Professor Sedgwick. 365 



FROM PROFESSOR SEDGWICK TO MRS. SOMERVILLE. 



CAMBRIDGE, April 2ltt, 1869. 

 MY DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE, 



I heard, when I was in London, that you were 

 still in good bodily health, and in full fruition cf your 

 great intellectual strength, while breathing the sweet air 

 of Naples. I had been a close prisoner to my college 

 rooms through the past winter and spring ; but I broke 

 from my prison-house at the beginning of this month, 

 that I might consult my oculist, and meet my niece on 



her way to Italy My niece has for many 



years (ever since 1840) been my loving companion 

 during my annual turn of residence as canon of Nor- 

 wich ; and she is, and from her childhood has, been to 

 me as a dear daughter. I know you will forgive me for 

 my anxiety to hear from a living witness that you are 

 well and happy in the closing days of your honoured life ; 

 and for my longing desire that my beloved daughter (for 

 suck I ever regard her) should speak to you face to face, 

 and see (for however short an interview) the Mrs. Somer- 

 ville, of whom I have so often talked with her in terms 

 of honest admiration and deep regard. The time for 

 the Italian tour is, alas ! far too short. But it will be a 

 great gain to each of the party to be allowed, even for a 

 short time, to gaze upon the earthly paradise that is 

 round about you, and to cast one look over its natural 



wonders and historic monuments Since you 



were here, my dear and honoured guest, Cambridge is 

 greatly changed. I am left here like a vessel on its beam 

 ends, to mark the distance to which the current has 

 been drifting during a good many bygone years. I have 



