sionally led her into strange positions,
such as the one above mentioned, it rendered her entirely
independent of outward circumstances, nor did she require to isolate
herself from the family circle in order to pursue her studies. I
have already mentioned that when we were very young she taught us
herself for a few hours daily; when our lessons were over we always
remained in the room with her, learning grammar, arithmetic, or some
such plague of childhood. Any one who has plunged into the mazes of
the higher branches of mathematics or other abstruse science, would
probably feel no slight degree of irritation on being interrupted
at a critical moment when the solution was almost within his grasp,
by some childish question about tense or gender, or how much seven
times seven made. My mother was never impatient, but explained our
little difficulties quickly and kindly, and returned calmly to her
own profound thoughts. Yet on occasion she could show both
irritation and impatience--when we were stupid or inattentive,
neither of which she could stand. With her clear mind she darted at
the solution, sometimes forgetting that we had to toil after her
laboriously step by step. I well remember her slender white hand
pointing impatiently to the book or slate--"Don't you see it? there
is no difficulty in it, it is quite clear." Things were so clear to
her! I must here add some other recollections by my mother of this
very interesting portion of her life.]

* * * * *

I was a considerable time employed in writing this book, but I by no
means gave up society, which would neither have suited Somerville nor
me. We dined out, went to evening parties, and occasionally to the
theatre. As soon as my work was finished I sent the manuscript to Lord
Brougham, requesting that it might be thoroughly examined, criticised
and destroyed according to promise if a failure. I was very nervous
while it was under examination, and was equally surprised and gratified
that Sir John Herschel, our greatest astronomer, and perfectly versed in
the calculus, should have found so few errors. The letter he wrote on
this occasion made me so happy and proud that I have preserved it.

LETTER FROM SIR JOHN HERSCHEL TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE,

I have read your manuscript with the greatest pleasure, and will not
hesitate