CHAP, vii.] On her Recollections. 333 



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



COLLINGWOOD, Sept. 13, 1843. 

 MY DEAR AUNT, 



Again we are rejoiced by the sight of your hand- 

 writing, and by the admirable and truly interesting History 

 of your own younger days, which you have sent with your 

 delightful letter, and which arrived perfectly safe, and, you 

 may be sure, will be treasured as the apple of the eye, and 

 often read and re-read. I began the reading of it last evening 

 to all your grand-nephews and nieces who are old enough to 

 understand it, and the History of their great-grandpapa's 

 hardships after the Battle of Dettingen, and poor uncle 

 Alexander's harsh treatment, and your own quiet, thoughtful 

 activity and self-dependence, made on all my hearers, as 

 well as on myself, an impression which I am sure will not 

 easily be forgotten, and which I shall take care not to let 

 them forget. We all entreat you to continue it, and you 

 need not be in any fear about the writing. Your hand- 

 writing (Grottlob *) is still excellently good, and there was 

 not a word either in your letter or in the " History" that 



gave me the least trouble to read 



.... I visited in London Mde. Taylor (whom you en- 

 trusted with the pictures of your Royal visitors, which are 

 very charming things, and seem as if they must be good 

 likenesses). I did not find her husband at home, but she 

 is a very pleasing person, and pleased me greatly by the 

 respectful and friendly way in which she spoke of you. We 

 hope to see them here, where they will be much valued, as 

 will be the effigy or recollection of everybody that has been 

 land to you, or anything that has given you pleasure. . . . 



The only news I have to send you is that of Capt. Boss's 

 safe return with the South Polar Expedition after nearly 

 four years' absence, having penetrated to the 79th degree of 



* Thank God. 



