238 Obituary. — Sir Wm. HerscheL — M. Delambrc. 



recorded to his honour as a patron of science, enabled hiiri, 

 by the settlement of a handsome salary, to discontinue his pro- 

 fessional exertions, and devote the remainder of his life wholly 

 to Astronomy. In consequence of this arrangement, Herschel 

 immediately quitted Bath, and took up his residence at Datchet 

 in the neighbourhood of Windsor, where he w^as no sooner 

 established than he entered on a career of discovery unex- 

 ampled, perhaps, in the history of science. Having removed 

 to Slough, he commenced the erection of a telescope of yet 

 lax'ger dimensions than any before attempted, which he com- 

 pleted in 1787, and aided by this stupendous instrument, and 

 by others of hardly inferior power, extended his researches to 

 every part of the heavens, penetrating into regions of space of 

 a remoteness eluchng calculation, and developing views of the 

 construction of our own system and tlie universe, of a dai'ing 

 subUmity, hardly more surprismg than the strictness of the 

 induction on which they rest. 



In these observations, and the laborious calculations mto 

 which they led, he was assisted throughout by his excellent 

 sister. Miss Caroline Herschel, whose indefatigable and unhe- 

 sitating devotion in the performance of a task usuall}' deemed 

 incompatible with female habits, surpasses all eulogimn. His 

 discoveries were commimicated as they arose to the Royal 

 Society, and form an important part of the published Trans- 

 actions of that learned body fi'om the year 1782 to 1818. 



In 17 — , he married Mary, widow of the late John Pitt, Esq. 

 and the accession of domestic happmess he experienced fiom 

 this union, while it testified the justness of his choice, contributed 

 powerfully to cherish that calm tranquillity of mind which is 

 the native element of contemplative philosophy, and the soil 

 from which its shoots rise most vigorous and most secure. 



In 1816, His present Majesty was graciously pleased to con- 

 fer on him the decorations of the Guelphic Order of Knight- 

 hood. His astronomical observations were continued within 

 a few years of his death, till, his declining strength no longer 

 keeping pace with, the activity of his mind, he sunk at length 

 full of years and glory, amidst the applause of the world, and, 

 what was far dearer to him, the veneration of his family, and 

 the esteem and love of all who knew him. 



Sir William Herschel has left one son, who, with liLs father's 

 name, inherits his distineuished talents. 



M. Delambre, perpetual Secretary of the Roj'al Academy of 

 Sciences for the class of Mathematical Sciences, died at Paris, 

 Aug. 27, aged 72. His funeral at the chiu-ch of the Abbey 

 ■was attended by a great nmnber of members of the Institute, 



and 



