THE STORY OF THE
HERSCHELS
A FAMILY OF ASTRONOMERS
SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL
SIR JOHN HERSCHEL
CAROLINE HERSCHEL
"Stars
Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move;
Each has his place appointed, each his course."
MILTON.
1886
PREFATORY NOTE
rom the best available sources have been gathered the followingbiographical particulars of a remarkable family of astronomers—theHerschels.
They will serve to show the young reader how great a pleasure may befound in the acquisition of knowledge, and how solid a happiness inquietly pursuing the path of duty.
On the value of biography it is unnecessary to insist. It is now wellunderstood that we may learn to make our own lives good and honest andtrue, by carefully and diligently following the example of the good andhonest and true who have gone before us. And certain it is that thelessons taught by the lives of the Herschels are such as young readerswill do well to lay to heart.
CONTENTS
The study of astronomy a source of intellectual pleasure—By contemplating the heavens, the mind is led to wonder and adore—A proof of the existence of a Creator is afforded by creation—"We praise thee, O Lord!"—The beauty of Nature—Intellectual curiosity—"Order is Heaven's first law"—Value of astronomical study
Herschel's parents—The two brothers—A musical family—An inventive genius—The brothers in England—Herschel as an organist—A laborious life—Mechanical ingenuity of William Herschel—Telescope-making—A Sunday misadventure—Constructing a twenty-foot telescope—A domestic picture—Discovery of a new planet—Herschel's combined musical and astronomical pursuits—A thirty-foot telescope—Casting the mirror—An explosion
The house at Datchet—Housekeeping details—A devoted sister—Life at Datchet—Herschel's astronomical observations—Testing and trying "eyepieces"—The colossal telescope—Miss Herschel's accident—Removed to Slough—Constructing a forty-foot telescope—Brother and sister—Heroic self-denial—Occupations at Slough—Royal liberality—An astronomer's triumphs—About the nebulae—Investigation of the sun's constitution—The solar spots, and their influence—Physical constitution of the moon—Lunar volcanoes—Arago's explanation—Herschel's study of the planets—Satellites of Saturn—Discovery of Uranus—And of its six satellites—Study of Pigott's comet and the comet of 1811—Description of the latter—An uneventful life—Herschel's marriage—His honours—Extracts from his sister's diary—Decaying strength—Herschel removes to Bath—Last days of an astronomer—Illustration of the ruling passion—Death of Sir William Herschel—His achievements
Birth and education of Sir John Herschel—Honours at Ca