say, that next to them she was the object of our most tender regard. Her ardent thirst for knowledge, her assiduous application to study, and her eminent proficiency in science and the fine arts, have procured her a celebrity rarely obtained by any of her sex. But she never displays any pretensions to superiority, while the affability of her temper, and the gentleness of her manners afford constant sources of gratification to her friends. But what, above all other circumstances, rendered my son's choice acceptable to me, was that it had been the anxious, though secret, desire of my dear wife." I have already said that this esteem and affection of her father-in-law was warmly responded to by my mother. The following letter from her to him shows it vividly:--] LETTER FROM MRS. SOMERVILLE TO THE REV. DR. SOMERVILLE. EDINBURGH, _1st June, 1812_. MY DEAR SIR, I have this moment been gratified and delighted with your excellent and affectionate letter; the intercourse we have so long enjoyed has always been a source of the purest pleasure to me, and the kind interest you have taken from my infancy in my welfare was at all times highly flattering, and much valued; but now that the sacred name of Father is added, nothing is wanting to complete my happiness; and you may rest assured that William is not more anxious to hasten our visit to Jedburgh than I am.... With the affectionate love of all here, I remain your ever most affectionate daughter, MARY SOMERVILLE. P.S.--I am much flattered by the Latin quotation, and feel happy that your instructions have enabled me to read it. * * * * * [I will now proceed with the extracts from my mother's Recollections:--] * * * * *