Page:Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).djvu/163

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Chap. IV.]
Recollections written at Hanover.
139

the North. I could find no opportunity for any conversation with him, but just by a pressure of the hand recommended my nephew in incoherent whispers to the continuance of his regards and friendship.

From all these sorrowing friends and connections I was obliged to take an everlasting leave, and in the few hours we were for the last time together, I was obliged to sign many papers, among which was a receipt for a half year's legacy I signed this with great reluctance .... but Lady H. and my nephew insisted on my taking it, according to my brother's will. This unexpected sum has enabled me to furnish myself with many conveniences on my arrival here, of which otherwise I should have perhaps debarred myself.

Oct. 17th.—In the morning we left our lodging for an inn near the Tower. Mr. Beckwith joined us, and settled at the Custom House for our baggage. My nephew came for a moment to us, and after his departure I saw no one I knew or who cared for me.

Oct. 18th.—At ten o'clock we went on board of the steam packet.

Oct. 20th.—At noon we landed after a stormy passage at Rotterdam.

Oct. 21st.—At daybreak we began to proceed on our way, and

Oct. 28th.—We arrived at the habitation of my brother, in Hanover.

A note, dated September 29th, 1828, apologizes to her nephew for troubling him with the above and other papers, adding:—

I have destroyed my Day-book, but in doing so I was tempted to extract some dates which I thought might still be interesting to me, and bring the past once more to my