J/A'S. SOMERVILLR. 47 



of her own poetry. For a while she listened atten- 

 tively, and then, perhaps, not finding the declamation 

 very interesting, she began to think of her own 

 writing, and became so entirely absorbed in her 

 thoughts, that though still having the appearance of 

 a listener, she in reality heard not a word that was 

 spoken. This was, in truth, a good thing for her, 

 because she had a great dislike to flattery, and it 

 happened that the poetess, quite unexpectedly, left 

 other subjects, and occupied herself in most enthusi- 

 astic praise of her talented hearer. Yet Mrs. Somer- 

 ville sat through it all quite calm and unmoved, never 

 changing countenance at all. Her friends were amazed 

 at her serenity ; but when the performance was over 

 they were much amused to discover that she had, 

 during the whole time, been thinking her own thoughts, 

 and was quite unaware of what was going on. 



Mrs. Somerville was about three years writing her 

 " Mechanism of the Heavens," which was the title 

 given to her account of Laplace's great book. 



At last it was finished, and the manuscript sent 

 off* to Lord Brougham, in order that he might decide, 

 as previously arranged, whether it should be torn up 

 or not. But the book was not destined to be at once 

 destroyed. On the contrary, it was published, and 

 was very highly praised by all who read it. It at 

 once brought great honour to its author, and clever 

 men wrote from all quarters to congratulate her 

 on her success. The great astronomer, Sir John 



