustler’s side):  and then I felt myself established.

“I wrote in a day or two to my uncle Arthur Biddell, and I received from him a letter of the utmost kindness.  He entered gravely on the consideration of my prospects, my wants, &c.:  and offered at all times to furnish me with money, which he thought my father’s parsimonious habits might make him unwilling to do.  I never had occasion to avail myself of this offer:  but it was made in a way which in no small degree strengthened the kindly feelings that had long existed between us.

“I carefully attended the lectures, taking notes as appeared necessary.  In Mathematics there were geometrical problems, algebra, trigonometry (which latter subjects the lectures did not reach till the terms of 1820).  Mr Peacock gave me a copy of Lacroix’s Differential Calculus as translated by himself and Herschel and Babbage, and also a copy of their Examples.  At this time, the use of Differential Calculus was just prevailing over that of Fluxions (which I had learnt).  I betook myself to it with great industry.  I also made myself master of the theories of rectangular coordinates and some of the differential processes applying to them, which only a few of the best of the university mathematicians then wholly possessed.  In Classical subjects I read the Latin (Seneca’s) and English Hippolytus, Racine’s Phedre (which my sister translated for me), and all other books to which I was referred, Aristotle, Longinus, Horace, Bentley, Dawes &c., made verse translations of the Greek Hippolytus, and was constantly on the watch to read what might be advantageous.

“Early in December Mr Hustler sent for me to say that one of the Company of Fishmongers, Mr R. Sharp, had given to Mr John H. Smyth, M.P. for Norwich, the presentation to a small exhibition of L20 a year, which Mr Smyth had placed in Mr Hustler’s hands, and which Mr Hustler immediately conferred on me.  This was my first step towards pecuniary independence.  I retained this exhibition till I became a Fellow of the College.