CHAP, vii.] Arrival at the Cape. 265 



me in my final preparations for going to that bourn from 

 whence none ever returned, but let. me hope that you, my 

 dear nephew, with my dear niece and the whole of your 

 young family, will return to your dear relatives and friends 

 after having seen all your wishes and expectations crowned 

 with success. Though, if I may not be among those who 

 will greet your return, I can assure you their number will 

 be great, judging from the sensation the account of your 

 safe arrival at the Cape has caused among all our friends ; 



and (as Dr. M will have it) " the whole intelligent and 



scientific world in general are participating in our feeling." 

 Poor Mrs. Beckedorff, to whom I read your letter, sat 

 trembling and crying for joy ; for I now find that my friends 

 had not been without fear for your safety on account of the 

 storms (and their sad consequences) which prevailed for a 

 long time immediately after your departure, and the same 

 evening a note was despatched to her Royal Highness the 

 Landgrafin to communicate the news ; for from the Duke's 

 and her Eoyal Highness's constant inquiries when I ex- 

 pected to hear from you, I knew the account of your safe 



arrival would give pleasure. 



***** 



The feelings of joy 'I experienced the first few days after 

 the arrival of your letter are nearly evaporated, and I begin 

 to feel already that the essential information required for 

 making me reconciled to the immense space which divides 

 me from you is still wanting ; which is, that I cannot now, 

 as formerly, receive so frequent accounts concerning the 

 health of my dear niece and the children, not even from 

 Miss B., who used to describe their little ways so prettily, 

 for she, too, cannot now observe them. I look with im- 

 patience for the next account .... of the health of my 

 dear niece, yours, and the dear little beings. Caroline and 

 Isabella and I are old friends, but is William Herschel the 



