30 Dr. Bottomley on the late 



lent work done therein, until its removal in 1869, won for 

 it a distinguished place amongst private observatories, and 

 engaged Mr. Baxendell in correspondence with the most 

 eminent astronomers both in this country and abroad. 

 Amongst other astronomical friends with whom he corres- 

 ponded was Mr. Norman Pogson, Government Astronomer 

 of Madras, and this connection became a closer one by the 

 marriage of Mr. Baxendell with Mr. Pogson's sister Mary 

 Anne in 1865 ; the issue of the marriage was an only 

 son. His quiet orderly life offers little to be recorded. 

 In his own town he was not widely known, nor did he 

 ever seek to become widely known ; indeed he furnishes 

 a fresh instance of a peculiarity of scientific life in 

 Manchester, that is the seclusion, almost bordering upon 

 obscurity, of some of its most eminent men. Of Dalton it 

 is stated by one of his biographers, " As is usually the case, 

 on the death of an eminent man, the first proof is furnished 

 to many persons that he was once alive." 



Personal intercourse with Mr. Baxendell would leave the 

 impression of amiability of disposition, and of a simplicity of 

 character which has often been found associated with scientific 

 eminence. Sometimes his communications would involve 

 him in argument ; on such occasions his views, when 

 correct, were stated so quietly, and with such an absence of 

 elation, that an adversary felt no wound. With regard to 

 new theories, he was sometimes slow of conviction ; no 

 doubt the very nature of his studies had impressed upon 

 him the extent of human fallibility, and the necessity of 

 sifting evidence. He would slowly give way, however, 

 when figures were brought against him, for then you had 

 him on his own ground. He was always pleased to be of 

 service to any member of the Society, and he took an 

 active and influential part in obtaining the appointment of 

 Government Inspector of Alkali Works for one of our 

 late members. 



