32 A CHEMICAL TRIAD. 



and cheers them with timely assistance, we have at least seen 

 that he was open to suggestions, and that, when he did unclasp 

 his cheque-book, it was after the manner of a prince. He had 

 no hatred of mankind ; but of womcmkind that much cannot 

 with truth be stated. If a female servant chanced to meet 

 him in his own house, however inadvertently, it was the 

 certain prelude to her dismissal; and the whole neighbour- 

 hood of Clapham was once lost in astonishment at a most 

 remarkable phenomenon no less than this : Our philo- 

 sopher, in one of his rural strolls, interposed to save a lady 

 from the attacks of an infuriated bull. According to all the 

 preconceived notions entertained respecting our friend, he 

 would more probably have taken sides with the bull against 

 the lady. 



On one occasion, when dining with the associated fellows 

 of the Royal Society, some of the philosophers, after the dinner 

 was over, happened, when looking out of the window, to be 

 attracted by the appearance of some young lady on the oppo- 

 site side of the street, whom curiosity had led to glance in the 

 direction of the apartment where so many philosophers were 

 dining. ' How lovely she is !' said one. < What a beauty !' whis- 

 pered another. The moon had risen, but the fellows were not 

 apostrophising the moon. Cavendish, however, thought they 

 were, and went to the window to participate in their delight. 

 No sooner did he discover his mistake than he uttered a faint 

 scream, as was his wont when disturbed or annoyed, hobbled 

 back to the table, and showed his disgust by one single ejacu- 

 lation : it was ' Pshaw P 



Though not much addicted to conviviality, Cavendish 

 was sometimes known to invite a few friends to dinner. On 

 these occasions everybody knew beforehand the bill of fare : a 

 leg of mutton with trimmings; in other words, a due accompani- 

 ment of vegetables and sauce. Now a leg of mutton pleasant 

 eating enough in itself is not expensive ; the number of a 

 dinner-party, when nothing else is provided, must be limited 



