The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-04
LITER ATU r E il.
IDEAL OLD AGE

IDEAL UGU AdG.
10 seems to be q general belief that literary
" scientific woman is not only great deal
happier out Of the married state than in 1t. but
that her marriage tends to decrease the happiness
or the man who becomes her mate. So widespread
s this idea that theIe is general uplifting Of
hands when an instance becomes proved OF q
woman, renowned Tor intellectual gifts and accom-
plishments, achieving and creating happiness az a
wife and mother. The general tendency to d1sbe'
neve in the combination OF intellectual pre-emi-
hence with conjugal happiness Is not wlhout
pretty solid foundation. The history OF literature
and science Is only too 1ail OF eVidences
OF the misery ensuing from the mistakes
made by intellectual men and women In Sc
lecting partners In whom they thought they
recognized their proper affinities. Hence any
contradiction OF what appears to he the general
rule s particularly grateful to those whose ideal
OF human felicity is the deep, calm JOY Of happy
married life, OF two beings whose natures are
welded to degree infinitely more intimate than
that accomplished by ring and priest. There Is
double satisfaction in welcoming the autobiography
OF MRS. Somerville, because 1t gives illustration
both to the rule and the exception. but yields am
pier confirmation OF the possible sunshine OF
welded lie, where the wife possesses recognized
intellectual supremacy, than of the gloom and
shadow. Mrs. SOmervile was twice married, and
on each occasion to @ cousin. Her first husband
was Mr.. Samuel Greig, Commissioner OF the Rus
sian Navy and Russian Consul for Britain. The
marriage took place in 1904. 1t lasted three years,
at the end of which time Mrs. Somervle was left
widow. The entire history OF these three years is
disposed OF IN five pages Of the autobiography, but
lew lines therein key to the first experience
In marriage. She says
Ny husband had taken me to his bachelors house
IN London which was exceedingly small ana i'll
ventilated. | had key of The neighboring square,
where used walk. was alone the whole OF the
DAY, so continued my mathematical and other
pursuits, but under great disadvantages; for
studying l met with no sympathy whatever from
Nun, as ne had very low opinion OF the capacity
OF my sex, and had neither HnOWledge Of nor In
tcrest in science OF any kind
These lines were written by Mrs. Somervflle
more than 90 years alter the manner OF life alluded
TO in them was led. The irritation under which
she must have labored had had more than half a
century to cool, and hence the temperature OF the
language. But, without any Overweenlng senti-
men 1t Is easy to picture to ones self the spectacle
OF the lonely wife bending over her books in soil
tude, and finding in Euler and La Grange the
sympathy which husband who chad very low
opinion OF the capacity of her sex and 'neither
knowledge OF nor interest in science Of any kind"
found 1t impossible to bestow,
The second marriage of our photographer be.
slowed upon her the name under which she sub
sequently became known to the scientific world
1t occurred in 1872, and was contracted with her
cousin, William Somervllle. The marriage was
dissolved by the death OF MI. SOmervle, nearly SO
years AFTER on June 20, 1860. SO far as everything
that could contribute to affection and happiness Is
to be taken into account it was as different from
the first marriage as it is possible to conceive On
several occasions Mrs. Someiville comes out of the
reticence in which she wraps her emotions and
gives tribute to this second hu Stands generosity
and WORTH as on page 49, when she says, with more
than ordinary warmth, on tle occasion Of her being
elected honorary member OF the Royal Academy at
Dublin, OF the Bristol Pniosophic Institution and
OF the Societe de Physique ct d'Histoire Naturele
OF Geneva
Our relations and Others who had so severely
criticised and ridiculed me, ast0nisned at my sue
cess, were now loud in my praise. The warmth
with which SOmerville entered into my success
he & sea e %s
generous nature, far above Jealousy, and he con-
tinusd through life to take the kindess interest in
1t is, however, to Martha somervnle, the
daughter, who frequently supplements her
mothers narrative precisely at those points where
the need OF additional Information Is most felt,
that We are indebted for the fullest particulars in
regard to DR.. Somervtie's approval and encourage
ment Of his wiles scientific labors. In one OF the
pleasantest Of her parentheses Martha remarks:-
My fathers style in writing English was singu-
larry pure and correct, and lie was very tastidous
on this subJect-a severe critic, whether in cor
rectlng the children'S lessons or in reading over
the last proof sheets OF my mothers works pre-
have fitted him very well to write the history OF
his travels, but he disked the trouble OF II, and
never having the slightest ambition on his own
account, ne let the time LOT publication slip by.
Others travelled over the country ne first explored
and the novelty was at an END. He was lar hap
pier In helping my mother IN various ways, search
ing the libraries for the books she required inde-
fat1gably, copying and recopying her manuscripts,
to save her time. No trouble seemed too great
which he bestowed upon her; 1t was o labor of
love.
This is certainly charming picture 1t does
not often happen that man possessing respect
able literary and scientific qualification submits
gracefully to be outshOne by his wife in that
sphere. Medociity is more apt than absolute in
capacity to breed envy. DR.. Somervie had spent
great portion OF his life in the American colonies
and had travelled extensively in South Africa. His
daughter Martha tells us that, without being
very deeply learned in any one especial subject he
was generally well INFORMED and very intelligent;
was an excellent classical scholar, took lively in
terest in all branches Of natural history; was
good botanist and mneraogist, and had made,
while abroad, numerous valuable notes out OF
winch 1t is easy to believe that work OF more than
average significance and interest might have been
compiled. TO a man with these accomplishments
much generosity was necessary to have prevented
a feeling OF envy OF the brilliant woman who so
completely outstrode him.
Perhaps the most striking trait which this auto
biography evinces is the plain common sense and
unpretending independence OF spirit of the author.
The style is simple, but not dry. 1t occasionally
rises into cordially, but never becomes norid.
Judged by this revelation alone the author Is felt
to have been blessed with q finely balanced organ
izaton. in which the intellect the sensibities and
the will were most symmetrically proper toned,
and found their Judgement in q healthy physical
frame, capable Of protracted labor and always re-
bounding lightly from the strain. She was SO years
aIra DIV in "a Ira frua al