Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-11-29
THE HEascneL FAM.lv


"c"sHs "Reminiscences Of the -
m0us Astronomers.
The little that Is known OF the nm.
cestors OF the Herschels Is honorable
Abraham. Isaac and jacob. AZ the rep-
resentatiyes Of three generations were
called. were sound Protestants, in dave
when and In places where Protestant
Ism was reproach. Abraham Her
schel, the great-great-grandfasher OF
John, was expelled from Mahren. his
place OF residence. on account OF his
Professionalism. Isaac, his son, was a
farmer near Leipsic. Jacob, son OF
Isaac. declined agricultural pursuits
and gave expression TO the family apt
itude for music by making it his pro-
fession. by bringing up his sons to the
same calling, and by developing mu-
steal ability in all his ten children.
Among the sons was the astronomer.
Frederick William. who was born at
Hanover In 1873. and came to England
at one-and-twenty as a professional
musician. but caring even more for
something else than Observation-Disclosures
lea 70 the end OF his life, when he
was known all over the world for his
astronomical discoveries, his chief de-
light was i2 metaphysical study and
augmentation. Perhaps we may
ascribe to this taste. prevailing in the
little household at Slough. the ten
cency OF his scientific con, John. to d.
verge into metaphysical criticism when
ever his theme, or any interruption Of
1t, Afforded occasion In the course Of
composition.
John Herschel was born Ia the we'll
known house at Slough. where stran-
gers were by that time coming from
far-distant lands to see the wonderful
machine by which great news had all
ready descended out Of the sky.
Most astronomers come 70 astropmy
through mathematics. or come To
mathematics through astronomy. The
derschels were musical family: mu-
SIC was their vocation; science was
their recreation Although OF Jacob
Herschels children Sir William and
Caroline are the only ones who are
known to science. it is evident that the
taste for science belonged to the whole
family. az Caroline Herschel in her
autobiography speaks Of lying awake
and listening to discussions between
the father and the elder brothers in
which the names of Newton, Leibnitz
and Euler frequently occurred.
William Herschsl considered him
sell very fortunate when he was en-
gagged as musician in an English regi-
menL Growing in reputation he was
appointed organist in church.
studied Italian. Latin and Greek by
himself. and read mathematical work $
on music Thus music led him to
mathematics. thence to optics, to as
tronomy. to discoveries, to repata-
ton He became known to George
Ill, was pensioned, gave himself
wholly to astronomy, was knighted.
and soon became member of all the
learned societies of Europe.
Sir William and Sir John were re-
markable for the variety of their re-
quirements- Starting with a love of
science, they followed where it led.
into the trackiess regions of space and
among remote nebula. into those
tangled ways where metaphysical and
mathematical sciences seem to minole.
touching the margin of that debatabIe
land where theology and science meet
without recognition, yet keeping. espe-
cially in Sir Johns case, the eduauin
ity of the philosopher and a kindliness
OF heart which made him tolerant of
all and rend red him beloved as we'll
as honored by those who knew him.
Workers in physical science have
generally been long-lived. perhaps be-
cause only with length of years can
any thing be done in science. Per-
haps, too. scientific studies are health
promoting, for if it is hour after hour
over books it is also hour after hour
alone with nature.
The Herschels worked Il great many
years. Sir William Herschel's papers.
published in various scientific Jour
nails, stretch through period of forty
years. Sir John Herschers reached
through period of fifty-seven years
about twice the average length of life.
Sir William Herschel died at eighty
three. Sir John at seventy-eight; and.
as if to show that a woman can live
and work even longer than man.
Caroline the sister OF Sir William.
died at ninety eight Century.