48 CONNECTION OF BATH WITH THE 



Institution, [16] there was for several years a weekly 

 assemblage of men of science, for the purpose of 

 mutual communication and the free discussion of 

 philosophical subjects. 



The remembrance of these meetings and of the 

 many eminent characters who were occasionally 

 present is fresh in the memory of some who hear 

 me ; but the name of Sir William Watson becomes 

 more honourably connected with the science of the 

 country, and through him Bath with that science, by 

 another tie. 



In the band of musicians who performed at the 

 evening concerts was a young German who possessed 

 considerable skill in his own art, but who was ob- 

 served often to leave the room, and employ himself 

 during the intervals of his nightly performances in the 

 study of the heavens. This excited the curiosity of 

 Sir Wniiam Watson, who soon discovered that he 

 was no ordinary person, and who from that moment 

 extended his patronage to him, assisting him in his 

 studies, and introducing him to the acquaintance of 

 other persons engaged in the same pursuit. I need 

 not add that this was Herschel, who continued to 

 reside for many years at Bath, till, I believe, through 

 means of his first patron, he was introduced to King 

 George III., and placed in a situation more favour- 

 able for the prosecution of those observations which 



