“At this time I was engaged upon differential equations, mountain barometer problem and determination of the height of the Gogmagogs and several other points, investigations connected with Laplace’s calculus, spherical aberration in different planes, geology (especially regarding Derbyshire, which I proposed to visit), and much of optics.  I wrote a draft of my Paper on the figure of Saturn, and on Mar. 15th, 1824, it was read at the Philosophical Society under the title of ’On the figure assumed by a fluid homogeneous mass, whose particles are acted on by their mutual attraction, and by small extraneous forces,’ and is printed in their Memoirs.  I also wrote a draft of my Paper on Achromatic Eye-pieces, and on May 17th, 1824, it was read at the Philosophical Society under the title of ’On the Principles and Construction of the Achromatic Eye-pieces of Telescopes, and on the Achromatism of Microscopes,’ including also the effects of separating the lenses of the object-glass.  It is printed in their Memoirs.

“Amongst miscellaneous matters I find that on Mar. 22nd of this year I began regularly making extracts from the books of the Book Society, a practice which I continued to March 1826.  On Mar. 27th, a very rainy day, I walked to Bury to attend the funeral of my uncle William Biddell, near Diss, and on Mar. 30th I walked back in rain and snow.  On Feb. 24th I dined with Cubitt in Cambridge.  On May 21st I gave a certificate to Rogers (the assistant in Crosse’s school, and my instructor in mathematics), which my mother amplified much, and which I believe procured his election as master of Walsall School.  On June 23rd I went to Bury.  The speeches at Bury School, which I wished to attend, took place next day.”

At this point of his Autobiography the writer continues, “Now came one of the most important occurrences in my life.”  The important event in question was his acquaintance with Richarda Smith, the lady who afterwards became his wife.  The courtship was a long one, and in the Autobiography there are various passages relating to it, all written in the most natural and unaffected manner, but of somewhat too private a nature for publication.  It will therefore be convenient to digress from the straight path of the narrative in order to insert a short memoir of the lady who was destined to influence his life and happiness in a most important degree.

Richarda Smith was the eldest daughter of the Rev. Richard Smith, who had been a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, but was at this time Private Chaplain to the Duke of Devonshire, and held the small living of Edensor, near Chatsworth, in Derbyshire.  He had a family of two sons and seven daughters, whom he had brought up and educated very carefully.  Several of his daughters were remarkable both for their beauty and accomplishments.  Richarda Smith was now in her 20th year, and the writer of the Autobiography records that “at Matlock we received great attention