CHAPTER IV.
We now propose to furnish a brief sketch of the life of Sir John
Frederick William Herschel, the only son of Sir William, and not less
illustrious as a man of science.
He was born at Slough, in the year 1792. Evincing considerable talents
at a very early age, he received a careful private education under Mr.
Rogers, a Scottish mathematician of distinguished merit; and afterwards
was sent to St. John's College, Cambridge, always famous as a nursery of
mathematical and scientific prodigies! Here he pursued his studies with
remarkable success, suffering no obstacles to daunt him, and wasting no
opportunities of improvement. His fellow-collegians regarded him as one
who would add to the high repute of the college, and rejoiced at the
brilliant ease with which he passed every examination. In 1813 he took
his degree of B.A., and consummated a long series of successes by
becoming "senior wrangler," and "Smith's prizeman;" these being the two
highest distinctions to which a Cambridge scholar can attain.
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