CHAP, in.] Ceases to reside with her Brother. 95 



myself, but unfortunately I undertook the task with only the 

 preparation of one hour's sleep, and having in the course of 

 five years never rode above two miles at a time, the twenty to 

 London, and the idea of six or seven more to Greenwich in 

 reserve, totally unfitted me for any action. Dr. Maskelyne 

 was so kind as to take some pains to persuade me to go this 

 morning to pay my respects to Sir Joseph, but I thought 

 a woman who knows so little of the world ought not to aim 

 at such an honour, but go home, where she ought to be, 

 as soon as possible. 



The letter which you sent, sir, to my brother, was the only 

 one received at Slough in my absence; it arrived towards 

 noon on the 16th, and was brought by a porter from an inn. 



I hope you will excuse the trouble I give by sending this, 

 though I know it is entirely useless, because Dr. Maskelyne 

 had probably my memorandum which I took to Greenwich 

 with him when he called in Soho Square, and therefore I can 

 say nothing but what you, sir, are acquainted with already ; 

 but I shall be a little more comfortable when I can say to 

 my brother I have written to Sir J. Banks concerning the 

 comet. 



With the utmost respect, 

 I remain, sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



C. HERSCHEL. 



We are now reduced to the short diary-like entries 

 in a small book entitled " Extracts from a Day-Book 

 kept during the years 1797 and 1821," which begins : 

 "1797, in October I went to lodge and board with 

 one of my brother's workmen (Sprat), whose wife was 

 to attend on me. My telescopes on the roof, to which 



