CAVENDISH 35 



a state of nervous agitation, and in future confined his 

 evening walks to the nine acres surrounding Cavendish 

 House. His shyness was almost a disease, and was 

 extremely embarrassing to himself and acquaintances. 

 If Cavendish had not been such a recluse, he might have 

 taken part in the doings of another famous Clapham 

 house. Cavendish House was No. 100 Clapham Common, 

 and No. 87 was the square and not very picturesque 

 building of the Georgian type known as Battersea Rise 

 House. This house was the rendezvous of Wilberforce, 

 Zachary Macaulay, Thornton, and others of the anti- 

 slavery crusade, who in their day wielded no small 

 influence upon the destiny of mankind. Cavendish's 

 work, however, lay in another line, for he was no philan- 

 thropist or politician. 



Many are the stories of this eccentric individual. A 

 few, however, must suffice. Ingenhousz, a distinguished 

 scientist, entered upon a complimentary harangue, saying 

 he had only come to England for the purpose of seeing 

 the great Cavendish so profound and so universally 

 celebrated. Cavendish became speechless, nervous agita- 

 tion seized him, and, overwhelmed with confusion, made a 

 hasty retreat from the room, and on reaching his carriage 

 was driven home. 



On one occasion three or four friends (or rather 

 acquaintances) being invited to dine with him, he was 

 asked what he would like for dinner. He replied, "a 



