The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-04

tinued and profound abstractlOns she could turn
freshly to the world and find cnarm In the con-
versati0n Of those whose WAYS OF life diverged
widely from hers. Her accounts OF her visits to
France and Italy In 1916 and 1917 abound with
anecdote OF persons in all fields OF distinction
Though as rule she speaks kindly OF those whom
she mentions with any degree OF minutencss, she
can at times be severe, but her severity Is al
ways accompanied with reasons which more than
justify it, Thus she says
At Florence l was presented to the Count
ess or Albany, widow OF Prince Charles Ed
ward Stuart tine Pretender. She was then sup
posed to oe married TO Alferi, the poet and had a
kind OF State reception every evening. I did not
IKE her. and never went again: Her manner was
proud and nsolent. $50 you don't speak Italian !:
Clephane Macane there lwhO was close by speaks
both French and Italian perfectly" SO "a, ing sne
me.
She describes Arago as tail and good looking,
with an animated countenance and black eyes; OF
character noble, generous and energetic. and
manners lively and even gay. La Place was not
TALL but thin, upright and rather formal dis
tinguished in his manners and with something OF
the courtier In him. He was incomparably
superior to Arag0 In mathematics and astronomi-
cal science, but inferior in general accomplish
ments In the large assembage OF phloso-
pliers to whom she was introduced she
had expected very grave and learned
conversation. On the contrary, every one talked
in gay, animated and loud key, especially NJ.
Poisson, author OF "Treatise on Mechanics" Visit
ing the theatre she had the opportunity of COM
pairing Talms with John Kemble and Mademolselle
Duchenois with Mrs. siddons. The comparison in
both cases was in favor OF the English artists Mrs.
Somerville, by the way, had, In her youth, seen
Mrs. Siddons act in Edinburgh and afterwards,
when Mrs. SiddOns was an old woman, had heard
her read in private from Shakespeare and Milton,
Nine. La Place, whom she describes as an eleGante
received the rising mGthemattcenle in bed, ex-
quisiely dressed, after the manner OF the fashion,
able French ladies OF that time. Lord Byron she
saw at Venice at reception OF the Countess
Albrezzi but did not have any conversation with
him because "he would not make the acquaint-
ance OF any English people at that time" At
Bologna she became acquainted with the cele-
brated MezZOianti. whom she describes IS quiet
looking priest, whose conversation was not re-
markable and whose countenance evinced no
talent.
The religious views Of character like Mrs.
Somerve are always interesting because they
furnish basis for judging how lar courageous,
independent, wel-balanced and splendidly en-
dowed intellect may depart from the average
standard. The information she vouchsafes, how
genius would like to md. Writing in her eighty
ninth year she says;-
Although l have been tried oy many severe AZ
fictiOns my lie, upon the whole, has been happy.
In my youth had to contend with prejudice and
to live with; and i never lnterered with or PRED
into other peoples affairs. However, II lrritated
by what considered unjust criticism or inter-
ference with myself, or any one Loved, could re-
sent 1t dercely was not good at ar gument I
was apt to lose my temper; but never bore ill will
woman. however angry may nave been at the
time. But must Say. that no one ever met with
such kindness as :! have done. | never
had an enemy. have never been OF q melancholy
disposition; though depressed sometimes by CIR
cumstances always rallied again; andathough
nt occasion. The short time. have to live natu-
rally occupies my thoughts. In the blessed hope Of
living again with my beloved children and those
VINO were AMI are dear 10 me on earth, think of
death with composure and perfect confidence in
the mercy of God. Yet to mS who am afraid to
comfortably any night unless some one Is near it
is fearful thought that my spirit must enter that
new state Of existence quite alone. We are told OF
them, though 1t is incomprehensiDle to us; but
do COMPREHEND IN some degree at least, the
confess shall be sorrS to leave ii.
shall regret the SKY, 'ne sea, with all
the Of er coSorng the
shall grieve to leave animals who have followed
our steps afiectionately for years, without know
that the living principle Is never extnguished.
Since the atoms oil matter are indestructlble, as
spark when gives to their inner life memory, a
fiction, intelligence and ndelity, is evanescent.
Every atom IN the human frame, as well as in tnat
Of animals, undergOes a periodical change by con-
tInual waste and renovation. The abode is
changed, not its inhabitant II animals have no
the Of is
during life, many die under q barbarOus vlvisec-
ton. | cannot believe That any creature was
a%a1 tor nfad vntOn op
contrary to the attributes OF Gods mercy and
justice. am sincerely happy to find that am not
the only believer in the immortality OF the lower
animals.
Beautiful are the closing gllmpses OF this won.
derful lite. In 1872 she says
I am now, in my nlnety.second year, still able to
drive out for several hours am extremely deaf
and my memory OF ordinary events and especially
OF the names OF people, IS falling, but not Tor
probematlcal and scientific subjects. am still
able to read books on the higher algebra for or
problems. Sometimes l md them difficult, but
my old obstnacy remains; Tor II do not succeed
to-day attack them again on the morrow l also
enjoy reading about all the new discoveries and
theories in the scientific world and in all branches
OF science.
A little later she writes:-
Now that am in my ninety second year must
soon expect the signarfor sailing. 1t is solemn
voyage, but 1t does not disturb my tranquility.
Deeply sensible OF my utter unwOrthlness, and
profoundly grateful for the innumerable blessings
| have received, trust in the infinite mercy of
my. Almighty Creator. l have every reason TO DC
thankful that my intellect Is still unimpared. and
although my strength Is weakness my daughters
support my tottering steps. and by incessant care
and help make the infirmties Of age so light to me
that l am perfectly happy
These are her last words. And so we leave her
dying in her slumber-a sleep within sleep-on
the morning OF November 20, 1872, little more
than year ago. Surely the last third of such q
life illustrates the very ideal OF old age, an old age
viii pnIfu
ligion and all the sweet amenities Of thoroughly
feminine womanhood.
*Personal Recollectons from Early Life to Old
Age OF Mary S0mervilie; with Selections IRON her
correspondence, by her daughter, Martha SOmer.
vile. Published by Roberts Brothers, Boston.
MAURY'S PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.