Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind?”
PUBLICATIONS ON NAVIGATION.
The question cui bono? to what practical end and advantage do your researches tend? is one which the truly scientific mind can seldom hear without a sense of humiliation. There is a lofty and disinterested pleasure in such pursuits which ought to exempt them from such questioning. Endowed with great capacity and relish for intellectual pursuits, Mrs. Taylor never made such an inquiry.
In 1846, her first work—“Directions for using the Planisphere of the Stars, with Illustrative, and Explanatory Problems”—appeared, accompanied by “A Planisphere of the Fixed Stars.” The Morning Post said, “Though this work only professes to guide the learner to the positions of the fixed stars, it is calculated to impart a good deal of knowledge of astronomy, in a very simple and intelligible manner, and in a very short time.” A second edition was published in 1847. “Diurnal Register for Barometer, Sympresometer, Thermometer and Hygrometer; with a few brief Remarks on the Instruments,” was issued about this time, and dedicated by permission to Col. Sir William Reid, K.C.B., F.R.S., governor of Malta; a name that must ever be revered by those whose “path is in the sea,” and whose associations and wanderings lead them to cross the bosom of the mighty waters. This volume enables mariners and others to mark the exact derivation and variation of the barometer, etc., at any hour, by a single dot, and contains a brief description of the different instruments, and the principles on which they are constructed. It was characterised by the Athenæum, as “A useful work with excellent directions,” and reached seven editions, or more. In 1851, the ninth edition of “An Epitome of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy, with improved Lunar Tables,” was presented to the world. This work is dedicated with heartfelt gratitude to the Hon. the Elder Brethren of the Corporation of Trinity House, London. In this book the tables familiar to the mariner are presented in a very much improved shape; and the rules by which the young sailor is directed in the attainment of that knowledge, which is indispensable to success in his future career, are clearly laid down, and under each rule examples are given. The organs of the day expressed their opinions in terms of the highest eulogy. The Liverpool Mail said, “Mrs. Taylor indeed merits high praise, and we add national gratitude; she has removed the chief difficulties which obscured the science of navigation. We have no hesitation in saying, that here is the most complete treatise on navigation which has ever been published.” In 1854, the seventh edition of “Lunar and Horary Tables: with the shortest method of finding the Longitude and the Time,” appeared. This work was highly recommended by gentlemen well qualified to test its merits, and who could not be affected by mere partialities. It gives a very simple, easy, and accurate method of working the lunar problem. These learned and laudable volumes were deposited in the library of the Vatican, in 1860.
The above are not all the writings of Mrs. Taylor, but they are amply sufficient to prove that she was a mathematician of the first class. Her logarithmic tables are correct and complete in no ordinary degree. Such rare knowledge she did not gain from merely attending lectures on the various subjects which her own taste led her to cultivate, or which fell within her reach. Neither did she furnish her mind by the mere reading of books. In both ways, or in either, it is true, much information may be acquired; but still it may be knowledge only imposed upon the mind, not received within it. Knowledge, to be useful, must be attained by young and old, through an exercise of the reasoning power which very quickly leads to a conviction that the learner is treading upon firm ground. Between a woman who tests and tries every opinion and principle subjected to her notice, and one who does not, there are no points of comparison; the one may adopt false sentiments, but the other cannot be said to have any sentiments at all, only a collection of prejudices and predilections in their place.
NAUTICAL AND MATHEMATICAL ACADEMY.
In comparing the achievements of the sexes, we must not forget that the mind which has most dazzled or benefited the nations has received its first instructions from a mother’s, and probably its last from a wife’s lips. “Though the sinewy sex achieves enterprises on public theatres, it is the nerve and sensibility of the other that arm the mind and inflame the soul in secret. Everywhere man executes the performance, but woman trains the man.” Mrs. Taylor exercised not only the influence of a wife and a mother, but also that of a very efficient professional teacher of male pupils. The conduct of a large academy for sailors may seem to many an unsuitable employment for a woman; likely to injure, and to a great extent destroy her beautiful nature. But it is certain that Mrs. Taylor’s mind lost none of its refinement by the rude associations with which it was brought into contact, while her great administrative power enabled her to manage the establishment in an admirable manner. There is a certain chivalry amongst the most uncultivated men, when they know that they cannot be compelled to do a thing by force, which will often make them yield. We have known a class of unruly lads in a ragged school, utterly unamenable to the discipline of a man, yield implicit obedience to a young woman, as a bad-tempered horse is sometimes most easily guided by a female hand that is both skilful and light.
Mrs. Taylor’s Nautical and Mathematical Academy, was under the patronage of the Admiralty, Trinity House, East India House, and Kings of Holland and Prussia. The upper schoolrooms were under the direction of a highly qualified master, and devoted to the preparation of masters and mates in the navy and merchant service; and the lower schoolrooms were superintended by a mathematical master, and every care was taken that the junior pupils should be progressively fitted for the highest grade of examinations. She also undertook to place those pupils who had no relations in town, under the care and superintendence of families, where they received every domestic comfort and attention, when not engaged in the academy. Terms, to be paid on entrance. A complete course of navigation, including trigonometry, and its application to navigation, £6 6s.; a general course of navigation, £4 4s.; algebra, £2 2s.; geometry, £2 2s.; a course of algebra and geometry, £3 3s.; a practical course of astronomy, specially in relation to navigation, £2 2s.; physical geography, etc., £2 2s.; mechanics, etc., £2 2s. Also a general course, including the whole of the above, on moderate terms. Nor was this all. Lectures illustrative of these subjects were delivered in the upper schoolroom to those studying in the academy, each of whom was at liberty to introduce a friend.
CHARACTER OF MRS. TAYLOR.
The fall, in a physiological sense, whatever may be said of the theological dogma so termed, is no myth. The general lack of vigour, especially in the female sex, might be quoted in evidence of its truth. Miss Catherine E. Beecher, in her “Letters to the People,” says: “I am not able to recall, in my immense circle of friends and acquaintances all over the Union, so many as ten married ladies, born in this century and in this country, who are perfectly sound, healthy, and vigorous.” Mrs. Taylor was rather tall, somewhat slender, and a little defective in muscular development. For many years she was subject to a disease of very common occurrence in Great Britain. Her head was large, and in perfect harmony with all its component parts. The brow broad, smooth, and high, gave the face a pyriform appearance, which diminished gradually as it descended, till it terminated in the delicate outline of the chin.