CHAPTER VII.

SIR JOHN HERSCHEL AT THE CAPE.

CAPE TOWN, _Jan. 21, 1834_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

Here we are safely landed and comfortably housed at the far end of

Africa, and having secured the landing and final stowage of all the

telescopes and other matters, as far as I can see, without the slightest

injury, I lose no time in reporting to you our good success _so far_. M.

and the children are, thank God, quite well; though, for fear you should

think her too good a sailor, I ought to add that she continued sea-sick,

at intervals, during the whole passage. We were nine weeks and two days

at sea, during which period we experienced only one day of contrary

wind. We had a brisk breeze “right aft” all the way from the Bay of

Biscay (which we never entered) to the “calm latitudes,” that is to say,

to the space about five or six degrees broad near the equator, where the

trade winds cease, and where it is no unusual thing for a ship to lie

becalmed for a month or six weeks, frying under a vertical sun. Such,

however, was not our fate. We were detained only three or four days by

the calms usual in that zone, but never _quite_ still, or driven out of

our course, and immediately on crossing “the line,” got a good breeze

(the south-east trade wind), which carried us round Trinidad, then

exchanged it for a north-west wind, which, with the exception of one

day’s squall from the south-east, carried us straight into Table Bay. On

the night of the 14th we were told to prepare to see the Table Mountain.

Next morning (N.B., we had not seen land before since leaving England),

at dawn the welcome word “land” was heard, and there stood this

magnificent hill, with all its attendant mountain range down to the

farthest point of South Africa, full in view, with a clear blue

ghost-like outline, and that night we cast anchor within the Bay. Next

morning early we landed under escort of Dr. Stewart, M.’s brother, and

you may imagine the meeting. We took up our quarters at a most

comfortable lodging-house (Miss Rabe’s), and I proceeded, without loss

of time, to unship the instruments. This was no trifling operation, as

they filled (with the rest of our luggage) fifteen large boats; and,

owing to the difficulty of getting them up from the “hold” of the ship,

required several days to complete the landing. During the whole time

(and indeed up to this moment) not a single south-east gale, the summer

torment of this harbour, has occurred. This is a thing almost unheard of

here, and has indeed been most fortunate, since otherwise it is not at

all unlikely that some of the boats, laden as they were to the water’s

edge, might have been lost, and the whole business crippled.

[Sidenote: 1834. _Sir John Herschel at the Cape._]

For the last two or three days we have been looking at houses, and have

all but agreed for one, a most beautiful place within four or five miles

out of town, called “The Grove.” In point of situation, it is a perfect

paradise, in rich and magnificent mountain scenery, and sheltered from

all winds, even the fierce south-easter, by thick surrounding woods. I

must reserve for my next all description of the gorgeous display of

flowers which adorns this splendid country, as well as of the

astonishing brilliancy of the constellations, which the calm, clear

nights show off to great advantage; and wishing we had you here to see

them, must conclude with best loves from M. and the children.

Your affectionate nephew,

J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

BRAUNSCHWEIGER STRASSE, No. 376, _May 1, 1834_.

MY DEAR NEPHEW,—

Your precious letter relieved me on the 14th from a whole twelvemonth’s

anxiety, for it was in April last year when, by your few brief lines on

business, I saw that you were seriously preparing for leaving Europe,

and from that time I became in idea a vagrant accompanying you through

all the fatigues of preparing for such a momentous undertaking. And if

it had not been for the consoling letter of your brother [in law] James,

and one from Miss B. giving me an account of the carefully arranged

accommodation with which they saw you depart, I should not have known

how to support myself till I saw your dear letter, which brought me even

more comfort than I could hope you would have found time to think of....

Both yourself and my dear niece urged me to write often, and to write

always twice; but alas! I could not overcome the reluctance I felt of

telling you that it is over with me, for getting up at eight or nine

o’clock, dressing myself, eating my dinner alone without an appetite,

falling asleep over a novel (I am obliged to lay down to recover the

fatigue of the morning’s exertions) awaking with nothing but the

prospect of the trouble of getting to bed, where very seldom I get above

two hours’ sleep. It is enough to make a parson swear! To this I must

add I found full employment for the few moments, when I could rouse

myself from a melancholy lethargy, to spend in looking over my store of

astronomical and other memorandums of upwards of fifty years collecting,

and destroying all what might produce nonsense when coming through the

hands of a Block-kopff in the Zeitungen.

[Sidenote: 1834. _Arrival at the Cape._]

My dear friends, Mrs. and Miss Beckedorff, are assisting me in my final

preparations for going to that bourn from whence none ever returned, but

let me hope that you, my dear nephew, with my dear niece and the whole

of your young family, will return to your dear relatives and friends

after having seen all your wishes and expectations crowned with success.

Though, if I may not be among those who will greet your return, I can

assure you their number will be _great_, judging from the sensation the

account of your safe arrival at the Cape has caused among all our

friends; and (as Dr. M—— will have it) “the whole intelligent and

scientific world in general are participating in our feeling.” Poor Mrs.

Beckedorff, to whom I read your letter, sat trembling and crying for

joy; for I now find that my friends had not been without fear for your

safety on account of the storms (and their sad consequences) which

prevailed for a long time immediately after your departure, and the same

evening a note was despatched to her Royal Highness the Landgräfin to

communicate the news; for from the Duke’s and her Royal Highness’s

constant inquiries when I expected to hear from you, I knew the account

of your safe arrival would give pleasure.

* * * * *

The feelings of joy I experienced the first few days after the arrival

of your letter are nearly evaporated, and I begin to feel already that

the essential information required for making me reconciled to the

immense space which divides me from you is still wanting; which is, that

I cannot now, as formerly, receive so frequent accounts concerning the

health of my dear niece and the children, not even from Miss B., who

used to describe their little ways so prettily, for she, too, cannot now

observe them. I look with impatience for the next account ... of the

health of my dear niece, yours, and the dear little beings. Caroline and

Isabella and I are old friends, but is William Herschel the second

likely to live (if not beyond) at least to the age of his grandfather?

Perhaps you will receive the “Göttingsche Gelehrte Anzeigen” of 16th and

19th December, 1833, containing what is said of your book on Natural

Philosophy (by Gauss they say).

God bless you _all_, and believe, my dear nephew,

Ever your most affectionate aunt,

CAR. HERSCHEL.

FROM J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

FELDHAUSEN, _June 6, 1834_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

The twenty-foot has been in activity ever since the end of February,

and, as I have now got the polishing apparatus erected and three mirrors

(one of which I mean to keep constantly polishing) the sweeping gets on

rapidly. I had hardly begun regular sweeping, when I discovered two

beautiful planetary nebulæ, exactly like planets, and one of a fine blue

colour. I have not been unmindful of your hint about Scorpio, I am now

_rummaging_ the recesses of that constellation and find it full of

beautiful globular clusters. A few evenings ago I lighted on a strange

nebula, of which here is a figure! and since I am about it I shall add a

figure of one of the resolvable nebulæ in the greater magellanic cloud.

The equatorial is at last erected, and the revolving roof (upon a plan

of my own) works perfectly well, but I am sorry to say that the nights

in which it can be used to advantage are rare, even rarer than in

England, as, in spite of the clearness of the sky, the stars are

ill-defined and excessively tremulous. But a truce to astronomical

details! though from time to time I shall continue to plague you with

them.... Farewell; M. desires to add her kindest regards to those of

Your affectionate nephew,

J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1834. _The Landgravine of Hesse._]

The following letters from the Princesses of Hesse and Dessau afford a

pleasing memorial of the kind and affectionate interest which they lost

no opportunity of expressing in Miss Herschel and her family.

HANOVER, _June 10, 1834_.

I yesterday received the enclosed note from my niece, the Dowager

Duchess of Anhalt Dessau, but felt too unwell to send it as I could not

write, which I wished to do, to thank you also for your great kindness

about the book. My niece writes in _extasies_ with your good nature. I

am glad to learn from our dear Sophy Beckedorff that you are pretty

well. I trust to be well enough soon to see you, but I am still weak and

unlike myself. It gave me very great pleasure to learn that you have had

fresh accounts of your nephew, who, I pray God, may be prosperous in all

his very interesting and valuable undertakings.

I am happy of having this opportunity of assuring you of the sincerity

of my regard.

ELISE,

The Dowager Landgravine of Hesse,

born Princess of England.

TO MISS CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

[_Enclosure._]

DESSAU, _June 6, 1834_.

Miss Caroline Herschel finds here the expressions of my utmost gratitude

for the great kindness to give me the so very interesting work of her

nephew, the worthy follower of a celebrated father.

The gentleman here, a Mr. Schwabe, to whom it was destined, looks with

eager curiosity on the discoveries Mr. Herschel will make in the new

regions of heaven he is now examining, and if she would be inclined,

after receiving any interesting news, to make communication of it, it

would always be accepted with the best thanks of

FREDRICA,

Duchess of Anhalt Dessau.

MISS CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

_Sept. 11, 1834._

MY DEAREST NEPHEW,—

Your welcome letter of June 6 I received on the 19th August ... and I

know not how to thank you sufficiently for the cheering account you give

of the climate agreeing so well with you and all who are so dear to me,

and that you find all about you so agreeable and comfortable, ... so

that I have nothing left to wish for but a continuation of the same, and

that I may only live to see the handwriting of your dear Caroline,

though I have my doubts about lasting till then, for the thermometer

standing 80° and 90° for upwards of two months, day and night, in my

rooms (to which I am mostly confined) has made great havoc in my brittle

constitution. I beg you will look to it that she learns to make her

figures as you will find them in your father’s MSS., such as he taught

me to make. The daughter of a mathematician must write plain figures.

My little grand-nephew making alliance with your workmen shews that he

is taking after his papa. I see you now in idea (memory?) running about

in petticoats among your father’s carpenters, working with little tools

of your own, and John Wiltshire (one of Pitt’s men, whom you may perhaps

remember), crying out, “Dang the boy, if he can’t drive in a nail as

well as I can!” but pray take care that he does not come to harm, and in

your next tell me something of our little Isabella, too.

[Sidenote: 1834. _A Hole in the Sky._]

I thank you for the astronomical portion of your letter, and for your

promise of future accounts of uncommon objects. It is not _clusters of

stars_ I want you to discover in the body of the Scorpion (or

thereabout), for that does not answer my expectation, remembering having

once heard your father, after a long awful silence, exclaim, “Hier ist

wahrhaftig ein Loch im Himmel!”[47] and, as I said before, stopping

afterwards at the same spot, but leaving it unsatisfied, &c....

About two months ago I was, for the last time, unfortunately, at the

theatre, when Professor Schumacher and the Chevalier Kessel, of

Danneburg, called on me. As soon as I came home I sent a note of

invitation for the next evening, but had one returned informing me of

their leaving Hanover next morning, and a promise of coming perhaps next

summer. But I hear Struve is coming, and I hope I shall get a sight of

him. The Emperor of Russia and the King of Denmark are cramming their

observatories with astronomical instruments, &c., of all descriptions,

made, I believe, some of them by Hohenbaum....

* * * * *

To my dear niece I beg you to give my best love and thanks for the kind

arrangement to indemnify me for the loss of her dear letters, by

charging her brothers to inform me of all they know, &c., which, thank

God, is hitherto of the most comforting nature.

With the most heartfelt wishes for the continuance of the health of you

all,

I remain, &c., &c.,

C. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1835. _Sir John Herschel at the Cape._]

FROM J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

FELDHAUSEN, C. G. H., _Feb. 22, 1835_.

* * * * *

For my own part I never enjoyed such good health in England as I have

done since I came here. The first coming on of the hot season affected

me a little (odd enough with colds and rheumatisms), but it soon went

off.

The stars continue to be propitious, and the nights which follow a

shower, or a “black south-easter,” are the most observing nights it is

possible to imagine. I have swept well over Scorpio, and have many

entries in my sweeping books of the kind you describe, viz., blank space

in the heavens _without the smallest star_. For example:—

R.A. 16^h 15^m—N.P.D. 113° 56ʹ—a field without the smallest star.

R.A. 16 19 N.P.D. 116 3—_Antares_ (α Scorpii.)

R.A. 16 23 N.P.D. 114 25 to 214° 5ʹ—fields entirely void of stars.

R.A. 16 26 N.P.D. 114 14 not a star 16^m—Nothing!

R.A. 16 27 N.P.D. 114 0 not a star as far as 114° 10ʹ.

and so on. Then come on the globular clusters, then more blank fields,

then suddenly the Milky Way comes on as here described (from my sweep

474, July 29, 1834):—

“17^h 28^m, 114° 27ʹ.—The Milky Way comes on in large milky nebulous

irregular patches and banks, with few stars of visible magnitude, after

a succession of black fields and extremely rare stars above 18th

magnitude. I do not remember ever to have seen the Milky Way so

decidedly nebulous, or, indeed, at all so, before.”

Altogether the constitution of the Milky Way in its whole extent, from

Scorpio to Argo Navis, is extremely curious and interesting. I have

already collected a pretty large catalogue of southern nebulæ, for the

most part hitherto unobserved, but my most remarkable object is a fine

planetary nebula of a beautiful greenish-blue colour, a full and intense

tint (not as when one says Lyra is a _bluish_ star, &c.), but a positive

and evident blue, between indigo-blue and verditer green. It is about

12ʺ in diameter, exactly round, or a _very_ little elliptic, and quite

as sharply defined as a planet. Its place is 11^h 42^m R.A., and 146°

14ʹ N.P.D. My review for double stars goes on in moonlight nights, and

among them I may mention γ Lupi and ε Chameleontis as among the closest

and most interesting.

I have been hunting for Halley’s comet by Rümker’s Ephemeris in Taurus,

but without success, though in the finest sky, quite dark, and with a

newly-polished mirror. (By the way, I should mention that I have not had

the least difficulty in my polishing work, and my mirrors are now more

perfect than at any former time since I have used them.) My last comet

hunt was Feb. 18. I shall, however, continue to look out for it. Pray

mention this to Schumacher, who is Rümker’s next-door neighbour.

MISS HERSCHEL TO A. DE MORGAN, ESQ., SECRETARY OF

ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

_March 9, 1835._

SIR,—

I return you many thanks for your communication of being chosen an

Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society, and beg you will do

me the favour to convey my most heartfelt thanks to the honourable

gentlemen of the Council for conferring so great an honour on me; and

only regret that at the feeble age of 85 I have no hope of making myself

deserving of the great honour of seeing my name joined with that of the

much distinguished Mrs. Somerville.

I beg you will believe me to remain, with great regard,

Sir, your most respectful and

obliged humble servant,

CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1835. _Catalogues of Stars._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO F. BAILY, ESQ.

HANOVER, _April 2, 1835_.

DEAR SIR,—

I feel very great gratification at recollecting that some twenty years

ago I had the pleasure of being present when you were conversing at

Slough with my dear brother, for it encourages me to address you now as

an old friend, and I might almost say my only one, for death has not

spared me one of those valuable men of the last century in whose society

I had an opportunity of spending many happy hours, when they came to

pass an astronomical night at Bath, Datchet, Clay Hall, and Slough. And

I should now in the absence of my nephew (who would in my name have

properly answered your kind letter for me) been much at a loss how to

reply to yours of March 17. But I hope, dear Sir, you will have the

goodness to return my sincere thanks to the Council of the Society for

voting me a complete copy of their Memoirs. But, considering my advanced

age and declining health, I think it best not to have them sent over to

me, for it would cause me much uneasiness to leave them in the hands of

those who could neither read nor understand them.

I suppose my nephew must have himself a complete copy of the Memoirs;

but, if not, I beg you will give them to him, along with my love, as a

keepsake from his affectionate and grateful aunt, the first opportunity

you have to see him on his return.

Your kind information of the work with which you are at present engaged,

touches a string which it has caused me no small trouble to silence; for

whenever my thoughts return to those two or three years of which every

moment that could be spared from other immediate astronomical business

was, by my brother’s desire, allotted for comparing each star of the

British Catalogue with their observations in that _incorrect edition_ of

1725, I feel always sorry that want of time, and, perhaps, want of

ability too, must have been the cause of leaving many incorrections

unnoticed. The work, however, was solely intended for the use of my

brother, who valued Flamsteed as an observer too much to have made use

of any other but the British Catalogue for determining the places of his

newly-discovered objects. N.B. We ought to remember that till the year

1790 and 1800, when Wollaston’s and Bode’s Catalogues appeared, we had

no other to go by, for those of Piazzi and several other excellent

observers were then not generally known.

But, dear Sir, I ought to take leave of this to me interesting subject;

for finding, about eight years since, that, on account of the failure of

my eyes and wretched health in general, I should be unable to make

further use of Flamsteed’s works, I gave the three volumes, along with

the Atlas, Catalogue of Omitted Stars, &c., to the Observatory of

Göttingen, all marked throughout with what corrections I knew of at that

time; thinking they might be of use to the observer there, and relieve

me besides from the fear of leaving them where they could not be

appreciated, or an attempt be made to comment on them, and perhaps have

made bad worse.

I wish (but almost fear life will not be spared me so long) to see your

new edition of the British Catalogue, therefore beg you will favour me

with a copy as early as possible. I never knew that there was a

Biography of Flamsteed’s existing, and trust you will favour me with the

same as soon as you can.

Any small parcels of astronomical papers will come to me by favour of

Herr Schumacher in Altona, who is so kind as to send me his _Astronom.

Nachrichten_ regularly for my amusement. And if you could send me the

names of the President and of the gentlemen of the present Council, it

would greatly oblige me.

I hope you will pardon my having intruded so long on your time, but it

has ever been my fault to be tedious in expressing my thoughts on paper;

but will now only add that, with great esteem and regard,

I remain, my dear Sir,

Your humble servant,

CAROLINE HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1835. _Letters._]

FROM MRS. SOMERVILLE TO MISS HERSCHEL.

ROYAL HOSPITAL, CHELSEA,

_April 16, 1835_.

DEAR MADAM,—

I have sincere pleasure in availing myself of the opportunity of writing

to you which the Astronomical Society of London has afforded me, by

placing my name in the number of Honorary Members, and greatly adding to

the value of that distinction by associating my name with yours, to

which I have looked up with so much admiration.

My object in writing is to request that you will accept of a copy of my

book on the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, which is offered with

great deference, having been written for a very different class of

readers.

I am proud of the friendship of your nephew, the worthy son of such a

father, who is succeeding so well in his glorious undertaking at the

Cape. I have seen a letter of the 27th January, when they were all well

and prospering.

I remain, dear Madam,

With sincere esteem,

Very truly yours,

MARY SOMERVILLE.

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

_April 23, 1835._

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

* * * * *

Your own dear letter arrived containing such a volume of joyful news,

conveyed in the most kindest expressions, as if chosen for the purpose

to cheer the heart of feeble age.

I was then not able (nor am I so now) to thank you as I could wish for

your sparing so much of your valuable time and strength for the purpose

of making me a partaker of your domestic happiness.

* * * * *

I have now received in all five letters, two by your own hands, and

three by my nephew. Each time after having read them over again they are

put by, under thanksgiving to the Almighty, with a prayer for future

protection.

... Writing to my absent friends is one of the most laborious

employments I could fly to when under bodily and, of course, mental

sickness, for it is not impossible I might, instead of making inquiry

about my little precious grand-nephew and the young _ladies_ who play,

sing, and sew so prettily, write, “O! my back. O! I have the cramp here,

there, &c.”

I had intended to keep a day-book to note down how and where I spent my

time, and what was passing about me, which was to have served for yours

and my nephew’s amusement some day or other. But this I have given up

long since, for seeing nothing but lapses of weeks and months where I

could have given no better account of myself than that, after the

fatigue of getting up and dressing, I fell asleep on the sofa, with a

newspaper or other uninteresting subject in my hands, this would only

have put me in mind of the useless life I am leading now.

But within the last two months I have been obliged to exert myself once

more to answer two letters, one to Mr. De Morgan, the Secretary of the

Royal Astronomical Society, the other to Mr. Baily (who I suppose is

President), for they have been pleased to choose me, along with Mrs.

Somerville, to be a member (God knows what for) of their Society. This,

and receiving visits of congratulation (for congratulate they must about

all they find—what they call _promotion_—in the _Zeitungen_) has really

somewhat disturbed me, though Captain Müller and Mr. Hausmann I am

always glad to see; with them I can talk about my nephew, for they know

him personally, and admire him. The winter else has passed away rather

heavily, because the Landgräfin not being here, I had no other

opportunity for seeing anything to put me in mind of England, but going

to eight or ten concerts, and those, ill or well, I never missed, for

there I was always sure to be noticed by the Duke of Cambridge as his

countrywoman (and that is what I want, I will be no Hanoverian!), and

then inquiries are made about my nephew and his family; even the little

princess, twelve years old, who sometimes when there, comes to give me

her hand, asking if I have had any letters from the Cape; but now I have

seen the last of them, for the family go to England, and will be absent

for many months, and where may I be when they return? But Sunday night I

sat a full hour on the sofa with the Duke at Mrs. Beckedorff’s, where I

go Sundays from seven to nine, where there is nobody but the female part

of Mrs. B.’s family, and another old lady, who was absent on account of

being not well. Of this our meeting the good Duke knew all along, and

good-naturedly came to join our gossip.

[Sidenote: 1835. _Newton and Flamsteed._]

Here I have filled my paper with talking of nothing but myself, because

I know that my nephew corresponds with _all_ scientific men in Europe,

for I hear frequently of extracts having appeared in the papers (of his

communications) by Struve, Littrow, &c., and should suppose he will also

know what is done at _our Society, of which I now am a fellow_! and is

of course acquainted with what Mr. Baily mentioned in his letter to me,

that at the public expense a new edition of Flamsteed’s work is now in

print, and that papers have been found at the Royal Society containing a

biography by Flamsteed’s own hands, which—but here I transcribe what Mr.

B. writes:—“I lament very much, in common with every friend of science,

that Newton’s name is mixed up with transactions that show him in a

different light from that in which we have generally received his

character. But justice to Flamsteed’s memory would not allow me to

suppress any portion of his autobiography.”

Now we talk of biographies, I have no less than nine of my poor brother,

and heard of two more, one by Zach, which I shall try to get sight of.

There is but one or two which are bordering on truth, the rest being

stuff, not worth while to fret about. The best is accompanied with a

miniature of Reberg’s _bad_ copy; but I have ordered a lithograph copy

to be taken from the portrait by Artaud; if it turns out correct I will

send two copies as soon as they come out.

God bless you both, and the dear children, my best niece.

Ever your most affectionate aunt,

CAR. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO P. STEWART, ESQ.[48]

_May 25, 1835._

* * * * *

Let the time come whenever it may please God, I leave cash enough behind

to clear me from _all_ and _any_ obligations to all who _here_ do know

me. Even the expenses of a respectable funeral lie ready to enable my

friend Mrs. Beckedorff, and one of my nieces (the widow of Amptmann

Knipping,[49] who lately came to settle at Hanover) to fulfil my

directions.

I hope you will pardon my troubling you with such doleful subjects, but

I wish to show you that my income is by one third more than I have the

power to spend, for by a twelve years’ trial I find that I cannot get

rid of more than 600 thl. = £100 per year, without making myself

ridiculous.

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _August 6, 1835_.

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

I dare not wait any longer for a return of better spirits, _such_ as in

which I should like to reply to my nephew’s dated February 22nd, and

yours of May 19th, for I fear if I do not at least acknowledge the

receipt of them, I shall not be gladdened again by such delightful

descriptions of your health and healthful situation, and my nephew’s

contentment with the successful progress he is making in his intended

observations.

At first, on reading them, I could turn wild, but this is only a flash,

for soon I fall in a reverie of what my dear nephew’s father would have

felt if such letters could have been directed to him, and cannot

suppress my wish that _his_ life instead of _mine_ had been spared until

this present moment; for what immense and wonderful discoveries have not

been made within these thirteen years, chiefly by his own son, or son’s

suggestion!

[Sidenote: 1835. _Present of Constantia._]

But I must stop here and turn to more earthly and indifferent subjects

(though they ought not to be called indifferent neither), for in the

first place I have to return my thanks for no less than three dozen of

Constantia wine, but this I shall do but with a very bad grace, for ever

since the 11th of May, when I received my nephew’s letter, I have been

in the fidgets about the trouble he and his friends must have had before

such a thing could reach me.... I feel more reconciled after unburdening

myself of some of this weighty concern by making presents to all who

love and esteem you so truly, and after setting apart a portion,

according to Captain Müller’s advice, with which you may be treated when

at your return you may perhaps visit Hanover again, there remains more

than ever I can get through with, for I am very desirous to spin out the

thread of my life till you return home. And I know it is a mistaken

notion that old folks want more of what they call comfort than young

ones. It is not very easy to find out what will convey comfort in

general.... I, for instance, know of no other comforts like those I

derive from yours and my dear niece’s letters. Her last leaves me

nothing to wish for....

* * * * *

You compliment me on having a steady hand, but if you were to see the

blotting I make before I can make it hang together (when I am

_composing_, as it were, a letter) you would not say so, and, after all,

it will cause you some trouble to understand me, for the letter begins

to my dear niece, and soon after I find myself talking to you....

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

FELLHAUSEN, _Oct. 24, 1835_.

DEAR AUNT,—

The last accounts we have of you are that you are elected a member of

the Astronomical Society, and that to keep you in countenance, and

prevent your being the only lady among so many gentlemen, you have for a

colleague and sister member, Mrs. Somerville. Now this is well imagined,

and we were not a little pleased to hear it. May you long enjoy your

well-earned laurels!

As I presume our news will interest you more than comments upon what

goes on in Europe, in the first place be it known to you, that we are

all well and, thank Heaven, happy. The children, one and all, thrive

uncommonly.... The stars go on very well, though for the last two months

the weather has been chiefly cloudy, which has hitherto prevented me

seeing Halley’s comet. Encke’s (_yours_) escaped me, owing to trees and

the Table Mountain, though I cut away a good gap in our principal oak

avenue to get at it. However, Maclear, at the Observatory, succeeded in

getting three views of it with the fourteen-foot Newtonian of my

father’s (the Glasgow telescope) on the 14th, 19th, and (?) 24th of

September. If you have an opportunity of letting this become known to

Encke, pray do so—(I shall write to him shortly myself). It was _in_ or

_near_ the calculated place, but no measures could be got.

I have now very nearly gone over the whole southern heavens, and over

much of it often. So that after another season of reviewing, verifying,

and making up accounts (reducing and bringing in order the observations)

we shall be looking homewards. In short, I have, to use a homely phrase,

broken the neck of the work, and my main object now is to _secure_ and

perfect what is done, and get all ready to begin printing the moment we

arrive in England; or, if that is not possible, at least to have no more

calculation to do....

[Sidenote: 1835. _Duke of Cambridge._]

FROM H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.

HANOVER, _Nov. 19, 1835_.

The Duke of Cambridge hastens to acknowledge the receipt of Miss

Herschel’s very obliging note, and to return his many thanks for her

attention in sending him some of the Constantia she has lately received

from her nephew. He seizes this opportunity of assuring her of the

satisfaction he felt at hearing that Mr. Herschel and his family were in

good health, and he sincerely hopes that the climate of the Cape will

agree with them.

FRANCIS BAILY TO MISS HERSCHEL.

37, TAVISTOCK PLACE, LONDON,

_Jan. 29, 1836_.

MY DEAR MADAM,—

I forwarded some time since, to Professor Schumacher, a copy of my

“Account of Flamsteed,” to be sent to you; and which he says was duly

transmitted. I am anxious to know whether it has arrived safe, for, as

only a limited number of copies were printed (which are _all_

distributed) it cannot be purchased.

I have been the more desirous that _you_ should have a copy, because

there is no one that has taken so much pains to elucidate and explain

the works of Flamsteed as yourself, and therefore I am bound in

gratitude to see that you are put in possession of a copy of the work.

I shall take this opportunity of stating that I hear occasionally from

your nephew at the Cape of Good Hope, and that the last accounts

confirmed his continuance in good health, and his enjoyment of the

pleasures of the fine climate in which he is placed.

I remain, my dear madam, with the assurance of my best respects, and my

best wishes for your health and happiness,

Your very obedient servant,

FRANCIS BAILY.

MISS HERSCHEL TO F. BAILY, ESQ.

HANOVER, _Feb. 15, 1836_.

DEAR SIR,—

I am quite at a loss for terms in which to apologize for having

neglected to acknowledge the receiving of your valuable Catalogue and

biography of our dear ill-used Flamsteed, which was forwarded to me by

the usual kindness and punctuality of Prof. Schumacher on the 9th

October last. The same packet also contained Mrs. Somerville’s second

edition “On the Connexion,” &c., accompanied by a kind note, dated as

far back as April 16th, which, to my sorrow, is also still left

unanswered on account of illness, and in the hope that when the days are

somewhat longer (my eyes fail me), and that with the return of spring I

might perhaps regain some small portion of strength—but I doubt.

The parcel also contained duplicates of my nephew’s second series, and

on the satellites of Uranus, and I must trust that on his return he will

convey my grateful thanks to you, sir, and the gentlemen, for all the

kind attention conferred on me during his absence. My last letter from

the Cape is dated October 24th, and I am much gratified by your kindness

in having informed my nephew of the wish I have that the volumes of the

Royal Astronomical Society’s publications voted to me might be kept for

him, and he seems much pleased with the arrangement. I therefore would

recommend them to your obliging care till his return. The volume of your

“Account of Flamsteed” must be my companion to the last, but I will take

care it shall be safely delivered to my nephew.

If I will not lose another post I must conclude with the assurance of

ever remaining with great regard,

My dear Sir,

Your much obliged and humble servant,

C. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1836. _Southern Stars._]

SIR JOHN HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

_March 8, 1836._

DEAR AUNT,—

Maggie desires me to finish this for her, but she has not left me room

to write at length. So I will only devote this space to one point in

your last letter which requires reply. I have not got Gauss’s apparatus,

and I am not sufficiently acquainted with his method of observing to

construct one for myself. Besides which it is quite out of my power to

undertake any extensive series of observations, being anxious to get

home, and having still so much to do, both in observation and reduction,

that I really shall hardly be able to accomplish all I have already in

hand. This comet [Halley’s] has been a great interruption to my sweeps,

and I _hope_ and _fear_ it may yet be visible another month. Unluckily

when I sailed from England I left all my volumes of Poggendorff and the

_Nachrichten_ behind me, and none of the former and very few of the

latter have reached me here. I fear it is now too late to send home for

anything, and I have two series of observations, viz., of the

comparative brightness of the southern stars, and of the photometric

estimation of their magnitudes—the former just commencing, the latter

not yet begun, which I _must_ do. Pray explain this to Gauss....

Astronomical news I have little, but one thing very remarkable I must

tell you, γ Virginis is now _a single star_ in both the twenty-foot and

the seven-foot equatorial!!!

Your affectionate nephew,

J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _June 29, 1836_.

MY DEAREST NEPHEW,—

I do not know where to begin, for I see it is nearly a twelvemonth since

I gave some account of myself, and in all that time never returned my

thanks for the three letters I received.... I have a great deal to say,

and will begin with accounting for my long silence, by confessing that I

have throughout the whole winter been too ill to do anything besides

nursing myself, and putting myself in a condition to appear before

strangers, which I am not able to do till after twelve or one at noon,

and the time which I wanted to rest after my exertion and getting my

breakfast was generally taken up by pacifying the _gulls_ about the

foolish paragraphs they had been reading the night before in the Clubs.

I never read, or would read, any of them, but when I heard of anything

appearing rational concerning you, I copied or procured the paper for

myself, and then I found among the rest a letter of yours to Professor

Plana, in Turin, dated December 28th, 1834. And not being able to do

anything of use to you myself, I begged Capt. Müller to cause those

observations of June 21st, &c., to be made by somebody here in Hanover,

and the enclosed letter will, I hope, meet with a gracious reception....

I believe Dr. Heere will not fail the next equinox to be at his post,

and you may hear more of him.

[Sidenote: 1836. _Her Brother’s Portrait._]

Capt. Müller is at present with Gauss, and will deliver all your

messages personally, for you must know I beware of corresponding with

all those _known ones_ if I can possibly help it, and have through his

hands sent copies of your father’s likeness to Struve, Schumacher,

Gauss, Bessel, Encke, Olbers, &c. Gauss sent me word it was hung up in

his library. Encke sent me a very pretty letter of thanks.

... That sending is an ugly thing. Mrs. Somerville sent me her book with

a letter dated April 16th, which I received October 9th, coming along

with Mr. Baily’s publication, _presented by the Lords Commissioners of

the Admiralty to Miss Herschel_. You cannot think how agitated I feel on

such occasions, coming to _me_ with such things!—an old poor sick

creature in her dotage.... I was going to say something yet of Mr.

Baily’s labours, but the paper is at an end; but I hope you will now

soon read in your own library at Slough what the “Quarterly Review,” No.

CIX., says, and what your Cambridge friend Whewell and others have

said—in short, Newton remains Newton! God bless my dear nephew and

niece!... My heart is too full—I can say no more than that

I am your affectionate aunt,

CAR. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _October 20, 1836_.

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

From June 14 to October the 1st, and not _any the least account_, was

rather too much for me to bear, especially during the months when those

few friends who sometimes cheer me by a friendly call had all left the

town to make summer excursions....

I have a few memorandums for my nephew, and will for the present take

leave of my dear niece with my most heartfelt wishes that every future

account with which I may yet be blessed from her dear hand may be like

the last.

* * * * *

... I have four complete years of the _Astronom. Nachrichten_ ready

bound for you.... I wished to give you the number of the paper (but

cannot find it again) where Bessel speaks of Saturn’s satellites, but my

eyes are so dim, and I am too unwell for doing anything. I will

therefore only say he has seen the 6th but not the 7th, the ring being

in the way. In No. 293, two of Bessel’s assistants, Beer and Mädler, say

a great deal about the observations of your father, but that goes all

for nothing. I will only say in general that he did in one season more

than any one else could have done, and would have resumed the _hunt_ the

next fifteen years if nothing had interfered. And the Georgium Sidus was

followed as long as anything could be obtained from that planet, and it

will yet be some twenty years before he will be in that favourable

situation in the ecliptic where he was at the time when the satellites

were discovered.

I have seen Struve’s Catalogue of Double Stars, wherein I find he agrees

with your and your father’s observations.... Do not think, my dear

nephew, that I would expose myself so as to say a word about these

things to anybody else, but to you I cannot help letting it out when I

am nettled.

I must leave off gossiping, else I shall not get this letter away, in

which you will find Dr. H.’s barometrical observations, which I received

a few days ago....

[Sidenote: 1836-1837. _Spots in the Sun._]

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, _Jan. 10, 1837_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

* * * * *

I am now at work on the spots in the sun, and the general subject of

solar radiation, which you know occupied a large portion of my father’s

attention. The present is an admirable opportunity for studying these

things, as the sun is infested now with spots to a greater degree than

ever I knew it, and they are arranged over its surface in a manner

singularly interesting and instructive. The sky here is so pure and

clear in our summer that it would be a shame to neglect such an

opportunity of making experiments on heat, and accordingly I have been

occupied in the December solstice in determining the constant of solar

radiation, that is to say, the absolute quantity of heat sent down to

the earth’s surface from the sun at noon, or at a vertical incidence.

I do not think I have ever mentioned to you a remarkable and splendid

instance of liberality on the part of His Grace of Northumberland, who

has taken upon himself to defray the expenses of publishing my

observations at the Cape, and that in a manner the most delicate and

considerate imaginable. In consequence “my book” will appear, when it

does appear, under his auspices, and I hope it will not do discredit to

his munificence. This is not the only, nor the most remarkable, instance

however, of his attachment to the cause of science, and his disposition

to promote and support it.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

_March 30, 1837._

* * * * *

... I have for the last five months been in continued fear of losing

Mrs. Beckedorff (to whom I could confide all my grievances). She is worn

out with a cough and breaking up of constitution, and we but seldom can

come together, which is when I am able to cross the street to go to

her.... I experience a daily increase of pain and feebleness, so that I

am (at least during this severe weather) totally confined to my solitary

home; and what is worse, my eyes will not serve me to amuse myself with

reading. But what business had I to live so very long?

[Sidenote: 1837. _Saturn._]

FROM SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

FELDHAUSEN, _May 7, 1837_.

[Illustration: _Fig. 1._]

[Illustration: Saturn]

... I will try to entertain you with some celestial affairs in which it

is delightful to find you still taking so much interest. As you allude

to Saturn’s satellites in your letter of October 20, I must tell you

that I have _at last_ got decisive observations of the sixth satellite

(the farthest of my father’s new ones). I had all but given the search

up in despair, when no longer ago than _last Thursday_ (May 4th inst.),

being occupied in taking measures of the angles of position of the five

old satellites with the twenty-foot and a polished new mirror, behold,

there stood Mr. Sixth! a little short of its preceding elongation. I

have kept it well in sight from 14^h 26^m Sid. T. till 16^h 35^m, in

which time it had advanced visibly in its orbit from _below_ the line of

the ansæ (as in figure) _to above_. In this interval the planet had

moved over fully one diameter of the body towards the preceding side,

and, therefore, had it been a star, must have passed over it, whereas it

preserved the same apparent distance all the while from the edge of the

ring. (N.B. Saturn not very far from the zenith on merid.)

Next night, _Friday, May 5_, Saturn most gloriously seen: quite as sharp

as any copper-plate engraving, with power 240 and full aperture. All the

five old satellites seen and measured, being now on the opposite side.

Now considerably short of its greatest _following_ elongation; distance

just as before; and, as on Thursday, it was kept in view long enough for

Saturn to have left it behind by its own motion had it been a star. The

change of situation agrees perfectly with the period 1^d 9^h, which is

also the reason why it was not seen May 5th, being on that night near

its inferior conjunction. So this is _at last_ a thing made out. As for

No. Seven I have no hope of ever seeing it.

[Illustration: _Fig. 2._]

If your eyesight will not suffer from it, do write to Bessel. I am sure

he will be interested by this observation, as he is the only astronomer

who troubles himself about the system of Saturn. I shall myself write to

him shortly about it, but should like to have a few more observations.

So now farewell once more, and, with many kind remembrances to all

Hanoverian friends,

Believe me, your affectionate nephew,

J. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOHN HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _June 11, 1837_.

* * * * *

... From Mr. Schumacher I receive each paper as it comes from the press,

but always with a feeling of uneasiness, because I am not one of those

who can contribute anything to their valuable communications, nor even

understand all which my defective eyes allow me to read. But they

interest me exceedingly when I think what you will say. For instance, to

a paper of twenty-two quarto pages, by Bessel, “_Über den Einfluss der

Unregelmässigkeiten der Erde, auf geodetische Arbeiten und ihre

Vergleichung mit den astronomischen Bestimmungen_.”[50] Perhaps you may

have received these papers before this reaches you, but if any are lost

by the way, I collect them for you; but I fear I shall not see the day

of all the wonders coming to light when _you_ return with your

budget....

... I must conclude, for writing at any time makes me sad; and since I

began this letter the notice of the death of our King has arrived, and

the Duke of Cumberland has been this day proclaimed King of Hanover. It

makes me feel as if I was doubly separated from England, for your King

is now no longer my King. And we lose the Duke of Cambridge, who was

ever so kind to me wherever he saw me. Last winter he introduced me to

his brother, then Duke of Cumberland, who was here on a visit, at the

concert, who spoke to me of you first as my son, but recollected himself

that I was only aunt....

* * * * *

I had illuminated my front rooms with twenty candles (snuffed them all

myself, for Betty was out to see the show) on the evening of the King’s

arrival, and so I shall again next Saturday or Sunday, when the Queen is

expected. More I cannot do!...

... My head becomes crowded with melancholy forebodings of my not

lasting so long as to hear of your safe return to your home and the

friends which I think are only to be found in happy England; so, instead

of tracing my gloomy imaginations on paper, I go to sleep till Betty

rouses me with a cup of coffee.... But all I hear of you is told in a

tone of admiration, &c., &c., and it is felt by me like a drop of oil

supplying my expiring lamp.

[Sidenote: 1837. _Sir John Herschel’s Return._]

J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,

_Sept. 7, 1837_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

* * * * *

I need hardly say how much we are rejoiced to see your handwriting once

more, though that joy is damped by your complaints of winter

indisposition. And such a winter! by all accounts. May this prove a

better! and may we hope to find you in no worse health and spirits when

we come to see you _next summer_ in Hanover. For so, if it please God to

lead us safe home, according to our present _altered_ plans, we most

assuredly propose to do.

I say our _altered_ plans, for you know our intention was to have

embarked next March for Rio Janeiro, and there to have spent two or

three months, after which to have taken passage in the Brazilian packet

for England, which would have probably detained us till October, and

have rendered a visit to Hanover that season impracticable. But by

striking off this Brazilian trip, and taking our course directly

homewards, so much time will be saved, and all the rest of our domestic

arrangements become so much simplified that it seems like finding a

treasure, as a fund of time will thereby be placed at our disposal, the

first fruits of which, as in all love and duty bound, we have determined

to devote to you; or rather, I should say, that, when in talking over

with Margaret all the _pro’s_ and _con’s_ of the question, whether to

return home direct, or _viâ_ Brazil?—_this_ consideration at once

decided it in favour of the direct course, her desire to see you

outweighing every consideration of amusement or temporary gratification

which a visit to Rio could offer. So now be sure, dear aunty, and keep

yourself well, and let us find you in your best looks and spirits; and,

although what you say respecting our good Mrs. Beckedorff’s health is

somewhat deplorable, yet I will indulge the hope that she too will

perform a part in the _dramatis personæ_ of that happy meeting.

Meanwhile, as the time of our departure hence approaches, we shall take

care and apprise you of all our movements, respecting which it is

impossible at present to speak more precisely.

FROM H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.

CAMBRIDGE HOUSE, _May 18, 1838_.

MY DEAR MADAM,—

Having just been informed by the newspapers that your nephew is safely

landed in this country, I hasten to write you a few lines by this

night’s mail to congratulate you most sincerely on this event, which I

know will give you pleasure.

I am unable to send you any further details about him or his family, as

I am not aware if he is arrived as yet in town, and should this not be

the case, my letter will perhaps be the first to give you this welcome

news, which I shall certainly be delighted at.

I trust you continue enjoying your health; and with best wishes, &c.,

&c.,

Yours most sincerely,

ADOLPHUS.

[Sidenote: 1838. _Return of Sir John Herschel._]

SIR JOHN HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

LONDON, _May 20, 1838_.

Here we are, my dear aunt, at last, safely landed and housed, all in

good health and, as you may suppose, in good spirits at our return. We

ourselves and our six little ones were very comfortable during our nine

weeks’ voyage in the good ship _Windsor_, which is lying snug and sound

in the river at Blackwall, with all our things on board, telescopes and

all (as well as the astronomical results of our expedition). We left our

ship, however, at the entrance of the Channel, and got to London in a

steamer under the flag of King Leopold, of Belgium, which, having been

to Glasgow to take in her machinery, was returning without passengers,

not yet being fitted up for their reception. This was a most opportune

and unexpected piece of good fortune, as I assure you we found most

sensibly, by the non-arrival of the ship till this morning, having been

four days longer at sea, beating about against contrary winds. I have

more particulars to tell than would fill this paper, which I must

reserve till our meeting, which will not now be longer delayed than is

indispensable for getting our baggage on shore, and passing it through

the Custom House, and transporting it by a barge to Windsor, and so to

Slough. I hope and trust to find you as well in health as your two

letters to John Stewart and Mary Baldwin allow us to suppose....

The visit promised in the foregoing letter was paid in July, when Sir

John Herschel, accompanied by his little son, spent a few days with his

aunt, whose intense anxiety as to the proper treatment of her little

grand-nephew—his sleep, his food, his playthings—kept her in a constant

state of alarm on his account. “I,” she writes, “rather suffered him to

hunger than would let him eat anything hurtful; indeed, I would not let

him eat anything at all without his papa was present.” Great as was the

joy of the dear venerable lady to rest her aged eyes once more on almost

the only living being upon whom she poured some of that wealth of

affection with which her heart never ceased to overflow, it is on the

disappointments and shortcomings of those few precious days that she

dwells; and, if she could have felt resentment towards her nephew, it

would have been roused by the abrupt termination of his visit. Her

lamentations are piteous. Solely with the intention of sparing her

feelings, her nephew went away without letting her know the exact time

beforehand of his departure, and made no formal leave-taking, when he

bade her good-night to return to his inn. To her infinite dismay and

distress, she found that he and his son had quitted Hanover at four

o’clock on the following morning. It was kindly intended, but it was a

mistake that gave intense pain. Her introduction to her little

grand-nephew is described as follows by his father:—

[Sidenote: 1838. _Visit from her Grand-nephew._]

... “Now let me tell you how things fell out. Dr. Groskopff took Willie

with him to aunty, but without saying who he was. Says she, ‘What little

boy is that?’ Says he, ‘The son of a friend of mine. Ask him his name.’

However, Willie would not tell his name. ‘Where do you come from, little

fellow?’ ‘From the Cape of Good Hope,’ says Willie. ‘What is that he

says?’ ‘He says he comes from the Cape of Good Hope.’ ‘Ay? and who is

he? What is his name?’ ‘His name is Herschel.’ ‘Yes,’ says Willie,

‘William James Herschel.’ ‘_Ach, mein Gott! das ist nicht möglich; ist

dieser meines Neffen’s Sohn?_’ And so it all came out, and when I came

to her all was understood, and we sat down and talked as quietly as if

we had parted but yesterday....

“Groskopff, by the way, was recounting a strange feat which, to give you

some notion of the _sort of person_ (_par rapport au physique_), she

performed, not longer than half a year ago. Remember it is a person of

eighty-eight or eighty-nine of whom we are speaking. Well! what do you

say of such a person being able to put her foot behind her back and

scratch her ear, in imitation of a dog, with it, in one of her merry

moods?”

The “Day-Book,” as already stated, had been recommenced in the year

1833. The first volume of the new Day-Book concludes in May, 1837, with

comments on Baily’s account of Flamsteed, and recollections of days

spent at Greenwich in 1799, when she had seen and wondered at the piles

of manuscripts accumulated there. “Dr. Maskelyne was not indifferent to

the stores of observations of his predecessor, for he even attempted to

make _me_ undertake the examination of some of Halley’s scribblings on

fragments of waste paper [to see if they] might not belong to some star

or other. But such things cannot be done in a moment, and the parcel was

restored to its dusty shelf. Poor Dr. Maskelyne had but one assistant,

with a salary of £70 a-year, whom I once heard lament that all the

planets happened to pass the meridian in the night-time!”

The entries are chiefly of the numerous visitors she received, but there

are frequent intervals of several months when illness or disinclination

to write prevented her continuing her Journal regularly. The English

Quarterly and Monthly Reviews and newspapers, and James’s novels,

supplied her with constant reading, and every allusion to her brother’s

or her nephew’s labours is carefully noted. It is evident that she still

was in the habit of taking ample notes of any book that interested her,

in spite of complaints of the growing failure of sight, and that, when

tolerably well, no day was considered altogether satisfactory which was

passed in solitude. It was in May, 1833, that she moved to No. 376,

Braunschweiger Strasse, and here she continued to dwell for the

remainder of her days.

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _July 30, 1838_.

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

I hope that when you receive this my dear nephew, with his precious

charge (little William), will be safely restored to your longing arms,

and that he may have found you, with all the little family, in perfect

health. I wish to be assured by a few lines from your dear hands as soon

as possible, for I cannot divest myself of a fear that the botheration

and intrusion of some of the stupid Hanoverians must have been very

inconvenient to him. To which may be added the change of weather from

excessive heat to very cold and wet, to which at this present moment (as

far as I know) they are still exposed, for I think they must be now in

Hamburg....

[Sidenote: 1838. _Sir J. Herschel at Home again._]

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

LONDON, _Aug. 6, 1838_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

Willie and I arrived in London safe and hearty on Friday night about

eight o’clock, and I am happy to say we found all here quite well—both

mamma and all the little folks, who, as you may easily imagine, were in

great joy, and full of enquiries about you and about all our adventures

in foreign parts. Grandmamma Stewart, and all her circle also, with

exception of poor James S. (who is, however, much better, and we hope

permanently), are well, and join us in kind enquiries after you. I found

here my cousin, Thomas Baldwin, and his excellent and most amiable wife.

Cousin Mary had left us, and was returned to Anstey.

I found Dr. Olbers well, and have to thank you, in his name, for the

Cape wine, a bottle of which was produced at dinner the day I dined

there. I assure you it was drank in good company, being associated (_not

mixed_) with Hock of 240 years of age!! Dr. O. is weak and corpulent,

but is otherwise in the full enjoyment of his mental faculties, and in

good spirits.

I could not persuade myself to encounter a regular parting with you,

and, in fact, I found the distance to Bremen so much greater, on

enquiry, than I had fancied it, that it was necessary to leave Hanover

at four a.m., which, of course, prevented all further meeting. We shall

be most anxious to hear from you. M. will write in a day or two (and so

will the children) to thank you for all your kind remembrances of them,

and for the many pretty and valuable things you have sent; and till

then, believe me,

My dear aunt,

Ever your affectionate nephew,

J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Aug. 21, 1838_.

MY DEAREST NEPHEW,—

By the arrival of your letter of the 6th I was relieved from my fears

for the safety of you and your dear little fellow-traveller, almost a

week sooner than I had reason to hope.

* * * * *

... I had so longed for a few hours of confidential conversation with

you which would have spared me the unpleasant task of writing about

earthly matters.... My good neighbours came to wish me joy, and

congratulate me on having seen my glorious nephew and his son (who has

left no few admirers behind, I can tell you).

Dr. Mühry has lost a sister, a solitary old maid, like myself, whom they

could not leave till she was buried. But she was in some respects better

off than I, for I found it necessary to order all these matters myself.

Miss Beckedorff and Mde. Knipping will at my death have to deliver a

sealed packet to Dr. Groskopff, my executor, in which, on his opening in

their presence, he will find the means requisite for discharging all the

items specified in an enclosed memorandum of directions. Such matters I

had wished to talk over with you, thinking it not unnecessary you should

know a little about the way in which I have always managed my affairs.

As soon as I was left to myself, in the year 1788, I kept a book

strictly accounting for my expenses, which was to serve as a voucher of

the orderly life I led. But being frequently under the necessity of

assisting one or other of my, as I thought, poor (but say extravagant)

relations, I began to keep a spare box, by way of showing to what extent

I have thus robbed myself.... I am sorry to trouble you with such

details, but I find myself so unwell at present that I cannot rest till

I have cautioned you not to ask any question about me of any one, for

nobody knows anything about me—my confidence in Mrs. Beckedorff, even,

can only be partial, as we can only see each other so seldom.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: 1838. _Letter to Lady Herschel._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Sept. 24, 1838_.

* * * * *

I see by the postscripts you directed my nephew to add to your letter

that you know exactly what will make his poor old aunt happy; and I must

beg you to make my peace with my dear little William, for I fear the

angry looks I gave him when seeing him climbing too high on an open

window two stories above the pavement, can have left no favourable

impression on his recollection. Unfortunately we could not converse

together: he talked too soft and quick for me (I do not hear so well as

formerly), and my mixture of German and English was not intelligible to

him.... Had the knitting with beads been known forty years sooner, it

would have been one of the accomplishments with which I came, at the age

of twenty-two, into England in 1772, for there was no kind of ornamental

needlework, knotting, plaiting hair, stringing beads and bugles, &c., of

which I did not make samples by way of mastering the art. But as it was

my lot to be the Cinderella of the family (being the only girl) I could

never find time for improving myself in many things I knew, and which,

after all, proved of no use to me afterwards, except what little I knew

of music, being just able to play the second violin of an overture or

easy quartette, which my father took a pleasure in teaching me. N.B.

When my mother was not at home. Amen. I must think no more of those

times, only just say I came to Bath with a mind eager to learn and to

work, and never changed my mind till I came here again, but now I can no

more.... One thing I must tell my nephew, which is, that I hope I have

found a deserving protector of my sweeper in Director Hausmann, and I

hope either himself or his son will find us a few comets with it yet. He

is a constant visitor of mine.

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

SLOUGH, _Nov. 26, 1838_.

MY DEAR AUNT,—

I have received a letter from Sir Wm. Hamilton, Astronomer Royal,

Dublin, informing me that the Royal Irish Academy have elected you an

honorary member of that body. The diploma is by this time on its way to

my care, and I will, so soon as I receive it, take the very first secure

opportunity of transmitting it to you.

Yesterday I received your most welcome letter and Mr. Boguslawski’s in

one. I wrote to him some time ago relative to Halley’s comet. He seems a

very diligent observer, and I am glad you have seen him.

Your letter of September 24th, with its numerous dates, was like a

little diary, and almost made us fancy ourselves with you in Hanover....

I am sorry to see, on looking at my banker’s account, that you have

_not_ (as you promised to do) drawn on Cohen for the £50 of this half

year. Pray do, and that soon, or I shall be sadly disappointed.

We have got a most excellent president for the Royal Society in the

Marquis of Northampton. He presided at the anniversary dinner on the

30th, and did the honours with great credit.

A Copley Medal was awarded to Gauss for his researches, theoretical and

practical, on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.

[Sidenote: 1838. _Elected Hon. Member of the R. A. I. S._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Dec. 17, 1838_.

MY DEAR NEPHEW,—

First and foremost let me dispatch what may be called business. In the

first place, I thank you for your kind letter and communication of

having so great an honour conferred on me as to be admitted an honorary

member of the Royal Irish Academy. I cannot help crying out aloud to

myself, every now and then, _What is_ THAT _for_? Next I must beg you to

return my thanks in what words you think proper I should express them,

and if you will only send me a copy of the diploma, and keep the

original along with my other trophies, allowing them perhaps a corner in

some such box as that your dear mother had for suchlike things, for I

have no other desire but to be remembered by you and Lady H., and your

children, for yet awhile....

... It is a long while since you asked me if I wanted any of my Indexes

to Flamsteed’s Catalogue of omitted stars. If there should yet be any

left, I could wish to have one or two; for you hinted to me I might

leave Baily’s work to the “Archives” here, which I intend to do, and

then I should like to give an Index along with it.

* * * * *

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOHN HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Jan. 7, 1839_.

I see, to my sorrow, that my letter was not come to hand at the time

when you directed the parcel with the diploma, which was sent me on the

2nd of January, accompanied by a note from the President, which I beg

you will answer for me, and for that purpose transcribe here the same:—

OBSERVATORY, DUBLIN,

_Dec. 4, 1838_.

“MADAM,—

“In transmitting to you the accompanying Diploma from the Royal Irish

Academy, I wish to be allowed to add, as I thus do, the expression of my

own high sense of your services to Astronomy, and of the eminent degree

in which you have deserved the present testimonial.

“I have the honour to be, Madam, &c., &c.,

“WILLIAM ROWAN HAMILTON,

“P.R.I.A.”

[Sidenote: 1839. _Life in Hanover._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOHN HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Dec. 1, 1839_.

DEAR NEPHEW,—

Do not you think I have been very good to let the most dismal month in

the year pass without troubling you for accounts of the progress my dear

niece is making in her recovery?

My dear niece said once, I should write often, and in few lines inform

her how I go on, so I must say—I get up as usual every day, change my

clothing, eat, drink, and go to sleep again on the sofa, except I am

roused by visitors; then I talk till I can no more—nineteen to the

dozen! N.B. I don’t tell _fibs_, though they may not always like what I

say.

I have been twice at the concert, and each time been honoured with a wie

gehts?[51] by His Majesty, and the notice of many acquaintances whom I

have no opportunity of seeing elsewhere, the public concerts being the

only place where I can go with the least trouble to myself or others.

You say when I talk of the _Gelehrten_ then all goes well, but I know

nothing about them....

But one piece of news I must tell you, which is, that a fortnight after

Dr. Mädler had been the conductor of Mde. Witte (the Moon) and her

daughter to the meeting at Pyrmont, I received two cards, the one,

“Professor Dr. Mädler,” under it, “Minna Witte-_Verlobt_.[52]” The

reason Madame Witte gives for this hasty courtship is, that it is Dr.

M.’s first love, and that he would not wait, so the lady said yes! As

you have seen this lady, I would give you this piece of news.

* * * * *

I beg you will give a true account of my dear niece’s and the children’s

health, not forgetting the babe and how she will be named, that I may

enter the same in my biographical account.

I remain, my dear nephew,

Your most affectionate aunt,

CAR. HERSCHEL.

The second Day-Book concludes in July, 1839, and is in all respects like

the preceding one, but contains here and there touches and sentiments of

which her own words can only do justice.

_Aug. 3rd._—I went to buy some clothing for wearing at home, and went to

my mantua-maker to give directions. I had to climb up to the third

story, and I was of course quite knocked up when I came home, but it is

my intention to continue to take some exercise as long as the weather

and the length of the afternoon will permit.

[Sidenote: 1839-1840. _Her Day-Book._]

_Aug. 26th._—My niece Knipping came in the afternoon to assist me in

some needlework—we did not do much!

_Sept. 25th._—To-day I was made happy by a visit of Alexander Humboldt;

which, though it was extended to the utmost limit of the time which this

interesting man could spare me, was too short for all I wished to hear

and had to say, which, as the theme of our conversation was my nephew,

may be easily imagined.

_Oct. 5th_ & _6th_.—Mr. Hohenbaum and the carpenter were with me to pack

up the seven-foot telescope. I assisted as well as I could, being very

ill all the while.

_Oct. 7th._—Dr. G. called for a moment, but nobody else!

_Dec. 10th._—I went in the evening to the concert, where I exposed

myself most sadly by falling a-crying when the King most kindly came to

me to inquire after my health. I do not think I shall have the courage

to show myself there again in a hurry.

_Jan. 27th._—This is the first day since the 30th December that the ice

is detached from my sitting-room window.

_Jan. 31st._—Mr. Hausmann brought me some Journals, and talked for an

hour of old times with me, as he ever does, good man!

_Feb. 7th._—A letter from my niece came this morning by the Hamburger

post, which will make me happy for some time, and make me bear my

painful solitude more patiently.

_March 17th._—Thank God the 7th and 16th March are got over, and I begin

to recollect that I have much else to do than bewail myself at being

obliged to spend such days severed from all that _are_, or _were, so

dear_!... I found my poor friend [Mrs. Beckedorff] very much altered,

but before I left her I thought she looked a twelvemonth younger for our

two hours’ chat. But we both were obliged to part, for we could no more.

Yesterday she sent me some fine flowers, as usual on my birthday. Dr.

Mühry left a card; two of my nieces called, and Hofräthin Ubelode

brought me some flowers. They left me fatigued to death, to spend the

long evening in solitude.

_June 18th._—Yesterday Mr. Hausmann came to see me, and brought the

Philosophical Magazine for June, in which I had the pleasure to see that

Dr. Lamont has observed three of the Georgium Sidus satellites.

_July 3rd._—Dr. G. brought me an extract from _The Sun_ that my nephew

has been created a baronet on the occasion of the coronation.

_July 9th._—My nephew arrived in Hanover in the evening.

_July 10th._—In the afternoon I saw him and my little grand-nephew for a

few hours.

_July 25th._—My nephew and his son took tea with me, and we soon parted,

without taking leave, and next morning I am told they left Hanover at

four in the morning. More I cannot say!

_Oct. 24th._—Mr. Hausmann came in the forenoon and took the box with the

mirror of my sweeper with him, and in the evening he came to receive the

stand. I am glad my poor sweeper is now in good hands!

_Oct. 29th._—Mrs. Knipping spent an hour with me in the dusk of the

evening, and read an act of a play.

_Dec. 30th._—In the afternoon Fraulein S. came to see me, but she is

deaf. I talked with her for a couple of hours without either of us being

the wiser.

_Jan. 5th._—Went in the evening to the concert; had some talk with the

Levies, who delighted the company with their performance, especially the

youngest son, eight years of age, who gave several pieces on the French

horn. Conversed with several persons besides the Prince Solms.

_Jan. 20th._—I have been to the concert last night to hear the wonderful

violinist, Ole Bull. It was very crowded for the confined room, though

the largest in Hanover next the play-house. By the help of Miss B. and

the M.’s I got safely through the crowd to my chair. But I was somewhat

disappointed, for, by the report of those who had heard Ole Bull before,

I expected to hear a virtuoso on the violin who would have given us an

idea of the manner of performance of a Jordine, Kramer, Jacob Herschel,

and Dietrich too; but it is more like conjuration than playing on a

violin.

_Feb. 12th._—Dr. Lissing paid me a visit. He wished me to subscribe to a

work on Magnetism, but I think it would look only like affectation to

let my name appear among the learned subscribers on a subject of which I

know so little.

_March 16th._—Mrs. Beckedorff sent me two beautiful flowers, accompanied

by her good wishes, which she never forgets to do on my birthday. Mde.

Knipping, and others, came to wish me to live many more years,—but what

can I say?

_March 23rd._—I was at the last subscription concert. His Majesty was

there, and asked me how I did? I said, tolerably! This was all our

conversation.

_July 16th._—The whole of yesterday I had no other prospect but that it

would have been the last of the days of sorrow, trouble, and

disappointment I have spent from the moment I had any recollection of my

existence, which is from between my third and fourth year.... In the

night I fell out of one fainting fit into another, and when I came to my

recollection, between six and seven in the morning, I found Dr. G.

sitting before me talking loud in his usual nonsensical way. Him had

Betty called in her fright, for his wife (who is of use to nobody) is

gone to spend the summer months in the country. Mde. Knipping also is

away.

[Sidenote: 1839. _End of Day-Book._]

_July 25th_.—Mr. Hausmann, junior, and Mr. Hohenbaum called to look at

the photographical drawing. I am told it is the only specimen of the

kind in Hanover.

This Day-book, No. 2, is now full, and I shall not be easy till it is

deposited in a portfolio, in which will also be found the Mem.-book

9.... It often enables me to contradict erroneous impertinent notions

concerning my brother William’s disinterested character.

I am _now_ not able even to look over, much less to correct, what I have

scribbled, but it must go as it is. Perhaps my dear niece may look into

them at some leisure moment, and she will see what a solitary and

useless life I have led these seventeen years, all owing to not finding

Hanover, nor _anyone_ in it, like what I left, when the best of brothers

took me with him to England in August, 1772!

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

SLOUGH, _Oct. 23, 1839_.

DEAR AUNT,—

... Now let me reply to your two letters of August 26 and October 10,

the last of which, being so entirety in your old style, made us very

happy. I now go so little to London, and then only on the business of

the Royal Society respecting this magnetic expedition, that it has not

yet been practicable for me to call on Dr. Küper, whom I well remember,

however, at Cumberland Lodge, and since.

As to sending either of our boys to Germany, it is time enough, as W. is

yet only six years old, and I assure you he is now learning German very

fast.

M. desires me to tell you, in answer to your question whether she

preserves your letters, that she does so, most carefully. She is sorry

she omitted saying so in her last in which she replied to everything

else. So do I, you may be sure.

The Fables arrived safe, and W. must thank you for them himself, as well

as for your care of him in Hanover.

I had the honour to meet at dinner, at Sir Gore Ouseley’s, the other

day, H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge. He was very particular in his

enquiries after you. He is quite well, and his affable and agreeable

manners make him generally beloved.

Your letter of October 10th relieved us of much uneasiness, after the

alarming account with which the former one was filled. When you once

more begin to write about _die Gelehrten_, &c., I know all is well. So

God bless you, and believe me,

Dear Aunt, your affectionate nephew,

J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

[Sidenote: 1840. _Anecdote of the Old Telescope._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

_Jan. 10, 1840_.

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

* * * * *

Perhaps you may have heard that in the early part of its [the forty-foot

telescope’s] existence, “God save the King” was sung in it by the whole

company, who got up from dinner and went into the tube, among the rest

two Misses Stows, the one a famous pianoforte player, some of the

Griesbachs, who accompanied on the oboe, or any instrument they could

get hold of, and I, you will easily imagine, was one of the nimblest and

foremost to get in and out of the tube. But now!—lack-a-day!—I can

hardly cross the room without help. But what of that? Dorcas, in the

_Beggar’s Opera_, says, “One cannot eat one’s cake and have it too!”...

I will only thank you once more for your charming letter, and beg to be

kindly remembered to all who are dear to you, and to give an embrace

extraordinary to the dear little ones around you, and not forgetting to

include my _dear_ nephew in the general hug! and believe me,

My dearest niece,

Yours and his most affectionate aunt,

CAR. HERSCHEL.

P.S.—One anecdote of the old tube (if you have not heard it) I must give

you. Before the optical parts were finished, many visitors had the

curiosity to walk through it, among the rest King George III., and the

Archbishop of Canterbury, following the King, and finding it difficult

to proceed, the King turned to give him the hand, saying, “Come, my Lord

Bishop, I will show you the way to Heaven!”

This was in the year 1787, August 17th, when the King and Queen, the

Duke of York and some of the Princesses were of the company.

I hope the book where the visitors were noted, has been preserved? Some

time after it was kept by other hands; but before I parted with it, I

copied some pages which put me sometimes in mind of persons who were

interesting to me.

These scribblings will come to you among the rest of my scraps.

Good-bye!

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

HANOVER, _Jan. 10, 1840_.

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

* * * * *

... For the last month past I have been so much disturbed and fatigued

by visitors who came to wish me a happy New-year, &c., for I have of

late gained the acquaintance of half a dozen ladies, added to two who

were in the habit of visiting me between the hours of twelve at noon and

six or seven in the evening; (for the first two or three hours, after

having passed a sleepless night, I am obliged to spend in the manner as

perhaps you may have seen Lord Ogleby did in _The Clandestine

Marriage_).

But now, from seven to eight till between eleven and twelve, I am left

to amuse myself as well as I may, but it is no easy task to turn books

into companions by one who has no eyes left; but there is no help for

it. There is neither man, woman, nor child in Hanover to be found but

they must spend the evening at balls, plays, routs, clubs, &c., and not

a month goes over one’s head without a jubilee being celebrated at

enormous expense to someone who has fifty years enjoyed title and

salaries for doing his duty (anyhow, perhaps).

But what a contrast between a jubilee _auf der Börse_[53] at Hanover and

the one at Slough,[54] described in your letter with which I was made

happy January 4th. The company so select—for I figure to myself none but

angels from above were listening to, and joining their kindred in the

chorus below!... Before I take leave of this jubilee I must beg the

excellent poet of the song to accept my hearty thanks for remembering me

so kindly in verse 4, and for not letting the poor forty-foot

telescope[55] depart in silence.

[Sidenote: 1840. _Misfortunes of Friends._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

_April 5, 1840._

MY DEAREST NIECE!—

Your delightful letter of March 8th, which I received about a week after

that of my dear nephew, could never have come at a more needful time for

chasing away the melancholy impressions my friends’ losses and

misfortunes have had on my spirits. On the 7th of March Dr. Mühry came

to wish me joy on my nephew’s birthday. Nine days after, when they all

used to come and bring me flowers, &c., the whole family were thrown

into despair by the death of Dr. C. M., who died by his own hands

(thirty-four years old). About a week before I had spent an evening with

him at his grandmother’s, when he begged me to thank my nephew once more

for giving him a letter of introduction to Dr. ——, at Oxford. This poor

man was spoiled by being made too much of from his infancy. As a boy of

seven or eight, he was brought to England to visit his grandmother and

aunt, and was loaded with costly presents by the Princesses, and fed

with nothing but dainties, till, when grown up, nothing but what was

most extravagant would satisfy him. The 30th of March our friend P—— was

buried, eighty-three years old. On my birthday a circular letter came by

post, announcing Dr. Olbers’s death. So, I must say once more, my

nephew’s and your dear letter came very seasonably to turn my thoughts

to something more cheering....

Now I am in two minds whether I shall turn to my dear niece or have done

with you first. But out with it! I would, if you have no objection, draw

on Mr. Drummond for £52,

* * * * *

and if I should (as it seems) live to the age of Methuselah, come again

for the same sum after the 10th of October next. For this is quite

enough for me to live with credit, and more would only be a trouble to

me.

I am tired, and can write no more just now, but for our amusement I

will, some time or other, give you the history of the few days you were

in Hanover, in July, 1838. For all that past was like Sheridan’s

_Chapter of Accidents_. If I could only have had a few hours of private

conversation with you then, much trouble would since have been spared

me.

I hope to have soon some account of how your new situation agrees both

with papa, mamma, and the little bodies. How many English miles is it

from London?

... My sweeper, which I should have been so happy to put in the hands of

my little grand-nephew, and teach him to catch comets till he could do

something better (O! why did I leave England!) is now in the hands of

the good, honest creature, Director Hausmann, and the seven-foot

telescope is also saved from being sold for an old song....

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL, BART.

_July 6, 1840._

* * * * *

But at another time, when perhaps I may find myself a little better, I

will amuse my dear niece with introducing some of my acquaintances to

her notice. Some of the family of General Halkett,[56] at least, she

will not be displeased at knowing personally. Last night the sister of

the general, Mrs. W. Clarke,[57] a widow, sat an hour with me, and said

she would next summer visit her late husband’s relations in England, and

then she would not fail of seeing you. You must love her for my sake,

for she really takes some pains to give me pleasure, bringing me

flowers, taking me an airing in her fine English equipage, &c. I must

not forget the general’s lady, a second wife, of course a stepmother of

my young friend. She is Scotch (a Graham), and brought me little

Christmas pies in her reticule on New-year’s Day, of the young lady’s

making—the only good kind I have tasted in Hanover, and they were as

good as my nephew’s mamma ever made.

[Sidenote: 1840. _Her Seven-foot Telescope._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

_August 3, 1840._

MY DEAREST NIECE,—

... But first and foremost, I must beg you will give my best thanks to

my dear niece Caroline for her very sensible and very clever letter, and

I only wish I may be often favoured by her fair hands with such

favourable accounts of all your health and contentment with your new

situation.

I am not able to write long letters, and must content myself with

saying, in as few words as possible, that if my nephew thought the

seven-foot telescope worth the acceptance of the Royal Astronomical

Society, it is well!... (Mem.—Its only being painted deal was, because

it should look like the one with which the Georgium Sidus was

discovered.)

I have also the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy to thank you for,

twenty pages. I suppose I have nothing to do but to accept them. But I

think almost it is mocking me to look upon me as a Member of an Academy;

I that have lived these eighteen years (against my will and intention)

without finding as much as a single comet. But no more of these terrible

eighteen years just now....

My dear nephew, if I did not feel myself seriously declining very fast,

I would not incommode you at present (when your time must be so

precious) with such letters as my two or three last have been.

But going many nights to bed without the hope of seeing another day, I

think it my duty to guard you against putting any trust or confidence in

——. He and the whole family have never been of the least use to me; and

for all the good I have lavished on them, they never came to look after

me, but when they had some design upon me.

In short, I find that all along I have been taken for an idiot, or that

at least I am now reckoned to be in my dotage, and therefore ought not

to be mistress of my own actions. But, thank God, I have yet sense

enough left to caution you against being imposed upon by a stupid being

who would make you believe I died under obligations to any of the

family. I know he has already, without asking my leave, passed himself

off for my guardian, and is vexed at my being able to do without him.

But I could not live without that little business of keeping my

accounts; and by my last book of expenses and receipts may be seen, that

I owe nothing to anybody, but to my dear nephew many many thanks for

fulfilling his father’s wishes, by paying for so many years the _ample_

annuity he left me.

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

_August 10, 1840._

... The telescopes are now, I trust, properly disposed of. Mr. Hausmann

(who will value it) has the sweeper. The five-foot Newtonian reflector

is in the hands of the Royal Astronomical Society, and will be preserved

by it as the little telescope of Newton is by the Royal Society, long

after I and all the little ones are dead and gone.

SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL TO MISS HERSCHEL.

_August 10, 1840._

... Did I ever tell you that I had lately brought together the

observations of four or five years, proving beyond all doubt α Orionis

to be both a variable and a periodical star, and one of the most

remarkable among them? Its period is about a year, and it changes in

that time from a lustre superior on some occasions even to Rigel, to a

degree of brightness nearly on a par with Aldebaran.

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOHN HERSCHEL.

_Sept. 1, 1840._

... I owe you many thanks for relieving me two whole days sooner from

the anxiety of having been misunderstood by you, and now I am happy, and

_all is well_! But there are times when I should like to have some talk

with you or my dear niece, to put you in mind of many past events, but

if you will excuse the style and the spelling, &c., &c., on account of

my eyesight being so uncertain, I will at times try to amuse you with

what passed in old times, for my memory is as good as ever [this is in

her ninety-first year]. (N.B.—Year of the past.) Writing this, puts me

in mind that I never could remember the multiplication table, but was

obliged to carry always a copy of it about me.

[Sidenote: 1840. _Christmas in Hanover._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL.

_Dec. 27, 1840._

... There is another circumstance on which account I feel not very easy,

which is that by leaving Slough you are separated from all your usual

friends, &c., doctors and all; but pray keep up your spirits, for the

days are already a cock’s stride longer, and my windows have now been

covered with ice for the last three weeks, which is long enough in

conscience; therefore I hope to see a change every morning when I can

get my eyes open, which is never the case till near eleven o’clock.

There have been some English gentlemen with Mrs. Beckedorff on business,

who, in conversation, among the rest, were saying that the keeping

Christmas in the German fashion was coming to be very general in

England; but I hope they will never go such lengths in foolery as they

do here. The tradespeople have been for many weeks in full employ

framing and mounting the embroideries of the ladies and girls of all

classes, for there exists not a folly or extravagancy among the great

but it is imitated by the little. The shops are beautifully lit up by

gas, and the last three days before Christmas all that could be tempting

was exhibited in the market places in booths lighted up in the evening,

where all run to gaze and get a liking to all they see. Cooks and

housemaids present one another with knitted bags and purses, the

cobbler’s daughter embroidered neck-cushions for her friend the

butcher’s daughter, which are made up by the upholsterer at great

expense, lined with white satin, the upper part, on which the back is to

rest, is worked with gold, silver, and pearls.

But I find too much difficulty to write in these short days, else I

could write a book about the nonsense which is going on in this city. I

have for this last month been completely tired out with this Christmas

bustle; but now the balls at the Bourse, given by the shopmen to the

daughters of their masters, will be succeeded by the masquerades in

Lent, an amusement which in the good old times was only for the

nobility, but from which they are now excluded....

[Sidenote: 1841. _Concerning her Brother._]

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

_Feb. 24, 1841._

* * * * *

I intended to have made some remarks to you about several things which

are said in those pages which came enclosed in the letter of February

3rd. I suppose it is not expected to acknowledge the receipt thereof,

but if there is anybody to whom my thanks are due, I beg you will do it

for me, because I am not capable of writing to strangers. But to you I

cannot help pointing out several things which displease me very much....

I think whoever reads the Preface to the description of the forty-foot

telescope (see “Philosophical Transactions,” June 11, 1795), would not

accuse him of jealousy—which also may be seen by the four volumes on the

construction of Specula, which your father left behind in MSS., (to

which you added those excellent drawings of the machinery, &c.), which

it was my care, for half a dozen years at least, to save them from being

devoured by the mice, by placing them on a table in the middle of the

library, where I was obliged to leave them when I left Slough, for I

could not find a better place for them.

Your father was latterly most miserably stinted for room, and I fear

many, many things have met with destruction in consequence of being put

by in corners among rubbish when not in use. For instance, when

polishing and the foci were to be tried, by three apertures, which

generally wanted to be repaired first; (for the twenty-foot they were

made of pasteboard, but for the forty-foot of light deal) and I was

directed to hold them before the mirror, and, listening to the report of

the trial, was glad to hear “All right, three foci perfectly alike!” and

the work proceeded to perfect the polish. Dear nephew, I stick fast, and

must give over talking about these things; it downright fatigues me. But

these folks would not have called the Herschelian construction useless

if they had seen the struggle, during the years from 1781 to ’86, to get

a sight of the Satellites of the Georgium Sidus, when, after throwing

aside the speculum, they stood broad before us.... Pray, does South live

still?

MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL.

_March 31, 1841._

* * * * *

Not to send blank paper, I will fill it by copying from my Day-book the

names of the visitors I had to receive on the 16th of March. This I can

do mechanically and by feeling, and it serves to pass away the time, as

I cannot see to read for any length of time.