ULJbKK MAXWELL
though he had published the fundamental ideas long before in the scientific Journals, they had attracted but little attention, and his reputation was based mainly on his work on the kinetic theory of gases. Indeed, even at the time of his death the truth of his supreme contribution to physics —the theory of the electromagnetic field—was an open question. It was only when nearly ten years later Hertz detected by experiment the electromagnetic waves, which were the characteristic and essential part of his theory, and which distinguished it from all others, that the importance of his work was adequately realised. Maxwell delivered his inaugural lecture in October 1871. It is a very able and interesting essay on the functions of experimental work in the laboratory in University education. It has been quoted very frequently, perhaps oftener than any other of his writings. But for the moment it was almost a fiasco. Sir Horace Lamb, who was at it, describes it in the James Clerk Maxwell Commemoration Volume : " The announcement of it had been made in such a way that it had escaped the notice of the older members of the University. It was not given in the Senate House, the usual place for such lectures, but in an obscure lecture-room. The result was that only about twenty were present, and these were all young mathematicians who had just taken, or were about to take, the mathematical Tripos, but more remains behind." I quote Sir Horace Lamb's account of this : " The sequel was rather amusing. When, a few days later, it had been announced with proper formality that Professor Maxwell would begin his lectures on heat at a certain time and place, the dii majores of the University, thinking that this was his first public appearance, attended in full force out of compliment to the new Professor, and it was amusing to see the great mathematicians and philosophers 101