, vii.] Letters. 275 



MISS HERSCHEL TO LADY HERSCHEL. 



April 23, 1835. 



MY DEAREST NIECE, 



***** 



Your own. dear letter arrived containing such a 

 volume of joyful news, conveyed in the most kindest expres- 

 sions, as if chosen for the purpose to cheer the heart of 

 feeble age. 



I was then not able (nor am I so now) to thank you as I 

 could wish for your sparing so much of your valuable time 

 and strength for the purpose of making me a partaker of 



jour domestic happiness. 



* * * * * 



I have now received in all five letters, two by your own 

 hands, and three by my nephew. Each time after having 

 read them over again they are put by, under thanksgiving 

 to the Almighty, with a prayer for future protection. 



.... Writing to my absent friends is one of the most 

 laborious employments I could fly to when under bodily 

 and, of course, mental sickness, for it is not impossible I 

 might, instead of making inquiry about my little precious 

 grand-nephew and the young ladies who play, sing, and sew 

 so prettily, write, " ! my back. O ! I have the cramp 

 here, there, &c." 



I had intended to keep a day-book to note down how and 

 where I spent my time, and what was passing about me, 

 which was to have served for yours and my nephew's amuse- 

 ment some day or other. But this I have given up long 

 since, for seeing nothing but lapses of weeks and months 

 where I could have given no better account of myself than 

 that, after the fatigue of getting up and dressing, I fell asleep 

 on the sofa, with a newspaper or other uninteresting sub- 

 ject in my hands, this would only have put me in mind of 

 the useless life I am leading now. 



