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Mitchell, Maria, 1818-1889

"Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals"

" And then I read your note,
and perceive your reading is as good as Mrs. Kemble's. Now,
being _modest_, I always felt afraid the reason I thought you
such a good reader was because I didn't know any better, but if
all the world is equally ignorant, it makes it all right....
I've been intensely busy. I have been looking for the little
inferior planet to cross the sun, which it hasn't done, and I
got an article ready for the paper and then hadn't the courage
to publish--not for fear of the readers, but for fear that I
should change my own ideas by the time 'twas in print.
I am hoping, however, to have something by the meeting of the
Scientific Association in August,--some paper,--not to get
reputation for myself,--my reputation is so much beyond me that
as policy I should keep quiet,--but in order that my telescope
may show that it is at work. I am embarrassed by the amount of
work it might do--as you do not know which of Mrs. Browning's
poems to read, there are so many beauties.
The little republic of San Marino presented Miss Mitchell, in 1859, with
a bronze medal of merit, together with the _Ribbon_ and _Letters Patent_
signed by the two captains regent. This medal she prized as highly as
the gold one from Denmark.
"Nantucket, May 12, 18[60].... I send you a notice of an occultation;
the last sentence and the last figures are mine.


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