CHAP. II.] Life in Bath. 31 



and exciting changes by which the musician be- 

 came the King's astronomer and a celebrity ; but 

 she never, by a single word, betrays how these 

 wonderful events affected her; nor ever indulges 

 in the slightest approach to an original sentiment, 

 comment, or reflection not strictly connected with 

 the present fact. Whether it be to record the 

 presentation of the "golden medal," or the dis- 

 honesty of the incorrigible Betties who then, and 

 till her life's end, so sorely tried her peace of 

 mind, there is no difference in the style or spirit 

 of the " Kecollections." Partly as apology and 

 partly as complaint, the one grievance is harped 

 on, even when fifty years' experience might have 

 convinced her that she had done something more 

 for herself and the world than earn her bread by 

 her own labour. " In short," she writes, " I have 

 been throughout annoyed and hindered in my en- 

 deavours at perfecting myself in any branch of 

 knowledge by which I could hope to gain a credit- 

 able livelihood." It is seldom, however, that she is 

 diverted from the main theme to write about herself 

 otherwise than incidentally, and in a note addressed 

 to her nephew, she says : " My only reason for 

 saying so much of myself is to show with what 

 miserable assistance your father made shift to ob- 

 taining the means of exploring the heavens." 



