Religious Opinions. 141 



Higher Algebra, all of which must have existed in 

 that sublimely omniscient Mind from eternity. 



Many of our friends had very decided and various 

 religious opinions, but my husband and I never 

 entered into controversy ; we had too high a regard 

 for liberty of conscience to interfere with any one's 

 opinions, so we have lived on terms of sincere 

 friendship and love with people who differed essen- 

 tially from us in religious views, and in all the books 

 which I have written I have confined myself strictly 

 and entirely to scientific subjects, although my 

 religious opinions are very decided. 



Timidity of character, probably owing to early 

 education, had a great influence on my daily life ; 

 for I did not assume my place in society in my 

 younger days ; and in argument I was in- 

 stantly silenced, although I often knew, and could 

 have proved, that I was in the right. The only 

 thing in which I was determined and inflexible 

 was in the prosecution of my studies. They were 

 perpetually interrupted, but always resumed at the 

 first opportunity. No analysis is so difficult as that 

 of one's own mind, but I do not think I err much in 



saying that perseverance is a characteristic of mine. 



***** 



Somerville and I were very happy when we 

 lived in Hanover Square. We were always en- 



