For this reason he made an admirable assistant to the Chief Astronomer, in so much, that he was always constructing wonderful instruments set with peculiarly formed lenses of his own invention, by means of which Mercia prosecuted with greater success her astronomical observations.
In truth, the two were made for each other; not only as co-workers, but also in disposition; for where there was a tendency towards an excess of fiery energy on the one side, it was met with the calm serenity of strict discipline on the other.
Mercia was of calm and even temperament, being wonderfully patient and enduring: the sweetness of her disposition was seldom ruffled, even under the most trying circumstances. Although mild in manner, and in speech, nevertheless she was by no means apathetic or easy going, for her life was one constant round of industry.
This rare combination of calmness and energy had been transmitted to her by her mother, a lady of great learning and talent, who filled the appointment of Chief Inspector of Public Schools under Government.
This lady realising fully the immense responsibility she was about to undertake when becoming a mother, took all the precautions, both physical and mental, to ensure having for her offspring as perfect a human being as was possible to obtain.
The effect of this régime on the part of the mother, benefited herself equally as her offspring; for when the hour of accouchement arrived the pains of child-birth were so light, and every muscle and organ of her body in such perfect condition, that in the space of a week she was fully restored and able to resume her social, household, or professional duties, as if nothing had happened.
There was no suckling of infants in these days, except by the very lowest orders; women having by degrees lost that property for some considerable time. As far back as the close of the nineteenth century this power had commenced to fail them.
Either through weakness engendered by much child-bearing, or the demands of society upon the time of the women belonging to the upper and middle classes, the habit of artificial suckling was resorted to, and eventually adopted by all classes about that period, with the result that in course of time Nature altogether refused to give any supply; for she ever accommodates herself to the conditions under which she is placed.
Thus it came to pass that the mother was equally free as the father in the matter of nursing, if she elected so to be; all the same, the child was still most carefully and skilfully tended.
The post of nurse was only filled by fully-trained, certificated women, who thoroughly understood the management of children, and who were competent to take them through any sickness without a doctor’s assistance.