CHAP, v.i Life in Hanover. 179 



FROM MISS HERSCHEL TO J. F. W. HERSCHEL. 



HAXOVER, Nov. I, 1824. 



DEAREST NEPHEW, 



Your welcome letter, dated Slough, Oct. 22nd, had 

 not only the most beneficial effect on my spirits, but gave 

 the greatest pleasure to the whole family, for I find 

 Groskopf had been under great apprehension for your 

 safety from the many reported accidents among the ship- 

 ping on the English coasts. Count Minister, it is said, lies 

 dangerously ill in consequence of the fright he suffered on 

 his passage (his lady and his children were with him), and 

 Groskopf imagined he must have left Calais at the same 

 time with you. But, thank God, all is well ! All I meet 

 with lament your leaving us so soon. Gauss has been here, 

 and they say he was quite inconsolable at having missed 

 you. Hauptrnann Muller was charged with compliments, 

 which he intends to deliver himself if I will give him leave. 

 To be sure ! and Olbers, whom Dr. Miihry saw in Bremen, 

 was sorry not to have seen you, as you had been so near. 

 The Duke of Cambridge, whom Dietrich met in the street, 

 asked about you, but we could not trace you farther than 

 Antwerp. I believe half Hanover would have been gratified 

 if you could have made a longer stay with us. Dr. 

 Groskopf will one day come to England I am afraid, and 

 talk you deaf; he is, however, a very good sort of man, 

 and desires me to tell you that if you wanted any books 

 you might command him, he would send you anything you 

 wanted. 



What gives me the most pleasure in reading over your 

 letter, is your telling me that your dear mother is not in the 

 least altered in her looks, and that she has been so con- 

 siderate as to give me in her own handwriting the assurance 



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