Joseph Baxeiidcll, F.R.S. 29 



mathematics would have left less time for astronomy and 

 meteorology. We are liable to imagine that a man who 

 has done well, would have done better under more favour- 

 able circumstances in his early career, but this is far from 

 certain, and of one who has won for himself an eminent 

 position with little extraneous assistance, we may with good 

 reason say that it was best as it was. His constitution in 

 early life was delicate, frequent visits to Southport with his 

 mother for the sake of health led also to a love for a sea- 

 faring life ; at first the fishing boats gave him an opportunity 

 of gratifying his enthusiasm ; afterwards, when about 14 

 years old, he embarked on board the ship Mary Scott, 

 bound for Valparaiso. This step was taken in the hope 

 that the voyage would invigorate his delicate constitution. 

 Although so young, his excellent seamanship soon won the 

 entire confidence of his Captain. It was his fortune to be a 

 witness of the extraordinary display of meteors in 1833 ; 

 he was well adapted to be the spectator of such a magnificent 

 scene, being not wholly lost in admiration, but seeking to 

 determine the radiant point from which they diverged. He 

 also, while out at sea, experienced the shock of the earthquake 

 in 1835, which was attended with such disastrous results to 

 the Pacific coast of South America. He made several 

 voyages, and when he retired, it was with no disgust of a 

 maritime career, indeed in his old age, he would still speak 

 with enthusiasm of the sea and the sailor's life. 



After returning to Manchester, he was for some time 

 engaged in assisting his father in his business. For some 

 years he resided at Stocks Street, Cheetham, and afterwards 

 at Crescent Road, Cheetham Hill. Here he was not far 

 from the Observatory belonging to his friend Robert 

 Worthington, situated in the pleasant park-like grounds 

 attached to Crumpsall Hall. An accident to his right eye 

 debarred Mr. Worthington from using his own Observatory ; 

 Mr. Baxendell had the privilege of using it, and the excel- 



