182 Caroline Lucretia Herschel. [1825. 



Graf Rapfstein brought me lately the Moniteur of 

 December, containing the history of your dear father's life, 

 as read in June, etc., at full length. It is the only copy of 

 the Court paper coming here at Hanover to the French 

 Ambassador, and I was obliged to return it to the same ; 

 but Groskopf has promised to procure these copies from 

 Paris, that we may all have one. Miss Beckedorf read it to 

 me by way of translation, and we both cried over it, and 

 could not withhold a tear of gratitude to the author for 

 having so feelingly adhered to truth in the details of your 

 dear father's discoveries, etc 



But if I have understood Miss B.'s translation right 

 I could point out three instances where too great a stress 

 is laid on the assistance of others, which withdraws the 

 attention too much from the difficulties your father had 

 to surmount. 



(1.) The favours of monarchs ought to have been men- 

 tioned, but once would have been enough. 



(2 & 3.) Of Alexander and me can only be said that we 

 were but tools, and did as well as we could ; but your father 

 was obliged first to turn us into those tools with which we 

 could work for him ; but if too much is said in one place 

 let it pass ; I have, perhaps, deserved it in another by perse- 

 verance and exertions beyond female strength ! Well 

 done ! 



With compliments to all friends, particularly Mr. and 

 Mrs. Babbage, 



I remain, my dearest nephew, 



Yours mosi affectionately, 



CAR. HERSCHEL. 



Poor Sir William Watson ! [whose death had lately been 

 announced to her.] 



