362 Mary Somerville. 



cliffs of the Monte Santangelo. It was beautiful 

 always, but most beautiful when the sun, setting be- 

 hind Ischia, sent a perfect glory over the rippling 

 sea, and tinged the Monte Santangelo and the cliffs 

 which bound the Piano di Sorrento literally with 

 purple and gold. I spent the whole day on a 

 charming terrace sheltered from the sun, and there 

 we dined and passed the evening watching the lights 

 of Naples reflected in the water and the revolving 

 lights of the different lighthouses. I often drove to 

 Massa till after sunset, for from that road I could see 

 the island of Capri, and I scarcely know a more 

 lovely drive. Besides the books we took with us we 

 had newspapers, reviews, and other periodicals, so 

 that we were never dull. On one occasion my 

 daughters and I made an expedition up the hills to 

 the Deserto, from whence one can see the Gulf of 

 Salerno and the fine mountains of Calabria. My 

 daughters rode and I was carried in a portantina. 

 It was fine, clear, autumnal weather, and I enjoyed 

 my expedition immensely, nor was I fatigued. 



In November we returned to Naples, where I 

 resumed my usual life. I had received a copy of 

 Hamilton's Lectures on Quaternions from the Rev. 

 White well El win. I am not acquainted with that 



