SIR JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM HERSCHEL. 125 



observed by Sir William Hersclicl, Sir Joliii Herscbel, tbe Earl of Eosse, 

 aii<l otbers. Tbis truly noble undertaking will ever remain a monument 

 of tbe energy and perseverance of Sir Jobn Herscbel, wbo at an age 

 past tbree score and ten years found time and inclination to arrange and 

 ' republisb tbe great astronomical work of tbe century. 



From tbe rank wbicb Sir Jobn Herscbel beld among scientific men, 

 bis services were in almost constant demand on committees, boards, and 

 royal commissions, wbose object was tbe attainment of information for 

 tbe advancement of science. For manj- years be was one of tbe " vis- 

 itors '' to inspect aimually tbe Itoyal Observatory. To bim was made 

 tbe annual report of tbe Astronomer-Royal on tbe efliciency of tbat 

 establisbment , and be was an important member of tbe royal com- 

 mission appointed to prepare new standards of lengtb and weigbt in lieu 

 of tbose destroyed by fire iu 1835. As member of tbe council, and one 

 of tbe secretaries of tbe Royal Society, be was one of its loading mem- 

 bers for years. In ISoO, on tbe resignation of tbe presidency by tbe 

 late Mr. Davis Gilbert, a strong effort was made to elect Sir Jobn 

 Herscbel to tbe vacant cbair, in opposition to tbe Duke of Sussex, on 

 tbe ground tbat bis a[)pointment would be peculiarly acceptal)le to men 

 of science in Europe. But a commoner, bowever great, bas in England 

 little cbance of success wben a royal duke is bis rival. Tbere were 

 special reasons wbicb influenced a large number of tbe fellows to sup- 

 port a member of tbe royal family, and tbe duke was elected. In tbe 

 Royal Astronomical Society Sir Jobn filled tbe oflice of president for 

 six years, and in ISlu be presided over tbe meeting of tbe Britisb Asso- 

 ciation. 



It was tbe peculiar privilege — let us say in tbe conclusion of tbis part 

 of our memoir — of Sir Jobn Herscbel, or peculiar gift, if tbe pbrase be 

 preferred, to combine witb bis special studies a breadtb of view and 

 power of expression tbat made bim tbe Homer of science. Take, for 

 example, wbat be bas said of the vast practical importance of scientific 

 knowledge, "As sbowing ns bow to avoid impossibilities, in securing us 

 from important mistakes wben attempting wbat is in itself possible by 

 means eitber inadequate or actually opposed to tbe end in view ; in 

 enabling us to accomplisb our ends in tbe easiest, shortest, most eco- 

 nomical and most effectual manner ; and in inducing us to attempt and 

 enabling ns to accomplisb objects wbicb, but for sucb knowledge, we 

 wonld never bave tbougbt of undertaking,"' 



Or again, "Tbe character of the true philosopher is to hope all things 

 not impossible, and to believe all things not unreasonable. When once 

 embarked on any physical research, it is impossible for any one to pre- 

 dict where it will ultimately lead bim. Tbe true answer of science is that 

 wbicb agaiu is at once tbe parallel and tbe illustration of the language 

 of the apostle, "The mysteries of knowledge, wbicb in other ages were 

 not made known unto the sons of men, are now revealed, and will be 

 still more revealed to tbose whom Go<l bas chosen." 



