January 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Number of Questions and Riders in the Printed Papers.

Questions. Riders. Aggregate.
In the 10 Papers of the 5 days 123 101 224

NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AND RIDERS ANSWERED.

Questions. Riders. Aggregate.
By a Wrangler, between the
1st and 7th 69-1/2 25-1/2 95 1 in 2.36
By a Wrangler, between the
12th and 22nd 48-1/2 12-1/2 61 1 in 3.68
By a Wrangler, between the
22nd and 32nd 36 12-1/2 48-1/2 1 in 4.62
By a Sen. Opt. between the
1st and 10th 17-1/2 5 22-1/2 1 in 9.95
By a Sen. Opt. between the
10th and 20th 14-1/2 2 16-1/2 1 in 3.60

G.B. AIRY.

_1868, March 12_.

* * * * *

ST PETER'S COLLEGE LODGE, CAMBRIDGE,
_March 13th, 1868_.

MY DEAR SIR,

I am much obliged by your letter and enclosed paper.

Anything done in the last five days by a Junior Optime only shews
(generally) that he has been employing some of his time
_mischievously_, for he must have been working at subjects which he is
quite unable to master or cramming them by heart on the chance of
meeting with a stray question which he may answer.

The chief part of the Senior Optimes are in something of the same
situation.

I think that the proposed addition of a day to the first part of the
Examination, in which "easy questions in physical subjects" may be
set, is, on this account, a great improvement.

Our new Scheme comes on for discussion on Friday next, March 20, at 2
p.m. in the Arts School. It is much opposed by private tutors,
examiners and others, and may possibly be thrown out in the Senate
this year, though I hope that with a little patience it may be
carried, in an unmutilated form, eventually.

The enclosed Report on the Smith's Prize Examination will be discussed
at the same time.

I will consider what is best to be done on the subject to which your
note refers, without delay. With many thanks,

I am,
Very faithfully yours,
H.W. COOKSON,

_The Astronomer Royal._

* * * *