CAROLINE LUC RET I A HERSCHEL. 7^5 



for both the Royal and Bath Philosophical Societies'), gauges, shapes, weights, 

 etc., of the mirror were calculated and trials of the composition of the metal 

 were made. In short, I saw nothing else and heard nothing else talked of but 

 about these things when my brothers were together. Alexander was always very 

 alert, assisting when any thing new was going forward, but he wanted persever- 

 ance, and never liked to confine himself at home for many hours together. And 

 so it happened that my brother William was obliged to make trial of my abilities 

 in copying for him catalogues, tables, etc., and sometimes whole papers which 

 were lent him for perusal. I was thus kept employed when my brother was at 

 the telescope at night. When I found that a hand was sometimes wanted, when 

 any particular measures were to be made with the lamp, micrometer, etc., or a 

 fire to be kept up, or a dish of coffee necessary during a long night's watching, I 

 undertook with pleasure what others might have thought a hardship." 



Although the sister's references to the labors and discoveries of her 

 brother are full of interest, we have no space for them here. SufKce 

 it that, after the discovery of "the Georgium Sidus in 1781, the name 

 of William Herschel became famous, and he was soon released from 

 the necessity of giving any of his time to music. He was sent for 

 to come with his seven-foot telescope to the king, and the result was 

 that he was chosen royal astronomer, at a salary of 200 a year." 

 One or two extracts, from the letters written by William Herschel to 

 his sister during this preliminary visit to London, will give some idea 

 of the intimate relation she held in his life. He writes on May 25th : 



" . . . . Yesterday I dined with Colonel Walsh, who inquired after you. 

 There were present Mr. Aubert and Dr. Maskelyne. Dr. Maskelyne, in public, 

 declared his obligation to me for having introduced to them the high powers, 

 for Mr. Aubert has so much succeeded with them that he says he looks down 

 upop 200, 300, or 400, with contempt, and immediately begins with 800. He 

 has used 2,500 very completely, and seen my five double stars with them. All 

 my papers are printing, with the postscript and all, and are allowed to be very 

 valuable. You see, Lina, I tell you all these things. You know vanity is not 

 my foible, therefore I need not fear your censure. Farewell. 



"I am your affectionate brother, William Herschel." 



And again, June 3d, he writes : 



" Dear Lina : I pass my time between Greenwich and London agreeably 

 enough, but am rather at a loss for work that I like. Company is not always 

 pleasing, and I would much rather be polishing a speculum. ... I am intro- 

 duced to the best company. To-morrow I dine at Lord Palmerston's, next day 

 with Sir Joseph Banks, etc., etc. Among opticians and astronomers nothing 

 now is talked of but ^ohat they call my great discoveries. Alas! this shows 

 how far they are behind, when such trifles as I have seen and done are called 

 great. Let me but get at it again! I will make such telescopes and see such 

 things that is, I will endeavor to do so." 



The letter ends abruptly. 



Such, in brief, was the intellectual and moral preparation of Miss 

 Herschel for the life of an astronomer. An account of her experi- 

 ences in this field will be given in our next number. 



' He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society December 6, 1871. 



