CHAP, vii.] Elected Hon. Member of the R. A. I. S. 301 



We have got a most excellent president for the Royal So- 

 ciety in the Marquis of Northampton. He presided at the 

 anniversa^ dinner on the 30th, and did the honours with 

 great credit. 



A Cople}' Medal was awarded to Gauss for his researches, 

 theoretical and practical, on the subject of terrestrial mag- 

 netism. 



MISS HERSCHEL TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL. 



HANOVER, Dec. 17, 1838. 

 MY DEAR NEPHEW, 



First and foremost let me dispatch what may be 

 called business. In the first place, I thank you for your kind 

 letter and communication of having so great an honour con- 

 ferred on me as to be admitted an honorary member of the 

 Royal Irish Academy. I cannot help crying out aloud to 

 myself, every now and then, What is THAT for ? Next I 

 must beg you to return my thanks in what words you think 

 proper I should express them, and if you will only send 

 me a copy of the diploma, and keep the original along with 

 my other trophies, allowing them perhaps a corner in some 

 such box as that your dear mother had for suchlike things, 

 for I have no other desire but to be remembered by you and 



Lady H., and your children, for yet awhile 



.... It is a long while since you asked me if I wanted 

 any of my Indexes to Flamsteed's Catalogue of omitted 

 stars. If there should yet be any left, I could wish to have 

 one or two ; for you hinted to me I might leave Baily's 

 work to the " Archives " here, which I intend to do, and 

 then I should like to give an Index along with it. 



