338 Caroline Lucretia Herschel. [1846-1847. 



Even this, the last letter of all, is addressed in a 

 large, clear handwriting. Henceforth " the messenger" 

 carried no more the large familiar sheet which had 

 often been filled at the cost of many days' work and 

 frequent re-writing ; but her kind friend, Miss Becke- 

 dorff, wrote a regular monthly report to the anxious 

 friends in England, from which the following most 

 interesting extracts are taken : 



EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTERS OF MISS BECKEDORFF TO 

 SIR JOHN AND LADY HERSCHEL. 



Dec. 1846. 

 ***** 



.... She said that whilst she was idling away her time 

 on her couch she had with her mind's eye set up a whole 

 solar system in one corner of her room, and given to each 

 newly-discovered star its proper place. She cried when I 

 told her again of your and Sir John's solicitude about 

 her, &c. 



March, 1847. 



Her likeness has been taken by two young painters 

 lately. . . . She was sitting or rather reclining for her 

 picture whilst my niece was with her, and the exertion of 

 it made her at first nervous and hysterical, but by degrees 

 she overcame it, and conversed cheerfully. I am sorry to 

 say the drawing which I saw did not do justice to her 

 intelligent countenance; the features are too strong, not 

 feminine enough, and the expression too fierce ; but I hear 

 the picture which I did not see is more like her. 



March 31, 1847. 



I am commissioned by dear Miss Herschel to send to 

 you and for her dear nephew, with her best love, the accom- 



