of the Toronto chair falling to a Cork professor; so with this in view, he gave up a trip to Chamounix with his brother, and attended the meeting of the British Association at Belfast in August 1852, in order to make himself known to the Irish men of science, for, as his friends told him, personal influence went for so much, and while most men’s reputations were better than themselves, he might flatter himself that he was better than his reputation.  But this, too, came to nothing, and the King’s College appointment also went to the candidate who was backed by the most powerful influence.

A fatality seemed to dog his efforts; nevertheless he writes at the end of 1851:—­]

Among my scientific friends the monition I get on all sides is that of Dante’s great ancestor to him—­

A te sequi la tua stella.

If this were from personal friends only, I should disregard it; but it comes from men to whose approbation it would be foolish affectation to deny the highest value.  I find myself treated on a footing of equality ("my proud self,” as you may suppose, would not put up with any other) by men whose names and works have been long before the world.  My opinions are treated with a respect altogether unaccountable to me, and what I have done is quoted as having full authority.  Without canvassing a soul or making use of any influence, I have been elected into the Royal Society at a time when that election is more difficult than it has ever been in the history of the Society.  Without my knowledge I was within an ace of getting the Royal Society medal this year, and if I go on I shall very probably get it next time.

[In 1852 he was not only to receive this coveted honour (See Chapter 7.), but also to be elected upon the Royal Society Council.  In January 1852, when standing for Toronto, he describes how Colonel Sabine, then Secretary of the Royal Society, dissuaded him from the project, saying that a brilliant prospect lay before him if he would only wait.]

“Make up your mind to get something fairly within your reach, and you will have us all with you.”  Professor Owen again offers to do anything in his power for me; Professor Forbes will move heaven and earth for me if he can; Gray, Bell, and all the leading men are, I know, similarly inclined.  Fate says wait, and you shall reach the goal which from a child you have set before yourself.  On the other hand, a small voice like conscience speaks of one who is wasting youth and life away for your sake.

[Other friends, who, while recognising his general capacities, were not scientific, and had no direct appreciation of his superlative powers in science, thought he was following a course which would never allow him to marry, and urged him to give up his unequal battle with fate, and emigrate to Australia.  Of this he writes on August 5, 1852, to Miss Heathorn:—­]