156 Mary Somerville. 



an Irishwoman. For seventeen years I was in con- 

 stant correspondence with her. The cleverness and 

 animation as well as affection of her letters I cannot 

 express ; certainly women are superior to men in 

 letter-writing. 



[The following is an extract from a letter from Maria 

 Edgeworth to a friend concerning my mother : 



MARIA EDGEWORTH TO MISS 



BEECHWOOD PARK, January \lt7i, 1822. 



We have spent two days pleasantty here with Dr. 

 Wollaston, our own dear friend Mrs. Marcet, and the 

 Somervilles. Mrs. Somerville is the lady who, Laplace 

 says, is the only woman who understands his works. 

 She draws "beautifully, and while her head is among the 

 stars her feet are firm upon the earth. 



Mrs. Somerville is little, slightly made, fairish hair, 

 pink colour, small, grey, round, intelligent, smiling eyes, 

 very pleasing countenance, remarkably soft voice, strong, 

 but well-bred Scotch accent ; timid, not disqualifying 

 timid, but naturally modest, yet with a degree of self- 

 possession through it which prevents her being in the 

 least awkward, and gives her all the advantage of her 

 understanding, at the same time that it adds a pre- 

 possessing charm to her manner and takes off all dread 

 of her superior scientific learning. 



While in London T had a French maid for my 

 daughters, and on coming to Chelsea I taught them 



