CHAP, in.] Letters. 103 



to peep at the heavens, but have put me into good humour 

 with myself. 



With my respectful compliments to Mrs. and Miss 

 Maskelyne, 



I remain, with many thanks, Dear sir, 



Your much obliged and humble servant, 



C. HERSCHEL. 



The following is from a friend who took the deepest 

 interest in the career of both brother and sister : 



ED. PIGOTT, ESQ. TO MISS HERSCHEL. 



BATH, ST. JAMES'S SQUARE, 



April 30, 1799. 



MADAM, 



It is with much satisfaction that I received through 

 the hands of Dr. Herschel, the valuable publication you 

 are so kind as to send me, and which indeed is the more 

 welcome as I have the volumes of the " Historia Coelestis," 

 and shall most probably have occasion to use them. Were 

 Flamsteed alive, how cordially would he thank you for thus 

 rendering the labours of his life so much more useful and 

 acceptable to posterity, for he surely little thought that his 

 great work required to be elucidated by an additional folio 

 volume of explanations, errata, and indexes, the advantages 

 of which, by their excellence and accuracy, must every day 

 be more and more acknowledged, and future astronomers, as 

 well as those of the present times will doubtless often be 

 conscious of the merit and obligation you are entitled to. 

 With many thanks, I remain, 



Dear madam, 

 Your most obedient 



EDWD. PIGOTT. 



Dr. and Mrs. Herschel, whom I have occasionally the 



