94 Caroline Lucre tia Hcrschcl. 1795-1797. 



the constellation of the Lyre, in its descent towards the 



sun. The direction of its motion is retrograde.* 



***** 



***** 



As the appearance of one of these objects is almost be- 

 come a novelty, I flatter myself that this intelligence will 

 not be uninteresting to astronomers, and therefore hope, 

 sir, you will, with your usual kindness, recommend it to 

 their notice. 



I have the honour to be, 



With great respect, &c., &c., 



CAROLINE HERSCHEL. 



Two years later the eighth and last comet was 

 discovered, on the 6th of August, 1797. It was the 

 occasion of the following letter : 



MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



August, 17, 1797. 



SIR, 



This is not a letter from an astronomer to the Presi- 

 dent of the Royal Society announcing a comet, but only a 

 few lines from Caroline Herschel to a friend of her brother's, 

 by way of apology for not sending intelligence of that kind 

 immediately where they are due. 



I have so little faith in the expedition of messengers of all 

 descriptions that I undertook to be my own, with an inten- 

 tion of stopping in town and write and deliver a letter 



* This comet, since known as Encke's, iu consequence of that great astro- 

 nomer having determined its periodicity in 1819 and predicted its triennial 

 return, was discovered, independently, four several times before its identity 

 was recognized, Miss Herschel's observation of it in 1795 being the second in 

 order of time. Additional interest has since attached to it, in consequence of 

 its gradually diminishing period and the views hence suggested on the 

 economy of the solar system. 



