Diffidence. 163 



eluded that my self-acquired knowledge was so far 

 inferior to that of the men who had been educated 

 in our universities that it would be the height of 

 presumption to attempt to write on such a subject, 

 or indeed on any other. A few days after this Lord 

 Brougham came to Chelsea himself, and Somerville 

 joined with him in urging me at least to make the 

 attempt. I said, "Lord Brougham, you must be 

 aware that the work in question never can be popu- 

 larized, since the student must at least know some- 

 thing of the differential and integral calculi, and as 

 a preliminary step I should have to prove various 

 problems in physical mechanics and astronomy. 

 Besides, La Place never gives diagrams or figures, 

 because they are not necessary to persons versed in 

 the calculus, but they would be indispensable in a 

 work such as you wish me to write. I am afraid I 

 am incapable of such a task : but as you both wish 

 it so much, I shall do my very best upon condition of 

 secrecy, and that if I fail the manuscript shall be 

 put into the fire." Thus suddenly and unexpectedly 

 the whole character and course of my future life was 

 changed. 



I rose early and made such arrangements with re- 

 gard to my children and family affairs that I had time 

 to write afterwards ; not, however, without many in- 

 terruptions. A man can always command his time 



X 2 



