severe. I am afraid I was rather severe with him. But really he is very
trying, and always seems to talk like a Greek chorus in the most
profound platitudes. Arnold is a classical tutor at Clare College. My
old pupil is getting on famously. Poor fellow! he seems quite oppressed
with his work. But he is making great progress, and sticks to his books
like--a student of Girtham College!

_June 4th_.--Lectured on the Scientific Basis of Blackstone's
Commentaries; afterwards received pupils until 1 p.m. Really Blanch
S---- is more tiresome than ever. It appears that she has taken up with
a young undergraduate of King's, and there is no prospect of any
improvement in her work unless this nonsense is terminated. How foolish
some of my sex are, in spite of their improved opportunities! I blush
for them! Arnold has sent me a copy of Robert Browning's 'Belaustion,'
in order to make me like classics, and give up science. Misguided young
man! He has written some tolerable verses on the fly-leaf; but I have no
intention of playing Belaustion to his 'entranced youth.' These are his
verses:

'My lady dear, if I may call you so,
For you are dearer than all else beside,
I know the love you bear to golden verse,
To golden thoughts enshrined in classic lore,
To all that's beautiful; so here I send
Some echoes of the songs of ancient days,
Attuned and chanted by an English bard,
Who fires one's old love for the rolling lines
Of youthful Hellas; may your cultured ear
Receive, and gladly welcome his sweet song.
And while we revel in the poet's dream,
And hear his actors speak, we'll play our parts.
You, sweet Belaustion on the temple-steps,
Taking your captors captive by your voice;
And I, the youth who, more entranced than all,
Was bound by fetters that he would not loose;
And so we'll play our part. What say you, dear?'

_June 6th_.--Have just seen our new Professor of Physics, Amelia
Cordial, who is an excellent woman, and well suited for the high office
which she holds. She has told me of the foolish conduct of Lady Mary,
who is evidently of opinion that the professorial mantle ought to have
fallen on her shoulders. Really, this jealousy in the ranks of the
learned is most disgraceful; and the bickerings which arise from
disappointed ambition, the envyings and silly quarrels, are the weak
places in our female collegiate system.

Such good news! The wrangler list