for both the Royal and Bath Philosophical Societies[1]), gauges, shapes, weights, etc., of the mirror were calculated and trials of the composition of the metal were made. In short, I saw nothing else and heard nothing else talked of but about these things when my brothers were together. Alexander was always very alert, assisting when any thing new was going forward, but he wanted perseverance, and never liked to confine himself at home for many hours together. And so it happened that my brother William was obliged to make trial of my abilities in copying for him catalogues, tables, etc., and sometimes whole papers which were lent him for perusal. I was thus kept employed when my brother was at the telescope at night. When I found that a hand was sometimes wanted, when any particular measures were to be made with the lamp, micrometer, etc., or a fire to be kept up, or a dish of coffee necessary during a long night's watching, I undertook with pleasure what others might have thought a hardship."
Although the sister's references to the labors and discoveries of her brother are full of interest, we have no space for them here. Suffice it that, after the discovery of "the Georgium Sidus in 1781, the name of William Herschel became famous, and he was soon released from the necessity of giving any of his time to music. He was sent for to come with his seven-foot telescope to the king, and the result was that he was chosen royal astronomer, at a salary of 200 a year." One or two extracts, from the letters written by William Herschel to his sister during this preliminary visit to London, will give some idea of the intimate relation she held in his life. He writes on May 25th:
" . . . . Yesterday I dined with Colonel Walsh, who inquired after you. There were present Mr. Aubert and Dr. Maskelyne. Dr. Maskelyne, in public, declared his obligation to me for having introduced to them the high powers, for Mr. Aubert has so much succeeded with them that he says he looks down upon 200, 300, or 400, with contempt, and immediately begins with 800. He has used 2,500 very completely, and seen my five double stars with them. All my papers are printing, with the postscript and all, and are allowed to be very valuable. You see, Lina, I tell you all these things. You know vanity is not my foible, therefore I need not fear your censure. Farewell.
"I am your affectionate brother,William Herschel."
And again, June 3d, he writes:
"Dear Lina: I pass my time between Greenwich and London agreeably enough, but am rather at a loss for work that I like. Company is not always pleasing, and I would much rather be polishing a speculum. . . . I am introduced to the best company. To-morrow I dine at Lord Palmerston's, next day with Sir Joseph Banks, etc., etc. Among opticians and astronomers nothing now is talked of but what they call my great discoveries. Alas! this shows how far they are behind, when such trifles as I have seen and done are called great. Let me but get at it again! I will make such telescopes and see such things—that is, I will endeavor to do so."
The letter ends abruptly.
Such, in brief, was the intellectual and moral preparation of Miss Herschel for the life of an astronomer. An account of her experiences in this field will be given in our next number.
- ↑ He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society December 6, 1871.
