me to spend a few days at Greenwich. I hope yet to have that pleasure next spring or summer. This last has passed away, and I never thought myself well or in spirits enough to venture from home. If the heavens had befriended me, and afforded us a comet, I might, under its convoy, perhaps have ventured at an emigration. However, I cannot help thinking that I shall meet with some little reward for the denial it has been to me not coming this summer in seeing the improvements Miss Maskelyne has made (more perceptibly) in those accomplishments she seemed to be in so fair a way of attaining when I was there last.
With my best respects and compliments to Mrs. M.,
I remain, with the greatest esteem,
Your most obliged and humble servant,
C. Herschel.
DIARY.
May 29th and 30th.—"Was mostly spent at the Observatory, Professor Vince[1] being there.
July 30th.—My brother went with his family to Bath and Dawlish. I went daily to the Observatory and work-rooms to work, and returned home to my meals, and at night, except in fine weather, I spent some hours on the roof, and was fetched home by Sprat. *****
September llth.—Dined at my brother's. Professor Pictet and Dr. Ingenhouse, &c., were there. Cloudy night.
October 7th.—Finished the MS. Catalogue of omitted stars for Dr. Maskelyne. *****
December 31st.—Mem. Uncommonly harassed in consequence of the loss of time necessary for going backward and- ↑ The Rev. S. Vince, a mathematician and natural philosopher]
