three in the morning
It is said that on one occasion he was found to be engaged in the pursuit of knowledge while standing on his head ; and that he accounted for the circumstance with a humorous philosophy almost worthy of Jack Easy -- `` Well ! I 've been trying for three hours to learn it on my feet , but I could n't , so I thought I would try whether it would be easier to learn it on my head . '' Another anecdote , of a contest with his school-fellow Babbage , is interesting and characteristic . It appears that the inventor of the calculating machine , unlike Marryat , was a very diligent lad ; and that he accordingly arranged , with some kindred spirits , to begin work at three in the morning . The restless Marryat wished to join the party , but his motives were suspected and the conspirators adopted the simple expedient of not waking him . Marryat rolled his bed across the door , and Babbage pushed it away . Marryat tied a string from his wrist to the door handle , and Babbage unfastened it .