“In the summer of 1819 I spent some time at Playford.  On July 27th, 1819 (my birthday, 18 years old), Mr Clarkson invited me to dinner, to meet Mr Charles Musgrave, Fellow of Trinity College, who was residing for a short time at Grundisburgh, taking the church duty there for Dr Ramsden, the Rector.  It was arranged that I should go to Grundisburgh the next day (I think) to be examined in mathematics by Mr Musgrave.  I went accordingly, and Mr Musgrave set before me a paper of questions in geometry, algebra, mechanics, optics, &c. ending with the first proposition of the Principia.  I knew nothing more about my answers at the time; but I found long after that they excited so much admiration that they were transmitted to Cambridge (I forget whether to Mr Musgrave’s brother, a Fellow of Trinity College and afterwards Archbishop of York, or to Mr Peacock, afterwards Dean of Ely) and were long preserved.

“The list of the Classical subjects for the first year in Trinity College was transmitted to me, as usual, by Mr Hustler.  They were—­The Hippolytus of Euripides, the 3rd Book of Thucydides, and the 2nd Philippic of Cicero.  These I read carefully and noted before going up.  Mr Hustler’s family lived in Bury; and I called on him and saw him in October, introduced by Mr Clarkson.  On the morning of October 18th, 1819, I went on the top of the coach to Cambridge, knowing nobody there but Mr Hustler, but having letters of introduction from Mr Charles Musgrave to Professor Sedgwick, Mr Thomas Musgrave, and Mr George Peacock, all Fellows of Trinity College.

“I was set down at the Hoop, saw Trinity College for the first time, found Mr Hustler, was conducted by his servant to the robe-maker’s, where I was invested in the cap and blue gown, and after some further waiting was installed into lodgings in Bridge Street.  At 4 o’clock I went to the College Hall and was introduced by Mr Hustler to several undergraduates, generally clever men, and in the evening I attended Chapel in my surplice (it being St Luke’s day) and witnessed that splendid service of which the occasional exhibition well befits the place.

“As soon as possible, I called on Mr Peacock, Mr Musgrave, and Professor Sedgwick.  By all I was received with great kindness:  my examination papers had been sent to them, and a considerable reputation preceded me.  Mr Peacock at once desired that I would not consider Mr C. Musgrave’s letter as an ordinary introduction, but that I would refer to him on all occasions.  And I did so for several years, and always received from him the greatest assistance that he could give.  I think that I did not become acquainted with Mr Whewell till the next term, when I met him at a breakfast party at Mr Peacock’s.  Mr Peacock at once warned me to arrange for taking regular exercise, and prescribed a walk of two hours every day before dinner:  a rule to which I attended regularly, and to which I ascribe the continuance of good general health.