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.
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.