CHAP, vi.] About the Medal. 231 



and concerts do not begin again till autumn ; all families are 

 either gone to the baths or at their -villas, &c. My friends 

 are all some dozen years younger than myself, and I cannot 

 always, or but seldom, accept their invitations. Haupt- 

 mann Mtiller took twice tea with me since Christmas. He 

 heard from Encke that a great astronomical meeting was to 

 take place at Berlin, to which Mr. South had been invited ; 

 if there should be any truth in this, and that you and Mr. 

 South were inseparables, I might hope to see you once more ; 

 but I must not think of anything at the distance, agitations 

 I cannot bear any longer, I only exist by attempting to be 

 indifferent about all human events, and hardly anything 

 can yet give me pleasure but to hear that you, my dear 

 nephew, and those who are dear to you, are well and happy. 



Yours very affectionately, 



C. HERSCHEL. 



MISS HERSCHEL TO J. F. W. HERSCHEL. 



Aug, 21, 1828. 

 MY DEAR NEPHEW, 



***** 



What you tell me in the short note dated May 24th, 

 which accompanied the three copies of my Index, concern- 

 ing the medal, has completely put me out of humour with 

 the same ; for to say the truth, I felt from the first more 

 shocked than gratified by that singular distinction, for I 

 know too well how dangerous it is for women to draw too 

 much notice on themselves. And the little pleasure I felt 

 at the receipt of the few lines by your hands, was entirely 

 owing to the belief that what was done was both with 

 your approbation and according to your recommendation. 

 Throughout my long-spent life I have not been used or had 

 any desire of having public honours bestowed on me ; and 



