-CHAP, v.] Letter to J. F. W. Herschel. 163 



must do so still for the present) because I knew that all 

 mails were detained this side of the sea. 



One passage in your letter affected me much, it was gra- 

 tifying to me and unexpected : " . . . . speaks of your 

 English life, &c. . . But now that you have left the scene of 

 your labours you have the satisfaction of knowing that they 

 are duly appreciated by those you leave behind." But I 

 can hardly hope that those favourable impressions should 

 be lasting, or rather not be effaced by my hasty departure ; 

 but believe me I would not have gone without at least 

 having made the offer of my service for some time longer to 

 you, my dear nephew, had I not felt that it would be in vain 

 to struggle any longer against age and infirmity, and though 

 I had no expectation that the change from the pure country 

 air in which I had lived the best part of my life, to that or 

 the closest part of my native city, would be beneficial to my 

 health and happiness, I preferred it to remaining where I 

 should have had to bewail my inability of making myself 

 useful any longer. 



I hope you and Lady H. have not suffered by the severity 

 of the weather ; to me it has certainly done no good. I am 

 grown much thinner than I was six months ago ; when I 

 look at my hands they put me so in mind of what your dear 

 father's were, when I saw them tremble under my eyes, as 

 we latterly played at backgammon together. Good night ! 

 dear nephew, I will say the rest to-morrow. 



By way of postscript I only beg you will give my love 

 and many thanks to your dear mother and cousin for their 

 kind letters ; and if the latter will continue from time to 

 time to inform me of all your well-being, I shall equally feel 

 gratified, for it is no matter from which hand I receive the 

 comfortable information. 



I remain, ever your affectionate aunt, 



CAR. HERSCHEL. 

 M 2 



