“My dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor,—I have the honour to address you for the purpose of making an offer to the University, which, if you see no objection, I shall be much obliged to you to submit in such manner as you may think fit for the consideration of the Council and the University.
“I find in the report dated February 29th, 1869, of the Physical Science Syndicate, recommending the establishment of a Professor and Demonstrator of Experimental Physics, that the buildings and apparatus required for this department of science are estimated to cost £6,300.
“I am desirous to assist the University in carrying this recommendation into effect, and shall accordingly be prepared to provide the funds required for the building and apparatus as soon as the University shall have in other respects completed its arrangements for teaching Experimental Physics, and shall have approved the plan of the building.
“I remain, my dear Mr. Vice-Chancellor,
“Yours very faithfully,
“Devonshire.”
By his generous action the University was relieved from all expense connected with the building. A Grace establishing a Professorship of Experimental Physics was confirmed by the Senate February 9th, 1871, and March 8th was fixed for the election.
Meanwhile who was to be Professor? Sir W. Thomson’s name had been mentioned, but he, it was known, would not accept the post. Maxwell was then applied to, and at first he was unwilling to leave Glenlair. Professor Stokes, the Hon. J. W. Strutt (Lord Rayleigh), Mr. Blore of Trinity, and others wrote to him. Lord Rayleigh’s letter[35] is as follows:
“Cambridge, 14th February, 1871.
“When I came 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 one 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 the 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.” The letter continues:—“The class of Physical Investigations, which might be undertaken 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 pupils.”