KTCHAED SHEEPSHANKS. 47 



1870, having for many years become the expression of 1831. 

 affectionate friendship. 



The Astronomer Royal and Mrs. Airy were among the 

 most welcome of this circle of friends, who often met at 

 the house of Mr. Sheepshanks, where the presence of his 

 sister, a woman full of genial kindness, made all feel wel- 

 come and happy. All were fond of music, and Mrs. Airy's 

 and her sister's ballads, sung with a spirit that gave them 

 a character equal to Wilson's, were sometimes accompanied 

 by Mr. De Morgan's flute, and are still among my 

 pleasantest remembrances. 



Mr. De Morgan had a strong regard for Mr. Sheep- Richard 

 shanks. Among many descriptive remarks, he says of shanks. 

 him in the MS. before mentioned, ' He was the man 

 from whom I learnt more than from all others of the 

 way to feel and acknowledge the merits of an opponent. I 

 have known many men cheerfully and candidly admit the 

 good points of an antagonist, but hardly another, besides 

 Sheepshanks, who would, in the course of opposition, 

 systematically select them, bring them forward, maintain 

 them against those of his own side ; and this always, year 

 after year, when engaged in warm opposition as well as in 

 jocose conversation, when in public discussion with several 

 as well as in private conversation with a single friend.' 

 And that which must be noticed is the vigorous and prac- 

 tical character of his friendship. His active and unwearied 

 assistance was as surely to be reckoned on as a law of 

 nature, especially if to the cause of his friend was attached 

 the opportunity of supporting some principle, or aiding 

 some question of science. Nor was his kindness of feel- 

 ing limited to his friends. It showed itself in real and 

 thoughtful consideration for all with whom he came in 

 contact. Had he been a physician, his fanciful and self- 

 tormenting patients would have thought him the worst of 

 their ills, his milder cases of real suffering would have 

 been cheered by his bantering kindness, while severe and 

 dangerous malady would have felt the presence of the 



