The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-25
RnME NER HOOkS.
The s,or, Of Caroline Herscher. Life.

little Of the life and work OF this patieht, de-
voted woman. VINO was the Intelligent sharer OF
her brothers researches, and whose own discov-
cry Of eight new planets gave her an indepen-
dent position among astronomers. and gaioed
for her the honor Of an election to the Royal
irish Academy as well rs to the Royal Asiro-
homie / Society Of London. The story Of her
domestic life. her sacrifice Of self. and rare
character is first told ny a kinswoman. Mrs John
Herschei, In the Memoir OF Caroline Hers
Chef" recently published by ID. Appleton SEQ.
frederick william and Caroline we're two
Of the ten children Of Isaac Herschel.
bautooy PLAYER in the band OF the Ma
uonal Guards OF Hanover. The boy was
twelve years the senior OF his sister. The
father took every opportunity to cultivate
the musical talents Of his sons, VINO with their
sisters were de acndent upon the garrison school
for the rudiments Of education. William soon
OUT tripped his schoolmaster, and at the aee Of
fourteen not only an exr client hoisr hut
also AN ex cert player on both the oboe aud the
vitlin.
Caroline, who WIS neither a pretty nor M At
tractive child, learned early the lessons Of self
denial. Her little timers were called unon to
provide stockings Tor her numerous brothers,
and she got many whipping for being awkward
at SURVIVING the place OF footman or W tier. Her
herself as nothing more than useful, sometimes
necessary appendaee to the family.
At last william was successfully established
as a musician IN Bath, England, and It was de-
cided that Caroline ssould accomosny him
thither, not for any advantage or pleasure to
herself but to mako the trial. II py her brothers
Instruction she might not become useful sing
err for his winter concerts and oratotios. In her
own Early Recollectlous" Caroline tells how
che prepared for thA important enterprise;
situation my brother jacob began 10 furn the
Whole sea me into ndlcuir. and - course. he nevr
beard The sound ~ my voice except N sDeakne yet
Nas YER Ia the ha ss-iug uncertainty whether was
e my pow.r. Tor both S. BY, taking, IN ? nrst
mrs,c with sar pctScsa NV ~ Tee the .oi %OG rio 20
Of concertos siaAe aud ALL sucn A. hat heard them
sbie aecun 6eaTe sne" nov To- ' ',ss NH pei1 he
III rTn9s whiGn we're Intended tor my er.thsr
tc JacH p's. For my mother ana brother piruich I
years at least
At Bath. Caroline assumed the managcme nt Of
her brothers domestic affairs. and ut the same
tin e undertook the cultivation OF her voice.
Oaeras, PLAYS, auctions, and the usual amuse-
ments of the town. gave her Rllm Of the
CAV world, but the expense OF dress and chair
men troubled her spirits so muct that the e
dissipauons were robbed Of any pleasure; and
some of the young ladies' she met In society she
bluntly characterized as very little better than
idiots"
Caroline Herschel became her brothers com
panion and fellow worker II the YER, turning
point ~ his career. Every spare moment Of he
d"y, and many hours stolen from the night. he
devoted to the study OF the heavens. He con-
structed the mighty forty foot telescope. He
became famous and the fashion, and 10 all these
nj al
when she was told to sing, copying when she
was told to copy, lending a hand In the work.
shop. and taking her fun share IN all the stirrins
and exciting changes by which the muslci n
became the Kings astronomer and a cee riiy."
Not one glenn Of pleasure from any selfish
qualification can be detected In the record Of
Caroline Herschers life as the years passed
away and she minded the heavens" With, or
Tor, he- rotner Even the event OF wiiliam's
marriage Is recorded In her Journal only rs liking
the date when the place OF bousekeeper hal to
be resigned. The devotion OF a lifetime. great
asa whole, Is commonpiace In Its details, and
there IL abundant evidence that the gentle and
nmisoe egotlsm Of the brother made him to-
tally unconscious Of ANYTHING extraordinary In
the patient affection Of the sis er.
From the time OF her brothers marriage, Miss
He-s'nel lived In lodgings, coming every day to
her work, and continuing as before her labors 9
hts assistant and secretary. How much her
anectonate heart must have suffered In this
separation from his home life can be imagined.
Even the knowledge that he was married to
woman Of singular amlabillty and gentleness Of
character, who brought hun a fortune which
enabled him to pursue his scientific clreer
free from anxiety regarding money matters.
couli not have completely atoned for the resls
nation ~ the supreme place bv his side. THIS
abat "A
dew ton that Identity Of interest had become as
perfect as IL Is rare.
But not a word or sign OF jealousy escaped
this faithful woman, and We can only guess
what she felt by the dead silence Of her diary
for the ten years between 1888 and 1898. There
Is no record OF her life during this period, only
few letters and packet IN coarse paper
beam = the superscriptIoo, This is what | call
the Bis ana Receipts ~ my Comets" The
bundle contains the data of her several dis
coveres. Each set folded In a separate paper
aud marked. First Comet" Second Comet,
ana 20 on To the seventh.
Sir William Herschel died in 1872 For a long
time he had been In a decline brought on by
EXPOSURE nd over-exertion. Caroline watched
over ms narrowing life to the last. Hts dealt
came to her Ike II crushing blow, and. for q
tine, ,eIrived ter Of 10th hope and ambition
ehe cuuld onk resolve to leave England forever
IA room as the be.ved remains were buried
SIX months lfer her return 10 Hanover sh,
thus trefaced the last and most pathetic II Lci
Rec oil, ctions -
HANOVER, April Is 1929.
fishte' months have elapsed since could ACQUIRE
Y RI ul" cu" gn for nOung dow Ia my day hook an,
a. ia ne urttl4 eunlug cCurreuCes Wiucseed uurnu
t' N-t Mn ruih, ~ the uitg Year. nave liVed ID
ILgl ia. ahd cannot no thar ever time viii come
vii sul be- abb To- dNrii any one II those inter
tsti uut nglancloh hour, tpe"t with the dcaies
ana e ol brothers. Bur II WaH TO IL OH uiAAlhl
nt uia iun. o. such MT either affect ar N.
ble'tu mo, shOulj feel ice what / am, VIZ.
bVreuu hat nus notnlng more 10 do III this word.
Sne tells the Story OF the last years In he
lri,f and uuimpassioned, but none the les,
touchinr II amer. ana sums ny her afty years o.
devoted helpfulness In tines Words
ava nothing for ny brother out what welltraineC
Futp} Aou.t have dOuei that IA To say. d.d Mha
he rNnn icd mr. was mere tool which he had IN,
ttnuJ.t o. sharpening.
she could not und 'rstand that to have worked
a. sne had " rked, 70 hay1 done what she &C
compllshed and 10 claim therefor NOTHING IN Or,
than the credit due TO passive obedience, wa,
t. lr"ve "A humility Of that rare and noble sort
which l. greatness itself 10 her mind, tho all
o. nicicnt tcW atd which crowned her labOrs was
me comfort to SOC that my brother was satls.