terrestrial
magnetism in both hemispheres. During that long period a friendship has
lasted between Sir Edward and me. He has uniformly sent me copies of all
his works; to them I chiefly owe what I know on the subject, and quite
recently I have received his latest and most important publication. Sir
Edward married a lady of talent and scientific acquirements. She
translated "Cosmos" from the German, and assisted and calculated for
her husband in his laborious work.

I do not remember the exact period, but I think it was subsequent to the
Arctic voyages, that the theory was discovered of those tropical
hurricanes which cause such devastation by sea and land. Observations
are now made on barometric pressure, and warnings are sent to our
principal seaports by telegraph, as well as along both sides of the
Channel; but notwithstanding numerous disastrous shipwrecks occur every
winter on our dangerous coasts. They were far more numerous in my
younger days. Life-boats were not then invented; now they are stationed
on almost every coast of Great Britain, and on many continental shores.
The readiness with which they are manned, and the formidable dangers
encountered to save life, show the gallant, noble character of the
sailor.

CHAPTER IX.

SOCIETY IN LONDON--CORONATION OF GEORGE IV.--LETTER TO DR. SOMERVILLE.

We went frequently to see Mr. Babbage while he was making his
Calculating-machines. He had a transcendant intellect, unconquerable
perseverance, and extensive knowledge on many subjects, besides being a
first-rate mathematician. I always found him most amiable and patient in
explaining the structure and use of the engines. The first he made could
only perform arithmetical operations. Not satisfied with that, Mr.
Babbage constructed an analytical engine, which could be so arranged as
to perform all kinds of mathematical calculations, and print each
result.

Nothing has afforded me so convincing a proof of the unity of the Deity
as these purely mental conceptions of numerical and mathematical science
which have been by slow degrees vouchsafed to man, and are still granted
in these latter times by the Differential Calculus and the Higher
Algebra, all of which must have existed in that sublimely omniscient
Mind from eternity.

Many of our friends had very decided and various religious opinions, but
my husband and I never entered into controversy; we had too high a
regard for liberty of conscience to interfere