1H Mary Somerville. 



already been acquainted in London. I, for the 

 first time, met Mrs. Marcet, with whom I have ever 

 lived on terms of affectionate friendship. So many 

 books have now been published for young people, 

 that no one at this time can duly estimate the im- 

 portance of Mrs. Marcet 's scientific works. To them 

 is partly owing that higher intellectual education 

 now beginning to prevail among the better classes 

 in Britain. They produced a great sensation, and 

 went through many editions. Her " Conversations 

 on Chemistry," first opened out to Faraday's mind 

 that field of science in which he became so illus- 

 trious, and at the height of his fame he always men- 

 tioned Mrs. Marcet with deep reverence. 



Through these kind friends we became acquainted 

 with Professors De Candolle, Prevost, and De la Rive. 

 Other distinguished men were also presented to us ; 

 among these was Mr. Sismondi, author of the " His- 

 tory of the Italian Republics." Madame Sismondi 

 was a Miss Allen, of a family with whom we were 

 very intimate. 



[Some time after her return to England, my mother, 

 desirous of continuing the study of botany, in which she 

 had already attained considerable proficiency, wrote to 

 M. De Candolle, asking his advice, and he sent her the 

 following reply : 



