312 Caroline Liicretia Herschcl. 



and if I should (as it seems) live to of the age Methuselah, 

 come again for the same sum after the 10th of October 

 next. For this is quite enough for me to live with credit, 

 and more would only be a trouble to me. 



I am tired, and can write no more just now, but for our 

 amusement I will, some time or other, give you the history 

 of the few days j r ou were in Hanover, in July, 1838. For 

 all that past was h'ke Sheridan's Chapter of Accidents. If I 

 could only have had a few hours of private conversation with 

 you then, much trouble would since have been spared me. 



I hope to have soon some account of how your new situa- 

 tion agrees both with papa, mamma, and the little bodies. 

 How many English miles is it from London ? 



..... My sweeper, which I should have been so happy 

 to put in the hands of my little grand-nephew, and teach him 

 to catch comets till he could do something better (O ! why 

 did I leave England !) is now in the hands of the good, 

 honest creature, Director Hausmann, and the seven-foot tele- 

 scope is also saved from being sold for an old song. . . . 



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



July 6, 1840. 



***** 



But at another time, when perhaps I may find myself a 

 little better, I will amuse my dear niece with introducing 

 some of my acquaintances to her notice. Some of the 

 family of General Halkett,* at least, she will not be dis- 

 pleased at knowing personally. Last night the sister of 

 the general, Mrs. W. Clarke, t a widow, sat an hour with 



* General Baron Hugh Halkett, a distinguished officer of the German 

 Legion, died 1863. 



t Miss Herschel gave special directions that, after her death, her snuff-box 

 should be given to this lady. 



