30. At this time W. Herschel frequently gave thirty-five and thirty-eight lessons a week to lady pupils.
31. It was not an unknown circumstance for the ink to freeze while she was attending to take down her brother’s observations.
32. These words had apparently to be sought for in the dictionary, as they are inserted in pencil in blank spaces left for the purpose.
33. To her brother, in Upton Church, near Slough.
34. The paper referred to is probably one on “The Aberrations of Compound Lenses and Object Glasses,” read at the Royal Society on the 22nd March, 1821.
35. Dietrich Herschel died towards the end of January, 1827.
37. The author of this hasty address feels no slight gratification in having been present on the 1st June, 1821, at the last observations with the twenty-foot reflector, in which Miss Herschel was engaged. He remembers also, not without regret, but with becoming gratitude, that the mirror used for his improvement, on the occasion was inserted, for the last time, in the tube, by the hands of Sir William Herschel.—Memoirs Astronomical Society, Vol. III., p. 409.
38. This extract, as it bears on the subject of the recognition of Miss Herschel’s labours, is inserted here, though somewhat before its time.
39. “Motions were then made for passing these several resolutions, and the same were carried unanimously.”—Monthly Notices, vol. iii. p. 91.
40. Of President.
41. An allusion to his approaching marriage, when he would resign his Fellowship.
42. The Destroying Angel has once more passed by.
43. Discourse on the study of Natural Philosophy.
45. In the Quarterly Review.
46. Sir John for ever!
47. Here, indeed, is a hole in the sky.
48. A brother of Lady Herschel’s. This gentleman and his brothers were in the habit of writing to Miss Herschel during her nephew’s absence at the Cape, keeping her informed of the latest news, and showing her every kind and thoughtful attention.
49. This lady, the daughter of Dietrich Herschel, proved a most true, affectionate, and trustworthy friend to the last. See her letter on Miss Herschel’s death.
50. “On the Influence of the Irregularities of the Earth on Geodetic Operations, and their Comparison with Astronomical Determinations.”
51. How d’ye do?
52. Betrothed.
53. On the Exchange.
54. The whole family party assembled at Christmas in the tube of the great telescope, and sang a ballad composed for the occasion.
55. “The telescope, as you know, is laid on three stone piers horizontally. It will be fresh painted to-morrow, and afterwards every three or four years, as it wants it, and it looks very well. The observatory will remain nearly as it is. The apparatus of the telescope is inside of the tube, and will be riveted up from all intruders. And all the polishing apparatus is fixed on the spot.”—Letter of Sir John Herschel, Feb. 28, 1840.
The great mirror is now put up in the hall of the house—“Herschels”—at Slough, by the present tenant, Mr. Montressor, who has spared no pains to do honour to the relics as well as to keep up the character of the old fashioned “habitation,” which owes much to the taste and judgment he has bestowed on it.
56. General Baron Hugh Halkett, a distinguished officer of the German Legion, died 1863.
57. Miss Herschel gave special directions that, after her death, her snuff-box should be given to this lady.
58. The family of Sir J. Herschel had left Slough and settled at Collingwood, near Hawkhurst, Kent, now the family residence.
59. Every fool is pleased with his own cap.
60. In answer to this announcement her niece wrote: “Herschel bids me say he is quite delighted at the idea of your undertaking the family history, but he insists upon it that you prove his descent from Hercules, and I dare say in this age of relics, we could contrive to find in the rummaging of old traps turned out at Slough, a veritable piece of the old club which has by fortunate accident served as part of the ladders of the forty-foot telescope! or perhaps you remember its slipping down the mouth of the great telescope one night when it was turned in the direction of your ancestor’s constellation, as a sign that he confessed himself outshone by your labours.”
61. He who first cries “Kick!” shall have the apple.
62. The astronomers for ever!
63. Her 93rd birthday.
64. Thank God.
65. Railway.
66. The fellow is a fool!
67. The days on which this periodical arrived are always noted in the Day-books.
68. The inscription is given in the Appendix.
Some corrections were made to the original text. In particular, punctuation was corrected without further note. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation was retained unless noted otherwise. The order of Index entries was corrected where errors were found. Ditto marks were replaced by the text they represent. There was no marker for Footnote 21; its placement has been assumed. Further corrections are noted below: