HAI>. vii.] Survey of the Nebulous Heavens. 341 



While her faculties were equal to the appreciation 

 of the gift, she received a copy of Sir John Herschel's 

 great work of Cape Observations. The first of the 

 two following letters tells how it was in progress ; the 

 next announces its completion ; and thus, by a most 

 striking and happy coincidence, she, whose unflagging 

 toil had so greatly contributed to its successful prose- 

 cution in the hands of her beloved brother, lived to 

 witness its triumphant termination through the no- 

 less persistent industry and strenuous labour of his 

 son, and her last days were crowned by the possession 

 of the work which brought to its glorious conclusion 

 Sir William Herschel's vast undertaking THE SURVEY 

 OF THE NEBULOUS HEAVENS. 



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



COLLINGWOOD, Dec. 8, 1846. 

 MY DEAR AUNT, 



Your letter, which arrived this morning, confirms 

 the apprehension which the absence of any news from you 

 during the last month had begun to excite, that you were 

 unwell, and has caused us the liveliest sorrow. How I wish 

 we were near you, that dear M. could be with you and nurse 

 you. But the same kind Providence which has preserved 

 you so long in health will not fail j r ou in sickness. Mean- 

 while, I pray and entreat you not to decline the attendance 

 of our good Dr. Miihry, or to avail yourself of any comforts 

 that Hanover can afford. We shall look most anxiously 

 for further accounts from Mde. Knipping, or if her family 

 distresses will not allow her (as you say she has lost her 



