The foundation of what may be called a new science was thus laid by Herschel more than half a century before anything was built on it.
In that paper also he embodied curious speculations on the growth of stars: "If the nebulosity should subside into the star, as seems to be indicated by the assumed form of the fan-shaped nebulæ, the star would receive an increase of matter proportional to the magnitude and density of the nebulosity in contact with it."
Another of the subjects specially studied by Herschel from an early period in his career was the white clouds or nebulæ seen, even with the naked eye, in various places among the stars. The telescopes of astronomers had not done much to add to their number or reveal their peculiar forms till he took the matter in hand. In 1786 he laid before the Royal Society a "catalogue of a thousand nebulæ and clusters of stars." Three years after, he presented the Society with a "catalogue of a second thousand new nebulæ and clusters of stars"; and in 1802 he added "a catalogue of 500 new nebulæ and clusters of stars." A field of discovery so rich he had been left to reap alone, except in the assistance, the invaluable assistance, which he received from his devoted sister Caroline. He looked upon star-clusters and nebulæ as building stones used by the Creator in constructing the universe; to catalogue, to watch, and to measure these building stones was a long step taken in ascertaining the plan on which the Almighty Architect proceeded. Herschel was laughed at, most unfairly laughed at, as a "lively and amusing" dreamer; science has proved that he was a noble pioneer of modern discoveries, which inspire mankind with awe.
