rated wit and
able contributor to the _Review_, at Burntisland, where he and his wife
came for sea-bathing. Long afterwards we lived on the most friendly
terms till their deaths. Of that older group no one was more celebrated
than Professor Playfair. He knew that I was reading the "Mecanique
Celeste," and asked me how I got on? I told him that I was stopped short
by a difficulty now and then, but I persevered till I got over it. He
said, "You would do better to read on for a few pages and return to it
again, it will then no longer seem so difficult." I invariably followed
his advice and with much success.

Professor Playfair was a man of the most varied accomplishments and of
the highest scientific distinction. He was an elderly man when I first
became acquainted with him, by no means good-looking, but with a
benevolent expression, somewhat concealed by the large spectacles he
always wore. His manner was gravely cheerful; he was perfectly amiable,
and was both respected and loved, but he could be a severe though just
critic. He liked female society, and, philosopher as he was, marked
attention from the sex obviously flattered him.

I had now read a good deal on the higher branches of mathematics and
physical astronomy, but as I never had been taught, I was afraid that I
might imagine that I understood the subjects when I really did not; so
by Professor Wallace's advice I engaged his brother to read with me, and
the book I chose to study with him was the "Mecanique Celeste." Mr. John
Wallace was a good mathematician, but I soon found that I understood the
subject as well as he did. I was glad, however, to have taken this
resolution, as it gave me confidence in myself and consequently courage
to persevere. We had advanced but little in this work when my marriage
with my cousin, William Somerville (1812), put an end to scientific
pursuits for a time.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 6: These books and all the other mathematical works belonging
to my mother at the time of her death have been presented to the College
for Women, at Girton, Cambridge.]

CHAPTER VI.

SOMERVILLE FAMILY--DR. SOMERVILLE'S CHARACTER--LETTERS--JOURNEY TO THE
LAKES--DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX--REMINISCENCES OF SIR WALTER SCOTT.

[With regard to my father's family, I cannot do better than quote
what my grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Somerville, says in his "Life
and Times":--"I am a descendant of the ancient family of Somerville