290 Caroline Lucretia Hersckcl. [1837. 



MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR JOHN HERSCHEL. 



HANOVER, June 11, 1837. 

 ***** 



.... From Mr. Schumacher I receive each paper as it 

 comes from the press, but always with a feeling of uneasi- 

 ness, because I am not one of those who can contribute 

 anything to their valuable communications, nor even under- 

 stand all which my defective eyes allow me to read. But 

 they interest me exceedingly when I think what you will 

 say. For instance, to a paper of twenty-two quarto pages, 

 by Bessel, " Uber den Einfluss der Unregclmassigkeiten der 

 Erde, attf geodetische Arbeiten und Hire Vcrgldchung mit 

 den astronomischen Bestimmungen." * Perhaps you may 

 have received these papers before this reaches you, but if 

 any are lost by the way, I collect them for you ; but I fear 

 I shall not see the day of all the wonders coming to light 

 when you return with your budgeti .... 



.... I must conclude, for writing at any time makes 

 me sad ; and since I began this letter the notice of the death 

 of our King has arrived, and the Duke of Cumberland has 

 been this day proclaimed King of Hanover. It makes me 

 feel as if T was doubly separated from England, for your 

 King is now no longer my King. And we lose the Duke of 

 Cambridge, who was ever so kind to me wherever he saw 

 me. Last winter he introduced me to his brother, then 

 Duke of Cumberland, who was here on a visit, at the 

 concert, who spoke to me of you first as my son, but recol- 

 lected himself that I was only aunt 



***** 



I had illuminated my front rooms with twenty candles 

 (snuffed them all myself, for Betty was out to see the show) 

 on the evening of the King's arrival, and so I shall again 



* " On the Influence of the Irregularities of the Earth on Geodetic Operations, 

 and their Comparison with Astronomical Determinations." 



