104 CAVENDISH. 



always employs the Newtonian notation) for the sub- 

 normal, having taken x for some other quantity than 

 the abscissa, and using three letters, as a, 0, and #, to 

 denote segments of the same line, when perhaps a is 

 the whole line, and a x is equal to z. But that he 

 had the most familiar and masterly knowledge of the 

 calculus is plain throughout all his investigations, as 

 it is that his trust in its powers induced him to throw 

 himself willingly and habitually upon them. In this 

 respect he stands not only at the head of chemical 

 philosophers, but alone among them, with perhaps one 

 or two exceptions in the French school. 



In giving the history of his labours, and the cha- 

 racter of his intellectual capacity, we have written the 

 life of Cavendish. His personal history cannot be ex- 

 pected to have any striking interest ; yet they who have 

 been dwelling on his scientific eminence will not be 

 displeased to know somewhat of his ordinary life. 

 He was of a most reserved disposition, and peculiarly 

 shy habits. This led to some singularity of manner, 

 which was further increased by a hesitation or difficulty 

 of speech, and a thin shrill voice. He entered diffi- 

 dently into any conversation, and seemed to dislike 

 being spoken to. He would often leave the place 

 where he was addressed, and leave it abruptly, with a 

 kind of cry or ejaculation, as if scared and disturbed. 

 He lived in a house on Clapham Common, and his 

 library, vast in extent, was at another place, because he 

 made it accessible to all, and did not wish to be trou- 

 bled by those who resorted to it. He allowed friends 

 to take books from it, and he himself never took one 

 without giving a receipt for it. On the death of his 

 librarian he began the practice of himself attending one 

 day in the week to give out and take in books. His 

 large income was allowed to accumulate ; and when 

 his bankers, after finding that a very considerable ba- 

 lance was always left in their hands, mentioned the 

 circumstance, suggesting that it might be invested to 



