iv.] CHOICE OF A PROFESSION, 1833. 85 



Sir John Herschel need alone be quoted. He speaks of 

 Forbes ' as marked by Nature for scientific distinction, if 

 he should continue to aim at its attainment/ ' I adhere/ 

 he adds, ' to the expression ; and having, in consequence 

 of the interest attaching to this matter, been led to an 

 attentive re-perusal of his meteorological and magnetic 

 researches, as well as of many of his earlier papers, I 

 must say that I find this impression greatly strengthened 

 and confirmed by the evidence they afford of a most 

 valuable union of careful diligence in the observation 

 of facts, and just philosophic views in combining and 

 reasoning on them, together with a remarkably extensive 

 knowledge of the investigations of predecessors and con- 

 temporaries in a great variety of different branches of 



inquiry It would be the height of absurdity to 



think of raising any objection on the score of standing, 

 to one who has already brilliantly distinguished himself, 

 and whose .talents and application can only be rendered 

 more precious by the vigour of age youth he means 

 to which they are attached.' 



Excessive youth was one of the main objections 

 urged against Forbes. These words of Herschel must 

 have done something to repel this foolish charge ; for 

 in truth there can be no more foolish objection urged 

 against a candidate, who is otherwise well qualified. 

 Wln-iv ( liaia< t r and genius are found, as they some- 

 times are, combined in a very young man, he canuot, 

 when once he has attained his majority, too soon be 

 placed in the chair for which his gifts have evidently 

 designed him. 



It cannot, however, be doubted that, if the election 



had been decided solely by achiev< -.1 n suits, Brewster 



must have been successful. I have heard it sai<l, lm\v- 



'ne element which does not appear in the 



inonials weighed with the electors a very grave 



dnul.t \\hrtli.T Sir David had the, power of lecturing 



re a large audience. It is well known that ho 



never could venture to sp^ak without manuscript at 



Irncrth ill public. It may !< that the bain.- 



