The Herschels and Modern Astronomy

by Agnes M. Clerke

Eddying Xanthus’ stream, and the ships, and the walls of the city.”

Sir John Herschel corresponded with Mr. Proctor, during the last two years of his life, on the subject of sidereal construction; and his replies to the arguments put before him show that his mind retained, even then, its openness and flexibility. He had none of the contempt for speculative excursions which sometimes walls up the thinking-powers of observers. “In the midst of so much darkness,” he held that “we ought to open our eyes as wide as possible to any glimpse of light, and utilise whatever twilight may be accorded us, to make out, though but indistinctly, the forms that surround us.” “Hypotheses fingo in this style of our knowledge,” he went on, “is quite as good a motto as Newton’s non fingo—provided always they be not hypotheses as to modes of physical action for which experience gives no warrant.” And again: “We may—indeed, must—form theories as we go along; and they serve as guides for inquiry, or suggestions of things to inquire; but as yet we must hold them rather loosely, and for many years to come keep looking out for side-lights.”

These were his last words on the philosophy of discovery: and they constituted his last advice to scientific inquirers. But, good as were his precepts, his example was better. There was no discrepancy between his work and his thought. Both combined to inculcate aloofness from prejudice, readiness of conviction in unequivocal circumstances, suspension of judgment in dubious ones, and in all, candour, sobriety, and an earnest seeking for truth.

---

INDEX.

• Actinometer, J. Herschel’s, [152], [179], [180]
• Adams, J. C., at Collingwood, [188]
• Ages of heavenly bodies, [68], [94], [170]
• Alexander, the Czar, [49]
• Amici, of Modena, [148], [150]
• Apertures, method of, [61], [63]
• Apex, solar, [78], [80]
• Archbishop of Canterbury, and George III., [38]
• Argelander, [80], [106]
• Asteroids, [46], [90–1], [95], [100]
• Astrometer, J. Herschel’s, [177]
• Astronomical Society, [49], [152], [188]
• Aubert, Alexander, [16], [101], [124]
• Babbage, companionship with J. Herschel, [143–4], [149], [152];
• astatic needle, [208]
• Bailey, S. I., [169], [170]
• Baily, Francis, [164], [185], [186], [187]
• Barnard, diameters of asteroids, [91];
• nebulosities, [110–11];
• photographs of Milky Way, [174]
• Bates, Joah, anecdote of W. Herschel, [12]
• Bath, centre of fashion, [12];
• Herschel’s residences there, [17], [26], [47]
• Beckedorff, Mrs., [126], [127], [160];
• Miss, [138]
• Bessel, solar movement, [80];
• estimate of W. Herschel, [109];
• Halley’s comet, [177];
• at Collingwood, [187];
• memoir of, [216]
• Biot, estimate of J. Herschel, [201]
• Bonaparte, Lucien, [33], [44]
• Bonaparte, Napoleon, Herschel’s interview with, [47]
• Bradley, observation of Castor, [76]
• Brougham, Lord, [53], [88], [90], [207]
• Burney, Dr., notices of W. Herschel, [12], [44], [45–6];
• walk through forty-foot, [38];
• notices of Caroline and J. Herschel, [125], [142]
• Burney, Miss, meetings with W. Herschel, [38–9];
• with Mrs. and Miss Herschel, [44], [124], [125], [127]
• Burnham, double stars, [103];
• planetary nebulæ, [155]
• Campbell, Thomas, admiration for W. Herschel, [47–8];
• notice of his son, [145]
• Cavendish, anecdote of, [100]
• Clay Hall, [36]
• Climate, changes of, [82]
• Comet, of October 1806, [48];
• of 1811, [94];
• Encke’s, [124], [175];
• of 1819, [128–9];
• Biela’s, [153];
• Halley’s, [175–6], [180], [211]
• Comets, decay of, [94];
• Miss Herschel’s, [124], [125]
• Common, Dr., five-foot reflector, [99]
• Construction of the Heavens, [53], [60], [113–114], [214–15]
• Dante and the “Divina Commedia,” [15]
• Datchet, house at, [32], [36]
• Dawes, sun-spot nuclei, [83]
• De la Rue, photoheliograph, [210]
• De Morgan, letter to Captain Smyth, [188–9];
• Herschel and the coinage, [191];
• friendship with, [197];
• dislike to hexameters, [217]
• Dreyer, Catalogue of Nebulæ, [192]
• Easton, Milky Way structure, [106]
• Edgeworth, Miss, at Slough and Collingwood, [192–3]
• Feldhausen, [163], [180], [181]
• Flamsteed, British Catalogue, [80], [123], [126]
• Galileo, double-star method of parallaxes, [55]
• Gauss, [151], [201], [205]
• George III., patronage of Herschel, [10], [24], [28–9], [30], [32], [33];
• taste for astronomy, [30], [47];
• walk through great telescope, [38]
• Gill, Dr., Herschel’s micrometers, [103];
• photographic catalogue, [106];
• photographs of Argo nebula, [167];
• of Omega Centauri, [169]
• Gordon, Lady, portrait of Sir J. Herschel, [202]
• Gould, Dr., solar cluster, [107], [215]
• Grahame, James, [149]
• Gravitation, extension of to stellar systems, [77], [148]
• Gregorian reflectors, [20], [29]
• Griesbach, Mrs., [10], [116];
• her sons, [10], [28], [29]
• Halley, list of nebulæ, [19];
• stellar motions, [77]
• Hamilton, Sir W. R., communications with J. Herschel, [146], [152], [158], [173], [188];
• speech by, [182];
• at Collingwood, [193];
• quaternions, [194–5]
• Haydn, visit to Slough, [44]
• Heat-rays in solar spectrum, [95–6]
• Herschel, Alexander, assisted his brother, [13], [21], [27], [120];
• accompanied him to Göttingen, [37];
• supported by him, [51];
• care for his sister, [118]
• Herschel, Professor Alexander, meteoric researches, [201]
• Herschel, Caroline, fetched to Bath, [15], [118];
• help in speculum making, [15], [20], [124];
• a singer, [21], [117], [119];
• remarks, [25], [27], [34], [49];
• letters from W. Herschel, [28], [29], [30], [129];
• household cares, [32], [118], [121];
• reminiscences, [35], [36], [37], [39], [48], [50], [68];
• annuity, [51], [131];
• birth and childhood, [115–16];
• education, [115], [118], [121];
• visits to London, [121], [127];
• discoveries of nebulæ, [122];
• of comets, [124–5], [139];
• her brother’s assistant, [122–3], [125];
• catalogues nebulæ, [123], [132];
• Index to Flamsteed’s observations, [126];
• royal attentions, [126], [127], [133], [135], [139];
• anxiety about her brother’s health, [128–9];
• return to Hanover, [130–1];
• Gold Medals bestowed on, [132], [138];
• joy in her nephew’s career, [134–5], [159];
• his visits, [135–36], [159];
• Recollections and Journals, [137], [138];
• death, [139];
• personality, [139–41];
• anecdotes of J. Herschel’s childhood, [142];
• his letters to her, [151], [152], [153], [162–3], [164], [175], [176], [187];
• her portrait, [196];
• her advice to him, [205]
• Herschel, Dietrich, [20–1], [51], [127–8], [130], [131]
• Herschel, Sir John, dismantling of great telescope, [43];
• catalogues of nebulæ, [132], [155], [191–2];
• visits to Hanover, [135–6], [151], [159–60], [184];
• nebular observations, [136], [153], [154–7], [165–7];
• Cape Expedition, [135], [159–2], [181–2];
• birth and childhood, [142];
• university career, [143–5];
• medals awarded to, [145], [148], [149], [157], [187], [201];
• work on double stars, [134], [146–48], [157];
• method for computing orbits, [148–9];
• general catalogue, [192];
• ascents of Monte Rosa and Etna, [149–50];
• explorations in Auvergne, [152];
• experiments on solar radiation, [151–2], [179];
• visit to Ireland, [152];
• cometary observations, [153], [175–6], [180], [189];
• telescopes, [153], [158], [164], [183];
• discovery of star in Orion-trapezium, [158];
• marriage, [159];
• Feldhausen, [163], [180–1];
• Cape climate, [164];
• Magellanic Clouds, [165–6];
• Argo nebula, [167];
• Eta Argûs, [168–9];
• globular clusters, [169–71], [213];
• star-gauging, [171–2];
• comets, [175–6];
• stellar photometry, [177];
• solar theory, [178–9], [211];
• Saturnian satellites, [180];
• magnetic work, [184], [189], [208];
• constellational reform, [185];
• removal to Collingwood, [186];
• Cape Results, [186–7], [211–12];
• President Astronomical Society, [188];
• Master of the Mint, [190–1];
• guests at Collingwood, [188], [193], [195];
• sonnet, [194];
• family life, [195–6];
• death, [197];
• powers and character, [198–201];
• books, [205–8];
• photographic experiments, [209–10];
• nature of nebulæ, [212–14];
• solar cluster, [215];
• poetical performances, [216–18];
• philosophy of discovery, [219]
• Herschel, Colonel John, examination of nebular spectra, [201]
• Herschel, Isaac, [9], [21], [115], [116]
• Herschel, Jacob, [116], [117], [128]
• Herschel, Lady, the elder, [44], [50], [152], [160]
• Herschel, Lady, the younger, [159], [192], [194], [201]
• Herschel, Sir William, birth, [9];
• musical career, [10–16], [21], [26], [121];
• telescope, making, [14–15], [17], [19], [20], [22];
• thirty-foot, [26–8],
• seven-foot, [28–9];
• for sale, [33];
• forty-foot, [34], [37], [38], [41–3], [49], [50], [100], [137], [210];
• twenty-foot, [35–6], [40], [50];
• front-view telescopes, [40], [41], [102], [153];
• space-penetrating power of, [61], [98];
• reviews of the heavens, [19], [20], [26], [35], [36], [42], [46];
• early papers, [22–3];
• discovery of Uranus, [24–5], [120];
• observations of double stars, [26], [49], [55–6], [75];
• interviews with the king, [28–30];
• royal astronomer, [30], [32–3];
• mode of observing, [30], [122];
• discovery of Uranian satellites, [40], [93], [153];
• of Saturnian satellites, [41], [43], [92];
• marriage, [44];
• aversion to poetry, [45–6];
• interview with Bonaparte, [47];
• observations of comets, [48], [94], [128–9];
• failure of health, [49–50], [128–9];
• death and character, [51];
• construction of the heavens, [53–4], [60], [114];
• star distances, [54–5], [57], [60–1], [64], [75];
• star-gauging, [57–8], [113];
• nature of the Milky Way, [57–9], [62–3];
• chasms in, [68];
• method of apertures, [61];
• catalogues of nebulæ, [64];
• varieties, [65];
• island universes, [66–7], [72];
• development, [67–8];
• nebulous fluid, [69–70];
• condensation into stars, [71–2], [109];
• nebular distribution, [73];
• discovery of binary stars, [76–7], [147];
• transport of the solar system, [77], [80], [108];
• stellar photometry, [80–2], [174–5];
• theory of the sun, [83–6], [211];
• sun spots and weather, [87–8];
• observations of Venus, [88];
• of Mars, [89];
• of the asteroids, [90];
• of Saturn, [91];
• law of satellite-rotation, [92];
• lunar volcanoes, [93];
• detection of infra-red heat-rays, [95–7];
• use of high powers, [101–2];
• micrometers, [103];
• photometric enumeration, [106];
• solar cluster, [107–8];
• diffused nebulosities, [110–11];
• a founder of sidereal astronomy, [112]
• Herschel, Sir William J., [49], [136], [183], [201]
• Huggins, Dr., spectra of nebulæ, [109], [214];
• of stars, [113]
• Humboldt, [133], [138], [170], [184]
• Huygens, improvement of telescopes, [17]
• Jacob, southern Milky Way, [172]
• Japetus, rotation of, [92]
• Jupiter, trade wind theory of, [91];
• rotation of satellites, [93]
• Kapteyn, solar cluster, [107]
• Knipping, Mrs., [137], [138]
• Lacaille, southern nebulæ, [19]
• Langley, bolometer, [95];
• atmospheric absorption, [152], [179]
• Laplace, [18], [47], [91], [201], [207]
• Lassell, Uranian satellites, [93];
• reflectors, [99];
• observation of Mimas, [180]
• Le Verrier, [187], [188]
• Lexell, orbit of Uranus, [24]
• Maclear, Sir Thomas, [162], [168], [176], [181]
• Magellan, Von, accounts of William and Caroline Herschel, [40], [122]
• Magellanic clouds, [165–6]
• Magnitudes, stellar, [81], [104–5], [177]
• Mars, analogy with the earth, [89]
• Maskelyne, [25], [29], [76]
• Mayer, Christian, satellite-stars, [75]
• Mayer, Tobias, solar translation, [77], [78]
• Michell, revolving stars, [75];
• solar group, [107]
• Micrometer, lamp, [24], [103];
• wire, [56], [103]
• Milky Way, rifts in, [50], [67–8], [173], [175], [215];
• structure, [57–59], [62], [173–4], [214–15];
• spectral peculiarity, [105];
• distance, [106], [173], [214];
• splendour in southern hemisphere, [172];
• photographic portrayal, [174–5]
• Miller, Dr., [11], [12]
• Mitchell, Miss, visit to Collingwood, [195–6]
• Monck, stellar spectroscopic distribution, [107]
• Moon, mountains of, [22], [23];
• volcanoes, [93–4].
• Nasmyth, opinion of J. Herschel, [196–7];
• solar willow leaves, [211]
• Nebula, Orion, [15], [43], [65], [70], [71], [110], [111], [153], [167], [214];
• Dumb-bell, [157];
• Argo, [167];
• Andromeda, [214]
• Nebulæ, catalogues, [19], [64], [123], [132], [191–2];
• discoveries, [35], [64], [122], [165];
• nature, [66], [212–4];
• development, [67], [69], [109–10];
• distribution, [73], [214]
• Nebulæ, annular, [65], [157], [165]
• Nebulæ, double, [72], [156]
• Nebulæ, planetary, [65], [67], [71];
• spectrum, [109];
• satellites to, [155];
• colour, [165]
• Nebulæ, rifted, [157]
• Nebular theory, [71–2], [109]
• Newton, law of gravitation, [17], [77];
• reflectors, [20], [23];
• mode of investigation, [23], [206]
• Olbers, origin of asteroids, [90];
• comet of 1819, [129];
• light extinction, [174];
• visit from J. Herschel, [184]
• Orange, Prince of, enquiries at Slough, [39]
• Papendick, Mrs., remarks on William and Caroline Herschel, [39], [44], [125]
• Peacock, Dean, [143], [194], [203]
• Photography, of stellar spectra, [104], [107];
• of nebulæ, [110–11], [113], [166–7];
• star charting by, [113], [172], [199];
• of clusters, [169–70], [171];
• of solar spectrum, [209];
• of sun-spots, [210]
• Photometric enumeration, [60], [106], [107], [114];
• catalogues, [80]
• Photometry, stellar, [81], [104], [177];
• photographic, [105]
• Piazzi, visit to Slough, [39], [150]
• Pickering, E. C. and W. H., photographs of Orion nebula, [111]
• Pouillet, solar radiation, [179]
• Pritchard, Dr., [143], [192], [201], [204]
• Proctor, star-drift, [108];
• estimate of Sir J. Herschel, [199], [200];
• correspondence with, [218]
• Ranyard, A. C., changes in nebulæ, [168];
• clusters, [213]
• Roberts, Dr., photographs of nebulæ, [157], [165]
• Rosse reflector, [99], [212]
• Russell, H. C., photographs of Magellanic clouds, [166];
• of Argo nebula, [167];
• of Milky Way, [175]
• Saturn, artificial, [30];
• satellites, [41], [43], [91], [92], [180];
• rings, [91–2]
• Savary, stellar orbits, [148], [149]
• Schröter, [34], [84], [88–9]
• Secchi, [113], [211]
• See, Dr., double nebulæ, [156]
• Sirius, brilliancy, [42], [168];
• standard star, [58], [61], [63], [80]
• Slough, W. Herschel’s residence at, [36], [44];
• birthplace of J. Herschel, [142]
• Sniadecki, stay at Slough, [39]
• Solar cluster, [107], [215]
• Solar radiation, [151–2], [179]
• Somerville, Mrs., [132]
• South, Sir James, [146], [147], [149]
• Spectrum analysis, [84], [204], [209]
• Spencer, unity of sidereal system, [166]
• Stanley, Dean, on J. Herschel, [199]
• Star-clusters, [49], [59], [63], [67], [72], [169–71], [213]
• Star-gauging, [57–8], [113], [171–2]
• Stars, binary, [72], [156];
• discovery, [76–7], [147];
• orbits, [147–9]
• Stars, double, observations of, [55–6], [103], [146–8], [157];
• colours, [56], [112], [156];
• nebular relations, [155]
• Stars, distribution of, [58–9], [60], [73], [81], [106], [171–2]
• Stars, movements of, [77], [107–8]
• Stars, nebulous, [69], [70], [71]
• Stars, spectra of, [83], [105]
• Stars, spectroscopic binary, [104]
• Stars, temporary, [66–7]
• Stars, variable, [23], [81–2], [168–9]
• Stokes, Sir G., fluorescence, [210]
• Stone, Herschel’s assistant, [180]
• Struve, W., [148], [158], [188]
• Sun, translation, [77–80], [108];
• vicissitudes, [82], [87], [88];
• constitution, [83–6], [178–9], [211]
• Sussex, Duke of, [158]
• Telescopes, Improvement of, [17], [19], [20], [24–6], [33], [36], [98–100]
• Uranus, discovery of, [24–5], [26], [120];
• satellites, [40], [93], [153]
• Watson, Sir W., [16], [22], [27], [30], [47], [124]
• Watt, James, [47]
• Whewell, Dr., unity of sidereal system, [76], [166];
• friendship with J. Herschel, [145], [163], [191], [200];
• tidal data, [181];
• articles in Quarterly Review, [186], [205–6];
• Geological Society, [189];
• on optical enquiries, [203–4];
• hexameters, [217]
• Wolf, Dr. Max, photographs of nebulæ, [111];
• of Milky Way, [175]
• Wollaston, [145], [177]
• Worlds, inhabited, [85], [86], [89], [147].

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Transcriber’s Notes

Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they were not changed.

Simple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced quotation marks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left unbalanced.