THE BOEDEELAND 



OF 



SCIENCE. 



THE HERSCHELS AND THE STAR-DEPTHS. 



THE astronomer whose loss science has lately had to 

 lament, brought to a close, thirty-five years ago, the 

 most wonderful series of researches yet recorded in the 

 history of astronomy. For more than half a century 

 those researches had been in progress, and during all 

 that time the astronomer engaged upon the work had 

 been recognized as the first astronomer of his time. 

 From 1780 to 1822 Sir W. Herschel was engaged in 

 surveying the star-depths: after 1822 the researches 

 were carried on by Sir John Herschel, second to no 

 astronomer of our day, nor to any observational astro- 

 nomer the world has yet produced save his father 

 alone. 



It is well that the real nature of the work accom- 

 plished by the Herschels should be recognized, for 

 otherwise just honour will not be done to their memory. 



