d upon a lady of rank who has _fashionable_ learned folks
coming about her, and she informed me that there are new ideas
regarding philosophy entertained in the world, and that Sir John
Herschel was now considered as a slight, second-rate man, or person.
Who are the first-rate she did not say, and, I suppose, you will not
be much mortified to hear that your name was not mentioned at all.
So much for our learning. My sister was much disappointed the other
day when, in expectation of a ghost story from Mr. Dickens, she only
got a grotesque moral allegory; now, as she delights in a ghost and
hates an allegory, this was very provoking.

Believe me,
My dear Mrs. Somerville,
Yours with admiration and esteem,
J. BAILLIE.

* * * * *

FROM MISS JOANNA BAILLIE TO MRS. SOMERVILLE

HAMPSTEAD, _January 9th, 1851_.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

My dear Mary Somerville, whom I am proud to call my friend, and that
she so calls me. I could say much on this point, but I dare not. I
received your letter from Mr. Greig last night, and thank you very
gratefully. If my head were less confused I should do it better, but
the pride I have in thinking of you as philosopher and a woman
cannot be exceeded. I shall read your letter many times over. My
sister and myself at so great an age are waiting to be called away
in mercy by an Almighty Father, and we part with our earthly friends
as those whom we shall meet again. My great monster book is now
published, and your copy I shall send to your son who will peep into
it, and then forward it to yourself. I beg to be kindly and
respectfully remembered to your husband; I offer my best wishes to
your daughters....

Yours, my dear Friend,
Very faithfully,
JOANNA BAILLIE.

My sister begs of you and all your family to accept her best wishes.

* * * * *

FROM SIR JOHN HERSCHEL TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

_18th March, 1844._

MY DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE,

To have received a letter from you so long ago, and not yet to have
thanked you for it, is what I could hardly hav