Humphry was long acquainted with his father, a land surveyor. He himself was led to study mathematics, but then secured a place in the Heralds' College. However, the present military threat compelled him to join up and he is now in a rifle corps. This in turn brought him back to thinking of mathematics and military engineering. He has met
Dr. Hutton and
Mr. Landmann, who support him. Hutton has said that people who have been admitted to study at the Military Academy and pass as qualified have the same rights to a commission as gentlemen cadets.