in 1823 the somervilles' youngest daughter died after illness. while living in chelsea the somervilles travelled across europe on a number of occasions, leaving their children with their german governess. among their travel companions was the jurist and politician sir james mackintosh. before leaving london the somervilles made contact with people they wanted to meet, and on their european tours they paid visits to numerous celebrated intellectuals. the somervilles also received frequent visitors; maria edgeworth would visit them when in england.