50 THE WoKLiJ* WORKERS. 



general hurrahs. But to an affectionate, true-hearted 

 woman like Mrs. Somerville, no praise is so sweet as 

 that which comes from those near and dear, and no 

 hurrahs make such music as theirs. We are not 

 astonished, therefore, to find the following entry in 

 Mrs. Somerville's " Recollections " : 



"Our relations and others who had so severely 

 criticised and ridiculed me, astonished at my success, 

 were now loud in my praise. But the warmth with 

 which Somerville entered into my success deeply 

 affected me. Not one in ten thousand would have 

 rejoiced at it as he did. But he was of a generous 

 nature, far above jealousy, and he continued through 

 life to take the kindest interest in all I did." 



By way of taking a rest after her achievements, 

 Mrs. Somerville soon after this went with her family 

 to stay on the Continent for awhile. Wherever she 

 went, scientific men received her with enthusiasm. If 

 she had been so inclined, she might now have given 

 herself up to enjoyment, feeling that she had done 

 what it had been possible for no other woman to 

 do. But the hunger for work and for increased 

 knowledge, so far from being satisfied, was only 

 slightly appeased, and in a very short time this in- 

 defatigable worker was busy once more it seemed 

 as if she could not stop. True, she went into society 

 a great deal ; she made the acquaintance of princes, 

 ambassadors, professors, and celebrated people of all 

 sorts : and in her genial, witty way she noted their 



