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.