we shall have Mary in a strait-jacket one of these days'" (p. 54).
"I continued my mathematical and other pursuits, but under great
disadvantages; for, although my husband did not prevent me from
studying, I met with no sympathy whatever from him, as he had a very
low opinion of the capacity of my sex, and had neither knowledge of
nor interest in science of any kind" (p. 75). "I was considered
eccentric and foolish; and my conduct was highly disapproved of by
many, especially by some members of my own family" (p. 80). "A man
can always command his time under the plea of business: a woman is
not allowed any such excuse" (p. 164). And so on.

At last, in 1831,--Mrs. Somerville being then fifty-one,--her work on "The
Mechanism of the Heavens" appeared. Then came universal recognition,
generous if not prompt, a tardy acknowledgment. "Our relations," she says,
"and others who had so severely criticised and ridiculed me, astonished at
my success, were now loud in my praise."[1] No doubt. So were, probably,
Cinderella's sisters loud in her praise, when the prince at last took her
from the chimney-corner, and married her. They had kept for themselves, to
be sure, as long as they could, the delights and opportunities of life;
while she had taken the place assigned her in her early days,--"which was
very low," as Mrs. Somerville says. But, for all that, they were very kind
to her in the days of her prosperity; and no doubt packed their little
trunks and came to visit their dear sister at the palace as often as she
could wish. And, doubtless, the Fairyland Monthly of that day, when it came
to review Cinderella's "Personal Recollections," pointed out that, as soon
as that distinguished lady had "achieved something positively valuable,"
she received "prompt and generous recognition."

[Footnote 1: Page 176.]