ADVERTISEMENT. In the spring of 1864 I was honoured with a request from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge to deliver the Lecture on Sir Robert Rede's foundation and in my Address in the Senate House on 1864 May 10, in speaking of the advantages which might be expected to follow the establishment of that Lecture, I took occasion to point out what appeared to be defects in the system of education in the University as connected with Mathematical Physics. I followed up this oral remark by a letter to the Vice-Chancellor ; and the subject by degrees attracted the attention of the University. Remarking that, in addition to excellent works on Spherical and Gravitational Astronomy, General Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, and common Optics, a treatise on Physical Optics existed in the University; it appeared desirable to provide for the subjects of Tides, Waves, Sound, Electricity, and Magnetism as well as for some of the modifications of Pure Mathematics specially applicable to the Observing Sciences. The foundations for treatises on Electricity, Tides, and Waves, exist in articles in the Encyclopædia Metropolitana; and I trust that some Resident Member of the University may be induced to exhibit these branches of science in a form adapted to University Education. In redemption of the engagement into which I had virtually entered to place the other subjects before the University, I have published works on Probabilities and on Partial Differential Equations (both with express reference to Mathematical Physics), and on Sound. I now close my part of the undertaking by this Treatise on Magnetism. I am indebted to James Glaisher, Esq. F.R.S. and F.R.A.S., and to James Carpenter, Esq. F.R.A.S., of the Royal Observatory, for much assistance in the preparation of the diagrams inserted in the pages of this work. ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH, 1870, November. G. B. AIRY. |