340 Caroline Lucretia Herschel. [1847, 



before I seal. I am to "give her best love to her dear 

 nephew, niece, and the children, and to say that she often 

 wished to be with them, often felt alone, did not quite like 

 old age with its weaknesses and infirmities, but that she too- 

 sometimes laughed at the world, liked her meals, and was 

 satisfied with Betty's services." 



.... You may rest assured that she is most carefully 

 attended to, and Betty is not only fully to be depended 

 upon, but is also extremely judicious, and the only person 

 who has gained Miss Herschel's entire confidence and 



approbation I have charged her to come to me 



whenever she sees a possibility of doing anything for her 

 mistress's comfort, and, from the girl's unaffected attach- 

 ment for her, can quite rely upon her. Dear Miss Herschel 

 has, indeed, arranged everything beforehand ; and for years 

 past has reserved a sum to answer all calls in the event of 

 her death. 



June 29, 1847. 



.... I generally find her dozing, and now always 

 lying on her sofa ; she requires, however, but a very short 

 moment to recollect herself, and then enters into a conver- 

 sation, of which she takes the greater and by far the better 

 part on herself. It generally carries her back to old tunes 

 and events and persons long gone by, sometimes with great 

 humour, sometimes with regret ; and when she enters upon 

 subjects of vexation, I have the means of restoring cheerful- 

 ness and satisfaction by speaking of her nephew and his 

 family. She avoids topics of a directly serious and religious 

 nature and is indeed so much alone that she has time for 

 these reflections when by herself. 



Dec. 2, 1847. 



A few days ago she talked of her childhood, and even 

 sung me a little ballad she had then learnt. 



