upon it, but the circle-squarer, with commendable prudence, declined to discuss anything not Euclidean.  Mr. Dodgson then wrote to him, “taking leave of the subject, until he should be willing to enlarge his field of knowledge to the elements of Algebraical Geometry.”  Mr. B—­replied, with unmixed contempt, “Algebraical Geometry is all moon-shine.” He preferred “weighing cardboard” as a means of ascertaining exact truth in mathematical research.  Finally he suggested that Mr. Dodgson might care to join in a prize-competition to be got up among the followers of Euclid, and as he apparently wished him to understand that he (Mr. B—­) did not think much of his chances of getting a prize, Mr. Dodgson considered that the psychological moment for putting an end to the correspondence had arrived.

Meanwhile he was beginning to feel his regular College duties a terrible clog upon his literary work.  The Studentship which he held was not meant to tie him down to lectures and examinations.  Such work was very well for a younger man; he could best serve “the House” by his literary fame.

July 14_th._—­Came to a more definite decision than I have ever yet done—­that it is about time to resign the Mathematical Lectureship.  My chief motive for holding on has been to provide money for others (for myself, I have been many years able to retire), but even the L300 a year I shall thus lose I may fairly hope to make by the additional time I shall have for book-writing.  I think of asking the G.B. (Governing Body) next term to appoint my successor, so that I may retire at the end of the year, when I shall be close on fifty years old, and shall have held the Lectureship for exactly 26 years. (I had the Honourmen for the last two terms of 1855, but was not full Lecturer till Hilary, 1856.)

Oct. 18_th_.—­I have just taken an important step in life, by sending to the Dean a proposal to resign the Mathematical Lectureship at the end of this year.  I shall now have my whole time at my own disposal, and, if God gives me life and continued health and strength, may hope, before my powers fail, to do some worthy work in writing—­partly in the cause of mathematical education, partly in the cause of innocent recreation for children, and partly, I hope (though so utterly unworthy of being allowed to take up such work) in the cause of religious thought.  May God bless the new form of life that lies before me, that I may use it according to His holy will!

Oct. 21st.—­I had a note in the evening from the Dean, to say that he had seen the Censors on the subject of my proposed resignation at the end of the year, and that arrangements should be made, as far as could be done, to carry out my wishes; and kindly adding an expression of regret at losing my services, but allowing that I had “earned a right to retirement.”  So my Lectureship seems to be near its end.

Nov. 30th.—­I find