56 THE WORLD'S WORKERS. 



When eighty-nine years of age, Mrs. Sornerville 

 published yet another work, "Molecular and Micro- 

 scopic Science," which was an account of some of the 

 most recent researches of modern science. This book 

 seems to have been begun and continued, as much as 

 anything, because the author, after her husband's death, 

 wanted something to do to occupy her mind. Her 

 daughters urged her to begin it, although in order to 

 carry out her purpose she had to make many experi- 

 ments, examine different objects through the micro- 

 scope, and read difficult scientific periodicals and 

 treatises ; and all this for an old lady of eighty-nine, who 

 " was very deaf and had shaking hands, and got sooner 

 tired when writing than she used to do," was no 

 trifling business. But Mrs. Somerville commenced 

 work with her accustomed energy, though " she did 

 not hurry, nor did she see the need of it." 



She wrote regularly every morning before rising, 

 from eight till twelve or one o'clock, and as she wrote 

 " a mountain sparrow, a great pet, used to perch on 

 her arm." For eight years this little bird was her con- 

 stant companion, and used to sleep upon her arm 

 while she was writing. It came to a violent end, for 

 it was drowned in the water-jug, to the great grief of 

 its famous mistress. After losing this bird, she made 

 a pet of a beautiful long-tailed parroquet, who was her 

 constant companion, and very familiar. 



This last book must have cost Mrs. Somerville 

 a great effort. During its course she had a severe 



