184 ENGLISH MEN OF SCIENCE. [CHAP. 



tics, to all of which, but especially to the last, I 

 paid delighted attention. I presently began to 

 construct apparatus for myself. Subsequently 

 practice in teaching led me to seek for know- 

 ledge. Intercourse with men of higher attain- 

 ments became a great spur ; my turn for .... 

 was favoured by my opportunities as an early 

 member of the .... Society." (a, e,f) 



(6) " Professor . . . . 's lectures on' geology 

 were the origin of my interest in that science ; 

 the work of the .... statistical society in educa- 

 tional inquiries influenced my taste for statistical 

 science ; frequent attendance at meetings of 

 the British Association encouraged my scientific 

 tastes." (d, g) 



MECHANICAL SCIENCE. 



(1) "If any tastes be innate, mine were ; they 

 date from beyond my recollection. They were 

 not determined by events after manhood, but, I 

 think the reverse ; they were discouraged in 

 every way." (a) 



