"You must give me leave," she wrote to Sir
John, "to send you any publications you can think of, without mentioning
anything about paying for them. For it is necessary I should every now
and then lay out a little of my spare cash in that, for the sake of
supporting the reputation of being a learned lady; (there is for you!)
for I am not only looked at for such a one, but even stared at here in
Hanover!" It was with unaffected modesty she deprecated the honorary
membership of the Irish Academy, conferred on one who, she said, had
not for many years discovered even a comet; yet she was by no means
insensible to the distinction. Every man of scientific eminence who
visited Hanover visited this aged lady; and her presence in the theatre,
even in her latest years, was a constant source of attraction. Such was
the simple frugality of her habits, that she experienced an actual
difficulty in disposing of her income. She affirmed that the largest sum
she could spend upon herself was L50 a year; and the annual pension of
L100, left by her brother, she refused, or else devoted the quarterly or
half-yearly payment to the purchase of some handsome present for her
nephew or niece.
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