CHAPTER III.

LIFE AFTER HER BROTHER’S MARRIAGE.

WITH the second volume of “Recollections” all connected narrative and detailed relation of daily events ceases, and for the ten years from 1788 to 1798 there is not even the journal, which, however, was resumed in the latter year. All has been destroyed. An event so important as her brother’s marriage[12] is only noticed as fixing the date when the “place of a housekeeper” had to be resigned. Miss Herschel lived from henceforth in lodgings, coming every day for her work, and in all respects continuing the same labours as her brother’s assistant and secretary as before. But it is not to be supposed that a nature so strong and a heart so affectionate should accept the new state of things without much and bitter suffering. To resign the supreme place by her brother’s side which she had filled for sixteen years with such hearty devotion could not be otherwise than painful in any case; but how much more so in this where equal devotion to the same pursuit must have made identity of interest and purpose as complete as it is rare. One who could both feel and express herself so strongly was not likely to fall into her new place without some outward expression of what it cost her—tradition confirms the assumption—and it is easy to understand how this long significant silence is due to the light of later wisdom and calmer judgment which counselled the destruction of all record of what was likely to be painful to survivors.

Her later letters abundantly show that she had learned to love the gentle sister-in-law whom she so pathetically entreats to hold on with her in their common old age, and the journals of her astronomical researches sufficiently prove that her zeal in “_minding the Heavens_” knew no abatement. It was at this period also that she made some of her most important discoveries. Before the end of 1797 she had announced the discovery of eight comets, to five of which the priority of her claim over other observers is unquestioned. A packet, in coarse paper, bearing the superscription, “_This is what I call the Bills and Receipts of my Comets_,” contains some data connected with the discovery of these objects, each folded in a separate paper, and marked “First Comet,” “Second Comet,” &c., &c. Some of the correspondence on the occasion of her first discovery has already been quoted, and in a note she explains that many of the letters from distinguished men which she received had been given to collectors of autographs. The letter to the Astronomer Royal, announcing the discovery of her second comet, has been preserved, with his answer.

[Sidenote: 1788. _Second Comet discovered._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO THE REV. DR. MASKELYNE.

DEAR SIR,—

Last night, December 21st, at 7^h 45ʹ, I discovered a comet, a little more than one degree south—preceding β Lyræ. This morning, between five and six, I saw it again, when it appeared to have moved about a quarter of a degree towards δ of the same constellation. I beg the favour of you to take it under your protection.

Mrs. Herschel and my brothers join with me in compliments to Mrs. Maskelyne and yourself, and I have the honour to remain,

Dear sir, Your most obliged, humble servant, CAROLINA HERSCHEL.

SLOUGH, _Dec. 22, 1788_.

P.S.—The comet precedes β Lyræ 7ʹ 5ʺ in time, and is in the parallel of the small star (β being double). See fifth class, third star, of my catalogue.—WM. H.

THE REV. DR. MASKELYNE TO MISS HERSCHEL.

GREENWICH, _December 27, 1788_.

DEAR MISS CAROLINE,—

I thank you for your favour of the 22nd instant, containing an account of your discovery of a _second_ comet on the 21st, and recommending it to my attention.

I received it only on the 24th, at ten in the morning, owing to the slowness of our penny post.

I delayed acknowledging it till I could inform you at the same time I had seen it. The frost, unfortunately for us astronomers, broke up the very same morning that your letter arrived, in consequence of which the weather has been so bad that I could not get a sight of your comet till last night, the 26th, when, at 6^h 34ʹ, it followed α Lyræ in the A. R., 3ʹ 7ʺ of time, and was 2° 30ʹ S. of it. This only by the divisions of the equatorial and meridian circles, but true to a minute or two of declination and five seconds of time. I compared it more accurately with a small telescopic star nearer it, which, when settled hereafter, will determine its place within 30ʺ of a degree. Hence its A. R. was about 18^h 33ʹ 55ʺ, and distance from the North Pole 53° 59ʹ. By your observation of December 22nd, 5^h 31ʹ in the morning, its A. R. was 18^h 35ʹ 12ʹ, and P. D. 56° 56ʹ. Hence it has moved retrograde in A. R. about the rate of 17ʹ of time per day, and 30ʹ per day northward in declination, which agrees nearly with your observation of its approach towards δ Lyræ. Its motion is fortunately favourable for our keeping sight of it for some time, which may be very useful, especially if it should be moving from us, which there is an equal chance for, as the contrary. It appeared to me very faint, and rather small, but the air was hazy. By its faintness and slow motion, it is probably at a considerable distance from the earth. Time will explain these things. Let us hope the best, and that it is approaching the earth to please and instruct us, and not to destroy us, for true astronomers have no fears of that kind. Witness Sir Harry Englefield’s valuable tables of the apparent places of the Comet of 1661, expected to return at this time, with a delineation of its orbit, who, in page 7, speaks of the possibility of seeing a curious and beautiful transit of it over the sun’s disk, should the earth and comet be in the line of the nodes at the same time, without _horror_ at the thought of our being involved in its immense tail. I would not affirm that there may not exist some astronomers so enthusiastic that they would not dislike to be whisked away from this low terrestrial spot into the higher regions of the heavens by the tail of a comet, and exchange our narrow uniform orbit for one vastly more extended and varied. But I hope you, dear Miss Caroline, for the benefit of terrestrial astronomy, will not think of taking such a flight, at least till your friends are ready to accompany you. Mrs. Maskelyne joins me in best compliments to yourself and Dr. and Mrs. Herschel. If your observation was precise as to the difference of A.R. of the comet and β Lyræ, it may be of use for determining the orbit, especially if the comet should be going off from us. I have not yet examined whether it can be the French comet discovered by M. Messier, on the 26th of last month, which was going from the earth. Its apparent motion must have turned at right angles to its former one, which is possible, but not very probable. I could not see your comet with the night glass, nor would its faintness allow of illuminating the wires.

I remain, dear Miss Caroline, Your obedient and obliged humble servant, N. MASKELYNE.

DR. HERSCHEL TO SIR H. ENGLEFIELD.

_December 22, 1788._

SIR,—

Your intelligence of the comet I received, but on account of the long time elapsed since the 2nd and 3rd of this month we have not been able to recover the fugitive. Last night, however, my sister discovered a comet near β Lyræ, which you will find no difficulty to follow as its motion is very slow, and the comet a pretty visible object. We saw it again this morning, and it seems to go towards δ Lyræ, you will see it pass by β Lyræ. It is a much larger object than the nebula near β Lyræ, discovered by Mr. Darquier, of Toulouse (_Connoissance des Temps_, 75).

SIR H. ENGLEFIELD TO DR. HERSCHEL.

PETERSHAM, _December 25, 1788_.

DEAR SIR,—

I am much obliged to you for your account of the comet, and beg you to make my compliments to Miss Herschel on her discovery. She will soon be the great comet finder, and bear away the prize from Messier and Mechain.

The weather yesternight was bad, and to-night I have looked for it, in the moments of fine weather, with a good night-glass, but am not sure that I saw it, though I thought I perceived it about half-way between β and δ Lyræ. The glass I used showed D’Arquier’s nebula, though but faintly. Before I could get any other telescope ready, the weather clouded. If you have seen it again, pray be so good as to give me its place when you saw it last, and with what power and light it may be seen. I was going to write to Messier about his comet, but have deferred it, as I would not mention yours without your leave, and could not find it in my heart to write without doing it.

Believe me, dear Sir, With all the wishes of the season, Your much obliged and faithful H. C. ENGLEFIELD.

[Sidenote: 1788-1790. _The Third Comet seen._]

DR. HERSCHEL TO SIR J. BANKS.

SIR,—

The last time I was in town, you expressed a wish to see my observations on the comet which my sister, Caroline Herschel, discovered in the evening of the 21st of last December, not far from β Lyræ.

As she immediately acquainted the Reverend Dr. Maskelyne and several other gentlemen with her discovery, the comet was observed by many of them. The Astronomer Royal in particular having, I find, obtained a very good set of valuable observations on its path, it will be sufficient if I communicate only those particulars which relate to its first appearance, and a few other circumstances that may perhaps deserve to be noticed.

_Dec. 21st, 1788._—About 8 o’clock I viewed the comet which my sister had a little while before pointed out to me with her small Newtonian _sweeper_. In my instrument, which was a ten-foot reflector, it had the appearance of a considerably bright nebula, of an irregular round form, very gradually brighter in the middle, and about five or six minutes in diameter. The situation was low, and not very proper for instruments with high powers.

_Dec. 22nd._—About half-after 5 o’clock in the morning I viewed it again, and perceived that it had moved apparently in a direction towards δ Lyræ, or thereabout. I had been engaged all night with the twenty-foot instrument, so that there had been no leisure to prepare my apparatus for taking the place of the comet; but in the evening of the same day I took its situation three times....

In every observation I found the small star which accompanies β Lyræ exactly in the parallel of the comet.

These transits were taken with a ten-foot reflector, and the difference in right ascension, I should suppose, may be depended upon to within a second of time. The determination also of the parallel can hardly err so much as 15 seconds of a degree.

This, and several evenings afterwards, I viewed the comet again with such powers as its diluted light would permit, but could not perceive any sort of nucleus which, had it been a single second in diameter, I think, could not well have escaped me. This circumstance seems to be of some consequence to those who turn their thoughts on the investigation of the nature of comets, especially as I have also formerly made the same remark on one of the comets discovered by Mr. Mechain in 1787, a former one of my sister’s in 1786, and one of Mr. Pigott’s in 1783 in neither of which any defined, solid nucleus, could be perceived.

I have the honour to remain, Sir, &c., WM. HERSCHEL.

SLOUGH, NEAR WINDSOR, _March 3, 1789_.

The third comet was discovered on the 7th January, 1790; the fourth on the 17th April of the same year, during her brother’s absence from home. It was announced to Sir Joseph Banks in the following letter:—

_April 19th, 1790._

SIR,—

I am very unwilling to trouble you with incomplete observations, and for that reason did not acquaint you yesterday with the discovery of a comet. I wrote an account of it to Dr. Maskelyne and Mr. Aubert, in hopes that either of those gentlemen, or my brother, whom I expect every day to return, would have furnished me with the means of pointing it out in a proper manner.

But as perhaps several days might pass before I could have any answer to my letters, or my brother return, I would not wish to be thought neglectful, and therefore if you think, sir, the following description is sufficient, and that more of my brother’s astronomical friends should be made acquainted with it, I should be very happy if you would be so kind as to do it for the sake of astronomy.

The comet is a little more than 3½° following α Andromedæ, and about 1½° above the parallel of that star. I saw it first on April 17th, 16^h 24ʹ sidereal time, and the first view I could have of it last night was 16^h 5ʹ. As far as I am able to judge, it has decreased in P. D. nearly 1°, and increased in A. R. something above 1ʹ.

These are only estimations from the field of view, and I only mention it to show that its motion is not so very rapid.

I am, &c., C. H.

[Sidenote: 1790. _Letters about the Third Comet._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO ALEX. AUBERT, ESQ.

SLOUGH, _April 18, 1790_.

DEAR SIR,—

I am almost ashamed to write to you, because I never think of doing so but when I am in distress. I found last night, at 16^h 24ʹ sidereal time, a comet, and do not know what to do with it, for my new sweeper is not half finished; and besides, I broke the handle of the perpendicular motion in my brother’s absence (who is on a little tour into Yorkshire). He has furnished me to that instrument a Rumboides, but the wires are too thin, and I have no contrivance for illuminating them. All my hopes were that I should not find anything which would make me feel the want of these things in his absence; but, as it happens, here is an object in a place where there is no nebula, or anything which could look like a comet, and I would be much obliged to you, sir, if you would look at the place where the annexed eye-draft will direct you to. My brother has swept that part of the heavens, and has many nebulæ there, but none which I must expect to see with my instrument. I will not write to Sir J. Banks or Dr. Maskelyne, or anybody, till you, sir, have seen it; but if you could, without much trouble, give my best respects and that part of this letter which points out the place of the comet to Mr. Wollaston, you would make me very happy.

I am, dear sir, &c., &c., C. H.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS TO MISS HERSCHEL.

SOHO SQUARE, _April 20, 1790_.

MADAM,—

I return you many thanks for the communication you were so good as to make to me this day of your discovery of a comet. I shall take care to make our astronomical friends acquainted with the obligations they are under to your diligence.

I am always happy to hear from you, but never more so than when you give me an opportunity of expressing my obligations to you for advancing the science you cultivate with so much success.

Dear Madam, Your faithful servant, J. BANKS.

ALEX. AUBERT, ESQ. TO MISS HERSCHEL.

LONDON, the _21st April_, Wednesday, 1790.

DEAR MISS HERSCHEL,—

I am much obliged to you for your kind letter. The night before last was cloudy. Last night, or rather this morning, about half-past two, I got up to look for the phenomenon; it was somewhat hazy. I observed with a common night-glass of Dollond’s _a faint something_ in a line between α and π Andromedæ, much like a faint star; it had no coma nor fuzzy appearance. By looking at Flamsteed’s Atlas I find no small star there. I was preparing to attack it with a good magnifying power, and to get its place with my Smeaton’s equatorial micrometer, but when I was ready a haze came on and soon after too much daylight, so I can say no more to it as yet. If I saw what you judged a comet, it must have moved but little since you saw it; it was as large as a star of 7th magnitude, but rather faint. I sent this morning to Dr. Maskelyne: he says he could see nothing _with a good night glass_, but will try again the next fair morning, and after trying he will answer you; in the meanwhile he begs his best compliments. I will also try again. Pray let me know if you think it was the comet I saw. I have mentioned it to no one but to Mr. Wollaston, who thanks you sincerely, but did not find himself well enough to observe; he lives in Charter House Square; direct upon occasion there to the Rev. Francis Wollaston.

You cannot, my dear Miss Herschel, judge of the pleasure I feel when your reputation and fame increase; everyone must admire your and your brother’s knowledge, industry, and behaviour. God grant you many years health and happiness. I will soon pay you a visit, as soon as your brother returns. If I have any instrument you wish to use, it is at your service.

Believe me, &c., &c., ALEXANDER AUBERT.

[Sidenote: 1790. _Letters from Astronomers._]

REV. DR. MASKELYNE TO MISS HERSCHEL.

GREENWICH, _April 22, 1790_.

DEAR MISS HERSCHEL,—

* * * * *

* * * * *

* * If I misunderstand anything I shall be obliged to you for an explanation. The weather has not permitted me to see anything of the comet yet, but it seems now mending, and I hope to be able to make something of it to-morrow morning. Your second communication, at the same time that it gives me fresh spirits as to the certainty of its being a comet, will certainly assist me in more readily finding it. I feared that your using your new telescope might make that a bright comet to you which might prove but a very faint one, if at all visible, in a common night-glass, which is what we first use to discover a comet with. As soon as I shall have seen it I will send you a line. I sent intelligence of your discovery to M. Mechain, at Paris, last Tuesday, and will send to him your farther communication next Friday. Mr. Maskelyne joins me in best compliments to yourself and Mrs. Herschel, and Dr. Herschel on his return. Dr. Shepherd sent advice of it from me last Tuesday to the Master of Trinity, at Cambridge, who perhaps may convey the agreeable intelligence to your brother.

I remain, dear Miss Herschel, My worthy sister in astronomy, Your faithful and obliged humble servant, N. MASKELYNE.

J. DE LA LANDE TO CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

RUE COLLÉGE ROYAL, le 12 Juillet, 1790.

MA CHÈRE ET SAVANTE COMMÈRE,—

J’ai reçu avec la plus délicieuse satisfaction la première lettre dont vous m’avez honoré; je ne pouvois attribuer votre silence à une timidité que votre reputation condamne, mais je l’aurais attribué à mon peu de mérite si vous aviez continué de me refuser une réponse. Vous écrivez si bien que vous ne pouvez pas avoir à cet égard une excuse légitime.

[Sidenote: 1790. _Letters._]

Vous verrez bientôt M. Ungeschick, qui a baptisé votre filleule Caroline; dites-lui qu’elle se porte beaucoup mieux, ainsi que le petit Isaac (je l’ai ainsi nommé en mémoire d’Isaac Newton); pour sa sœur je ne pouvois lui donner un nom plus illustre que le vôtre; c’est ce que j’ai fait remarquer en annonçant sa naissance dans notre _Moniteur_ ou _Gazette Nationale_ du 31 janvier. Je ne pouvois vous donner un compère d’un plus grand mérite que M. Delambre. Il fait actuellement des tables des Satellites de Jupiter qui surpassent de beaucoup celles de M. Wargentin.

Votre commère ma nièce calcule des tables pour trouver l’heure en mer par la hauteur du soleil. Mde. du Piery calcule des observations d’éclipses. Pour moi, je suis occupé des étoiles, j’en ai déjà 6,000; votre compère Le-Français[13] y met beaucoup de soin. Nous tâchons tous de seconder vos heureux travaux et ceux de votre illustre frère; nous vous prions tous de recevoir vous-même et de lui présenter nos respects.

Remerciez-le bien de la complaisance qu’il a eu de m’envoyer la rotation de l’anneau, dont j’étois bien curieux. Je suis avec autant d’attachement que de respect, Savante Miss,

Votre très-humble et très obéissant serviteur, DE LA LANDE.

Plusieurs de mes étoiles ont servi à comparer votre comète qui a disparu le 30 juin, mais que M. Messier et M. Méchain ont suivis sans interruption, jusques dans le crépuscule.

Je vous prie de demander les bontés de votre digne frère pour M. Ungeschick, qui est un astronome de mérite, et qui a bien du zèle, mais en vous voyant le zèle augmentera.

MISS HERSCHEL TO M. DE LA LANDE.

SLOUGH, _Sept. 12th, 1790_.

DEAR SIR,—

Our good friend, General Komavzewski, will persuade me to believe that I am capable of giving you pleasure by writing a few lines; but I am under an apprehension that he is overrating my abilities. You, my dear sir, certainly overrated them when you thought me deserving of expressing your esteem for me in so public a manner as the General and Mr. Ungeschick have informed me of.

I do not only owe you my sincerest thanks for your good opinion of me, but my utmost endeavours shall be to make myself worthy of it if possible. My good brother has not been omissive in furnishing me with the means of becoming so in some respects. An excellent Newtonian sweeper, of five-feet focal length, is nearly completed, which, being mounted at the top of the house, will always be in readiness for observing whenever my attendance on the forty or twenty-foot telescopes is not required.

I hope the little god-daughter is in good health, and wish she may grow and give happiness and pleasure to her parents and uncle.

I beg to present many respectful compliments to the ingenious ladies you mentioned in your letter.

Mrs. Herschel desires to be remembered to you, sir. We do not give up the hopes of seeing you again at Slough, and are wishing it may not be long before you visit England again.

I remain, dear sir, With greatest esteem, &c., &c., C. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1791-1795. _Two more Comets discovered._]

Another foreign correspondent was inspired to soar above the ordinary level of scientific communications, and addressed Miss Herschel in a strain of high-flown adulation, of which the following is a translation:—

GÖTTINGEN, _May 10_, [about 1793.]

Permit me, most revered lady, to bring to your remembrance a man who has held you in the highest esteem ever since he had the good fortune to enter the Temple of Urania, at Slough, and to pay his respects to its priestess. I still recall the happy hours passed in England in earlier days of sweet remembrance, and above all, those which I was privileged to spend near you in a society as genial as it was intellectual.

Give me leave, noble and worthy priestess of the new heavens, to lay at your feet my small offering on eclipses of the sun, and at the same time to express my gratitude and deepest reverence. The bearer is a young Mr. Johnston, who has been studying here, and is now returning to England. He is a young man of excellent character, and possessed of unusual capacity and attainments.

May I venture to ask, most honoured Miss, that when you or your brother make any discovery, you will grant me early notice of it, as you once had the kindness to promise to do. You can hardly fail to make them at Slough, where every day is rich in discovery, especially when one of your own subjects—the comets—comes to offer its homage.

How happy should I esteem myself if there were any service I could render you here, most admirable lady astronomer, that I might be permitted to prove how entirely my heart is devoted to you.

PROF. SEYFFER.

The fifth comet was discovered December 15th, 1791, and a simple record of the fact is all that the packet devoted to it contains, with the information, “My brother wrote an account of it to Sir J. Banks, Dr. Maskelyne, and to several astronomical correspondents.” The discovery of the sixth is treated with equal brevity. “Oct. 7, at 8h. mean time. I discovered a comet, my brother settled its place on the 8th, and I wrote to Sir J. Banks, Dr. Maskelyne, and to Mr. Planta. The letter to Mr. Planta is printed in the Philosophical Transactions.”

None of the correspondence in connection with the seventh has been preserved, excepting her own letter announcing its discovery to Sir J. Banks.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS.

SLOUGH, _Nov. 8, 1795_.

SIR,—

Last night, in sweeping over a part of the heavens with my five-foot reflector, I met with a telescopic comet. To point out its situation I transcribe my brother’s observations of it from his journal.

* * * * *

* * * * *

It will probably pass between the head of the Swan and the constellation of the Lyre, in its descent towards the sun. The direction of its motion is retrograde.[14]

* * * * *

* * * * *

As the appearance of one of these objects is almost become a novelty, I flatter myself that this intelligence will not be uninteresting to astronomers, and therefore hope, sir, you will, with your usual kindness, recommend it to their notice.

I have the honour to be, With great respect, &c., &c., CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

Two years later the eighth and last comet was discovered, on the 6th of August, 1797. It was the occasion of the following letter:—

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS.

_August, 17, 1797._

SIR,—

This is not a letter from an astronomer to the President of the Royal Society announcing a comet, but only a few lines from Caroline Herschel to a friend of her brother’s, by way of apology for not sending intelligence of that kind immediately where they are due.

I have so little faith in the expedition of messengers of all descriptions that I undertook to be my own, with an intention of stopping in town and write and deliver a letter myself, but unfortunately I undertook the task with only the preparation of one hour’s sleep, and having in the course of five years never rode above two miles at a time, the twenty to London, and the idea of six or seven more to Greenwich in reserve, totally unfitted me for any action. Dr. Maskelyne was so kind as to take some pains to persuade me to go this morning to pay my respects to Sir Joseph, but I thought a woman who knows so little of the world ought not to aim at such an honour, but go home, where she ought to be, as soon as possible.

The letter which you sent, sir, to my brother, was the only one received at Slough in my absence; it arrived towards noon on the 16th, and was brought by a porter from an inn.

I hope you will excuse the trouble I give by sending this, though I know it is entirely useless, because Dr. Maskelyne had probably my memorandum which I took to Greenwich with him when he called in Soho Square, and therefore I can say nothing but what you, sir, are acquainted with already; but I shall be a little more comfortable when I can say to my brother I have written to Sir J. Banks concerning the comet.

With the utmost respect, I remain, sir, Your most obedient servant, C. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1795-1797. _Ceases to reside with her Brother._]

We are now reduced to the short diary-like entries in a small book entitled “_Extracts from a Day-Book kept during the years 1797 and 1821_,” which begins: “1797, in October I went to lodge and board with one of my brother’s workmen (Sprat), whose wife was to attend on me. My telescopes on the roof, to which I was to have occasional access, as also to the room with the sweeping and observing apparatus, remained in its former order, where I most days spent some hours in preparing work to go on with at my lodging.” A chance memorandum shows how the leisure time was employed; thus—“At the ending of 1787, or beginning of 1788, began to make use of some of the proof-sheets of Wollaston’s Catalogue along with Flamsteed’s;” and again, “December 24th, 1797, received notice for printing the Index, which was not at all adapted for that purpose; but March 8th, 1798, the copy was completed, and taken to the Royal Society, and in the course of the summer the print was corrected.” The following letter to the Astronomer Royal bears on this subject:—

[Sidenote: 1797-1798. _Astronomical._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO REV. DR. MASKELYNE.

SLOUGH, _Sept. 1798_.

DEAR SIR,—

I have for a long while past felt a desire of expressing my thanks to you for having interested yourself so kindly for the little production of my industry by being the promoter of the printing of the Index to Flamsteed’s Observations. I thought the pains it had cost me were, and would be, sufficiently rewarded in the use it had already been, and might be in future, to my brother. But your having thought it worthy of the press has flattered my vanity not a little. You see, sir, I do own myself to be vain, because I would not wish to be singular; and was there ever a woman without vanity? or a man either? only with this difference, that among gentlemen the commodity is generally styled ambition.

I wish it were possible to offer something which could be of use to our Royal Astronomer than merely thanks. Perhaps the enclosed catalogue may be of some little service on some occasion or other. I was obliged to bring it into that form by way of scrutinizing the real number of omitted stars, and find it now very useful when my brother, in sweeping, &c., observes stars which are not contained in Wollaston’s Catalogue, to know immediately by this order of R. A. if they are in any of Flamsteed’s omitted stars, and if they are, what number they bear in the catalogue of omitted stars, which number we find in the first column. The rest of the columns will want no explanation, except the last, which would not be complete, or even intelligible, without the assistance of the catalogue of omitted stars, and the notes to that catalogue, for they are short memorandums collected from the descriptions in the catalogue, and from the notes to some of the stars.

As our Index contains all the corrections and information which I possibly could collect, those corrections and memorandums of which I had the pleasure, about eighteen months ago, to write a copy for Dr. Maskelyne, will consequently be laid aside, else I ought to take notice that there are one or two errors and several omissions which should have been corrected in that copy, but with which it will now be needless to trouble you, sir.

What has laid me under particular obligation to you, my dear sir, was your timely information, the August before last, of your having proposed the printing of the Index to the P. R. S. The papers were then in so incomplete a state, that it needed each moment which could possibly be spared from other business to deliver them with some confidence of their being pretty correct.

Many times do I think with pleasure and comfort on the friendly invitations Mrs. Maskelyne and yourself have given me to spend a few days at Greenwich. I hope yet to have that pleasure next spring or summer. This last has passed away, and I never thought myself well or in spirits enough to venture from home. If the heavens had befriended me, and afforded us a comet, I might, under its convoy, perhaps have ventured at an emigration. However, I cannot help thinking that I shall meet with some little reward for the denial it has been to me not coming this summer in seeing the improvements Miss Maskelyne has made (more perceptibly) in those accomplishments she seemed to be in so fair a way of attaining when I was there last.

With my best respects and compliments to Mrs. M., I remain, with the greatest esteem, Your most obliged and humble servant, C. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1798. _Extracts from Day-book._]

DIARY.

_May 29th_ and _30th_.—Was mostly spent at the Observatory, Professor Vince[15] being there.

_July 30th._—My brother went with his family to Bath and Dawlish. I went daily to the Observatory and work-rooms to work, and returned home to my meals, and at night, except in fine weather, I spent some hours on the roof, and was fetched home by Sprat.

* * * * *

_September 11th._—Dined at my brother’s. Professor Pictet and Dr. Ingenhouse, &c., were there. Cloudy night.

_October 7th._—Finished the MS. Catalogue of omitted stars for Dr. Maskelyne.

* * * * *

_December 31st._—_Mem._ Uncommonly harassed in consequence of the loss of time necessary for going backward and forward, and not having immediate access to each book or paper at the moment when wanted.

[Sidenote: 1799. _Extracts from Day-book._]

_January 4th._—Spent the evening at my brother’s. Sir Wm. Watson[16] and Mr. Wilson[17] were there.

_February 11th._—My brother went to Bath to make some stay there, having taken a house on Sion Hill.

_February 26th._—Mrs. Herschel, Miss Cobet, and the servants left Slough for Bath. Russell, the horse-keeper, and his wife, were, along with me, left in charge of the house, from which I seldom was absent at any other time but to go to dinner at my lodging every day at one o’clock.

_March 29th._—The Prince of Orange stepped in to ask some questions about planets, &c.[18]

Lord Kirkwall and a gentleman came to see the instruments.

_April 1st._—My brother arrived at Slough, and on the 11th he took a paper to the R. S., which he brought with him for me to copy in the clear. The fine nights were spent with sweeping.

* * * * *

_May 14th._—Was interrupted in works on account of the Montem.

[_Montem_].—Was visited by Mrs. Owen, the Elds, Linds,[19] &c., at my lodgings, or wherever they could find me.

_June._—Began re-calculating all the sweeps as a constant work for leisure time.

* * * * *

_June 8th._—My brother returned. I drank tea with him and Mrs. H., and at seven went home to my lodgings.

* * * * *

_July 15th._—Agreed for apartments at Newby’s, the tailor, in Slough (Mr. S. and Mrs. B. speaking well of them as sober, industrious people), I am to enter at Michaelmas.

* * * * *

_August 19th._—I went to Greenwich to meet some company at Dr. Maskelyne’s, and after having spent a week at the R. Observatory, I went with Dr., Mrs., and Miss M. to pay a visit to Sir George Schuckburgh, at Buxted Place, where I left the Ms. on the 30th, and arrived at Slough the 31st.

It was so very rarely that Miss Herschel ever slept from home, that this visit was a memorable event in her experience. A small sheet, written by Miss Maskelyne, headed “Journal from the 19th to the 30th of August, 1799,” is preserved, with the superscription: “By Miss Maskelyne’s memorandum only I found it possible to have any recollection of the occurrences during the eleven days I had intended to spend at Greenwich for the purpose of copying the memorandums from my brother’s second volume of Flamsteed’s Observations into Dr. Maskelyne’s volume. But the succession of amusements, &c., &c., left me no alternative between contenting myself with one or two hours’ sleep per night during the six days I was at Greenwich, or to go home without having fulfilled my purpose.”

The journal was enclosed in a letter from Mrs. Maskelyne, which bears pleasant testimony to the agreeable impression which her visitor must have made on the ladies, as well as the astronomer.

BUXTED PLACE, _August 30, 1799_.

DEAR MISS HERSCHEL,

We thank you for your polite message, are sorry you left Buxted at eight o’clock; hoped you would have taken two dishes of coffee, and not gone till half-past eight, for we were up at seven, to be ready to accompany you to Uckfield.

Margaret has sent the enclosed, and will be glad to hear if it is what you meant; she was writing it when you stopped at the door, but did not venture to open it for fear of disturbing us. Present our compliments to Dr. and Mrs. Herschel. Pray let me know what sort of a journey you have had to your dear sweeper, and accept our love.

I am, dear Miss Herschel, Your humble servant, S. MASKELYNE.

[Sidenote: 1799-1800. _Letters._]

The following letter has reference to this visit, and is inserted here, although belonging to a somewhat later date:—

MISS HERSCHEL TO THE REV. DR. MASKELYNE.

_January, 1800._

DEAR SIR,

If it was not highly necessary to make you acquainted with the safe arrival of your valuable present at Slough, I might perhaps be a long while before I should think myself sufficiently collected to express the grateful feelings the sight of it occasioned me. My being pleased at having two such useful and convenient instruments has but very little connection with my present ideas; and if they had come to me from any other hands but those of the Astronomer Royal, I should use them as occasion required, and think myself much obliged to the giver. But as it is, I cannot help wishing I were capable of doing _something_ to make myself deserving of all these kind attentions.

I feel gratified in particular when I think of the stipulation I was making when you were taking measure of the distance [apart] of my eyes: viz., that if you in future should change in opinion, and not think me worthy of the present, not to bestow it on me.

Mrs. Maskelyne’s good-natured looks, and all she said at the time, come now again to my remembrance, and seeing not only the binocular (which I had but a conditional expectation of receiving), but also the night-glass, makes me hope that during the time I had the honour of being in the company of such esteemed friends, I have suffered no loss in their former good opinion of me, which was a circumstance I often feared might have happened; for I have too little knowledge of the rules of society to trust much to my acquitting myself so as to give hope of having made any favourable impressions.

You see, dear sir, that you have done me more good than you were perhaps aware of: you have not only enabled me to peep at the heavens, but have put me into _good humour_ with myself.

With my respectful compliments to Mrs. and Miss Maskelyne,

I remain, with many thanks, Dear sir, Your much obliged and humble servant, C. HERSCHEL.

The following is from a friend who took the deepest interest in the career of both brother and sister:—

ED. PIGOTT, ESQ. TO MISS HERSCHEL.

BATH, ST. JAMES’S SQUARE, _April 30, 1799_.

MADAM,

It is with much satisfaction that I received through the hands of Dr. Herschel, the valuable publication you are so kind as to send me, and which indeed is the more welcome as I have the volumes of the “Historia Cœlestis,” and shall most probably have occasion to use them. Were Flamsteed alive, how cordially would he thank you for thus rendering the labours of his life so much more useful and acceptable to posterity, for he surely little thought that his great work required to be elucidated by an additional folio volume of explanations, errata, and indexes, the advantages of which, by their excellence and accuracy, must every day be more and more acknowledged, and future astronomers, as well as those of the present times will doubtless often be conscious of the merit and obligation you are entitled to.

With many thanks, I remain, Dear madam, Your most obedient EDWD. PIGOTT.

Dr. and Mrs. Herschel, whom I have occasionally the pleasure of seeing, though by no means so often as I could wish, are well, and desired to be mentioned to you.

[Sidenote: 1799-1800. _Extracts from Diary._]

_August 31st._—At six in the evening both my brothers arrived from Bath. Alexander gave me a call.

_September 8th._—Professor Vince, his lady, and Alexander came to see me.

_October 18th._—My brother returned from Bath, but with a violent cough and cold, and was obliged to go to Newbury for change of air and meet Mrs. H., who was there on a visit.

_November 19th._—The bailiffs took possession of my landlord’s goods, and I found my property was not safe in my new habitation.

* * * * *

_December 31st._—The king had been at the Observatory.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_February 1st._—My brother went to Bath.

_Mem._—Miss Baldwin [a niece of Mrs. Herschel’s] and little John[20] frequently call on me.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_April 28th._—My brother went to town for a fortnight. I was at the Observatory after he was gone, from ten till two, to select work for me to do at home.

_April 29th._—From ten till three at the Observatory to make order in the books and MSS.

_May 1st._—Dined with Dr. Lind. Fetched my nephew from Mrs. Clark and brought him to his boarding-dame, Mrs. Howard, at Eton. Worked every day some hours at the Observatory.

* * * * *

_May 26th._—I went to take leave of my nephew, who entered at Dr. Gretton’s School.

* * * * *

_June 23rd._—Paid my rent, and gave notice of quitting my apartments at Michaelmas.

_June 25th._—Began to pack up what I must take to Bath with me, for there I am to go!

_June 29th._—I dined with Mrs. H. and went with her to the Terrace, where I took leave of my friends at the Lodge. Everything was arranged for my books and furniture to remain at my lodging, to which my brother was to keep the keys. But on receiving information they would be seized along with my landlord’s goods by bailiffs, I prepared the same night for their removal, and all was safely lodged in a garret at Mrs. H.’s by July 2 at night.

_July 3rd._—I left Slough by the nine o’clock Newbury coach, and remained with the Miss Whites [at Newbury] till next morning.

_July 4th._—At six in the evening I was received at Bath by my brother Alex. and his old housekeeper in a house Mrs. H. had taken for the next winter in Little Stanhope Street. The house had been uninhabited, and the furniture moved into it from the house on Sion Hill by strangers, labourers; the things met me helter-skelter in the passage, some belonging to the drawing-room amongst curry-combs and bridles and other stable utensils. My first care was to make an inventory of the whole, before I let a stranger come into the house, but by the 10th of July I hired a maid of all work to assist me to bring the house into habitable order, and by July 29th I was ready for resuming the work of re-calculating sweeps, or despatching some copying, &c., which was sent me by the coach from Slough, and from the printer in London, my brother being with his family at Tunbridge Wells.

_Sept. 10th._—I received a box from Slough. My brother was come home, and Alex. went to assist in re-polishing the forty-foot mirror, and left Bath Sept. 15; he returned

_Oct. 2nd._—Some of my time during his absence I spent at his house on Margaret’s Hill to clean and repair his furniture, and making his habitation comfortable against his return.

_Oct. 29th._—I received notice that in about a fortnight I should be wanted at Slough.

FROM DR. HERSCHEL IN LONDON TO CAROLINE HERSCHEL AT BATH.

LONDON, _Nov. 7, 1800_.

DEAR SISTER,—

Last night my paper on which I have been so long at work was read at the society. I came to London to bring it, and have been so hurried as not to be able to look out any work for you, but shall now be at liberty to do something of that kind. My things here are in considerable disorder, and in a short time Mrs. Herschel and myself wish to come for a little time to Bath, then we will let you know if it’s soon, that you may come here on a visit before we go, that I may point out to you the work that is most necessary to be done in our short absence. I thought it best to give you this early notice, because, though we have not fixed upon the time, it will be towards the latter end of this month that we mean to come for perhaps a fortnight or three weeks, according to the weather; for, if that should be fine we shall return, that I may have a few sweeps before you go back to Bath. Miss Baldwin is at Slough, and stays while we are away, so that you will have company, and the chaise will also be left, so that you can pay visits at Windsor, and show yourself to all your friends and ours.

My last paper consisted of eighty pages, so that you will have a piece of work to gather it together out of the scraps I leave. Some part of it was brought together in the beginning by Miss Baldwin and Mrs. Herschel which will show the order, but the rest remains in bits, which I have gathered together and numbered....

Remember me to our good brother Alexander, and, with compliments from Mrs. Herschel,

I remain, dear sister, Your affectionate brother, WM. HERSCHEL.

P.S.—The bacon and cheese are very excellent. I have not had time to try Alexander’s green lenses; they look beautiful.

[Sidenote: 1800-1801. _Extracts from Diary._]

_Nov. 14th._—I left Bath, slept the night at the inn at Newbury, and left there between three and four.

_Nov. 15th._—I arrived at my brother’s house, and as soon as I had dined began to calculate and copy a paper which was to go to the R.S.

_Nov. 24th._—My brother went with Mrs. H. and Miss Baldwin to Bath, the keys to Obs., &c., were given me to make order and for despatching memorandums which would have employed me for much longer time than it was likely I should be allowed for doing them to my own satisfaction.

_Dec. 15th._—The family returned, my brother extremely ill, and the next day I had my furniture transported to Windsor, where I had taken a couple of rooms to board and lodge with my eldest nephew, G. Griesbach, and

_Dec. 17th._—I slept there for the first night.

_March 28th._—The MSS. and astronomical books in general were removed out of the observatory above stairs and lodged in my brother’s library. This alteration proved to be an additional clog to my business (which besides was daily increasing on me) for I lost by this means my workroom and found it very difficult to keep the necessary order among the MSS. * * * * *

_April 20th._—Moved from Windsor to a small house at Chalvy, rented from Mr. House, the wood-cutter.

_June 9th._—My brother went to Bath; by the 25th he was returned.

_July 1st._—Alexander came from Bath.

_July 29th._—I went to Slough to take (along with Alex.) care of the house whilst my brother, with his family, were from home.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_February 20th._—The first time Mrs. Beckedorff’s[21] name being mentioned in my memorandums as having dined with her, and the whole party leaving the dining-room on the Princesses Augusta, Amelia, and the Duke of Cambridge coming in to see me.

_March 2nd._—I went with Mrs. H. and Miss Baldwin to town on a visit to Dr. and Miss Wilson, and went with a party to F. Griesbach’s concert at the Opera House. The 4th we returned.

_April 7th._—I shut my house at Chalvy, and went with my maid to Slough, the latter to supply the place of the servants Mrs. H. took with her to town.

_May 6th._—My brother went to take a paper to the R. S., and remained there till the 15th.

_May 26th._—I returned home to Chalvy very ill with a bad leg, having waited too long before I called in assistance.

_June 27th._—The carriage was sent to take me to Slough. Hitherto work had been daily sent me.

_July 13th._—My brother, Mrs. H., my nephew John, and Miss Baldwin left Slough to go to Paris.

_August 25th._—All returned with my nephew dangerously ill. Going daily for some hours to work at the Observatory, and to receive visitors and letters, had not hastened my recovery, for it required no less than seven months before I could be without the attendance of Dr. Pope.

_March 25th._—I moved from Chalvy to Upton.

_April 3rd._—Spent the day at Slough. Dr. and Miss Wilson, Miss Whites, and Professor Johnes, from Cambridge, were there.

_April 12th._—Had an account of my sister Griesbach’s death. She died March 30th.

_May 1st._—From the 1st till the 18th I worked with my brother at Slough, when he went to town, and I returned to Upton; but went daily to the library to work till the 26th, when my brother, with his family, came home from town.

_June 13th._—Alexander arrived from Bath.

_June 25th._—Spent a melancholy day at the Queen’s Lodge on account of the French having taken Hanover.

_September 18th._—My brother Alex. returned to Bath.

_October 18th._—I changed my rooms for the accommodation of Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter, who had taken the house and gardens at Upton, excepting two rooms for my habitation.

_November 6th._—I spent the day at Slough. Professor Valis,[22] with his lady, from Marlow, was there.

_November 19th._—I dined at Slough to meet Dr., Mrs., and Miss Maskelyne.

_December._—Almost throughout the whole month I worked at Slough from breakfast till nine in the evening.

[Sidenote: 1801-1805. _Extracts from Diary._]

_March 16th._—Finished re-calculating sweeps.

_Mem._—Above 8,760 observations have been brought to [the year] 1800.

_April 4th._—Dined at Slough to meet Mrs. Bates and a large party. In the evening we heard Mrs. B. sing _Mad Bess_, &c., &c.

_April 18th._—I went to Slough. My brother went, with his family, to Bath.

_May 10th._—My brother returned.

_August 5th._—My brother Alexander came from Bath.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_November 22nd._—I went to make some stay at Slough during the time my brother spent in town with his family.

_December 10th._—I returned to Upton.

_January 14th._—I went, with my brother’s family, to a morning concert, to my nephew, H. Griesbach, to hear the Hanoverian Concert-Meister Le Vec play.

* * * * *

_March 5th._—Went to make some stay with my brother at Slough, Mrs. H. being in town.

_March 27th._—All returned, and I went with my work to Upton again.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_August 14th._—I went to stay with Alex. at Slough while my eldest brother went with his family from home. They had intended to have left Slough on the 12th, but were detained in consequence of a report of an expected invasion.

* * * * *

* * * * *

In September was much hindered in my work by the packing of the Spanish telescope, which was done at the barn and rick-yard at Upton, my room being all the while filled with the optical apparatus.

_September 24th._—I went to work with my brother at Slough.

_October 1st._—When Mrs. H., with her niece, returned from Newbury, I went again to Upton. The Spanish telescope left England in October.[23]

_November 13th._—I went to Slough, the family to town; but, in the absence of the moon, my brother was at home, and much observing, and work was despatched.

_December 1st._—All came home, and I went to my solitude again.[24] During the winter months I suffered much from a violent cough and cold, and found great difficulty in despatching the copying, &c., which daily was sent to me when I was unable to go to my brother.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: 1805-1806. _Extracts from Diary._]

_May 1st._—I went to Slough to make some stay with my brother.

* * * * *

_July 4th._—My brother went to Gravesend to meet my youngest brother (who came to pay us a visit), and was detained there for a passport.

_July 6th._—In the evening they both arrived at Slough.

_July 10th._—Alexander joined us from Bath.... The same day my eldest brother went to the visitation of the Observatory at Greenwich, and my brother D. accompanied him. They returned on the 12th.

_July 13th._—We went all to the Terrace, and took our tea with Mrs. Bremeyer and Mr. Beckedorff at the Castle.

_July 23rd._—Dietrich took leave of his friends at Cumberland Lodge. Alex. and I accompanied him. In Windsor I went shopping to buy presents for my Hanoverian relations.

_July 24th._—D. left us. My eldest brother and Mrs. H. accompanied him to London.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_August 1st._—I left Upton for Slough. My brother went with Mrs. H. and Miss B. on an excursion. My nephew went to spend the holidays at Newbury, at the Miss Whites. One man and a woman were left with me to take care of the house. I distracted my thoughts by undertaking an amazing deal of work; among the rest, I made catalogues of all books and MSS. my brother’s library contained, and arranged them, to the best of my knowledge, according to what the confined room would allow.

[Sidenote: 1806-1807. _Extracts from Diary._]

_September 8th._—My brother and family returned, and I went with my works to Upton. Dr. and Miss Wilson were at Slough from September 22nd to September 30th.

_Mem._—During September, and the early part of October, many days were spent at Slough in assisting my brother when the 40-foot mirror was re-polishing.

_December 28th._—I went to see Mrs. Bremeyer, but found she had died ten hours before my arrival at the Castle.

_January 15th._—My brother went to Bath to see his brother and Sir Wm. Watson.

_January 24th_, _5th_, and _6th_.—I spent with my friends at Windsor. My brother returned with a violent cough, added to a nervous headache which it had been hoped would, by change of air, have been removed. My brother brought the place of a comet announced in the papers with him. I had also heard of it at the Castle, and saw it on the 27th at Upton. Next day I had my sweeper carried to Slough, but the nights of the 28th, 29th, and 30th were not clear enough, and I could not find it again till the 31st, when my brother began his observations on it....

_May 2nd._—I left Upton for Slough, to work with my brother. Mrs. H. being in town till

_June 18th._—Spent the day at Slough, Mr. and Mrs. Watt being there on a visit, and a large party to dinner.

_Aug. 13th._—I went with Mrs. H. and my nephew to pay a visit to our friends at Cumberland Lodge. My brother, again finding it necessary to recruit his strength by absenting himself for a few days from his work-rooms, had left Slough for Tunbridge Wells just the day before, and at our return we found the Duke of Kent, with the Dukes of Orleans, &c., waiting for us, and my nephew [ætat. 15] and myself showed them Jupiter, the Moon, &c., in the seven-foot.

_Aug. 29th._—I dined at the Castle. The Queen and Princess Elizabeth honoured me with kind enquiries after the health of my brother, &c. The Princesses Augusta and Mary also came to see me in Miss Beckedorff’s room. On coming home the next day, I found my brother had arrived the day before.

_Sept. 22nd._—In taking the forty-foot mirror out of the tube, the beam to which the tackle is fixed broke in the middle, but fortunately not before it was nearly lowered into its carriage, &c., &c. Both my brothers had a narrow escape of being crushed to death.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_Oct. 1st._—Received an account and letters announcing a comet.

_Oct. 2nd._—Saw the comet, visible to the naked eye.

_Oct. 4th._—My brother came from Brighton. The same night two parties from the Castle came to see the comet, and during the whole month my brother had not an evening to himself. As he was then in the midst of polishing the forty-foot mirror, rest became absolutely necessary after a day spent in that most laborious work; and it has ever been my opinion that on the 14th of October his nerves received a shock of which he never got the better afterwards; for on that day (in particular) he had hardly dismissed his troop of men, when visitors assembled, and from the time it was dark till past midnight he was on the grass-plot surrounded by between fifty and sixty persons, without having had time for putting on proper clothing, or for the least nourishment passing his lips. Among the company I remember were the Duke of Sussex, Prince Galitzin, Lord Darnley, a number of officers, Admiral Boston, and some ladies.

_Nov. 3rd._—I came home to Upton (Mrs. H. returned from Brighton), but went most days to assist my brother in the polishing-room or library, and from the 10th December to the 22nd I was entirely at Slough going on as above uninterruptedly, Mrs. Herschel being with my nephew, and Miss Baldwin at Newbury with the Miss Whites.

_Jan._—Many days at work in the library and workrooms assisting my brother.

_Feb. 3rd._—When at work in the library the Duke of Cambridge came in. We were obliged to a storm for his visit, as he came in for the shelter.

_Feb. 6th._—When I came to Slough to assist my brother in polishing the forty-foot mirror, I found my nephew very ill with an inflammatory sore throat and fever.

_Feb. 9th._—Still very ill; and my brother obliged to go on with the polishing of the great mirror, as every arrangement had been made for that purpose. _Mem._ I believe my brother had reason for choosing the cold season for this laborious work, the exertion of which alone must put any man into a fever if he were ever so strong.

_Feb. 10th._—From this day my nephew’s health kept on mending.

_Feb. 19th._—My nephew mending, but my brother not well.

_Feb. 26th._—My brother so ill that I was not allowed to see him, and till March 8 his life was despaired of, and by

_Mar. 10th._—I was permitted to see him, but only for two or three minutes, for he is not allowed to speak.

_Mar. 22nd._—He went for the first time into his library, but could only remain for a few moments.

_April 7th._—I went to stay at Slough, my brother going by short stages to Bath, Mrs. H., my nephew, and Miss Baldwin with him.

_May 9th._—My brother returned, nearly recovered, but with a violent cold and cough caught on the journey.

_May 24th._—I went to Slough to be with my brother till the 31st. In fine nights observing; working in the daytime, and writing a paper on comets, filled up the time, though neither my brother nor myself were well.

_June 7th._—Was the Montem, of course much company.

_June 13th._—I dined at the Castle to meet Lady and Miss Banks, Mr. De Luc,[25] &c.

* * * * *

_July 1st._—Alexander arrived at Slough. _Mem._ We received very distressing accounts from our brother at Hanover.

_July 21st_ till _26th_.—My brother was absent, and I was daily at work in the library.

_Sept. 5th._—Alexander returned to Bath, leaving his brother far from well. The laborious exertions required for the polishing of the forty-foot mirror, besides the overlooking and directing the workmen out of doors, who were at work on the repairs of the apparatus, during the month of August, had again proved too much for him.

_Oct. 4th._—I went to Slough; my brother, Mrs. H., my nephew, and his cousin, went to Brighton. My brother was absent about a week, during which time I worked as long as I could see in the library, and spent the evenings in booking observations, &c., and such works as could be done within doors.

_Nov. 2nd._—My brother went to town, endeavouring to gain some information about my brother Dietrich, who, according to a message from a merchant in town, ought to have by this time been in England.

_Nov. 6th._—A letter from Harwich arrived informing us that D. was waiting there for a passport.

_Nov. 7th._—D. arrived at Slough, but was obliged to return for his trunk and to show himself at the alien office, and I did not see him till the evening of the 9th.

_Dec. 19th._—Dietrich left Slough for lodgings in Pimlico, London. Came with Fr. Griesbach the day before Christmas Day, and returned to town the 26th.

[Sidenote: 1809. _Extracts from Diary._]

_Mem._ From the hour of Dietrich’s arrival in England till that of his departure, which was not till nearly four years after, I had not a day’s respite from accumulated trouble and anxiety, for he came ruined in health, spirit, and fortune, and, according to the old Hanoverian custom, I was the only one from whom all domestic comforts were expected. I hope I have acquitted myself to everybody’s satisfaction, for I never neglected my eldest brother’s business, and the time I bestowed on Dietrich was taken entirely from my sleep or from what is generally allowed for meals, which were mostly taken running, or sometimes forgotten entirely. But why think of it now!

_Jan._—Throughout the whole month I had a cough, my nephew a sore throat and fever. Great flood and stormy weather. The communication between Slough and Upton was very troublesome to me.

_Jan. 13th._—I spent the day at Slough. Dietrich came for the evening to assist at a concert. I was shocked to see him so much worse, but I was obliged to see him return to town the next morning with Fr. Griesbach. I was prevented by my own illness and the severity of the weather from going to see him in town, and

_Feb. 5th._—I sprained my ankle in coming home in the evening from Slough, by attempting to walk through the snow in pattens, and my brother was obliged to send me work to Upton, for it was not till a fortnight after, that I could walk again, and I felt the effects of the accident for above three months after.

_Mar. 9th._—I went to Slough to work with my brother. His family were from home. Much work was done during the time, but the polishing the forty-foot was interrupted on the 24th by the hot weather.

* * * * *

* * * * *

_Oct. 2nd._—Alex left Slough. I was very ill, and had Dr. Pope to attend me.

_Oct. 9th._—Dismissed Pope and went to Dr. Phips.

_Oct. 17th._—My nephew went to Cambridge. His mother and Miss Baldwin remained in lodgings at Cambridge.

_Nov. 20th._—Phips pronounced me out of danger from becoming blind, which he ought to have done much sooner, or rather not to have put me unnecessarily under such dreadful apprehension.

_Dec. 6th._—Dietrich went to London for the winter.