52 THE WORLD'S WORKERS. 



and to excursions to picture galleries and antiquities, 

 but the whole of her mornings she gave to work. 

 This rule she laid down inflexibly, and when possible, 

 allowed nothing to interfere with her resolution. So 

 success once more crowned her efforts. Though the 

 "Physical Geography" was a most advanced work, full 

 of thought and research, requiring many years of 

 study, it was at length completed, and was a marvel 

 to all who read it. Whatever else Mrs. Somerville 

 had accomplished, she had proved that women were 

 capable of scientific thought. 



Mrs. Somervilie was sixty-eight years of age when 

 her "Physical Geography" was published; and per- 

 sons less energetic than herself would have thought 

 that having done so much, the time had come when 

 she might rest and be thankful. But she found no 

 pleasure in idleness. Still she visited her numerous 

 friends, making fresh acquaintance continually 

 amongst the learned and talented ; still she travelled 

 from place to place, seeing much that was wonderful 

 and beautiful, and rejoicing in all things fair ; and 

 still she took an eager interest in the political events 

 of the day. Living, as she did, for the most part in 

 Italy, she was naturally much occupied with the stirring 

 events which were then occurring. Her sympathies 

 had always been with liberal opinions, and long before 

 Italy was united under Victor Emmanuel, she believed 

 that its unity would be brought about When it was 

 accomplished, she was enthusiastically glad. 



