152 Caroline Lucrctia Herschel. [1822. 



must now return to the year 1822, when the corre- 

 spondence begins. 



FROM MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL. 



ROTTERDAM, Monday, Oct. 21, 1822. 



DEAR LADY HERSCHEL, 



At this present moment I have nothing to wish for, 

 besides the means of convincing n^self by one look of your 

 and my dear nephew's health. After a very troublesome 

 passage of forty-eight hours, we find ourselves almost re- 

 stored to our former condition and composure, with only the 

 difference that we have no more hunting after our trunks 

 from Custom-house to Custom-house, and can proceed on 

 our way to Hanover in peace after one night's rest here in 

 a very good inn. But the last night was truly dismal, for 

 the sailors themselves confessed that it was what is called a 

 high sea. At one time a spra3 r convej'ed a bucket-full of 

 water into my bed, which was regarded as nothing in com- 

 parison to the evils with which I was surrounded. I was 

 the most sick of all on board, and the poor old lady was 

 pitied by all who enquired after her, but I had four ladies 

 in the same cabin with me, who encouraged me to hold out, 

 which at one time I thought would have been impossible. 

 Something happened to the vessel for want of a good pilot 

 in the Thames, and at Blackwall we laid still three hours, 

 then we hobbled on to near Gravesend, and there l&y in a 

 high sea at anchor all night, whilst they were hatching 

 and thumping to mend the vessel we were to go in. In 

 consequence of this, we could not reach the spot where a 

 pilot could meet us time enough on Sunday evening, and 

 lay again at anchor. At half past eleven I set foot on 

 shore, where so many people were assembled to gaze on us 

 that it set me a crying, and now I am glad to be shut up 

 once more in a room by myself and where I can make proper 



