VII.] 



MARRIED LIFE. 



175 



Physical Atlas, and a review of Humboldt's Cosmos for 

 the Quarterly. 



Here is a description of Fettercairn and his stay 

 there : 



To E. BATTEN, ESQ. 



1 FETTERCAIRN HOUSE, Aug. 7th, 1845. 



* ... The charm of this place is exclusively its 

 rurality. There is a very nice garden, but no fine 

 scenery. It lies in a Hat below the round lumpish 

 Grampians, which offer no interest except the mere exer- 

 cise of climbing them, and change of air. There are no 

 neighbours almost but the Gladstones, and it is a real 

 retirement, and as such very enjoyable to me after having 

 tossed about the world so many summers. I brought 

 plenty of books and work to fill up my time, and though 

 I often sigh for a snowy mountain, I look forward to 

 the, I hope not visionary, hope of seeing the Alps next 

 summer. If I did not, I should not be so tranquil. I 

 hear often from the dear Auguste.' 



Forbes* achievements in science had for some time 

 been generally acknowledged by the scientific brother- 

 hood. The Government, however, had not yet stamped 

 them with the approval of the State. In due time, 

 however, this was not withheld. In September of this 

 year he received a letter from Sir Robert Peel, then 

 Prime Minister, announcing the grant to him of a 

 pension of 200 a year for the services he had rendered 

 to science. 



1 September 19th, 1845. This morning I received a 



i from sir Hubert I 'eel offering MM- ;i pension of 200 

 a year, which I ar^-pn-d. I obtained it through the 

 joint recommendation of many friends. This will relieve 

 me of much anxiety about my future prospects. I mean 

 to reserve it principally as a store for old age, if I be 



<*d to it, aiil at all events for the education, and 

 professional education, of my children. By leaving my 



nt income free to be used, I may pursue science 

 uith more liberty, and, if spared health, continue my 



