cS2 Mary Somerville. 



became acquainted with him, by no means good- 

 looking, but with a benevolent expression, somewhat 

 concealed by the large spectacles he always wore. 

 His manner w^s gravely cheerful ; he was perfectly 

 amiable, and was both respected and loved, but he 

 could be a severe though just critic. He liked 

 female society, and, philosopher as he was, marked 

 attention from the sex obviously flattered him. 



I had now read a good deal on the higher branches 

 of mathematics and physical astronomy, but as I 

 never had been taught, I was afraid that I might 

 imagine that I understood the subjects when I really 

 did not ; so by Professor Wallace's advice I engaged 

 his brother to read with me, and the book I chose 

 to study with him was the "Me'canique Celeste." Mr. 

 John Wallace was a good mathematician, but I soon 

 found that I understood the subject as well as he 

 did. I was glad, however, to have taken this resolu- 

 tion, as it gave me confidence in myself and conse- 

 quently courage to persevere. We had advanced 

 but little in this work when my marriage with my 

 cousin, William Somerville (1812), put an end to 

 scientific pursuits for a time. 



