“In the evening we walked upon the terrace, where I
was most graciously noticed by their Majesties, who
both talked to me a considerable time. Both, also,
condescended to inquire much after my health, and seemed
to observe with pleasure that I looked better than I had
done in the spring. ‘Yes;’ I answered; ‘the fine weather
has been more propitious to me than medicine.’
“‘I dare say it has!’ cried the King with quickness,
and an expression that implied much of scepticism as to
physic.
“In the evening, by the advice of Herschel, I accompanied
him to the King’s concert at the castle. The performance,
which was all of sacred music from Handel’s oratorio of
Joseph, was begun before we arrived. At the end of the
first part, his Majesty discovered, and graciously came
up to us; and, after some remarks on the excellence
of the choruses, the King suddenly cried: ‘How goes on
Astronomy, Dr. Burney?’
“This question quite astonished me, as I did not believe
that any one hut Herschel knew what I had been about. I
stared a little, but answered, ‘We must ask Dr. Herschel,
Sir, the state of the heavens.’—‘O, but I know,’ cried
he, moving his hand as if it held a pen, ‘that you are
doing something!’
“On my bowing very humbly at the implied interest of such
an inquiry, he said: ‘Well, you’ll make it entertaining,
whatever it is. But how do you find time to write?’
“‘I make time, Sir;’ I replied; ‘I have a sinking fund.’
“‘What!’
“‘I take it out of my sleep, Sir, for extra occasions.’
“He seemed too kind to laugh, and only very seriously
said: ‘But you’ll hurt your health.’”