Thanks for sending a problem paper; W.A.P. will send proofs. 'You have exceeded the legitimate number of problems, but if you prefer having that number I suppose there is no valid objection to it. Some of your problems appear difficult.'
He himself is busy with pupils and with composing six papers and half a problem paper. But looks forward to seeing P.G.T. at dinner on Saturday.
'I am sorry to observe that you do not speak yet with justice of [Edward John] Routh. He has become a very popular coach, has now 14 pupils and has refused several.' [William Dundas] Gardiner is also quite full. 'I suppose you noticed in the Athenaeum a few weeks ago that Routh and Lord Brougham are going to do a mathematical book in concert. [Analytical view of Sir Isaac Newton's Principia, Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, etc. 1855.] 'That cuts you out completely. Routh of course will get one fellowship. There will be three candidates for the other, Jeakes [James Jeakes,Ramsey Fellow 1853, elected], Stewart [Alan Duncan Stewart, Perne Fellow 1853] and [William Dundas] Gardiner. Asks P.GT.'s opinion.
'What do you mean by saying that this is to be the last year of your bachelor life?'
Continuing on 2 May: further comments on the difficulty of P.G.T.'s problems; will he have any objection to diminishing their number a little? He will not send it to the press until he has heard.
News of William Young Clare now attending lectures at the Temple.
John William Taylor, Routh and W.A.P. now the only college lecturers. Further praise of Routh.