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blind from his seventeenth year； and yet he found means to study
and master a branch of natural history demanding the closest
observation and the keenest eyesight。 It was through the eyes of
his wife that his mind worked as if they had been his own。 She
encouraged her husband's studies as a means of alleviating his
privation； which at length he came to forget； and his life was as
prolonged and happy as is usual with most naturalists。 He even
went so far as to declare that he should be miserable were he to
regain his eyesight。 〃I should not know；〃 he said； 〃to what
extent a person in my situation could be beloved； besides； to me
my wife is always young； fresh； and pretty； which is no light
matter。〃 Huber's great work on 'Bees' is still regarded as a
masterpiece； embodying a vast amount of original observation on
their habits and natural history。 Indeed； while reading his
descriptions； one would suppose that they were the work of a
singularly keensighted man； rather than of one who had been
entirely blind for twenty…five years at the time at which
he wrote them。
Not less touching was the devotion of Lady Hamilton to the service
of her husband； the late Sir William Hamilton； Professor of Logic
and Metaphysics in the University of Edinburgh。 After he had been
stricken by paralysis through overwork at the age of fifty…six；
she became hands； eyes； mind； and everything to him。 She
identified herself with his work； read and consulted books for
him； copied out and corrected his lectures； and relieved him of
all business which she felt herself competent to undertake。
Indeed； her conduct as a wife was nothing short of heroic； and it
is probable that but for her devoted and more than wifely help；
and her rare practical ability； the greatest of her husband's
works would never have seen the light。 He was by nature
unmethodical and disorderly； and she supplied him with method and
orderliness。 His temperament was studious but indolent； while she
was active and energetic。 She abounded in the qualities which he
most lacked。 He had the genius； to which her vigorous nature
gave the force and impulse。
When Sir William Hamilton was elected to his Professorship； after
a severe and even bitter contest； his opponents； professing to
regard him as a visionary； predicted that he could never teach a
class of students； and that his appointment would prove a total
failure。 He determined； with the help of his wife； to justify the
choice of his supporters； and to prove that his enemies were false
prophets。 Having no stock of lectures on hand； each lecture of
the first course was written out day by day； as it was to be
delivered on the following morning。 His wife sat up with him
night after night； to write out a fair copy of the lectures from
the rough sheets； which he drafted in the adjoining room。 〃On
some occasions；〃 says his biographer； 〃the subject of the lectures
would prove less easily managed than on others； and then Sir
William would be found writing as late as nine o'clock in the
morning； while his faithful but wearied amanuensis had fallen
asleep on a sofa。〃 （20）
Sometimes the finishing touches to the lecture were left to be
given just before the class…hour。 Thus helped； Sir William
completed his course； his reputation as a lecturer was
established； and he eventually became recognised throughout Europe
as one of the leading intellects of his time。 （21）
The woman who soothes anxiety by her presence； who charms and
allays irritability by her sweetness of temper； is a consoler as
well as a true helper。 Niebuhr always spoke of his wife as a
fellow…worker with him in this sense。 Without the peace and
consolation which be found in her society； his nature would have
fretted in comparative uselessness。 〃Her sweetness of temper and
her love；〃 said he； 〃raise me above the earth； and in a manner
separate me from this life。〃 But she was a helper in another and
more direct way。 Niebuhr was accustomed to discuss with his wife
every historical discovery； every political event； every novelty
in literature； and it was mainly for her pleasure and approbation；
in the first instance； that he laboured while preparing himself
for the instruction of the world at large。
The wife of John Stuart Mill was another worthy helper of her
husband； though in a more abstruse department of study； as we
learn from his touching dedication of the treatise 'On Liberty'：
〃To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer；
and in part the author； of all that is best in my writingsthe
friend and wife； whose exalted sense of truth and right was my
strongest incitement； and whose approbation was my chief reward； I
dedicate this volume。〃 Not less touching is the testimony borne
by another great living writer to the character of his wife； in
the inscription upon the tombstone of Mrs。 Carlyle in Haddington
Churchyard； where are inscribed these words：… 〃In her bright
existence； she had more sorrows than are common； but also a soft
amiability； a capacity of discernment； and a noble loyalty of
heart； which are rare。 For forty years she was the true and
loving helpmate of her husband； and by act and word unweariedly
forwarded him as none else could； in all of worthy that he
did or attempted〃
The married life of Faraday was eminently happy。 In his wife he
found； at the same time； a true helpmate and soul…mate。 She
supported； cheered； and strengthened him on his way through life；
giving him 〃the clear contentment of a heart at ease。〃 In his
diary he speaks of his marriage as 〃a source of honour and
happiness far exceeding all the rest。〃 After twentyeight years'
experience； he spoke of it as 〃an event which； more than any
other； had contributed to his earthly happiness and healthy state
of mind。。。。 The union （said he） has in nowise changed； except
only in the depth and strength of its character。〃 And for six…
and…forty years did the union continue unbroken； the love of the
old man remaining as fresh； as earnest； as heart…whole； as in the
days of his impetuous youth。 In this case； marriage was as
〃A golden chain let down from heaven；
Whose links are bright and even；
That falls like sleep on lovers； and combines
The soft and sweetest minds
In equal knots。〃
Besides being a helper； woman is emphatically a consoler。 Her
sympathy is unfailing。 She soothes； cheers； and comforts。 Never
was this more true than in the case of the wife of Tom Hood； whose
tender devotion to him； during a life that was a prolonged
illness； is one of the most affecting things in biography。 A
woman of excellent good sense； she appreciated her husband's
genius； and； by encouragement and sympathy； cheered and heartened
him to renewed effort in many a weary struggle for life。 She
created about him an atmosphere of hope and cheerfulness； and
nowhere did the sunshine of her love seem so bright as when
lighting up the couch of