Few months before writing the program that explained Babbage's engine, Ada envisioned her future. She expressed her feelings by sending a mathematical theory to her friend Woronzow Greig who was the son of Mary Fairfax Somerville. Greig replied to Ada by praising her intelligence. As Baum stated "he acknowledged Ada's peculiar development of extraordinary powers" unusual in one so young and differing "entirely not only from powers of your own rank and condition but from the generality of manking".
Greig did not only see something powerful in Ada. He also saw her determination and the urge to become famous like her father even though she never met him. He continued his reply by telling Ada he believed that her children would get a more notable name from her than the one she had received from her parents. At the same time, Greig advised Ada in a kind manner to step in the road of glory prudently.