John Dalton. 201 



never ceased. It was hard work when the two brothers 

 began their own school at Kendal, with some money 

 borrowed from George Bewley and seven guineas from the 

 father, to be repaid soon, whilst Mr. Lickbarrow lent them 

 a guinea during their struggle, and Mr. Kendal lent two, 

 and Mary the sister had to give up thirteen shillings and 

 sixpence, and got paid in small portions, 'to Mary in part 

 o/. os. 6d' We do not know how much Mr. Benson lent, but 

 borrowing soon ceased, and all was paid, and Mary went to 

 stay with the brothers, who had seventy pounds to live on, 

 for a year, seldom increased by more than five pounds for 

 * drawing conditions/ ' making wills/ or ' collecting rents.' 



It is not at all probable that Dalton objected to live 

 on these small means, but he did object to the narrow life, 

 and had flight in view, he knew not where. He made 

 barometers, thermometers, and taught himself by making 

 meteorological observations as well as by careful study. He 

 prepared a hortus siccus of plants near Kendal, arranging 

 in orders and classes, but did not afterwards pursue 

 botany. The title shows a certain command of the Latin 

 tongue which is unusual considering his opportunities, 

 but his memory was seldom at fault. 



Before he left Kendal he became a frequent contributor 

 to the ' Gentleman's Magazine/ answering questions, and 

 especially those which were connected with mathematics, 

 as we learn from an interesting memoir by Mr. T. H. Wil- 

 kinson, of Burnley, in vol. xii. series 2, f the ' Society's 

 Memoirs.' He has been known to answer fifteen out of six- 

 teen such questions, and he frequently received the prizes 

 volumes of the magazine. This habit he continued in 

 Manchester for several years. 



It must have been a bright day for Dalton when Mr. 



