88 ENGLISH MEN OF SCIENCE. [CHAP. 



21. "When a boy of thirteen I walked forty- 

 eight miles in one day, fifty the next, and about 

 twenty the third ; when grown up, my powers 

 were ordinary, certainly not above the average. 

 In mind Naturally indolent ; disinclined to 

 work unless with a large object. [N.B. I insert 

 this moderate statement because my correspon- 

 dent adheres to it verbally, and gives facts and 

 reasons which I cannot controvert ; nevertheless, 

 if energy is to be measured by work actually 

 accomplished, and if my correspondent's work be 

 compared with that of other men, the estimate of 

 his energy would be prodigiously increased.] 



" Father When a young man he and two 

 brothers walked sixty miles in one day. Much 

 mental energy ; ready for all purposes. When 

 old he was astonished at the amount of work in 

 .... he did when young. Mother Ordinary, 

 both bodily and mental." 



22. " Has done his chief brain- work between 

 ten p.m. and two a.m., besides all the day 

 labour; rests perfectly during a night railway 

 journey. 



