326 Caroline Liter etia Herschcl. [1S4-2. 



knew them no better ? As far as I recollect, Dr. Maskelyne 

 has observed them all, and his observations on them are, I 

 daresay, all printed in the volumes of the Greenwich Obser- 

 vations at least of some he has shown me the proof sheets. 

 I never called a comet mine till several post days were 

 passed without any account of them coming to hand. And 

 after all, it is only like the children's game, " Wer am ersten 

 kick ritft, soil den Apfel halen ! Wo sie denn alle rn/en 

 kick! kick! und so,"* &c., &c. 



I long for the return of the messenger, for I heard to-day 

 that Bessel and Encke were gone to the philosophical 

 meeting hi England, and I expect to hear a great deal of 

 news. But first and foremost I wish to see in your next 

 that yourself and my dear nephew, with all the dear little, 

 little ones, continue to be well and happy 



P.S. My head is full of my History, and I go on but 

 slowly, because I cannot sit up for any length of time. I 

 am only at my fourteeth year, and have just parted from my 

 brother, William Herschel I., who is returned after a four- 

 teen nights' visit to us, to England, Leeds in Yorkshire 

 (where he must be left for some time), and I cannot go on 

 till I have recovered from the parting scene. 



You remember, you take the work in whatever state I may 

 leave it, and make the best of it at your leisure. Adieu. 



TO SIR J. F. W. HERSCHEL. 



HANOVER, August 4, 1842. 

 MY DEAREST NEPHEW, 



.... Major Miiller is not yet returned, and is not 

 expected till September, from his measuring business, and 

 besides him there is not one astronomer, or, I may say, 

 rational man in Hanover to whom I could apply for infor- 



* He who first cries " Kick ! " shall have the apple. 



