440 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCS 



anywhere else. From the house of Dr. Percy, in Birming- 

 ham, lie writes thus; 



**Here — even here — the moment I leave the table, I 

 wish I were with you IN quiet. Oh, what happiness 

 is ours! My runs into the world in this way only serve 

 to make me esteem that happiness the more." 



And again: 



""We have been to a grand conversazione in the town- 

 hall, and I have now returned to my room to talk with 

 you, as the pleasantest and happiest thing that I can do. 

 Nothing rests me so much as communion with you. I 

 feel it even now as I write, and catch myself saying the 

 words aloud as I write them.'* 



Take this, moreover, as indicative of his love for 

 Nature: 



"After writing, I walk out in the evening hand in 

 hand with my dear wife to enjoy the sunset; for to me 

 who love scenery, of all that I have seen or can see, there 

 is none surpasses that of heaven. A glorious sunset brings 

 with it a thousand thoughts that delight me." 



Of the numberless lights thrown upon him by the 

 "Life and Letters," some fall upon his religion. In a 

 letter to Lady Lovelace, he describes himself as belonging 

 to "a very small and despised sect of Christians, known, 

 if known at all, as Sandemanians^ and our hope is founded 

 on the faith that is in Christ." He adds: "I do not think 

 it at all necessary to tie the study of the natural sciences 

 and religion together, and, in my intercourse with my 

 fellow- creatures, that which is religious, and that which 

 is philosophical, have ever been two distinct things. " He 

 saw clearly the danger of quitting his moorings, and his 

 science acted indirectly as the safeguard of his faith. For 



