New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-31
copy lending hand in the workshop, and taking her

copy lending hand in the workshop, and taking her
full share in all the changes by which the musician be-
came the kings astronomer. He rapidly grow
ing fame n writer, discoyerer. and the Inventor
Of instruments OF unheard OF power. The marriage OF
her brother I'm 17SS was blow to her siserly
ambition. She wished 10 MI the supreme place In his
life and could yield to another without pang
Her pride was sorcy wounded, and II long time be
fore she became reconcedt the change
lived in lodgings coming every day for her work. ana con-
Timing the same labor her brothers assistant ana
tary as before Her zeal In "mindng the heavens
knew no abatement Some OF her most Important as
coveries were made at this period Before the emu OF
1907 she had announced the discovery OF eight comets
10 five OF which there doubt OF the priority OF her
claim over other observers. The death OF Sir william
Hersche took place August 1920, and after the
sister returned to Germany passing the remainder OF
her life her native city. She fully recovered
from the shock Her identity TO have been swa!-
lowed up in her brother and apart from his interests
she had not thought or feeling OF her With all
the severity of her character she was one OF the most
disintCrested persons that ever existed. She never
evnced the slightest love OF fame. OF wealth. of per
sona distinction. Her admirable astronomical labOrs
inspired not much by passion for science rs
by affection FOR her brother Upon taking up her abode
in England, nothing expected OF her but TO be
early and do the work Of the house with occasional
musical exercises, while she devoted her leisure TO he
hoHcy ldSh OI hDlLiiEg anu sc"lnS' iicI INV
duties utterly Remote from all that
her previous life had prepared her FOR II
he had asked her to accompany him pilgrimage TO
Mecca" She attached no value To her services, and
wholly discaiined credit for her discoveries did
nothing for my brother" she said. but what well
trained puppydog would have done that Is 10 say did
what he commanded me. was more tool which he had
the trouble OF sharpening" One reward alone was
sufficient 10 sweecn her ltbors had The comfort TO
see that my brother was satisfied with my enGca7ors in
assisting him." Her industry wonderful She bad
little time for study and had to gather up the principles
OF astronomy by snatches. Chiefly breakfast md n
any odd moments that she could command, she would
question her brother about the mathematical processes
in constant use and carefully set down the answers in
her notebook. Sir william was accustomed to carry on
his telescope observations until daybrcgk, without
regard to the on and it her business 20 note The
CLOCKS and to write down the observations from his die
tation Subsequently she assisted in the numerical
calculations inst il only during MS absences
from home that she able to devote EcfseH
10 the Newtonian sweeper which she us Il to so
good purpose. Long practice Taught her to make
li.ht OF her worG An observer NJ your twenty
foot when sweeping" she wrote, " wants nothing
but being who can ana VIII execute his commands WIFI
the quclncss lightning; Tor yOd VIII have seen uat ~
many sweeps six twice six objects hoye been occurred
and described IN one minute of time" During the
years that elapsed after the deall Of hef
brother. she continued 10 take deep interest IA every
thing that peraincd to his memory, living in the reco
lection, of the past and with but few ties TO the present.
large place in her thoughts and affections given -
her nephew. Sir John Herschcl, who then IN tie
midst of the career ia which ne such brilliant DIE
nctiOn as an observer the Her correspondence
with hl forms Of the most interesting portions Of
he volume and occasionally reveals vein OF sentiment
md tenderness W cn rarely appears he surface OF
her character.