I have said that those who are possessed with the idea of conspiracy
against themselves are apt to imagine both conspirators and their bad
motives and actions. A person who should take up the idea of combination
against himself without feeling ill-will and originating accusations would
be indeed a paradox. But such a paradox has existed. It is very well known,
both in and beyond the scientific world, that the late James Ivory was
subject to the {143} impression of which I am speaking; and the diaries and
other sources of anecdote of our day will certainly, sooner or later, make
it a part of his biography. The consequence will be that to his memory will
be attached the unfavorable impression which the usual conduct of such
persons creates; unless it should happen that some one who knows the real
state of the case puts the two sides of it properly together. Ivory was of
that note in the scientific world which may be guessed from Laplace's
description of him as the first geometer in Britain and one of the first in
Europe. Being in possession of accurate knowledge of his peculiarity in
more cases than one; and in one case under his own hand: and having been
able to make full inquiry about him, especially from my friend the late
Thomas Galloway[254]--who came after him at Sandhurst--one of the few
persons with whom he was intimate:--I have decided, after full
deliberation, to forestall the future biographies.
That Ivory was haunted by the fear of which I have spoken, to the fullest
extent, came to my own public and official knowledge, as Secretary of the
Astronomical Society. It was the duty of Mr. Epps,[255] the Assistant
Secretary, at the time when Francis Baily[256] first announced his
discovery of the Flamsteed Papers, to report to me that Mr. Ivory had
called at the Society's apartments to inquire into the contents of those
papers, and to express his hope that Mr. Baily was not attacking living
persons under the names of Newton and Flamsteed.[257] Mr. Galloway, to whom
I communicated this, immediately went to Mr. Ivory, and succeeded, after
some explanation, in setting him right. This is but one of many instances
in which a man of thoroughly sound judgment in every other respect seemed
to be under a complete chain of delusions about the conduct of {144} others
to himself. But the paradox is this:--I never could learn that Ivory,
passing his life under the impression that secret and unprovoked enemies
were at work upon his character, ever originated a charge, imputed a bad
motive, or allowed himself an uncourteous expression. Some letters of his,
now in my possession, referring to a private matter, are, except in the
main impression on which they proceed, unobjectionable in every point: they
might have been written by a cautious friend, whose object was, if
possible, to prevent a difference from becoming a duel without compromising
his principal's rights or character. Knowing that in some quarters the
knowledge of Ivory's peculiarity is more or less connected with a notion
that the usual consequences followed, I think the preceding statement due
to his memory.