CHAP. VI.] Mr. Soiith. 199 



father's, and I remember that several letters passed between 

 them about a double star in Bootes. 



I am much obliged to you for the sheet of Schumacher's 

 Astronom. Nachrichtcn. It is highly interesting to me, 

 and will set many a one right without offending anyone. 

 On looking in the 2nd Catalogue of double stars, No. 104, 

 C Bootes, VI. Class, November 29th, 1782, and 3rd Cata- 

 logue, No. 114, C Bootes, I. Class, April 5th, 1796, I cannot 

 help thinking on the possibility that in the lapse of thirteen 

 years and a half the small stars may have come out from 

 behind the large one. But I beg do not laugh at me for 

 breaking my head about these things, and I will now begin 

 to talk about what I can comprehend. 



From your mentioning Mr. South in your last letter, I 

 fear he intends leaving England, at which I should be very 

 sorry on your account, for if I should not live long enough 

 to know you comfortably married, I could only console 

 myself by your having always a Babbage, South, or Gra- 

 hame to pass your social hours with. If you can meet with 

 a good-natured, handsome, and sensible young lady, pray 

 think of it, and do not wait till you are old and cross. And 

 let me know in time that I may set hands to work to make 

 the bridal robe ; here are women who work exquisitely, and 



at a price within the reach of my purse. 



***** 



P.S. Dear Nephew, I have spent too much time in gos- 

 siping with your dear mother for saying anything besides, 



but I am, 



i ' 



Your most sincere and affectionate aunt, 



CAR. HERSCHEL. 



