CHAPTER VI 



ENDOWMENT OF EESEARCH 



IT was clear to men of science that something had to 

 be done for Herschel. He could not toil or slave as a 

 teacher of music and a conductor of concerts during 

 the working hours of the day, and improve the tele- 

 scope or keep watch on the stars by night, without 

 discredit to a nation that was proud of its maritime 

 supremacy, and offered a large reward for the best 

 means of finding the longitude at sea. Since the 

 discovery of Uranus, his name was in everybody's 

 mouth, especially in Bath. People of celebrity, with 

 or without introductions, came to see him. Among 

 them was the Astronomer-Eoyal, Dr. Maskelyne, who 

 proved a steady and admiring friend. At their first 

 interview, Caroline thought they were quarrelling. 

 Eagerness to make sure that this musician was a 

 reality, not a sham, may account for the high tone of 

 voice that sounded to her like quarrelling, while her 

 brother's remark when Maskelyne left, "That is a 

 devil of a fellow," reads more like a compliment than a 

 censure. Dr. Watson, between whom and Herschel a 

 friendship had sprung up, that lasted for the remainder 

 of a long life, was constantly at his house, helping to 

 grind or polish, offering money to meet expenses, which 

 was gently declined, and communicating papers and 



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