, 1874-02-15

TIE SPHERE OF WOMAN.
The personal RecolIections Of Mary Somer-
vile J" Is the most interesting and improving
work that has issued from the press in many
years. It is not--alone nor chiefly through her
remarkable achievements in science that it
Evets attention and e1cites admiration. Mira.
Somervi11e won the applause Of La Place and
HerscheI in the field of mathematics, and of
Humboldt and Wheweu in that Of physics.
Medals we're struck in her honor by the princi-
pal learned societies Of the world. Her works
became textbooks in Cambridge University, and
during her long life she enjoyed the acquaint-
ance and friendship Of three generations Of the
distinguished savans, ltterateurs, artists, and
statesmen Of Europe and America, and in her
$50 gear she fell asleep, as it we're. over trea-
tiEe on QuRternions-andn never awoke- Nothing
remained to be added to her wreath.
There achievements, however, are not the
most marvellous or fascinating parts Of the life
OF Mrs. Somerville- She was the mother Of FIVE
children, three Of whom reached years of ma
turlty, and whose education she superintended
with scrnpnlous care. She performed all the
social duties devolving upon q woman O.. .distine-
tion. She educated herself in those branches
OF learning in which she exceled after marriage
--having been denied the facilities Cor such
training in her younger days. She painted ad-
mirabiy, aud "kept up her music" to the last.
She learned three modern languages, and carried
On vo1uminous correspondence with hkr
friends and with learned men and societies.
She was excellent housekeeper, cook, and
uurse, ana she never allowed science to interfere
with her domestic duties, and never lost her
temper when these duties interrupted, as they
often did, her scientific studies and 1abors.
The honors which wero showe1cd upon her she
received with modesty amounting to tirnidity.
She took part in public efforts for the preyen-
ton of cruelty to animals, and after her 80th
gear entcrod enthusiastically into the CAUSE Of
Italian unity aud Independence. She wrote her
autobiogrephy-a volume Of $40 pages of per
soual historical, literary, and scientific 1eminis-
couces, giving, in addition to the events of her
own Life, glinrses Of tho home circles Of Sir
Walter Scott Sir John Horschel, Sir James
Macintosh, Lafayette, Arago, La Place, Cnvier,
aud 1 multitude of others whom the world is
interested in knowing about.
The life Of Airs. Somervil1e is at once IN en-
comium and Sarcasm upon her sex By her
achievements she proved that women can do
Whatever men can do in the higher walks Of in-
telectual endeayor. At the same time she
proved TINT the "sphere" assigned to woman
by natu1 al laws 1s no hindrance to tho pursuit
Of knowledge. and o1fera no indispensable obsta-
Gle 70 the most important undertakings for the
advancement OF science. Her domestic life
with her second husband WAS happy one,
but presents no features to draw it out Of the
villes we're not rich They lost all their proper
t. 8oon after their marriage, and were depend
ent upon DR.. Somervi1e's ealary as a hospital
physician and upon a pension Of E2oo, granted
by the British Government as recognition OF
Mrs. Eouerv1lle's attainments as ma:hemati-
cian. These resources. and the sums obtained
from the publication OF her works, which we're
not large, owing to the abstEuse nature Of the
topics upon which shc wrote, required
the exercise Of economy. No adventi-
her an advantage over the majority
OF women Of the "middle class" in Eng1ish
society. Any girl who receives an academic ed
ucation, aud whose marriage is happy one, has
as fair start in the world as Mary SomeE7i1e
had The cares OF household are shown by
her example to be not stumbling blocks, but
rather the cushions and upholstery Of q great
career. Every woman cannot be like Mrs. Son.
9 Newton. But the work she did teaches Us that
the sphere Of woman-the everyday life. with
its iundrum Of bread and butter and ita music
Of prattling children-is full Of opportunities
usefulness to the world.
When this grand character had entered upon
tho 92d year Of her honorable age, looking still
forward to tho high mission Thereunto she had !
been called che wrote these words, which ftly |
close the memorials she left to her children and |
friends:
The Blue Peter has been long flying at my FORE |
mast, aud now that 41n in my 92d year must soon
expect the signl for sailing. 1t is solemn voyage,
but It does not disturb uy tranquility. Deeply sena-
bic Of my utter and profoundly grateful
Cor the innunerahe blessings have received trust
IN the infinite mercy Of my Almighty Creator.
|
l. North Carolina court has just pronounced
deciaou which Is Of extreme importance, ~ It
~, 1,.o pn;vorsal a&il which has uevar hafora