The earliest years of his teaching at Cambridge were a time of transition in the mathematical ideals of the University. Cayley was almost a voice in the wilderness; Glaisher himself described Cambridge pure mathematics as generals without armies.
Ang earliest years ng kanyang pagtuturo sa Cambridge ay isang oras ng paglipat sa matematika ideals ng University. Cayley ay halos isang boses sa desyerto; Glaisher kanyang sarili ng inilarawan sa Cambridge purong matematika bilang generals na walang armies.